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Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Marshall Middleton review: Retro charm meets big sound in compact party speaker
Marshall Middleton Review:Looking for a party speaker for home? But don't want those massive-looking Bluetooth speakers with colourful lights. Marshall, a premium brand that offers consumer audio products, has several speaker options available that cater to aesthetic design, premium build, and amazing sound quality. Marshall Middleton is one of the company's latest offerings, which is perfect for house parties. It is a portable Bluetooth speaker, making it compact and lightweight in comparison to other party speakers. It comes with a rugged yet classic retro design that could fit in any corner of the house, and can be placed as a decorative item as well. The Marshall Middleton was ideally launched last year, creating a big hype among buyers. But, is it still worth it to buy in 2025? Well, I have been using the portable Bluetooth speaker for over 3 weeks to test its audio quality, battery life, and all the features it offers. Initially, the Marshall Middleton with a quad-speaker setup provides an exceptional sound and audio quality. But is it worth paying Rs.31999 now? Here's a detailed review to know if the Marshall Middleton is a smart buy even after a year of launch. Also read: LG XBOOM Series speakers launched in India, price starts at Rs.4990: Everything you need to know Marshall Middleton comes with a retro and Amp-inspired design, giving a portable speaker a unique look. Its brass branding on the black metallic grill looks quite attractive, which instantly grabs brand attention. For a rugged look, the speaker has a rubber-finish build, but at the same time, it offers greater durability with an IP67 rating for water resistance. It can be submerged in 1 meter of water for a period of up to 30 minutes. Additionally, it also comes with a rubber strap so users can carry it anywhere they like. The Marshall Middleton weighs 1.8 Kgs, which may not seem much, but it feels slightly heavy to carry in real life. Coming to the controls, Marshall Middleton comes with a quad-directional brass button in the middle, which is the main power switch. However, it can also be used to adjust volume, play/ pause music or switch tracks. On the left side, you get an LED indicator which showcases volume, bass, and treble levels. It also has a Bluetooth pairing button, and on the right side, you'll get bass and treble adjustment buttons. On both sides, it has speaker grills that balance the 360-degree surround sound. Lastly, it features a USB Type-C and an AUX port on the back. Overall, the design feels premium and luxurious due to its retro build and portability, but I was not very impressed with the control settings on the stop. Also read: Portronics Fynix 30W portable Bluetooth speaker launched at Rs.2,599- All details After listening to all kinds of music on Marshall Middleton for over three weeks, I have made up my mind that it is the best Bluetooth speaker I have used so far. From deep bass, thumping music, to top-notch sound quality, the Marshall Middleton offers everything an audiophile needs. While it's not feature-heavy, its simplicity is what makes the speaker more unique, with no audio and sound quality compromises. Marshall Middleton also offers app connectivity, where users can access features such as Equaliser and stack mode. Well, the equaliser does not offer different band settings, but only bass and treble adjustments, which can also be done manually on the device. Its other unique feature is the stack mode, which lets users connect multiple Middleton speakers for an immersive experience or for a larger crowd. However, this feature can only be used if you have additional Marshall Middletons. Now, coming to the audio experience, Middleton leverages the True Stereophonic technology for multi-directional sound. It features a quad speaker setup that includes two tweeters, two woofers and two passive radiators, offering an immersive sound experience. Its exceptional sound is achieved due to a balanced sound profile and punchy deep bass, despite being a compact Bluetooth speaker. Its low-frequency response is also quite impressive, with crisp highs. Even at full volume, I did not experience any stutter or glitchy sound, but the sound was quite loud for such a small speaker. To further test its limits, I also connected the speaker with a laptop to watch movies and web series, and to my surprise, it gave a theatre-like experience, if you are in a small, closed room. A little tip, if you enjoy horror movies, then Marshall Middleton is perfect for jump scare scenes. Overall, Marshall Middleton is quite an impressive speaker, and surely very enjoyable if you prefer high-volume music, EDMs, raps, and other deep bass audio. Marshall Middleton claims to offer more than 20 hours of playtime on a single charge. Well, my daily usage did not include long hours of listening, but the speaker lasted for a good 2 weeks on a single charger without 1 to 2 hours of playback per day. I mostly kept the volume between 4 and 5, which is ideal for high-rise buildings, since no one else will be disturbed in that case. For charging, the Middletons take a good four and a half hours of charging time. Therefore, if you are heading out with the speaker, you will have to charge the device in advance for longer play time. Mobile Finder: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge LATEST specs, features, and price Now, is it worth buying the Marshall Middleton in 2025 for ₹31999. In my opinion, the speakers are on the pricier side, but it is expensive for a reason. Its exceptional sound quality, rugged retro design, and deep bass experience make the experience feel premium. Additionally, its portability makes it easier for users to carry it anywhere, to pool parties, cycle rides, or at home, it fits right in seamlessly. The Marshall Middleton also offers decent battery life, but the charging time can be cumbersome if not done in advance for the planned event. Its only drawback is that it does not offer greater equaliser settings, and it has limited codec support, which could make the buyer think once or twice. However, the overall experience is worth the money.
