I did not expect this martial speaker to have a priceer Bose and Sonos model rival in this way

Key takeaways of zdnet

• Middleton II Bluetooth speaker of Marshal is available in black and brass or cream in $ 330.
• Middleton II debuts with its predecessor, luxurious sound, a stylish design and 30 -hour battery life from life.
• Despite the long list of professionals, this speaker is quite expensive than its rivals with similar features.

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July / 2025

It has a sea of Bluetooth speakers to swim, and, it is not a size-fit-all-round-all dizziness. Some are especially suited to dirty or rugged outdoor activities, some serve as a piece of home decoration, some more than, some are smart, and some are better than the rest, which breed the sound.

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Thus, no one like me, who needs a portable speaker who can avoid apocalypse or call the virtual assistant of his phone, possibly looking for a speaker who looks great, can handle some tumbles, and looks good.

enter the Middleton II, Marshal’s latest portable speaker. I spent a few weeks with it, celebrating the soundtrack to my chil outdoor hangouts with my father, singing a single jam session in your office, and celebrating your friend’s graduate party late at night. This speaker has seen some things, and here it is told how this happened.

Middleton II is the second generation of Marshal’s midsize portable speaker, debuting with the company’s 360-degree True Stereophonic Sound, which promises clear audio regardless of the speaker’s position. There are two three inch woofers, two .6-inch tweeters and two passive radiators.

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Like many speakers of the company, Middleton II is surprisingly tuned and provides an array of EQ settings to tailor sound as per your choice. Even with two woofers and passive radiators, Middleton II’s bass reaction does not reinforce the speaker’s sound profile, while the large bass is liked by most people.

I listened to a lot of 2010 rap, while Middleton was in charge of entertaining a bachellet outing by II Pool. Middleton II’s bass response is better controlled than JBL Charge 6, and vocals and instruments are evident compared to Bose Soundalink Plus. This is a better option for those who prefer more balanced sound profiles, even when they are out and do not listen carefully.

Middleton II’s large bass reaction is one of its most prominent powers, and by handling the bass it is that it stands out of its rivals. Unlike many of its counterparts, you can togle bass and traable eQ with buttons on the speaker instead of opening the fellow app. Even with maximizing the speaker’s bass, it is incredibly darker, but hardly Middleton II or the surface you keep it hardly bother it.

I was not worried about Middleton II, which was passed around a group of unruly girls and a group of lots of fluids – the pool is liquid, obviously. According to Marshall, the speaker claims an IP67 rating and can avoid submerging up to three feet (one meter) water for 30 minutes.

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Middleton II’s better 30-hour battery life continued the poolside music throughout the day, and a 20-minute charging interlude promises a three-hour platim. Thanks to its USB-C reverse charging capabilities, it was also the designated poolside phone charger.

Back to my house, Middleton II rested in my office, when I worked, or at the counter when I made food. It sports marshal’s specific retro design, characterizing a metal speaker grill, vinyl cassing and golden brass clashes. Like all speakers of Marshall, Middleton II acts equally as a speaker and a piece of decoration.

Marshal fitted Middleton II with an internal microphone, allowing users to talk to the speaker during phone calls while their phone is connected to the speaker. I used it while calling from my father, and although he could hear me well, I had to stand near the speaker for the best results.

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Middleton II now has Bluetooth Le Audio and LC3 supports Bluetooth codec, which promises low power consumption, Bluetooth auracast compatibility and more stable wireless connections.

ZDNET purchase advice

Marshal Middleton IIClassic and stylish designs, in collaboration with its portability, durable construction, pleasant sound and in-app personalization features, makes it a wonderful option for people looking for a highly displayed portable speaker for indoor and outdoor use. Sound-wise, Middleton II is more balanced and clear than its JBL and Bose counterparts, which is more rugged than its comparable competitors from Sonsos, and provides more battery life than its rivals from Sony.

Although JBL Charge 6 And Bose Soundalink Plus Reverse the same durability rating and reverse USB-C charging capabilities, they are $ 130 and $ 61 cheap respectively. Middleton II is the best in both sound and battery life departments, and has a low sporty look.