When it comes to portable speakers, Marshall has built a strong reputation for quality sound in stylish packages. Today we're comparing two of their popular models - the new Marshall Willen II ($120) and the established Marshall Emberton II ($170). Released in August 2024, the Willen II represents Marshall's latest tech, while the Emberton II has been proving itself since 2022.
Before diving into specifics, let's talk about what matters in a portable speaker. The key factors are sound quality, portability, battery life, and durability. You'll often trade some audio performance for portability, so understanding your priorities is crucial.
Think of it like choosing between a sports car and an SUV - each excels in different situations. The Willen II is that nimble sports car, while the Emberton II is more like a capable crossover, offering more power but requiring more space.
The Willen II showcases Marshall's focus on ultra-portability. At just 4 inches square and weighing 0.79 pounds, it's genuinely pocket-sized. What's particularly clever is the built-in rubber strap - a simple addition that vastly expands where and how you can use it. I've found it perfect for attaching to bike handlebars or hanging from a backpack.
The Emberton II takes a different approach. At 1.5 pounds, it's still portable but aims for better sound through a larger enclosure. This additional size houses bigger drivers and more substantial passive radiators (these are like speakers without power that move in response to the powered speakers, enhancing bass response).
Here's where things get interesting. The Willen II uses a single 10-watt driver (the speaker component that creates sound) with two passive radiators. This setup produces surprisingly full sound for its size, with particular strength in the mid-range frequencies where voices and most instruments live.
The Emberton II doubles down with two 10-watt drivers and its own passive radiators. This extra power and separation creates a wider soundstage (the perceived space where sounds appear to come from) and notably better bass response. When testing both with bass-heavy tracks, the Emberton II clearly pulls ahead.
Real-world performance differences:
Battery technology has improved significantly since the Emberton II's release, yet it still leads with 30+ hours of playback versus the Willen II's 17+ hours. Both support quick charging:
While the Emberton II has longer overall battery life, the Willen II's quick-charge capability is more efficient, which I've found particularly useful during travel.
The newer Willen II brings some interesting tech to the table:
Auracast is particularly interesting - it's a new technology that will allow broadcasting audio to multiple compatible devices simultaneously, similar to how AirPods can share audio between two sets.
The Emberton II offers:
Both speakers feature IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning they can handle:
Environmental impact is becoming increasingly important, and Marshall has made strides here. The Emberton II uses 50% recycled plastic from post-consumer electronics, while the Willen II continues this commitment though specific percentages aren't published.
While neither speaker is primarily designed for home theater use, they can serve as temporary solutions. The Emberton II's better stereo separation and stronger bass make it more suitable here. However, the lack of auxiliary inputs on both models limits their home theater utility - these are primarily Bluetooth speakers.
For multi-room audio:
After extensive testing, here's how they stack up in daily use:
The choice between these speakers really comes down to your primary use case:
For Active Users:
For Home/Social Users:
At $120, the Willen II represents excellent value for a premium portable speaker, especially considering its newer technology and versatility. The Emberton II's $170 price tag is justified by its superior sound quality and battery life, but requires a bigger investment.
Both speakers excel in their intended roles. The Willen II is the clear choice for portability and versatility, while the Emberton II offers superior sound quality for those who can accommodate its larger size.
Ultimately, you're choosing between maximum portability and maximum sound quality. Both speakers deliver on Marshall's reputation for quality, just with different priorities. Consider your typical use case, and let that guide your decision.
Remember: the best speaker is the one that fits your lifestyle and gets used regularly. Don't be swayed by specs alone - think about how you'll actually use it day to day.
| Marshall Willen II | Marshall Emberton II |
|---|---|
| Price - Base investment for each model | |
| $120 (better value for portable use) | $170 (premium for better sound) |
| Size & Weight - Impacts portability and placement options | |
| 4" square, 0.79 lbs, ultra-portable | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3", 1.5 lbs, medium-sized |
| Audio Output - Determines overall sound quality and volume | |
| Single 10W driver with dual passive radiators | Dual 10W drivers with dual passive radiators |
| Battery Life - How long between charges | |
| 17+ hours, 20-min charge = 5.5 hours | 30+ hours, 20-min charge = 4 hours |
| Water/Dust Protection - Outdoor durability | |
| IP67 rated (identical protection) | IP67 rated (identical protection) |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection quality and features | |
| 5.3 LE with future Auracast support | 5.1 with Stack Mode |
| Special Features - Additional functionality | |
| Built-in mic, mounting strap, EQ presets | Stack Mode multi-speaker sync, EQ presets |
| Best Use Cases - Primary scenarios | |
| Travel, outdoor activities, personal listening | Small gatherings, home use, background music |
| Sound Signature - Audio characteristics | |
| Strong mids, clear vocals, limited bass | Fuller range, better bass, wider soundstage |
| Construction - Build materials and quality | |
| Rubberized housing, metal grille, recycled materials | Metal grille, 50% recycled plastic, more substantial build |
The Marshall Emberton II offers better overall sound quality and longer battery life, while the Marshall Willen II excels in portability and value. For pure audio performance, the Emberton II is better, but the Willen II is more versatile for on-the-go use.
While neither is primarily designed for home theater use, the Emberton II works better as a temporary solution due to its superior stereo separation and stronger bass response. However, both lack auxiliary inputs and true home theater features.
The Marshall Willen II costs $120, while the Marshall Emberton II is priced at $170. The $50 difference mainly accounts for the Emberton II's improved sound quality and battery life.
The Emberton II leads with 30+ hours of playback compared to the Willen II's 17+ hours. However, the Willen II offers more efficient quick charging, providing 5.5 hours from a 20-minute charge.
Both the Willen II and Emberton II feature identical IP67 water and dust resistance, allowing submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and complete dust protection.
The Marshall Emberton II delivers superior sound quality with dual 10W drivers and better bass response. The Willen II still offers good audio but focuses on vocal clarity and mid-range performance.
The Emberton II can connect to other Emberton II speakers using Stack Mode. The Willen II will support Auracast in the future, allowing connection to other compatible devices.
The Marshall Willen II is better suited for outdoor activities due to its lighter weight, included mounting strap, and more compact size, though both speakers offer the same water resistance.
Only the Marshall Willen II features a built-in microphone for calls. The Emberton II doesn't support this feature.
The Marshall Emberton II is better suited for social gatherings due to its louder volume, fuller sound, and better bass response compared to the more personally-oriented Willen II.
The Willen II features newer Bluetooth 5.3 technology with improved range and stability, while the Emberton II uses Bluetooth 5.1. Both offer reliable connectivity within typical room distances.
Both speakers offer good value for different uses. The Willen II at $120 is excellent for portable use, while the Emberton II at $170 justifies its higher price with superior sound quality and battery life.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: whatsthebest.co.uk - youtube.com - crutchfield.com - goodhousekeeping.com - abt.com - bestbuy.com - theaudio.co - store.moma.org - av-connection.com - rtings.com - electronicexpress.com - techradar.com - dreamwaveus.com - crutchfield.com - soundguys.com - gadgets360.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - shop.ash-asia.com - crutchfield.com - gadgetstyler.com - youtube.com - avstore.in
