In August 2024, Marshall released two new portable speakers that have generated significant buzz among audio enthusiasts. The compact Marshall Willen II ($119.99) and its bigger sibling, the Marshall Emberton III ($169.99), represent Marshall's latest take on portable audio. Let's dive into how these speakers compare and which might be right for you.
Portable speakers have come a long way from the tinny, battery-hungry units of the past. Today's speakers need to deliver quality sound while being tough enough to survive outdoor use. Both of these Marshall speakers showcase how far the technology has advanced, particularly in areas like battery efficiency and sound quality from small drivers (the actual speaker components that produce sound).
The key improvements in these 2024 models include Bluetooth 5.3 LE (Low Energy) connectivity, which provides better range and uses less power than previous versions. They also support Auracast, a new technology that will allow broadcasting to multiple compatible devices simultaneously - though this feature will arrive in a future update.
The Willen II is remarkably compact at just 4 inches square and weighing 0.79 pounds. It's the kind of speaker you can toss in a bag and forget about until you need it. The included rubber strap makes it easy to attach to bike handlebars, backpack straps, or any convenient mounting point.
The Emberton III takes a different approach, measuring about 6.3 inches wide and weighing 1.5 pounds. While still portable, it's designed more as a "take it to your destination" speaker rather than something you'd carry while hiking.
Both speakers feature IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning they can handle submersion in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. This makes them equally suited for poolside use or surviving unexpected rain.
Here's where the size difference really matters. The Willen II uses a single 2-inch driver with 10 watts of power, supported by passive radiators (non-powered speakers that help enhance bass response). This setup delivers surprisingly good sound for its size, but physics sets certain limitations.
The Emberton III employs two 2-inch drivers (10 watts each) and includes Marshall's True Stereophonic technology. This creates a more three-dimensional soundstage - meaning you get a better sense of where different instruments are positioned in the music. It also includes Dynamic Loudness, which automatically adjusts frequency response based on volume level. At lower volumes, this helps maintain fuller sound instead of becoming thin and weak like many speakers do.
In practice, the Emberton III delivers noticeably better bass response and can play louder without distortion. The Willen II holds its own for personal listening but can't match the room-filling capability of its larger sibling.
The advancement in battery technology is evident in both models:
These improvements over previous generations make both speakers reliable for extended use. The Emberton III's impressive 32-hour battery life makes it particularly well-suited for weekend trips or outdoor events where charging isn't readily available.
The $50 price difference between these speakers reflects their different target uses. The Willen II excels as a personal speaker - perfect for travel, desktop use, or outdoor activities where space and weight matter. Its sound quality is more than adequate for these scenarios, and the mounting strap adds versatility.
The Emberton III justifies its higher price through superior sound quality and battery life. It's the better choice for anyone who:
Both speakers include some noteworthy technical features:
This latest Bluetooth version provides better range (up to 100 meters in open space) and improved power efficiency. It also enables future Auracast support, which will allow broadcasting to multiple compatible devices.
The companion app offers EQ presets and firmware updates. The Emberton III gets additional benefit from the app's Dynamic Loudness controls.
Both include built-in microphones for hands-free calls, a feature previous Emberton models lacked.
While neither speaker is primarily designed for home theater use, the Emberton III could serve as a decent temporary solution for small spaces. Its True Stereophonic technology helps create a wider soundstage, making it more suitable for movie watching than the Willen II. However, neither speaker supports low-latency codecs specifically for video, so slight audio delay might be noticeable.
Choose the Willen II if:
Choose the Emberton III if:
Both speakers represent significant improvements over their predecessors, particularly in battery life and connectivity. The choice really comes down to your specific needs rather than one being definitively "better" than the other.
For most users, I'd recommend the Emberton III if the budget allows. The improved sound quality and battery life make it more versatile, and the larger size is still manageable for most situations. However, if maximum portability is your goal or you're looking for a secondary speaker for travel, the Willen II offers excellent value and performance for its size.
| Marshall Willen II | Marshall Emberton III |
|---|---|
| Price - Base investment required | |
| $119.99 | $169.99 |
| Size & Weight - Impacts portability and placement options | |
| 4" square, 0.79 lbs - Ultra portable | 6.3" wide, 1.5 lbs - Medium portable |
| Audio Output - Determines volume and sound quality | |
| Single 10W driver with passive radiators | Dual 10W drivers with True Stereophonic |
| Battery Life - Critical for extended use | |
| 17 hours, 5.5 hours from 20-min charge | 32 hours, 6 hours from 20-min charge |
| Water Resistance - Affects outdoor usability | |
| IP67 (3ft water for 30 min) | IP67 (3ft water for 30 min) |
| Mounting Options - Flexibility for different uses | |
| Included rubber strap, very versatile | Loop for strap (not included) |
| Bluetooth Range - Distance from source device | |
| Up to 100m with Bluetooth 5.3 LE | Up to 100m with Bluetooth 5.3 LE |
| Sound Features - Audio enhancement capabilities | |
| Basic EQ via app | True Stereophonic + Dynamic Loudness |
| Frequency Response - Range of sound reproduction | |
| 75-20,000 Hz | 65-20,000 Hz (better bass response) |
| Best Use Case - Primary intended purpose | |
| Personal listening, travel companion | Small gatherings, room-filling sound |
| Future Features - Upcoming capabilities | |
| Auracast support via update | Auracast support via update |
| Value Proposition - Bang for buck | |
| Excellent value for portable use | Premium features justify higher price |
The Marshall Emberton III offers better overall sound quality and battery life, while the Marshall Willen II excels in portability. The Emberton III is better for most users due to its superior audio performance and room-filling sound, unless maximum portability is needed.
The Willen II costs $119.99, while the Emberton III is priced at $169.99, making a $50 difference. The price premium for the Emberton III reflects its larger size, better sound quality, and longer battery life.
The Emberton III works better for home theater use due to its True Stereophonic technology and stronger bass response. However, neither speaker is optimized for home theater, as they may experience slight audio delay and lack dedicated low-latency video modes.
The Emberton III offers 32 hours of playback compared to 17 hours for the Willen II. Both feature quick charging, with the Emberton III providing 6 hours from a 20-minute charge versus 5.5 hours for the Willen II.
Yes, both the Willen II and Emberton III have IP67 water resistance ratings, meaning they can be submerged in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
While both are outdoor-capable, the Willen II is better for active outdoor use due to its included mounting strap and lighter weight. The Emberton III is better for stationary outdoor gatherings due to its louder volume and better sound quality.
Both the Willen II and Emberton III will support Auracast technology through a future update, allowing them to broadcast to multiple compatible devices. However, they cannot currently be paired together for stereo sound.
The Emberton III delivers superior sound quality with dual 10W drivers and True Stereophonic technology, compared to the single 10W driver in the Willen II. The Emberton III also offers better bass response and higher maximum volume.
Both the Willen II and Emberton III include built-in microphones for hands-free calls and video conferencing, making them suitable for casual use in these scenarios.
The Willen II is significantly more portable at 0.79 pounds and 4 inches square, compared to the Emberton III at 1.5 pounds and 6.3 inches wide.
Yes, both the Willen II and Emberton III work with the Marshall Bluetooth app, which provides EQ controls and firmware updates. The Emberton III gets additional benefits from Dynamic Loudness controls.
The Willen II offers better value for portable use and travel, while the Emberton III provides better value for home use and small gatherings. The choice depends on your primary use case, but the Emberton III's additional features justify its higher price for most users.
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 - bgr.com - androidcentral.com - crutchfield.com - goodhousekeeping.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - bestbuy.com - group.marshall.com
