Marshall’s Willen and Emberton II Bluetooth Speakers Combine Style With Rich Audio

Finding the very best Bluetooth speaker is like choosing the right main in faculty. Unless you’ve an concept stepping into–on this case, model choice–there isn’t sufficient time or cash to attempt all of them. So when Marshall–a premium audio model coveted by musicians and music lovers alike–launched the Emberton, a conveyable Bluetooth speaker, I couldn’t resist. The compact speaker has been my trustworthy companion up till a couple of weeks in the past, when Marshall despatched me assessment models of its latest audio system, the Emberton II. I additionally bought my fingers on the Willen, an much more moveable newcomer.

I’ll evaluate the 2 fashions that can assist you resolve which, if both, is correct to your wants. What I’ll say from the beginning is that Marshall’s audio tuning prowess is on full show right here, as each audio system pack a critical punch for his or her measurement. You additionally get the long-lasting Marshall aesthetic, full with brass accents and pretend leather-based, and new to this pair is a useful multi-speaker function for stereo sound.

While these won’t be essentially the most feature-filled or sonically highly effective choices for the cash, the Willen and Emberton II are top-tier audio system for these wanting moveable wi-fi sound.

Marshall Willen and Emberton II worth

Marshall’s twins are premium merchandise and priced as such. The smaller Willen goes for $119, whereas the bigger, extra highly effective Emberton II prices $169. The letter, I ought to be aware, is $20 costlier than the earlier model.

Iconic design, miniaturized

In a sea of bland, awkwardly formed Bluetooth audio system, the Marshall Emberton II and Willen are a refreshingly elegant duo. Musicians who’ve used Marshall’s amps and cupboards will grin on the acquainted design components. A copper Marshall emblem within the traditional cursive font is featured prominently within the heart of a black grille.

The new gold-on-black scheme seems to be luxurious however I reasonably miss the contrasting white lettering and silver grille on the unique Emberton. Either approach, these are a number of the best-looking Bluetooth audio system available on the market. And that design is aided by a brand new rubberized leather-inspired exterior shell that appears and feels nice.

Size ought to be a significant component when selecting between these two audio system. The cuboid-shaped Emberton II is compact however reasonably hefty, measuring 6.3 x 3 x 2.7 inches and weighing 1.5 kilos. For comparability, the diminutive Willen is just 4 x 4 x 1.6 inches and weighs 0.68 ounces. Those are the numbers. In the hand, the Emberton II feels dense whereas the Willen is one thing I may simply transport on a flight for listening in a lodge room. Both audio system are IP67 water resistant, so don’t fear about unintentional splashes or a little bit of rain.

Intuitive controls

Apart from form, one distinction in design between the Emberton and Willen is the scale and placement of their respective control knobs. On prime of the Emberton II is a round D-pad that allows you to change controls by pushing down on the highest, backside, or sides. The smaller Willen makes use of a front-facing thumb stick that you just nudge as an alternative of press. Both are purposeful and supply nice tactile suggestions; nevertheless, the tiny knob on the Willen could be a bit tough to flick because it’s flush with the entrance of the speaker.

Using these management knobs to regulate quantity and playback is intuitive. Pressing and holding the button for a couple of seconds turns the audio system on and off (I’d favor a fast press from a devoted energy button, however oh nicely). Flick up for louder, down for quieter, left to replay the present observe, left twice for the earlier observe, or proper for the subsequent observe. A fast press performs and pauses tracks. On prime of those audio system is a delightful battery indicator with crimson LEDs and a round Bluetooth pairing button.

Willen wins on options

For no matter purpose, the Willen has a microphone whereas the bigger Emberton II doesn’t, which means you solely take calls on the smaller, inexpensive mannequin. This looks like an pointless omission given the additional room within the Emberton II. Perhaps Marshall feels the Willen can act as a convention name system to be used within the workplace or at a WeWork. Still, I’d argue speakerphone performance is simply as vital on the Emberton II on condition that this bigger mannequin makes for pc speaker for distant employees.

Another neat function discovered solely on the Willen is a rubber mounting strap on the rear. Pulling one finish out and up detaches it from the speaker so you may slip the band by means of a backpack strap or bike deal with. The strap is small and solely so versatile, so that you’ll have hassle fastening the speaker to wider surfaces.

Emberton II takes the sound crown

The Emberton II and Willen ship highly effective, room-filling sound for his or her respective sizes. Pumping sound by means of twin two-inch full-range drivers and two passive radiators, the Emberton II has a wealthy, full-bodied soundstage with a good low-end and surprisingly crisp treble.