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Forbes
The Best Bluetooth Speakers, After Hundreds Of Hours Of Listening
Of course you want your Bluetooth speaker to sound great, but that's only part of the equation. The best Bluetooth speakers should also have a long battery life and be super easy to use—whether you're controlling your music from the speaker itself or the accompanying app. As a classically trained musician and as a self-professed music junkie (my Spotify Wrapped tells me I listened for more than 72,000 minutes annually), I embarked on my favorite mission to date: to find the best Bluetooth speakers on the market. I put over 20 Bluetooth speakers to the test to find the best Bluetooth speaker overall, the Bose SoundLink Max. It gives the best balance of everything I sought in a speaker: a rugged design, stellar audio quality, a long battery life and an intuitive app. But I tested other Bluetooth speakers that may better suit your needs. My best budget Bluetooth speaker, the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go, punches above its weight and costs less than $50. Another one of my favorites, the Brane Audio Brane X, delivers an incredible amount of bass. And if you're seeking a combination of design aesthetics and audio quality for home, the Marshall Middleton led the pack by blending a gorgeous vintage design with lovely audio as a midrange speaker. Here are the best Bluetooth speakers, found after testing over 20 speakers by listening to hundreds of hours of music and podcasts for more than two months. Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Weight: 4.8 pounds | Dimensions: 4.1 x 10.4 x 6.3 inches | Waterproof: IP67 | Charging method: USB-C | Battery life: 20 hours | Microphone: No Best for: Skip if: The Bose SoundLink Max ticked all my boxes. Bose designs typically focus on a somewhat rugged aesthetic, and that branding is definitely on display here; its boombox build is built to resist bumps and scrapes, but visually, it doesn't hold a visual candle to the Marshall Middleton, my midrange pick. Still, the rugged build is what helped cement it as a top pick, as I dropped it and it didn't show any marks. The speaker offers a convenient detachable rope handle, which made it easy to move around my home. If you want, you can add a shoulder strap, though that's sold separately for an extra $45. The carry handle suffices, and you'll need it—this speaker is 4.8 pounds, which is heavy for a portable speaker. Buttons on the top are easy to find and use, too. Its stereo sound is exemplary; basses sound deep, mids and trebles balance wonderfully. One of my favorite examples of just how this speaker delivers is with Ashnikko's 'Daisy,' which at the very beginning hits deep, deep basses that I've found is difficult for speakers to play properly. The Bose hits this bass note with ease, while balancing the rest of the frequencies. For context, only a handful of Bluetooth speakers I tested hit that particular note. Bose's app is one of the best around, with easy-to-use controls and simple EQ software. You don't get any presets, but you can adjust each frequency. I missed presets, but at least Bose makes it simple to tune your music to your preferences. The stereo only faces in one direction, but even so, still had robust audio that rivaled 360-degree speakers. Convenient buttons are on the top of the speaker. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes Another feature that sets this speaker apart from the pack? Its IP67 waterproof rating, which is great for pool parties—but it's the fact that it floats that really wowed me. During a briefing, one of the Bose representatives tied a rope to its strap and threw the speaker smack dab into the middle of a pool. On the other hand, don't expect it to float and play music. The speaker faces downward into the water, so you'll get no audio. That said, it won't sink to the bottom of the ocean, so that's great peace of mind for beach parties. Battery life gets you around 20 hours on a charge. Keep in mind that you'll need to keep the original Bose cord, as it won't charge with other cables, based on my testing. Even so, the speaker can charge your phone using any USB-C cable. It's pricier compared to the other options on this list, but for that $400 price tag, its extra features make it worth that splurge. Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Weight: 1.2 pounds | Dimensions: 3.2 x 4.7 x 1.8 inches | Waterproof: IP67 | Charging method: USB-C | Battery life: 20 hours | Microphone: No Best for: Skip if: The Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go surpassed my expectations. Just larger than the palm of my hand, it has a strap hook to carry it via a carabiner. It only has a few buttons: play, pause, power, Bluetooth and volume. On the corner, you'll find a single USB-C port with a silicone cover to block moisture. It can be placed horizontally or vertically with the help of four little feet on the bottom, which is a nice, unexpected feature. To be clear, this isn't the best Bluetooth speaker I tested for audio quality: Even with bass boost on, the lower frequencies simply can't match that of