Marshall Emberton III Review: Rock’n’Roll Style and 32-Hour Playtime

Experience the iconic Marshall Emberton III with powerful sound, stylish design, and a remarkable 32+ hour battery life for your ultimate music journey.

A Compact Powerhouse: First Impressions of the Marshall Emberton III

The Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth Speaker is undoubtedly one of the best Bluetooth speakers from the legendary brand, boasting an impressive sound and long battery life despite its compact size. This third-generation Emberton ups the ante with extended playtime and a slightly louder audio output. While it may not shake the walls at max volume, this speaker delivers a surprisingly powerful performance that punches well above its weight.

What really stood out to me was how great the Emberton III sounds at lower volumes. Marshall’s Dynamic Loudness feature kicks in here, boosting the bass without letting the sound fall flat—a blessing for those who love listening quietly but still crave rich, full-bodied music. For podcast lovers, there's a preset equalizer mode that trims the low frequencies and amplifies the mid-range, making voices crisp and clear.

What adds a futuristic edge to this speaker is the upcoming Auracast support via Bluetooth LE. While I couldn’t test this feature yet, it promises multi-speaker broadcasting, turning your Emberton into a wireless DJ for a cluster of compatible Marshall speakers. According to Marshall, this update will roll out very soon through their smartphone app, gearing the Emberton III for the future of Bluetooth audio.

Of course, small speakers have their bass and volume limits before distortion creeps in. But Marshall’s Emberton III manages to hold its ground, delivering solid sound—just be mindful not to crank it to the max if you want clarity along with battery longevity.

When and How Much: Price and Release Details

• Released: August 2024
• Price: $159 (approximately $159 USD)

The Emberton III made its debut in August 2024, priced at $159—a fair ask for what it delivers. This is the third iteration in the Emberton line, following the original 2020 model and Emberton II in 2022. It launched alongside the Willen II, a smaller, more budget-friendly option ($119) with a single driver instead of two.

The Specs That Rock

Cool Features That Make a Difference

The Emberton III can be paired straight from your device’s Bluetooth or through the dedicated Marshall app for iOS and Android. The app unlocks three preset EQ options:

• Classic “Marshall sound”
• Bass and treble boost
• Mid-range boost (perfect for podcasts and audiobooks)

No custom EQ tweaking here, but these presets cover the essentials well.

Operating the speaker is a breeze: it has a power button, a joystick for volume and track skipping, and a red LED battery indicator strip. The new Bluetooth LE Audio support and Auracast multi-speaker broadcast will redefine group listening once the promised firmware update arrives. Plus, a built-in mic allows for call handling—though voice assistant control isn’t supported.

Marshall’s True Stereophonic feature delivers immersive 360-degree sound, truly filling rooms with rich audio. And yes, it even comes with a handy backpack strap, perfect for those impromptu music sessions outdoors.

One common gripe with small speakers is how bass tends to disappear at lower volumes. Marshall’s Dynamic Loudness counters this by tweaking the tonal balance automatically, ensuring solid bass no matter the volume.

Battery life? It’s incredible—over 32 hours on a single charge, an improvement over the previous model. Charging via USB-C is fast too, taking just two hours compared to the Emberton II’s three. A nice touch: the Emberton III plays a rising guitar riff when powered on and a descending riff when shut down, adding some rockstar flair to your routine.

Functionality rating: 4.5/5

Sound Quality: Punchy and Playful in a Petite Package

• Dynamic Loudness shines at low volumes
• Podcast EQ preset boosts clarity
• Surprising energy for a speaker this size

I kicked off my listening tests with a classic rock anthem: AC/DC’s Back in Black. The Emberton III delivered energetic, crisp mids and highs, truly living up to its 360-degree sound promise. This little unit packed a bigger punch than its size suggested, with sound evenly spread around the room—no hunting for that “sweet spot” required.

But remember, it’s small. The 2-inch drivers can only move so much air. At low volumes, bass is impressively present—sometimes enough that I switched to the mid-boost EQ for podcasts to keep voices natural and prevent vibrations. Cranking the volume too high, though, causes the bass to get muddy and the trebles to edge into harsh territory.

This isn’t your typical Marshall amp to blast at full tilt; this speaker shines when you dial it back a bit. The Dynamic Loudness made R.E.M.’s Out of Time sound especially vibrant, with Mike Mills’ bass lines remaining punchy and harmonies crystal clear.

