When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers in 2024, two popular options stand out: the newer $79.99 Soundcore Boom 2 SE and the classic $199.99 Marshall Stockwell II. Let's dive deep into what makes each unique and who they're best suited for.
The portable speaker market has evolved significantly over the past few years. Modern speakers need to balance sound quality, durability, and features while remaining portable enough for everyday use. Today's buyers expect rich sound, long battery life, and resistance to the elements – all without breaking the bank.
The Soundcore Boom 2 SE and Marshall Stockwell II take notably different approaches to audio reproduction. Released in late 2023, the Boom 2 SE features Anker's latest BassUp 2.0 technology, which analyzes and enhances low frequencies in real-time. This creates powerful bass response, though sometimes at the expense of subtle midrange details.
The Stockwell II, while older (released in 2019), employs Marshall's traditional audio expertise with a more balanced approach. Its three class D amplifiers (one 10W for the woofer, two 5W for tweeters) deliver notably clearer midrange frequencies. This makes it particularly strong for vocal-heavy music and acoustic instruments.
In terms of raw volume, the Boom 2 SE pushes harder with its 30W total output compared to the Stockwell II's 20W. However, raw power numbers don't tell the whole story – the Stockwell II's more refined tuning often sounds clearer at moderate volumes.
The durability difference between these speakers is significant. The Boom 2 SE features full IPX7 waterproofing, meaning it can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. It's also designed to float, making it ideal for pool parties or beach trips.
The Stockwell II takes a more traditional approach with IPX4 splash resistance. While this protects against rain or occasional splashes, it's clearly designed more for patio parties than poolside use.
Both speakers offer impressive battery life, but with different strengths:
The Boom 2 SE's ability to charge other devices through its USB port adds versatility for outdoor use or traveling.
The Boom 2 SE brings several modern features to the table:
The Stockwell II focuses on core audio features:
While neither speaker is primarily designed for home theater use, they can serve as temporary solutions. The Boom 2 SE's PartyCast feature could theoretically create a wireless surround setup, though latency might be an issue. The Stockwell II's more balanced sound profile might work better for dialogue-heavy content, but neither would be ideal as a permanent home theater solution.
At $79.99, the Boom 2 SE delivers impressive value, especially considering its feature set and durability. The $199.99 Stockwell II demands a premium, justified mainly by its superior build quality and more balanced sound signature.
Choose the Boom 2 SE if:
Choose the Stockwell II if:
Both speakers represent different philosophies in portable audio. The Boom 2 SE embraces modern features and durability at an accessible price point, while the Stockwell II focuses on refined sound and premium construction at a higher cost.
For most users, the Boom 2 SE's combination of features, durability, and price makes it the more practical choice. However, if sound quality is your primary concern and you're willing to pay for it, the Stockwell II's more refined audio presentation might be worth the premium.
Remember that the best speaker is the one that fits your specific needs and use cases. Consider where and how you'll use it most often, and choose accordingly.
| Soundcore Boom 2 SE | Marshall Stockwell II |
|---|---|
| Total Power Output - Affects maximum volume and sound clarity | |
| 30W (2x15W tweeters + 50W subwoofer) | 20W (2x5W tweeters + 10W woofer) |
| Water Resistance - Critical for outdoor and poolside use | |
| IPX7 (fully waterproof, can be submerged) | IPX4 (splash resistant only) |
| Battery Life - Important for extended outdoor use | |
| 24 hours at moderate volume | 20 hours at moderate volume |
| Charging Speed - Matters for quick top-ups | |
| 4 hours to full charge | 20 minutes gives 6 hours playback |
| Additional Power Features - Useful for outdoor activities | |
| Built-in power bank for charging devices | No power bank feature |
| Sound Enhancement Technology - Affects audio quality | |
| BassUp 2.0, 9-band EQ via app | Physical bass/treble controls, True Stereophonic |
| Multi-Speaker Features - Important for larger spaces | |
| PartyCast 2.0 (links up to 100 speakers) | No multi-speaker connectivity |
| Extra Features - Adds versatility | |
| LED light show, floating design, app control | Premium build, multi-host Bluetooth pairing |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection stability | |
| Bluetooth 5.3 (100m range) | Bluetooth 5.0 (30ft range) |
| Price - Value consideration | |
| $79.99 (better value for features) | $199.99 (premium for sound quality) |
Neither the $79.99 Soundcore Boom 2 SE nor the $199.99 Marshall Stockwell II is ideal for permanent home theater use. However, the Boom 2 SE's PartyCast feature allows linking multiple speakers, potentially creating a temporary surround setup. The Stockwell II offers clearer dialogue reproduction but lacks multi-speaker connectivity.
The Marshall Stockwell II delivers more balanced, refined audio with better midrange clarity. The Soundcore Boom 2 SE offers stronger bass response and higher volume but can sound less detailed in the middle frequencies.
The price difference ($120) is significant. The Stockwell II justifies its premium with better build quality and more balanced sound. However, the Boom 2 SE offers more features and better durability at a lower price point, making it better value for most users.
The Soundcore Boom 2 SE is significantly more durable with IPX7 waterproofing (can be submerged) and a floating design. The Marshall Stockwell II only offers IPX4 splash resistance, making it less suitable for poolside or beach use.
Neither speaker is recommended as a permanent soundbar replacement. While both can connect to TVs via Bluetooth, they lack proper TV audio processing and HDMI connectivity. For temporary setups, the Stockwell II's clearer midrange might perform better with dialogue.
The Soundcore Boom 2 SE offers slightly longer battery life at 24 hours versus the Stockwell II's 20 hours. However, the Stockwell II features quick-charging capability, providing 6 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge.
Only the Soundcore Boom 2 SE offers multi-speaker connectivity through its PartyCast 2.0 feature, allowing up to 100 compatible speakers to be linked. The Marshall Stockwell II cannot be paired with other speakers.
For movie watching, the Marshall Stockwell II has an advantage with clearer dialogue reproduction and more balanced sound. The Boom 2 SE offers stronger bass for action scenes but might not handle subtle audio details as well.
Yes, both speakers use standard Bluetooth technology and work with any Bluetooth-enabled device. The Boom 2 SE uses newer Bluetooth 5.3 with longer range (100m), while the Stockwell II uses Bluetooth 5.0 (30ft range).
The Soundcore Boom 2 SE is better suited for parties with its higher volume output, LED light show, waterproof design, and ability to link multiple speakers. The Stockwell II is more appropriate for intimate gatherings.
Both speakers work well for background music. The Stockwell II offers more refined sound for ambient listening, while the Boom 2 SE provides more volume and bass response. Neither is designed specifically for home theater integration.
The Soundcore Boom 2 SE offers better value with more features (waterproofing, LED lights, power bank, multi-speaker linking) at $79.99. The Stockwell II at $199.99 focuses on sound quality and premium build rather than additional features.
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: soundcore.com - gzhls.at - youtube.com - techradar.com - support.soundcore.com - digitaltrends.com - trustedreviews.com - soundguys.com - bestbuy.com - stuff.tv - idownloadblog.com - stereoguide.com - kendallgiles.com - termagoods.com - aplaze.com - manua.ls - youtube.com - sg.tcacoustic.asia - marshall.com - youtube.com
