When it comes to high-quality speakers, Marshall is a brand that stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship and renowned audio performance. However, the cost of Marshall speakers often raises eyebrows. To understand why Marshall speakers come with a higher price tag, several factors need to be considered. From their superior build quality to their reputation as a leader in the audio industry, as well as their impressive sound output and versatile connectivity options, Marshall speakers are designed for those who demand the best in audio experiences.
In this article, we will delve into the reasons why Marshall speakers are considered a high-end investment for audio enthusiasts and which are the best speakers available.
Design and Build-Quality
Marshall speakers are renowned for their exceptional design and build-quality, which make them stand out in the market. Inspired by their iconic guitar amplifiers, Marshall speakers have a vintage aesthetic that appeals to music enthusiasts. The attention to detail in their design ensures that they not only deliver excellent audio quality but also serve as a statement piece in any room.
In terms of construction, Marshall speakers incorporate unique features and materials, further setting them apart from the competition. Some models include built-in amplifiers for maximum power and performance, while others utilize high-quality materials such as leather-like vinyl for a premium look and feel. These added elements contribute to the overall durability and longevity of Marshall speakers.
Brand Reputation matters
Marshall’s brand reputation carries substantial influence in the high-end speaker industry. With a strong history in the music sector, Marshall is highly acknowledged and esteemed for its iconic amplifiers. This longstanding recognition as a leader in the amplifier market directly contributes to the perceived value and higher price of their speakers.
Musicians and audio enthusiasts trust Marshall due to their proven track record of delivering top-notch sound quality and superior craftsmanship. The brand reputation established by their amplifiers sets a high standard for their speaker offerings, making them a desirable choice for those seeking the utmost in audio performance. Marshall’s brand reputation ensures that their speakers stand out among the competition and justify their higher price tag.
Connectivity and Versatility
Marshall speakers offer a range of connectivity options and versatility features, which contribute to their higher price point. With Bluetooth, aux-in, RCA inputs, and Wi-Fi compatibility for multi-room setups, these speakers provide seamless connectivity across various devices. The Bluetooth functionality allows for easy wireless streaming, while multi-room setups enable synchronized audio throughout different rooms.
Additionally, Marshall speakers offer customizable sound settings, allowing users to personalize their listening experience. Although the Wi-Fi feature requires a mobile app for connectivity, it offers the convenience of controlling multiple speakers from one device. However, it’s worth noting that the mobile app may have some usability issues and lacks a built-in voice assistant. Overall, these connectivity options and versatility features enhance the audio experience and justify the cost of Marshall speakers.
Best Sound Quality
Marshall speakers are renowned for their impressive sound quality and distinctive audio profile that truly enhances the rock and roll experience. With a focus on impactful mid-range frequencies, these speakers deliver a warm, vibrant, and sonorous sound output that brings music to life across various genres.
One key factor contributing to Marshall’s superior audio performance is the integration of high-quality materials in their speaker construction. From the leather-like material covering the cabinets to the retro amplifiers and tweeter units, every component is carefully selected to ensure optimal sound production.
Despite their smaller form factor, Marshall speakers are designed to pick up every nuance of the music and deliver a robust and immersive listening experience. With their ability to accurately reproduce notes and create a wide soundstage, these speakers offer a level of audio quality that is unparalleled.
Whether you’re a music enthusiast or a professional audio engineer, Marshall speakers are a testament to the brand’s commitment to providing the highest standard of sound reproduction. From their impactful mid-range frequencies to their warm and vibrant sound output, Marshall speakers are the epitome of impressive sound quality.
Features and Connectivity
Marshall speakers are known for their exceptional features and versatile connectivity options. With built-in Bluetooth capabilities, they can easily connect to any compatible device for seamless wireless audio streaming.
Additionally, they support multi-room setups, allowing users to link multiple speakers together for synchronized playback throughout the house. Customizable sound settings further enhance the audio experience, allowing users to adjust the bass, treble, and volume to their preference.