As anticipated, the Emberton II is the sonic champ. It outperforms the Willen throughout all the sound signature, digging deeper on the low finish and offering a smoother, extra balanced midrange and treble. The Willen, to be clear, is a formidable speaker for its measurement, however the compromised low finish means sure genres lack punch.

On bass-heavy tracks like Jessie Reyez’s “FRAUD,” the Emberton II introduced a weighty thud to the low finish. By comparability, the bass on the Willen sounded just like the knock of a wooden block. While the bass is missing on the Willen, the Emberton II somewhat obscures the midrange, leading to a extra bloated sound. It’s refined, and total, this observe sounded nice on the bigger mannequin.

Switching to a pared-down tune predictably deemphasized the sonic variations between these two audio system. When listening to James Vincent McMorrow’s “Cavalier,” the Willen held its personal, effortlessly taking part in this treble-heavy indie observe with exact readability and sharpness. Without the low finish inflicting disruptions, the Emberton II did an equally glorious job, offering extra stability however much less vocal emphasis than the smaller sibling.

Rock, EDM, and hip-hop are merely extra satisfying on the Emberton II. The Willen punches above its measurement however these genres reveal the constraints of its single two-inch driver and twin passive radiators. The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” is a good check for any speaker given the cacophony of electrical tones that overlap Brandon Flowers’ easy vocals. On the Willen, drum hits have been sharp and splashy whereas the cymbal clashes have been skinny and frail.

That stated, the vocals have been clear and current and the guitar twangs didn’t devolve right into a crowded mess as they do on laptop computer audio system. Here is the place having an extra speaker helps the Emberton II present a extra balanced, full soundstage. Again, the Emberton favors a darker, girthier tone, however to not the purpose the place the vocals and better frequencies have been drowned out.

Sound high quality doesn’t degrade at low quantity ranges on both speaker, making these acceptable for close by listening or taking part in extra relaxed background music.

Stack Mode and battery life

When it’s time to start out dancing, a number of Willen and Emberton II audio system may be paired collectively for a extra immersive sound. Marshall calls this “Stack Mode” and it’s initialized by urgent the Bluetooth button thrice on the primary speaker and twice on the connecting speaker. I related the Willen to the Emberton II on the primary try, and the twins joined forces for a nice stereo sound.

The Emberton II and Willen help Bluetooth 5.1 and the SBC codec, however not the AAC or AptX discovered on fashionable iPhones and Android telephones. Connectivity was robust–I didn’t encounter any dropouts even with the audio system reverse the playback gadget in my 1,000-square-foot rental.

The Marshall Bluetooth app (obtainable on iOS and Android) is straightforward and simple to make use of. Pairing the audio system was a breeze: simply flip them on, open the app, and comply with the on-screen prompts. Once paired, the audio system get entry to over-the-air updates, primary EQ presets (Marshall, Push, Voice), and a information on how you can use Stack Mode.

The battery life for each fashions is great. The Willen lasts for an estimated 15 hours on a cost which is three hours longer than the JBL Flip 6. The Bose SoundHyperlink Micro lasts for less than six hours whereas the SoundHyperlink Flex will get 12 hours. These are solely estimates although, and your mileage will range primarily based on quantity ranges. The Emberton II will get 30 hours of battery life, 10 greater than the earlier mannequin and twice that of the UE Boom 3.

Should you purchase the Emberton II and Willen?

Having loved proudly owning the unique Emberton, I’ve no hesitation recommending the upgraded mannequin, which brings improved battery life, the flexibility to attach a number of audio system, and app help for adjusting settings. The Emberton II is a good-looking, well-built Bluetooth speaker with a compact design and highly effective balanced sound high quality.

I do want Marshall–of all firms–had included a 3.5mm jack for wired playback, and the shortage of a mic on this mannequin–however not the Willen–is a headscratcher. It’s additionally lacking a number of the newest requirements for enjoying high-res recordsdata. And then there’s the value–at $169, the Willen II has some critical competitors, just like the Bose SoundHyperlink Flex and Ultimate Ears Boom 3.

If you want an ultra-portable speaker for taking up flights, strapping to your backpack, or mounting to your bike, the small Willen is an efficient alternative. But earlier than committing, I like to recommend–should you can–evaluating it to the Bose SoundHyperlink Color II, even when that different doesn’t final as lengthy on a cost.

Overall, the Emberton II and Willen are succesful moveable Bluetooth audio system with standout designs, highly effective sound for his or her class, and a number of other helpful options, together with the flexibility to pair a number of models for stereo listening. Yes, they’re priced above their closest opponents, however what you pay additional in money is gained in school.