its more expensive competitors. However, at this price point, the fact that it can hit as many of the frequencies is does is pretty darn impressive, and the quality is adequate for casual listeners. Soundcore has built a reputation for creating quality audio equipment for a fraction of the price. Once again, Anker hits the bullseye with this tiny speaker that's less than $50. Be sure that you play around with the EQs—odds are you'll want to toss on the Bass Boost EQ over the Soundcore Signature Sound EQ. That said, it's impressive that given this price point, it even has EQ presets (other speakers in this price range that I tested don't offer any). Remember Ashnikko's, 'Daisy,' I mentioned I tested with Bose? The Select 4 Go can't quite hit those bass notes, and they sound a couple notes higher than they should. That's a problem for me. The 20-hour battery life is impressive, but during testing, it fell a hair short. It's not a big a deal, considering that it's unlikely that you'll play it for 20 continuous hours. It's also a nice perk that it comes with IP67 waterproofing—and after tossing it in my kitchen sink filled with water, I can confirm it floats. It's easy to connect two speakers to make a more robust sound profile, too, thanks to the Soundcore software. During testing, they synced up nicely. Because it's less than $50, it's also great for teens and kids that want a speaker but you're concerned about them getting tossed around. Overall, its simply impressive that Anker managed to pack all of these features plus a decent audio into such a compact, affordable package. Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Weight: 1.9 pounds | Dimensions: 2.6 x 6.3 x 3 inches | Waterproof: IP67 | Charging method: USB-C | Battery life: 32 hours | Microphone: Yes Best for: Skip if: The Marshall Emberton III is the best small Bluetooth speaker you can get right now. Sure, the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go is smaller, but at that size, you're sacrificing some bass and lower frequencies. The Marshall Emberton III is a little bigger, and the boxy shape makes it easy to tuck into a bag or place it literally anywhere. On top, you'll find a few buttons, including a volume control and a toggle that you move to the left and right for forward and rewind (admittedly, it takes some getting used to). I usually prefer colors other than black, but this design is simply lovely, giving me some serious nostalgia for my father's vintage stereo speakers. The EQs and audio quality sound on par with its sibling, the Marshall Middleton, and regarding lower frequencies, the Middleton edges it out—the bass is simply more powerful on the Middleton. Still, it can more than deliver lower frequencies and make them sound good. It doesn't offer many EQ presets; choose between the signature Marshall, Push (which is essentially the dynamic mode) or Voice for your podcasts. I was disappointed that I can't customize EQ, but it does a good job maintaining a rounded listening profile nonetheless. The sound passes through bidirectionally for 360-degree audio, which the company calls True Stereophonic audio. It does a solid job filling my living room, including when I sit far away from it. The battery lasts up to 32 hours, which I was able to get in my own testing as long as I kept the volume on a medium setting. Like others on this list, it's rated for IP67 so it can handle outdoor elements or pool parties. There's no strap, but you can add your own thanks to a slot on the corner. Don't expect any smart assistant compatibility, but the app is fairly straightforward. You can also elongate the lifespan in the app with small changes, like only charging to 95% and invoking adaptive charging. Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Weight: 7.7 pounds | Dimensions: 7 x 9.3 x 6.1 inches | Waterproof: IP57 | Charging method: Auxiliary | Battery life: 12 hours | Microphone: Yes Best for: Skip if: I first heard about the Brane X through word of mouth, when a colleague insisted I needed to make an appointment to see this new speaker at CES 2024. Not one to miss out on innovative audio technologies, I snuck in a last-minute appointment with the Brane team—and it was one of the best choices I've made at any CES show to date. That's because the technology behind it is truly innovative. The company spent years redesigning the subwoofer blueprint, eventually landing on the magnetized Repel-Attract Driver (RAD) subwoofer blueprint its speaker, the Brane X, currently uses—and it's very impressive. The Brane X's subwoofer, simply put, is one of the most powerful bass-focused Bluetooth speakers on the market. It blew almost every other speaker I tested out of the water for the raw power its subwoofers deliver. If you're worried about the bass being too powerful, you can choose from three levels of bass to customize your listening experience. Even then, it's pretty powerful, but I'm a fan as there have been plenty of times these frequencies sound muddled or get lost in the mix. Also, be prepared to feel the bass shaking every surface around where this speaker gets placed, which to me only enhanced the party. If you are