Photo: Marshall
Marshall has just released two new Bluetooth speakers and I’m already reaching for my wallet.
Let’s start with the new Willen, a pint-sized speaker designed for travel. Marshall’s first truly ultra-compact device, the Willen has a single two-inch full-range driver combined with two passive heatsinks. Although smaller than the other offerings, this tiny speaker follows Marshall’s distinctive design aesthetics, featuring gold accents against black (or white) metal and faux leather exteriors.
Photo: Marshall
Measuring 4 x 4 x 1.6 inches and 0.68 pounds, the swivel-shaped Bluetooth speaker can be easily tucked into a bag or attached to the outside with the rear-mounted rubber strap. It has IP67 resistance to dust and water, so you can use it outdoors without worrying. Marshall estimates Willen’s battery life at 15 hours, which tops the leader in the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 category (13 hours).
Image: Marshal
Willen is joined by Emberton II, the sequel to my favorite Bluetooth speaker, which I listen to at home and occasionally take on trips. Marshall has improved Emberton in almost every way by increasing its battery life, adding stack mode and debuting application support.
Starting with battery life, the Emberton II is said to get 30 hours of charging, which is a 50% increase over the 20-hour operating time of the previous version. When the battery is low, Emberton supports fast charging for 4 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge.
Image: Marshal
Marshall suggests that Emberton II will maintain the same “company sound” as the original, which is great news for my ears. This first model was one of the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers in its class, providing powerful audio with an impressive sound scene. This sequel promises to continue the tradition with a pair of two-inch drivers and two passive heatsinks for what Marshall promises to be powerful 360-degree audio.
Another welcome feature that comes with both new models is Stack Mode, which allows you to pair the Emberton II with other Emberton II or Willen speakers. You can “arrange” as many speakers as you want to create a more dynamic, immersive sound.
Image: Marshal
Measuring 2.7 x 6.3 x 3 inches and weighing 1.5 pounds, the Emberton II is compact but not as portable as the Willen. Now it comes with an IP 67 rating, compared to the original IPX7 rating. This means that the new model can be immersed in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
Both Emberton II and Willen use Bluetooth 5.1 and support over-the-air updates through a special app. Emberton II and Willen go on sale today for $ 169 and $ 119, respectively.
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