For added versatility, Marshall speakers also offer aux-in and RCA inputs, as well as Wi-Fi compatibility for expanded connectivity options. While manual tweaking of settings may be required, and a remote control is not included, Marshall speakers provide a premium audio experience that is unrivaled in the market.
Integrated Amplifiers :
Marshall speakers are highly regarded for their exceptional audio quality, and one of the key factors that contributes to their cost is the integration of high-quality amplifiers. These built-in amplifiers play a crucial role in enhancing the overall audio performance of the speakers.
By incorporating amplifiers directly into the speaker cabinets, Marshall ensures optimal power delivery and precise control over the sound output. This requires meticulous engineering and the use of premium components, which adds to the cost of production.
Several Marshall speaker models and ranges feature integrated amplifiers, including the Marshall Kilburn, Stockwell, Acton, and Emberton II. These amplifiers, inspired by Marshall’s iconic guitar amplifiers, provide a true-blue wireless audio experience and deliver rich, immersive sound.
While the integration of amplifiers may contribute to the cost of Marshall speakers, it is a crucial aspect in achieving their renowned audio performance and sets them apart from typical speaker brands. The use of high-quality materials, such as leather-like finishes, further adds to the premium nature of Marshall speakers.
Limited Editions and Special Releases
In addition to their regular lineup, Marshall also releases limited edition and special version speakers, which are highly sought after by audio enthusiasts and collectors alike. These exclusive releases come with a higher price tag due to their limited availability and collectible nature.
These special speakers appeal to consumers who want to own something unique and rare. The limited edition speakers often feature distinctive designs, premium materials, and special features that set them apart from the regular models. This exclusivity and collectibility factor adds to their perceived value and makes them highly desirable among fans of Marshall.
Some notable limited edition and special version speakers released by Marshall include the Marshall Kilburn II Marshawn Lynch Edition, the Marshall Uxbridge Voice with Alexa, and the Marshall Acton II Voice with Google Assistant. These speakers not only deliver exceptional audio quality and performance but also elevate the aesthetic appeal with their unique designs and special branding.
By offering limited edition and special version speakers, Marshall creates a sense of exclusivity and rarity in the market. This, combined with the brand’s reputation for high-quality products, justifies the higher price tag and makes these speakers a coveted choice for those looking to own a truly unique and collectible piece of audio technology.
Which is better: Marshall wireless speakers, Bose, or Sony?
Marshall Bluetooth speakers are often regarded as superior to Bose or Sony speakers for various reasons. Firstly, Marshall speakers possess a distinctive sound quality that distinguishes them. Marshall speakers have a rock-oriented, warm, and dynamically rich tone that is appreciated by both music lovers and audiophiles.
Secondly, Marshall speakers have a distinct design aesthetic. Inspired by retro amplifiers, Marshall speakers feature a rugged and visually appealing design. This not only enhances their durability but also adds a touch of nostalgia and style to any space.
Lastly, Marshall speakers have a strong connection to the music industry. As a brand with a rich heritage in making high-quality music amplifiers, Marshall is trusted by musicians and music enthusiasts worldwide. This brand focus on music amplification ensures that Marshall speakers prioritize delivering the best possible sound experience.
There are various factors that contribute to the higher price range of Marshall speakers. These factors include their superior sound performance, unique design, and the use of high-quality materials like leather-like material, which ensures longevity and enhances the overall product value. Therefore, if you are seeking a speaker that excels in sound quality, design, and brand focus, Marshall Bluetooth speakers are a recommended choice.
Marshall Emberton II
The Marshall Emberton II is a wireless portable speaker that offers an amazing audio experience in an ultra-portable design.
It has a nice battery meter that lets you know how much battery you have. This is rated for 30 hours plus of battery life. From my experience using this, it does last a long time. I’ve been playing this thing quite a bit, and I’m still like 70-80% battery.
