In the ever-evolving world of portable audio, two recent releases have caught the attention of music lovers: the Sonos Roam 2 ($179) and the Marshall Willen II ($119). Both speakers hit the market in early 2024, bringing fresh features to the portable audio space. But which one deserves your hard-earned money? Let's dive deep into what makes each speaker unique and help you make an informed decision.
Before we compare these two contenders, it's worth understanding how far portable speakers have come. Today's speakers pack impressive audio technology into increasingly compact forms, offering features that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. We're talking about speakers that can automatically adjust their sound based on their surroundings, connect to your home WiFi network, and resist both water and dust.
The Sonos Roam 2 and Marshall Willen II take different approaches to audio delivery, each with its own strengths.
The Roam 2 uses two class-H amplifiers (a more efficient type of amp that reduces power waste) paired with a custom-designed "racetrack" mid-woofer and tweeter. This setup creates a balanced sound profile that particularly shines with vocal-heavy music and acoustic instruments. The speaker's automatic Trueplay tuning - which uses built-in microphones to analyze room acoustics and adjust audio output accordingly - is a standout feature that helps maintain consistent sound quality whether you're in your bathroom or backyard.
Marshall takes a different route with the Willen II, employing a single 2-inch full-range driver backed by dual passive radiators. While this might seem simpler, it's highly effective for the speaker's size. The passive radiators help enhance bass response without requiring additional power-hungry drivers. The result is a sound signature that feels more rock-oriented, with punchier bass that works well for modern music genres.
Here's where these speakers really differentiate themselves:
Battery performance is crucial for portable speakers, and there's a clear winner here. The Marshall Willen II offers an impressive 17 hours of playback, while the Sonos Roam 2 manages about 10 hours. Both support USB-C charging, but the Roam 2 adds wireless charging capability - a nice touch for home use.
Both speakers feature IP67 water and dust resistance ratings, meaning they can handle submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. However, they take different approaches to physical design:
Having tested both speakers in various settings, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
The Sonos Roam 2 excels here, particularly when integrated into a larger Sonos system. Its Trueplay tuning really shines in home environments, and the ability to group with other speakers makes it more versatile. For home theater use, you can pair two Roam 2s as rear surrounds with a Sonos soundbar, though at $179 each, there are more cost-effective options for this specific use case.
The Marshall Willen II proves more practical outdoors. Its longer battery life, more compact size, and mounting strap make it ideal for activities like hiking or beach trips. The stronger bass response also helps it cut through outdoor ambient noise more effectively.
When considering value, we need to look beyond just the price difference:
Your choice should ultimately depend on how you plan to use the speaker most often:
Both speakers represent the latest in portable audio technology, but they might evolve differently. The Sonos Roam 2 will likely receive regular software updates adding new features over time, while the Marshall Willen II's future Auracast support could enable interesting new use cases for group listening.
The Sonos Roam 2 and Marshall Willen II are both excellent speakers that serve different needs. The Roam 2 is the more versatile option with its smart features and multi-room capabilities, making it ideal for users who want one speaker that can do it all. The Willen II, meanwhile, focuses on doing one thing really well: being an excellent portable speaker with great battery life and sound quality for its size.
Your choice should ultimately align with how you'll use the speaker most often. If you're primarily looking for a portable outdoor speaker, the Marshall Willen II offers better value. But if you want a speaker that can seamlessly transition between home and outdoor use while integrating with a larger audio system, the Sonos Roam 2 is worth the premium.
| Sonos Roam 2 | Marshall Willen II |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial Investment | |
| $179 (premium pricing) | $119 (better value) |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 10 hours (adequate but not exceptional) | 17 hours (class-leading) |
| Connectivity Options - Affects versatility | |
| WiFi + Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay 2, Voice Assistant support | Bluetooth 5.3 only, but with Auracast support |
| Size - Impacts portability | |
| 6.61 x 2.44 x 2.32 inches (larger) | 3.96 x 3.96 x 1.71 inches (more compact) |
| Weight - Affects carrying comfort | |
| 1.53 lbs (heavier) | 0.79 lbs (notably lighter) |
| Driver Configuration - Determines sound quality | |
| Two Class-H amplifiers, custom mid-woofer, tweeter | Single 2" full-range driver, two passive radiators |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Outdoor durability | |
| IP67 rated (fully waterproof) | IP67 rated (fully waterproof) |
| Smart Features - Home integration capability | |
| Multi-room audio, automatic Trueplay tuning, voice control | Basic Bluetooth controls only |
| Charging Options - Convenience factor | |
| USB-C and wireless Qi charging | USB-C only |
| Sound Signature - Different strengths | |
| Clear midrange, better for vocals and acoustic | Stronger bass, better for rock and electronic |
| Additional Features - Extra value adds | |
| Stereo pairing, Sonos ecosystem integration, auto-tuning | Built-in mounting strap, future Auracast support |
The Sonos Roam 2 is significantly better for home theater use since it can integrate with Sonos soundbars as rear surrounds and supports WiFi connectivity. The Marshall Willen II doesn't offer any home theater-specific features.
The Sonos Roam 2 costs $179, while the Marshall Willen II is priced at $119, making it $60 less expensive.
The Marshall Willen II offers superior battery life at 17 hours, compared to the Sonos Roam 2's 10 hours of playback time.
Only the Sonos Roam 2 can be used as part of a surround sound system when paired with a Sonos soundbar. The Marshall Willen II is strictly a standalone speaker.
The Sonos Roam 2 performs better for movies due to its superior midrange clarity and dialogue reproduction. The Marshall Willen II is more focused on music playback.
Both the Sonos Roam 2 and Marshall Willen II have IP67 ratings, meaning they're equally waterproof and can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
The Sonos Roam 2 can connect to your TV through a Sonos system, while the Marshall Willen II can only connect via Bluetooth if your TV supports it.
The Marshall Willen II is more portable, being significantly smaller and lighter (0.79 lbs) compared to the Sonos Roam 2 (1.53 lbs).
Only the Sonos Roam 2 supports voice commands through various assistants. The Marshall Willen II does not have voice control capabilities.
The Sonos Roam 2 can be paired with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio or stereo pairs. The Marshall Willen II will support Auracast for multiple speaker connectivity in the future.
The Marshall Willen II is better suited for outdoor use due to its longer battery life, more compact size, and included mounting strap. While the Sonos Roam 2 is also weather-resistant, its WiFi features are less useful outdoors.
The Marshall Willen II offers better value for purely portable use at $119. The Sonos Roam 2 at $179 is worth the premium if you'll use its smart features and home theater capabilities.
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: techradar.com - theshortcut.com - housebeautiful.com - youtube.com - cgmagonline.com - automatednow.com - bestbuy.com - nfm.com - creativeaudio.net - sonos.com - shop.menshealth.com - support.sonos.com - youtube.com - skybygramophone.com - 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