High-volume dance tracks like Pet Shop Boys’ Loneliness or Charli XCX’s 360 lose some of their groove here, as do the deep kick drum beats on Taylor Swift’s No Body No Crime. Guitar-driven rock songs such as The Killers’ When You Were Young are fun and clear at moderate volumes but wear thin if you push the speaker too hard.

In my opinion, the Emberton III is perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, or your home study—places where you want great sound without overwhelming your space. For party-rocking volumes, you might want bigger speakers.

Sound quality rating: 4/5

Design: Rock Star Looks and Rugged Durability

• Classic Marshall amplifier aesthetic
• IP67 dust and water resistance
• Sturdy, lightweight build

The Emberton III sticks close to the design language of its predecessor, mirroring the iconic Marshall amplifier look that has graced rock stages worldwide. It’s serious, bold, and perfect for any music lover who values style as much as sound. The choice of classic black or cream finishes gives it a timeless vibe that fits both indoor and outdoor settings.

Marshall has upgraded this model to IP67, making it fully dustproof and waterproof up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. Spilled drinks or surprise rain showers? No problem.

Under the hood are two Class D amplifiers powering 10-watt full-range drivers and passive radiators. The frequency range spans 65 Hz to 20 kHz, and the speaker hits a peak sound pressure level of 90 dB at 1 meter, slightly louder than the Emberton II’s 87 dB.

At just 0.67 kg (about 1.5 pounds), this speaker is a breeze to carry around, especially compared to the hefty amps famously lugged up and down stairs by roadies.

Design rating: 4.5/5

Value: Standing Strong Amidst Fierce Competition

• Solid contenders in this price range
• Market-leading battery life for portability

At $159, the Emberton III faces some stiff competition. For just $20 more, you could snag the Sonos Roam 2 Bluetooth Speaker, a crowd favorite with amazing sound. However, Marshall beats Sonos hands down on battery life—32+ hours versus Sonos’ 10.

This makes the Emberton III a perfect festival or weekend getaway companion where charging opportunities are limited. It’s portable and loud enough for outdoor adventures without burning through juice too fast.

Value rating: 4.5/5

Summary Ratings

Other Great Choices to Consider

Sonos Roam 2

Known for its excellent sound and portability, the Sonos Roam 2 Bluetooth Speaker is a strong competitor, although recent app updates have been a mixed bag.

JBL Charge 5

JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth Speaker is nicknamed the "bully" for its loud output, packing bigger drivers and delivering robust audio entertainment, though lacking 360-degree sound.

Marshall Willen II

The Emberton III’s smaller sibling, the Marshall Willen II Bluetooth Speaker, is half the size with one driver and 17 hours battery life. A good option if you want something ultra-portable.

How I Put the Emberton III to the Test

• Two weeks of use as an alternative to Apple HomePods and UE Wonderboom
• Indoor listening at moderate volumes and loud sessions outdoors
• Music via Apple Music, personal library, Overcast podcasts, and personal tracks

As a musician and audio enthusiast with over 35 years of experience, I have tested countless audio devices. My review reflects a mix of genres and real-world usage, from rock classics to podcasts, making this speaker’s strengths and limitations crystal clear.

Parting Thoughts

Marshall Emberton III delivers a potent blend of iconic rockstar style, robust 360-degree sound, and marathon battery life. It’s a compact companion perfect for everyday listening in personal spaces or outdoor adventures—just don’t expect it to rock a full house at maximum volume. If you value portability with punch and that unmistakable Marshall vibe, this speaker is a worthy contender.

FAQ

• How long does the Emberton III battery last on a full charge?
  Over 32 hours of continuous playback at moderate volume levels.
• Does the speaker support multiple device connections?
  Not yet, but Auracast will enable multi-speaker broadcast soon via a firmware update.
• Is the Emberton III waterproof?
  Yes, it has an IP67 rating, making it dustproof and water-resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
• Can I customize the sound with my own equalizer settings?
  No, but the companion app offers three preset EQ modes for different listening experiences.
• Is the speaker suitable for outdoor use?
  Absolutely. Its durability and battery life make it ideal for outdoor activities and festivals.

Enjoy the timeless rock spirit of Marshall with your favorite album cover poster—shop now at Architeg Prints to bring that vibe into your space.