mindful of your neighbors, this might not be the speaker for you; you simply won't be able to draw on its raw power, and to me, as an apartment dweller, that's a disappointment. Press the power, and you'll hear a buzzing sound to confirm that the speaker is turning on (it also does this when it turns off). You can connect it to Amazon Alexa—just make sure you take the time to set it up and log in, which can be tricky as my unit took a few tries. It's also Apple AirPlay compatible. For the audio quality, I ended up finagling the EQ for a custom setting. Don't get me wrong—it sounds pretty good out of the box, but I usually tweak any speaker to get the sound I crave. Get two, and you can pair them together, too. There are some drawbacks to the Brane X that are worth noting. It doesn't use USB-C for charging. This surprised me as every other Bluetooth speaker I tested offers this universal charging, and it makes it more difficult to charge if it runs low on battery. That leads me to my next point: Make sure that you charge your speaker the night before since I found that the battery tends to drain over time even when you're not using it. A few times, I tried to turn it on and found the battery had depleted itself. And of course, it's heavy thanks to that lovely subwoofer. The carry handle is nice, but I personally wouldn't take this speaker with me for a day at the beach. Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Weight: 2.1 pounds | Dimensions: 3.7 x 9 x 3.9 inches | Waterproof: IP68 | Charging method: USB-C | Battery life: Up to 28 hours | Microphone: Yes Best for: Skip if: The JBL Charge 6 has a blatantly rugged build. On one hand, it's drop resistant, so it's going to withstand a ton of bumps and scrapes. It's so sturdy that JBL jokingly recommends on its company website not tossing the speaker around to impress your friends, and there's a certain degree of truth to that claim. My cat decided to test this for me by knocking it off a desk, and it still looks brand new. It's rated IP68 for water- and dustproofing, and it can handle a 1 meter drop to concrete with ease. The speaker's rubber feet help it stay firmly in place on most surfaces, and on the top, there's two grooves where a removable carry handle can lock into place. The strap is easy to add and remove, too. It makes it easy to carry around and set on most surfaces, and because it's more lightweight compared to other speakers I tested, that helps cement its winner in the portable Bluetooth speakers category. If you're seeking an intuitive app, the JBL app was among the easiest I tested across all brands. Make sure you download the correct app—there's the JBL Portable App, which is for Bluetooth speakers, and the JBL Headphones app, which is for their headphones, and they look similar in the app store. It's easy to connect and there's virtually no learning curve when you want to adjust the EQs. Choose from the JBL Signature, Chill, Energetic, Vocal or Custom (I personally recommend Energetic since it gives the music extra vibrancy), and the audio quality is pretty good out of the box. There's an AI Boost feature that I felt made the music a little tinny, so I opted not to use it. I found some of the presets to be lacking (for example, I thought Chill muddled the quality too much for my taste). Battery life is pretty solid; it can go up to 24 hours on a charge, with its Playtime Boost eking out another four hours in a pinch for a total of 28 hours. It takes up to three hours to charge, and you can also see battery life at a glance on the app's home page, which was nice. You can connect a second JBL Charge 6, too, but don't expect to connect with just any JBL speaker. I couldn't get that feature to work with my JBL Flip 7, for example, despite the claim you can pair multiple Bluetooth speakers for a stereo sound with its Auracast technology. One more thing to note: A 10 minute charge gets you up to 150 minutes of playtime. But the final feature that makes it a worthy pick for portability? You can use the Charge 6 to charge your phone in a pinch. If you are prone to running low on battery, make sure you pack a USB-C cable for peace of mind. The speaker doesn't come with its own. Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Weight: 4 pounds | Dimensions: 9 x 4.2 x 3.7 inches | Waterproof: IP67 | Charging method: USB-C | Battery life: 20 hours | Microphone: Yes Best for: Skip if: Bose may have landed at the top of the list, but that's because in addition to making good quality audio, it knows how to make a rugged speaker. Marshall, on the other hand, knows how to up the ante with aesthetics. Like the Emberton III, the Marshall Middleton has a metallic mesh design. The lighter cream hue I received also gives off the vintage vibes with which I'm obsessed. For the aesthetic alone, this was my favorite speaker. You also get a strap to help carry the speaker, but it's placed on the corner, and feels counterintuitive. I don't want to swing my four-pound Bluetooth speaker around, and it would have been nice to have a detachable carry handle. Ultimately, I kept it stationary. The app's EQ presets leave a little to be desired for those