Marshall Emberton II evaluate

Greatest Costs Right now: Marshall Emberton II

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One among our favorite Bluetooth audio system ever has obtained an encore. Marshall’s Emberton II arrives and appears to be even higher. 

The pint-sized speaker now affords issues like longer battery life, linking a number of models collectively in ‘Stack Mode’, higher sturdiness and extra. Nonetheless, it does come at the next worth this time round at $169/£149. 

Design & Construct 

• Nearly an identical wanting design 
• Sustainable supplies 
• IP67 

You’ll should play spot the distinction to determine which speaker is the unique speaker and which is the Emberton II. 

Marshall, has not modified the look of this speaker and, to be trustworthy, why wouldn’t it? The scale and weight (simply 700g) are an identical and all of the buttons, lights and charging port are in precisely the identical place. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

The primary distinction visually – aside from that my Emberton and Emberton are completely different color schemes – is that the feel has been modified on the casing to look extra like certainly one of Marshall’s guitar amps. 

The common black choice of the unique is gone so your different alternative is cream, which I’d fear about getting grubby when you take it out and about. I’d prefer to see the Forest Inexperienced colourway, which Marshall added to the Emberton vary post-launch. 

One thing we’re in search of extra in critiques lately is sustainability and the Emberton II is constituted of 50% post-consumer recycled plastic repurposed from electronics, water bottles and automotive gentle covers. It’s additionally 100% PVC-free which is nice to see. 

One other improve is a leap from IPX7 to IP67 with the six that means it’s now dustproof in addition to absolutely waterproof. With its measurement, weight and sturdiness the speaker can feasibly be taken nearly anyplace. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

In the event you’ve not used the unique Emberton, the large brass management knob within the center does nearly every part: energy, quantity management and playback. A small button to the left is for Bluetooth pairing and a ten purple lights on the alternative facet point out battery degree. 

It’s a very simple speaker to make use of and Marshall features a USB-C charging cable within the field. About the one I’d add, as earlier than, is a 3.5mm aux enter although that is understandably a Bluetooth speaker at the start. 

Sound High quality & Options 

• The identical sonics 
• EQ presets 
• Stack Mode 
• 50% longer battery life 

Contained in the Emberton II, the speaker is sonically the identical as its predecessor. Meaning you get two 2in full vary drivers and two passive bass radiators outputting a complete of 10W. 

The frequency vary is 60-20,000Hz and as soon as once more ‘True Stereophonic Sound’ means the speaker affords 360-degree audio with sound popping out the again in addition to the entrance. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

As per the primary Emberton, I wouldn’t say it was true 360 as going through facet on naturally doesn’t sound pretty much as good however the speaker does an amazing job of filling a room with sound. You may be amazed as what it may well do contemplating its tiny measurement and 10W of energy. 

Bass isn’t booming nevertheless it’s wealthy and heat. The mid-range is evident and there’s sufficient vibrant high finish to lead to a well-rounded tuning. There’s now some management over the sound by way of the Marshall app within the type of EQ presets. 

Nonetheless, past the usual one, there’s a small alternative of Push (for a bass enhance) and Voice (which does as you’d count on. I’d nonetheless like a customized choice, however that is not less than some progress and will arrive in a later model of the app. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

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Bluetooth will get a small improve to five.1 however sadly there’s been no progress with codecs so that you solely get SBC right here. It’s not the top of the world however it could be good to see AAC added for iPhone customers and aptX for Android to enhance the standard for these with suitable units. 

The primary draw back is that the audio high quality takes a dip at larger volumes with distortion creeping within the larger you go, however more often than not – particularly indoors – you received’t have to push it that far. And outside conditions can make the most of the brand new Stack Mode. 

Stack Mode – a reference to amplifier stacks – is the place you may pair a number of Emberton II audio system collectively. In fact, you don’t should bodily stack them on high of one another. 

It’s a pleasant concept and one thing varied rivals do below completely different names, usually alongside the traces of ‘social gathering mode. It’s price declaring that this doesn’t create a stereo pair which is a disgrace and in addition doesn’t work with the unique Emberton – I do know as a result of I attempted. 

What you are able to do is join different audio system within the vary that assist Stack Mode such because the Willen. Marshall additionally doesn’t point out if there’s a restrict to what number of audio system may be added to the social gathering. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Battery life was already robust on the unique Emberton however with out even making the system heavier, Marshall has prolonged it by 50%. 

I’m unsure how, however the speaker can now final 30+ hours, though the specs point out a 20-minute chart getting you 4 hours of playtime versus the earlier 5. That’s a minor level because the Emberton II has severe longevity so that you’ll most likely neglect it’s battery powered more often than not. 

Value & Availability 

As talked about on the high, the Emberton II is dearer than its predecessor. Up from $149/£129, it now prices $169/£149. It’s not an enormous quantity and inflation can doubtless take a lot of the blame. 

Though it’s moved additional away from price range choices, the speaker continues to be good worth and stays cheaper than many rivals from the likes of Bang & Olufsen, Bose and Sonos. 

Within the US you should buy it from Marshall in addition to Amazon and BestBuy. Within the UK you’ve received the official retailer in addition to Amazon, Currys and John Lewis. 

One factor, because it typically the case within the tech world, is that the outdated mannequin is now cheaper – formally £109 (although oddly not within the US), so if the brand new options of the Emberton II don’t attraction then you would choose up a cut price. 

Take a look at our chart of the finest Bluetooth audio system for extra choices.

Verdict 

The Emberton II doesn’t repair all the criticism I had in regards to the unique mannequin and is now dearer so it’s not an instantaneous no-brainer. 

Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless cheaper than many big-name rivals and comes with quite a few enhancements together with longer battery life, extra management over the sound, a extra sturdy (and sustainable) design, in addition to a brand new Stack Mode. 

It’s a disgrace that the outdated Emberton can’t be paired, and the codec continues to be solely simply the fundamental SBC however on the entire, this received’t matter an excessive amount of for a lot of customers. 

The Emberton II is one other straightforward to advocate Bluetooth speaker when you’re in search of one thing compact, fashionable, sturdy, long-lasting and with first rate sound.

Specs 

• 2x 2in 10W full vary dynamic drivers
• 2x passive bass radiators
• 2x Class D amplifiers
• 60Hz-20kHz frequency vary
• Bluetooth 5.1 – 10m vary
• Multi-directional control-knob
• Stack Mode
• SBC codec
• 30+ hours battery
• USB-C port
• 68 x 160 x 76mm
• 0.7 kg
• IP67
• Launch colors: Black/Brass or Cream