The design, much like the previous model, has a metal grille with the Marshall logo. Metal grille on the back, it’s kind of a rubbery feel to it, and it’s got kind of a grain to it. If you notice, kind of like a leather-type grain within the rubber.
And it has just a single USB-C on the side, so there’s no 3.5-millimeter jack. I don’t like that. And this is also a, they call a stereophonic.
Now the speaker itself, the design of it, I like it. I mean, this, it’s not cheap. So that’s the bad. If you’ve got the good, the bad, and the ugly, the good would be, obviously, the water rating, USB-C, long battery life, the design of the speaker, very, very slick looking.
So you’re paying for the Marshall name and the quality-looking speaker. It does sound pretty good too; we’ll get to that. But it’s not a cheap speaker. It’s something like if you want to have in your office or your den on your desk somewhere by your computer, you know, you’re listening to it that you don’t need something that’s going to blast you out. Something that looks classy, and this has a very classy look to it.
One thing I did forget to mention, there is an app for this, a Marshall app. It’s very limited, and has three different EQs: the standard EQ, then they have one that’s called Push, supposed to be more bass and treble.
Marshall Stockwell II
The Stockwell 2 is a 40-watt stereo Bluetooth speaker. Put that in RMS terms and do half of that, and we’re looking at about 10 watts for the woofer for the bass and about five watts per tweeter. There are two tweeters on this thing compared to its competition back in the day, which was the JBL Charge 4, coming in with zero tweeters and just one two-by-three transducer.
Now, this is a speaker that has an IPX4 rating. What does that mean? Splash-resistant up to a certain point, but you cannot submerge the speaker. Don’t submerge it. IPX4 does not mean total submersion; it just means some flicks of water, that’s about it.
Frequency response is anywhere from 60 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz and has a maximum SPL or sound pressure level of 80 decibels. Now, I know reading off the spec sheet is not necessarily what reviewing a speaker is about, but personally for me, sometimes, at least as well as a majority of the public out there, how the speaker sounds in overall loudness, how loud it could get, and then how well it can keep its sound when it reaches that high volume, I think is more important to people than, let’s just say, for all the audiophiles out there that want to know the frequency response and the SPL levels and all that stuff. So that’s what I’m going to stick to.
Battery life on this thing is phenomenal. Honestly, for what it is, 20-plus hours. Now, I say 20 plus because if you have this speaker from anywhere 50 volumes or a little bit lower, and that’s what you listen to it daily, then expect that 20 plus hours, expect reaching up to 19 maybe more. Now, if you’re like me and you want to hear your sound and you want to hear your music, and it’s going to be loud, maybe 70 volume or so, 80, then expect the battery life to drop from that 20-plus hour range. But I mean, it’s not a substantial drop either. You can get anywhere from 12 to 16 hours still on a single charge with this guy, even if you bump up the volume to anywhere from 60 to 80 percent. This thing has a quick charge feature, 20 minutes gets you six hours of playback. That is insane. Holy crap, that is insane.
Something also to note about the USB-C port is that it is a pass-through or reverse if you want to call it. So it’s not just using the USB-C to charge the speaker. If you have a type-C to type-C cable, you can charge your Android devices, or if you have a type-C Lightning cable, you can charge your iPhone with it as well. Another thing to be thankful for from the ox gods themselves, the Stockwell 2 has an aux port. Bonkers, love it. Thank you, Marshall, for putting in an auxiliary port.
Marshall Kilburn II
The Marshall Kilburn II 36W Bluetooth Portable Speaker is a standout option for those who value portability and powerful sound. This speaker offers an impressive 20-plus hours of portable playtime, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music all day without frequent charging.
Weighing only 3 kilograms, the Kilburn II is designed to be lightweight and easy to carry wherever you go. Whether heading to the beach, hiking, or simply relaxing in your backyard, this portable speaker is the perfect companion for outdoor adventures.
One of the key features of the Kilburn II is its use of Bluetooth 5.0 aptX technology for wireless music play. It ensures a stable and reliable connection, allowing you to enjoy high-quality audio without interruptions or lag. You can connect your smartphone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices to the speaker and stream your favorite tunes.
