One particularly odd thing that’s missing from this device, but available on other Marshall Bluetooth speakers, is the presence of a smartphone app. There’s also an IPX4 water-resistant coating, which means that your speaker should be able to withstand the occasional splash and rainstorm. Known for supplying amplifiers to some of the biggest bands of all-time, Marshall has branched out from its gig-based roots to explore the Bluetooth speaker landscape. If I were getting something similar in size and shape (just a bit bigger), I would (and have) grab the IK Multimedia iLoud.

The quality of the materials used in its construction mirror those of the Emberton, with a silicone outer casing giving the unit an IPX4 rating. This means it isn’t water- or dust-proof (the USB-C and Aux connections aren’t covered), but it can deal with splashes of water (or beer). There are also two gold pins included which you can use to attach the vegan leather strap with ritzy red velvet on the underneath. The speaker has a modest IPX4 rating, meaning that it is somewhat water resistant. It can handle light splashing from any direction, but not real water pressure or submersion, so don't throw it in the pool. A superb general sound profile. Both speakers have deep, punchy, and excellent bass for the size. Each one has an even mix, and both can go loud.Like the Emberton, the promise of the ‘True Stereophonic’ isn’t quite delivered in the way the marketing blurb would have you think. Yes, you can hear the speaker’s output from any angle, but facing towards the speaker’s front or rear offers the most focused performance. Sit at an angle and the speaker loses its directionality.

Ok, I will admit that I am a huge fan of the styling. Its retro design looks very cool and definitely in line with the company’s amps, making them an icon in the music industry. The dials on top give a further nod to that design ethos, and it is actually a very nice addition to fiddle with the eq settings without digging into your phone's settings. Superb battery life. Battery longevity will depend on various factors but should be more than long enough for an outdoor dance party or a long road trip. You can keep a tab of the remaining juice via the battery indicator. The battery-powered system brings some real advantages over the competition for mobile use: Not only does the case and the oversized carrying strap make a stable impression. The battery life of up to 20 hours and the pleasingly slim case depth of only 7 centimeters also call for outdoor use. You should only be careful with water, because the IPX4 protection class at most forgives splashing water. Practical and versatileThis also applies to the bass, which supported the impression of a fast and jumpy reproduction, but sounded too slim throughout. There was no real bass balance even when the bass control was turned to the right stop. Combine that with the bulky bass, treble, and volume control on the top of the machine, and it’s easy to forget you’re not tuning your own amp.