that may not be as familiar with EQs. You can adjust bass and treble frequencies, but that's it—you don't get any EQ presets, which I found disappointing. That's not to say that the audio needs adjustments—this speaker sounds so rich that during my testing, I didn't feel the need to adjust either EQ frequency. You can shift between tracks in the app, which was nice if I didn't feel like opening up Spotify. It's also cool that Marshall added EQ adjustments right on the top of the speaker to make adjustments on the fly. It was one of only four speakers in which I could distinctly hear the baritone saxophone blending alongside other instruments during Fitz and the Tantrums' 'I Just Wanna Shine,' and, more importantly, I could hear the musical notes well. That's a huge distinction as some speakers I tested made that particular instrument sound like a squawking parrot. The same went for tracks like, 'Ma Meilleure Ennemie,' by Strommae and Pomme, where some speakers muddled the layers; the Middleton balanced them beautifully. Out of all the Bluetooth speakers I tested, this one was my favorite if I was testing solely based on audio quality. It sounds significantly more expensive than it costs. The speaker's battery life isn't as robust as I would have liked, as it only gets around 20 hours of playtime. 20 minutes of charging can get you another two hours, which is lower than the JBL Charge 6, but it's still solid if you're in a pinch. Like the Bose SoundLink Max and the JBL Charge 6, you can also charge your phone from this speaker, too. It's also important to note that unlike the Bose SoundLink Max, this speaker doesn't float in water, but it's protected against water and dust with an IP67 rating. Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Weight: 8.2 pounds | Dimensions: 11.2 x 7.3 x 5.1 inches | Waterproof: IP65 | Charging method: USB-C | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Microphone: Yes Best for: Skip if: If you value a premium audio quality above all else, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 is the one you should buy. The Bluetooth speaker costs an eye-watering $1,550, but for that premium price, it has a lot going for it. The unit I tested featured gorgeous wood paneling that fit nicely on my vintage 1900s leather top desk—not to mention in my modern kitchen. If you're not keen on a wood finish, there is also a rattan, called Nordic Weave, and a silver modern look, too. The charge port is on the back but controls are conveniently placed on top—just make sure that you turn it off. The speaker only turns off after 90 minutes of inactivity, and there were a few times I forgot to turn it off and later found the speaker dead. You can disable this in the app. Still, its audio quality is hands-down the most luxe I tested. The A5 comes with a list of EQ presets: Lounge, Party, Speech and more. If you really want to, you can make a custom EQ as well. It works well enough, but it's not needed for this speaker—it sounds lovely unboxed. In addition, the Beosound A5 can play 360-audio or direct the sound toward the front, depending on your EQ preset. Some EQs, like Party, are only available with 360-degree audio, which surprised me. The Beosound A5 still outperformed the competition. It can hit the lower frequencies with ease, and it balanced nicely with the mids and trebles. It sounds good, and some of the funk to Remi Wolf's tracks truly shined across the EQs. This was built to handle all your genres with ease, and, 'The New Yorker Radio Hour,' episodes showcased well on the Speech setting, though I could have easily left it on Party or Lounge, my two preferred EQs. It's also the only speaker I tested that offers a swappable battery. If your battery starts failing, Bang & Olufsen will help you replace it. For those with a focus on sustainability, this is a real boon. Its battery life clocks in at around 12 hours on a medium setting; during testing, I found that was mostly true, but noted that when I turned it up to higher volumes, the battery life does drop. Prior to testing and during my research, while I didn't quite hit these low numbers, some customers commented that they got around five hours of battery life. I clocked in around 6-7, depending on how high I turned up the volume (and risked angering my neighbors), so mileage varies here. Another cool feature: It offers Qi charging on the top, which is unique in all the speakers I tested. That said, while it's portable, don't expect to take this one on your next beach trip: It's the heaviest speaker I tested. The handle is nice and the speaker holds up well to accidental bumps and scrapes, but I can't imagine taking this outside of my home or backyard patio. I tested around 20 Bluetooth speakers to find the best one. These are some that didn't make the top cut, but were good enough to receive honorable mentions. Some include smart features, while others had impressive EQs. Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) ($187): A former top pick, I love the design of this speaker. Its small, rounded profile is easy to slip into a bag, and the metal mesh paneling looks gorgeous in any setting. I'm also a huge fan of the green color. Battery life is strong, and the audio quality was very impressive, with a few EQ presets that delivered, including Party and Ambient EQs. That said, it's $300—around $130 more than my current pick, the Marshall Emberton III. It comes with Amazon Alexa compatibility, too, for those who prefer to connect that feature. My biggest gripe with this speaker is the leather cord: It's nice that Bang & Olufsen includes a leather strap, but I don't fully trust it to carry or hold the speaker; it feels like an afterthought. Sony ULT Field 1 ($100): This speaker has a great audio quality that's improved with the bass-enhancing ULT button. Battery life gets around 12 hours with ULT on, and lasts much longer with ULT turned off. Without the ULT button on, audio without it sounds tinny, but the design is cool—you can see the subwoofers moving, which I found fun, and I'm obsessed with the orange shade I received. The straps feel sturdy and are adjustable for your needs, but ultimately, I couldn't find a specific category to slot this speaker into. It's great value for the price, just keep in mind that the app may take some time getting used to. It's not as intuitive as others on this list. Sonos Roam II ($175): The Sonos Roam II impressed me for multiple reasons: It has a compact build that easily slides into a backpack water bottle holder and its audio quality was arguably the best I tested in this size range. It also is rated IP67 so it's waterproof and dustproof, and the battery life holds true to its claim of 10 hours of life. That said, the app is very, very counterintuitive, and I grew frustrated with the app. Audiophiles will love this speaker, but plan to take some time to get accustomed to funky software. JBL Clip 5 ($60): As one of the contenders for the best budget Bluetooth speaker, the JBL Clip 5 wowed me. For its size, it brings an impressive audio quality. I would have liked to have seen deeper basses, but its biggest issue for me wasn't the audio quality but the design: It can't stand on its own—you need to invest in a third-party case . Still, having the built-in clip to attach to a bag or a hook was really helpful. The app is very intuitive to use, and I appreciated the simple controls. JBL Flip 7 ($150): The JBL Flip 7 is another rugged 'pint-sized' design that I had mixed feelings about. It's sturdy and drop-resistant in addition to its IP68 waterproofing. Like the JBL Charge 6, it has the built-in AI Sound Boost feature. It also has the same EQs of the Charge 6. Still, the Charge 6 ever-so-slightly edges the Flip 7 out. The Charge 6 packs slightly more power and has the more convenient carry handle; the Flip 7 has a detachable strap to hook a carabiner located on the back. If you're seeking a smaller, more portable choice, the Flip 7 is a great option. Sony ULT Field 3 ($200): The Sony Ult Field 3 has a ton going for it: The ULT bass boost button really makes it hit those deep basses with ease. I loved the removable strap as it makes it easy to carry around when you're traveling to say, a park or a friend's house. That said, the speaker sounds tinny if you don't turn on the ULT button which triggers a deeper bass, but that's at the cost of battery life. Still, because it's a square shape, it slots in well on a bookshelf or on a table. Tribit StormBox Micro 2 ($55): The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 speaker fits in the palm of my hand, and on the back features a stretchy rubber strap to place it on a bag handle or bicycle. It's easy to set up and the EQ presets are pretty nice to have, though I found a few to be weak for some of the lower bass frequencies on Grandson's tracks. Another issue that cropped up? The strap on the bottom doesn't keep it in place—strap it to a metal bar, and it slips to face downward. Still, if you're going to set it only on a table, this budget-friendly speaker is a great option. Ultimate Ears Everboom ($250): The Everboom's aesthetic fits well into any space, and the buttons are intuitive to use—though putting the volume controls front and center was a bit of an odd choice. My only significant gripe, though, was that every time I used the speaker I needed to reconnect it in my Bluetooth speaker's settings. The audio quality is stellar and gives off a powerful 360-degree sound that's similar to its sibling, the Epicboom, though it can't quite hit the bass power the Epicboom can. My absolute favorite part about this speaker, though, lies in the app. Like the Epicboom, it allows you to turn on the speaker from your phone. The signature preset is good enough for most, but for smaller apartments, there's a, 'cramped spaces,' EQ to enjoy your music without pestering your neighbors. Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) ($120): Like the top pick the Bose SoundLink Max, the Flex packs a powerful audio, just in a more compact, waterproof and dustproof package. The app is intuitive and it's easy to adjust the audio without deep diving too far into EQ customizations. It's a darn good speaker—but the Max can draw more power for lower bass frequencies because it houses larger equipment, including a driver and subwoofer. It also floats in water if you accidentally knock it into the pool. If you want an intuitive speaker that's reasonably priced, this is a hard one to beat. Treblab HD-Go ($35): The Treblab HD-Go is a tiny speaker that rivals the size of my budget pick, the Anker Soundcore Select 4. It's great for portability, but it fell short in a couple areas of testing, namely the audio quality. The small speaker simply can't hit the lower frequencies, and without EQ settings, it sounds flat. That's not to say it isn't good—in fact, this would be a great choice for kids and teens who want sound but parents don't want to contend with thumping bass. But for adults who want a more powerful speaker, look elsewhere. Treblab HD-360 Pro ($160): Another unit from Treblab, the HD-360 Pro gives off incredible 360-degree audio at its price point of $160, rivalling speakers that cost double that. Three EQ presets are located on the speaker itself, and there is no app; just connect the speaker via Bluetooth and you can begin streaming music. It's a quality budget-friendly speaker that punches above its weight impressively, but I had trouble slotting it into a specific category. It doesn't have a convenient carry handle, so it's hard to carry around. I also didn't like that I couldn't manually adjust EQs to my liking. It would be a great option for a bookshelf. To find the best Bluetooth speakers, I put over 20 speakers to the test, narrowing down options to top-rated brands like Bose, Marshall and more. From there, I put my shortlist to the test. The best Bluetooth speakers should feel study and rugged, as well as have some kind of water- and dust-resistance, especially if you plan to take them to the pool. They should either be lightweight and easy to carry or have a strap to help haul them around. It should look good sitting on a bookshelf or at a pool party, too. This was where the bulk of my testing came into play. No matter what genre you're listening to, your audio quality should have a good balance of base, mids and treble frequencies. None of these frequencies should sound muddled or distorted during listening sessions, and so I looked for crystal clear clarity and smoothness amongst the frequencies. I cross-checked audio quality in Bluetooth speaker across a variety of songs, and I considered differences across multiple EQs, speaker direction and more. I also checked how far the speaker went, placing it on the opposite end of my large living room and seeing how each speaker sounded as the audio projected. Some of the genres that I listen to include alternative, rock, classical, audiobooks/podcasts and more. Specifically, some of the songs I tested each pair of Bluetooth speakers include: When you're listening to your music, you want to be able to listen for hours without interruptions. I tested each speaker for 30 minutes each, logging battery percentages at the beginning and at the end. I also cross tested this across multiple frequencies and volumes to see if there were any changes as I shifted features. This way, I could get a sense of whether each pair lived up to its claims. One more thing that stands out from the crowd: Most of the picks on my list allow for portable charging on the go. They also have quick charging where a certain number of minutes, say 10 to 15, get you a couple hours playback. The Forbes Vetted team has published hundreds of tech and electronic guides that leverage our hands-on testing and research, including audio stories for all of your listening needs like wireless headphones, wireless earbuds, outdoor speakers and more. To choose the best Bluetooth speaker for your needs, you'll want to focus on three areas: design, audio quality and battery life. Think about, 'how and where you will be using the speaker,' says Green. Some things you should consider is whether you plan to keep it in your home or, 'if you are planning on moving the speaker, integrating it with other speakers, etc.,' he adds, as if you're planning on leaving it in your home, you won't have to be concerned with weight and portability. Odds are you'll be taking your speaker on the go, and Hoistion says that you should consider how the speaker gets moved around. 'A speaker with a built-in carabiner clip might seem like a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in how often you'll actually bring it along,' she says, since you can clip it to a backpack or a bicycle basket. And, of course, she specifically mentions checking, 'waterproof rating and overall everything-proof capabilities.' If you plan to take it outdoors or near water, the waterproofing should go a step further, too. 