When it comes to sound quality, the Kilburn II delivers. It boasts clear midrange tones and deep bass, creating a well-balanced audio experience for any genre of music. Whether you enjoy rock, pop, classical, or hip-hop, this speaker will bring out the best in every track.
In summary, the Marshall Kilburn II 36W Bluetooth Portable Speaker is a top choice for those who want a combination of portability and exceptional sound performance. Its long battery life, lightweight design, and high-quality audio make it a true standout in portable speakers.
- Positive Reviews:
- Long-lasting battery life for extended music enjoyment.
- Bluetooth 5.0 aptX technology for wireless music playback.
- Multi-directional sound with clear midrange, deep bass, and extended highs.
- Multiple Positive customer ratings on Amazon.
- Negative Reviews:
- Some users find the volume output could be louder.
- Concerns about the durability of the power/volume control knob.
Marshall Willen
The speaker is this nice square shape, which I like because it’s easy to stand up on any type of surface. You also have this rugged type of build with the grille on the front and that classic Marshall branding. And then you have this little brass multi-function button, which adds a nice look, but it’s also functional. So this is what helps you control your media so you can play and pause your music, you can increase your volume, decrease your volume, skip to the next track, the previous track, the whole nine yards.
On the top of the speaker, you have a little battery level indicator to help you gauge how much battery life is remaining. And then over on the other side, you have a Bluetooth pairing button. On the side of the speaker, you have your USB Type-C charging port. And then over on the back, you have this built-in strap, which is great for portability because you can attach this thing to a backpack, a travel bag, your bike, your handlebars, whatever you got going on, you can make use of this strap and make sure that your speaker stays with you at all times.
It also has a built-in microphone, which means if you’re connected to the speaker and you happen to get a phone call, you don’t necessarily have to disconnect to take the call. It’s also compatible with the Marshall app, which gives you access to three different EQ presets. So you have the standard Marshall setting, you have the push setting, which is going to give you more of a V-shape type of sound, so it gives you a boost in terms of bass as well as treble. And then you have the voice setting, which is going to be good for things like podcasts or audiobooks.
And then if you want to purchase more than one of these speakers, you do have the option to pair as many as you want together for stereo sound. So as far as Bluetooth, this is running Bluetooth 5.1. When it comes to battery life, you’re getting an advertised 15 hours on a single charge, and it does feature fast charging, so just 20 minutes of charging will give you roughly three hours of playback if you ever grab the speaker and it’s completely dead, so that’s going to help you if you’re in a pinch.
And then when it comes to water resistance, we have an IP67 dust and water-resistant rating, which means that the speaker is essentially waterproof. And if you want to take this to the pool, to the beach, take it camping, no matter where you are, dirt, sand, dust, none of those things are going to pose a threat against the speaker.
So let’s go ahead and talk about the sound quality. So for this thing to be as compact as it is, it’s giving you some exceptional sound quality. It gives you a very rich, very warm, very punchy dynamic type of sound. Whatever adjective you want to come up with, this is providing that in terms of sound quality. And it gets surprisingly loud considering the size. You get some really good separation between the bass and the lower frequencies and the overall treble, especially at max volume. A lot of times when it comes to speakers of this size, once you approach 100 volume, the sound just kind of bottoms out. But once you push this thing, it maintains its composure, which I found to be impressive.
Take my word for it; the sound quality is excellent. Like I said, it’s very rich, it’s very warm, very dynamic. It brings out the character of your music very well. So as far as sound quality, this has you covered.
Conclusion
While Marshall speakers may be more expensive than other brands, the quality and performance they offer make them worth the investment. The attention to detail, superior sound quality, and durability of the speakers set them apart from the competition. Additionally, the brand’s rich history and iconic design add to the overall value of owning a Marshall speaker. If you are a true music enthusiast who values both style and substance, investing in a Marshall speaker is a decision you won’t regret.
