Marshall Emberton III Review: Is It Really Worth It?
Marshall’s wireless speakers are renowned for their signature sound performance, and Marshall's Emberton III is the latest addition to their range of portable speakers coming in at £149.99.
Combining guitar amp-inspired design, legendary sound quality and a range of enhancements, this third-generation portable speaker is set to be one to watch.
In this review, we'll delve into the Marshall Emberton III's style, build quality, sound performance and more. By the end, you'll know if it's the perfect portable speaker for your needs.
Article Breakdown...
Not got time to read? Watch our Marshall Emberton III Review on YouTube below:
Marshall Emberton III vs. Marshall Emberton II: What’s The Difference?
Launched alongside the ultra-compact Marshall Willen II, the Emberton III marks a new era for Marshall’s portable speaker lineup by introducing Bluetooth 5.3 LE and Auracast.
Sharing the same design language, form factor and IP67 weatherproof rating as its predecessor, it’s fair to say the Emberton III hasn’t undergone a complete overhaul.
However, beyond the familiar features, Marshall have introduced a swathe of upgrades to ensure this third-generation portable speaker is an better choice overall. The key changes are as follows:
1. Bluetooth 5.3 LE with Auracast
2. Upgraded battery life (2-hour increase to 32-hours)
3. Speakerphone Functionality
4. Separate power button for improved ease of use
5. More powerful 38W Class-D amplifiers for deeper bass and fuller sound
Marshall Emberton III Review: Styling & Design
Straight out of the box, it’s clear the Emberton III is a continuation of the design of the previous iterations of Marshall Emberton portable speakers.
Available in the same two colourways and boasting near-identical dimensions to its predecessor, the Emberton III will easily sit in the palm of your hand, and it will fit in a rucksack or suitcase with ease, without weighing you down when you’re on the go.
While featuring some subtle design enhancements, including a recessed grille, improved top panel controls, and a slot for a carry strap, the Emberton III still maintains the iconic vintage aesthetic that we loved about its predecessors.
Just like the previous versions, the Emberton III also retains the super rugged build with a silicone exterior and metal grilles. If you’ve watched our Marshall Emberton III review on YouTube, you’ll know we’ve put this speaker through its paces, and it was able to be dropped multiple times without any consequences in our testing.
When it comes to controls, the Emberton III still has all the same controls as the Emberton II, but it also features a new dedicated power button and the mic indicator light up on the control panel for some enhanced usability.
| Pro's | Con's | |
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✖ No button for changing the Bass or Treble like on other Marshall speakers ✖ No carry strap included in the box |
Marshall Emberton III Review: Top Features
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| Battery & Charge Time _______________ |
Bluetooth 5.3 LE with Auracast _______________ |
Weather Rating & Durability _______________ |
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You get an impressive *32-hour battery life with this speaker which is very good for a portable speaker compared to the current market. It also boasts a quick charge feature so 20 minutes of charge will give you 6 hours of battery life or a 2-hour charge will give it a full battery. |
The Emberton III introduces Bluetooth 5.3 LE, a newer Bluetooth standard that improves the speakers range and efficiency. Emberton III also marks the introduction of Auracast. This future-proofed technology ensures seamless multi-speaker linking with numerous other Auracast-enabled Marshall speakers like the Marshalll Willen II |
The Emberton III is IP67 rated, which means it can be **submerged in water levels up to 1m deep for up to 30 minutes and is totally protected against dust ingress. So no need to worry about taking it to the beach or dropping in any water!
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*We’ve been able to test the battery life in the office and we found it comfortably managed 32 hours of battery life when playing music at moderate levels. Playing it at lower volumes also sustains the battery life for even longer.
**This was tested in our recent video review and passed our tests with flying colours.
Marshall Emberton III Review: Sound Quality
When it comes to sound performance, the Emberton III retains the same warm and vibrant signature sound that Marshall is known and loved for, showcasing their signature sound profile with a focus on warmth and balance.
As far as portable speakers go, the Emberton III can go impressively loud, and its ability to crank up the volume without sacrificing clarity is a real standout feature. Even at high volumes, vocals remain crisp and clear, cutting through instrumentals with ease.
The bass response has been significantly improved from the Emberton II, offering a punchier and tighter sound that adds an extra layer of depth to the overall audio experience. While it might not match the ‘rumble’ of some of the other portables on the market like the JBL Flip 6, the Emberton III’s bass is cleaner, in our opinion.
The Emberton III’s True Stereophonic sound is another great feature and music could be heard from most angles almost as clearly as listening from the front, which is ideal in outdoor spaces when a group of people might be surrounding it.
Although the Emberton III offers solid sound performance straight out of the box, our biggest issue comes when you’re looking for more granular control over the audio.
The Marshall Bluetooth app is slightly limited when it comes to customisation, with Marshall only offering three preset EQ options: Push, Voice, and Marshall. Yes, they can be effective for certain listening preferences. However, in our opinion, the Emberton III sounds best in standard Marshall mode.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
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✓ Fully portable speaker with a high weatherproof rating so you don’t need to worry about it getting wet or dropping it ✓ Impressive battery life and recharge time ✓ Sound quality far beyond its little size |
✖ Limited EQ customisation options ✖ No bass and treble customisation |
| Who is the Emberton for? The Emberton has a durable feel to it and would be a good speaker for on-the-go, taking on holiday, or for pool or garden parties to bring music to a BBQ for example. |
Verdict
The Emberton III builds on the strengths of its predecessors. It still excels when it comes to battery life, and it's a no-brainer if you’re the type of person who values both style and sound performance in equal parts.
While it’s not a statement upgrade for existing Emberton II owners, it's still a compelling option for those looking for a well-rounded and rugged portable speaker (even if you are paying a slight premium for the iconic Marshall styling).
Sure, the portable speaker market is a competitive spade, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be considering this one. Marshall has made a great speaker even better, and for us, that’s enough to justify it taking a place on your shortlist.
As ever, if you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to get in touch with one of our friendly advisors via email at info@smarthomesounds.co.uk or 08006771100 or online chat!
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