'Especially during those summer months when you're hanging by the pool or taking a boat trip, having a speaker that's fully waterproof and can float if it falls in is a game changer,' Hoistion says. For audio quality, you want a robust audio across all frequencies and volumes. Fossier went further into detail, saying, 'You'd be surprised how many speakers only perform well at low volume, but start to distort the second you turn it up. I always look for solid bass, clear mids and no harsh treble, especially if you're planning to use it for more than just background noise.' Be sure to take a look at where your audio's direction will be projecting, too. If you want 360-degree audio versus a front-facing Bluetooth speaker, you'll hear the difference. You can easily tell by looking at a speaker's design, according to Hoistion, who says, 'Looking at driver size and placement details can tell you a lot about how well the speaker will project sound and handle bass, mids and highs.' You also want to make sure that there's an EQ feature for customizing your audio, After all, Fossier says, 'Everyone hears sound differently, and being able to tweak it to suit your preferences makes a big difference,' in your listening experience. Adjusting an EQ can mean the difference between enjoying your music or experiencing a flatness on your patio, as an example. Additionally, you want a long battery life for hours of playback. 'If you're moving between setups like I do, you want a speaker that can go the distance without needing a charge every few hours,' Fossier says. Ideally, your Bluetooth speaker should get at least 6-10 hours of playback, though most of the speakers on this list can last for over 20 hours. It's not just about the playback, though; charging should also be a consideration here. Your charge shouldn't take more than a couple hours, and in a pinch, a short amount of charging time should give you enough listening time for a couple hours minimum. 'Try purchasing Bluetooth speakers with USB-C fast charging and enough battery life to fit individual lifestyle and listening preferences.' Also, some of the Bluetooth speakers we included not only can play music for hours, but they also can charge your phone in a pinch. Based on my testing and research, the best Bluetooth speaker on the market is the Bose SoundLink Max. It blends a solid, rugged design with impressive audio quality. Consider how you're going to use your Bose or JBL speaker. Green says, 'On the go, Bluetooth speakers should be durable and relatively lightweight, and easily pair with your phone so seamless integration.' Both offer a durable drop and water resistance for peace of mind when you're travelling, but the JBL edges out the Bose in terms of sheer durability and portability. The Bose is a little heavier in comparison to the JBL Charge 6, and both offer an easy detachable carry handle for portability. It's also important to note that the Bose SoundLink Max floats in water. That said, the Bose edges out JBL in terms of audio quality, based on my testing, but it's also significantly more expensive. If you're firmly in the bank where you want the best audio quality possible, choose Bose. However, the best balance of durability and audio quality is the JBL Charge 6, and if you're planning on going camping or taking this on the trails, I recommend the Charge 6. I chose the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go as the best budget speaker. For around $50, and often discounted for significantly less, it has a fairly solid audio quality. You won't get the deep basses compared to the Marshall, JBL and Bose speakers we tested, but for the price, it's hard to beat. It also will float in water for easy retrieval, and it can last up to 20 hours on a single charge. Plus, it comes with EQ option in the app, which is unheard of in this price range.
USA Today
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
I went to 12 music festivals in one summer. Marshall speakers are the next best thing to live shows
I went to 12 music festivals in one summer. Marshall speakers are the next best thing to live shows Save up to $100 on my favorite Marshall speakers so you can bring festival season to your home this summer. I went to 12 music festivals in one summer. This was the summer of 2018, when COVID hadn't changed our lives yet, large, sweaty groups of people were totally cool and I was busy crowd-surfing multiple times during Blink-182 shows. To celebrate the first round of Coachella 2025, I'd like to spend my weekend reminiscing on my favorite live shows and savoring some good ear candy. There's one brand that I always turn to for headphones and speakers when I can't make it to an actual concert, and that is Marshall. As one of the coolest brands out there, I see Marshall amps on the stage of pretty much every single concert I attend. The thing is, the products don't just look badass with guitar-inspired straps and rock-and-roll aesthetic, they offer show-stopping performance. The over-ear Marshall III ANC headphones are at the top of my list because of how long the battery lasts and how comfortable they are, while the portable Marshall Emberton III speaker is my favorite waterproof gadget to amplify the best backyard BBQ and camping trip soundtracks. If you're looking to add some cool vibes and high-quality sound to your summer 2025 playlist, check out my favorite deals at Marshall below. Shop Marshall speakers and headphones on sale right now 🎸 Coachella-bound? Shop last-minute festival essentials at Amazon Marshall Middleton Speaker Marshall Stockwell II Speaker Marshall Willen II Speaker Marshall Major IV On-Ear Headphones Marshall Kilburn II Speaker Marshall Minor IV Earbuds
