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While the portable Bluetooth speaker market is saturated with forward-firing, single-directional-facing options, we can’t forget those featuring an omnidirectional driver layout or “360-degree sound.” A company like Ultimate Ears has based its entire lineup on this stereo design. So enter the Marshall Emberton II. Offering that same stereo sound in a compact, durable package, we determine if this rock-and-roll-inspired speaker is the hit single or simply a B-side in this Marshall Emberton II review.
Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
What I like about the Marshall Emberton II
In true Marshall amplification style, the Emberton II sports a rock-and-roll design reminiscent of one of their classic tube amplifiers. Each side of this omnidirectional unit contains a 2″ full-range driver and a passive radiator. With its rubberized finish and IP67 protection rating, this portable speaker is ready for the beach or your next poolside hang. It easily fits in a backpack, though at 673g it is heavier than competitors such as the JBL Flip 6.
Controlling the Emberton II is dead simple. You’ll find a multidirectional button to control your power and playback and a dedicated Bluetooth button on the top of the unit. While none of these controls are backlit, the multi-control button is pretty intuitive. Push up or down for volume control, left or right to go back or skip a track, and press in the middle once to pause. It couldn’t be easier. You also get a red LED battery life meter.
While there isn’t much going on in the Marshall Bluetooth app, you’ll at least want to download and install it to take advantage of its “Push” EQ setting. While listening to Forest King by 3 Inches of Blood on the Marshall Emberton II, I noticed a very prominent emphasis on the mids. While this always helps instruments like distorted guitars cut through the mix, this stock preset also changes the sound of the snare drum tone I’m used to hearing on this heavy metal track.
After selecting the Push EQ preset, the Emberton II takes on more of a “U-shaped” frequency response. This enhances the bass, dials back the mid-frequencies, and increases some treble frequencies for a more exciting sound. While the guitars are pushed back slightly, so is the unnecessary “bark” from the snare drum for a better listening experience. This preset also makes kick drums a bit punchier and adds clarity to cymbals.
“I know, it’s only rock and roll, but I like it.”The Emberton II separates your music’s left and right channels with good definition. When compared side by side with the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3, the Emberton II with the “Push” EQ activated does a much better job in reproducing treble frequencies, even after adjusting the Megaboom 3’s EQ settings. With the Emberton II, you can easily hear the details of the drummer’s cymbal work and other treble-related elements, such as reverberated vocal tones. When it comes to rock music, the Emberton II sounds better to my ears than the Megaboom 3 by far.
Marshall states a 20-minute charge will give you four additional hours of playback.
The company says the Emberton II requires three hours to charge fully.
What’s not so good about the Marshall Emberton II?
As mentioned, the the Marshall Bluetooth app is a little lean. A custom EQ of any kind would be a welcome addition to further personalize the Emberton II sound. In terms of connection, Emberton II connects via Bluetooth 5.1 and is SBC only. No codec support exists for higher bit rate options, which isn’t anything new for portable speakers, but it also doesn’t support multipoint connection.
We also experienced a disappointing battery test. Unfortunately, in our standardized testing, the Emberton II lasted only 9 hours and 8 minutes. Marshall advertises 30-plus hours of playback with the Emberton II. A lackluster battery performance is always a letdown. However, it’s still enough time to listen to Guns ‘n Roses’s Appetite For Destruction at least ten times on repeat.
Lastly, it’s essential to remember omnidirectional speakers aren’t ideal for personal listening and perform best in the center of a gathering. Since your playback is fired hard left and right out of the enclosure, you won’t catch all the production-related details of your favorite song if you’re facing the speaker directly. The omnidirectional design aims to help fill your party area with as much sound as possible. Consider a more traditional, directional Bluetooth speaker for personal listening around the house.
Should you buy the Marshall Emberton II?
The Marshall Emberton II is a decent-sounding omnidirectional speaker in a fun rock and roll package, suitable for smaller-sized gatherings. It’s durable, dead simple to use, and easily packable if you want to bring it along on your next beach day. As long as you don’t plan on listening for more than 10 hours at a time, you’ll have a blast with this speaker.
However, if you like the idea of an omnidirectional speaker for your next gathering but aren’t digging the Marshall amp-like finish, check out the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 ($149.99 at Amazon). This popular party speaker is also built to withstand the great outdoors with its IP67 protection rating, not to mention it’s drop-proof and floats. It can also easily fit into your backpack with its cylindric design.
Marshall Emberton II review: FAQs
Yes, with an IP67 protection rating, the Emberton II can handle a dunk in water up to a meter for 30 minutes.
Absolutely! Marshall appropriately calls this “Stack Mode”
The Emberton II is an omnidirectional speaker that offers stereo playback.
No, the Emberton II connects via Bluetooth only.
No, the Marshall Emberton II does not have a built-in microphone.