For those of us looking for highquality sound in a compact design, the Marshall Emberton 3 is a tempting option.
It may be best known for a signature look inspired by its classic guitar amplifiers but the Marshall brand is more than just stylish. I was already highly impressed by the Marshall Major V headphones, launched earlier in the year, and the predecessor to this speaker, the Emberton 2, remains a terrific option.
With more efficient Bluetooth support, a builtin microphone, app control, waterproofing and lightweight design, the new Marshall Emberton 3 promises to be a versatile and durable portable Bluetooth speaker option. But does it do enough to stand out in a crowded market, and is it worth £149.99?
Marshall Emberton 3: At a glance
Marshall Emberton 3: Features
There are several standout features of note in the Marshall Emberton 3, although I have to acknowledge that many of them existed in the already decent Emberton 2. Overall, this is an iterative update.
At first glance, the speakers almost look identical too. In addition to the iconic design, though, this is still a very durable speaker with dust and water resistance on board, so it’s ready for the outdoors whether you’re camping, at the beach or hosting a garden party (where there’s always the slight chance of a downpour). The Emberton 3 also features Marshall’s 360degree “True Stereophonic” sound, emitted from the front and rear of the speaker.
As on the justupdated smaller Willen 2 model, Marshall has updated the Bluetooth version to 5.3, promising more efficiency and a very slight upgrade from 30 hours of battery life to 32 hours. In practice, this will depend on how loud the volume is and may end up being shorter.
I can say that I haven’t found myself needing to recharge it yet while testing it for a couple of weeks, though, and I really appreciate the red lights that serve as a visual indication of the remaining battery levels on the speaker. When you run out, a charge for two hours will return it to full power or a 20minute quick charge deliver six hours of playback time.
It also now has a dedicated power button. This is a small change, but I find it makes it far easier to operate compared to the Emberton 2. And it adds a builtin microphone too – this makes it capable for use as a speakerphone or for talking to your phone’s voice assistant. It has the same brass control knob as its predecessor and this remains an easy and intuitive way to control playback and volume.
The feature that I’ve found most useful is the Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity. This means two people or two devices can stay connected to the speaker at once, and it makes it easier to switch the audio stream from one phone to another. In a future update, the Emberton 3 will also get “Auracast” capabilities to share its audio stream with other compatible speakers, which should make for a simple way to get a bigger sound for a gathering or party.
Marshall Emberton 3: Sound quality
If you’re not planning to push the volume up too high and don’t need to fill a large room with sound, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by the Marshall Emberton 3 at all. The True Stereophonic tech effectively means you get a multidirectional stereo sound that feels rich and clear no matter where you place the speaker.
This little speaker is capable of delivering a punchy and immersive sound that works well for a variety of genres, as well as podcasts and audiobooks. However, while it impresses me, I’m not sure it’s quite as powerful or nuanced as the sound I’ve enjoyed from the Bose SoundLink Flex, the JBL Flip 6 or the new Beats Pill.
It’s a difference you might only notice if you’re really focused on the tiny details and it’s unlikely to be an issue for anyone not testing speakers sidebyside. It is also true that it doesn’t have that much of a different sound compared to the Emberton 2, though. Overall, this is a greatsounding speaker, but it’s clearly got loads of competition when it comes to vying for the top spot.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on the Marshall Emberton III
Retro style and excellent battery life are what sets the Emberton 3 apart from its main rivals, and it’s worth mentioning that those are both available from the existing Emberton 2 speaker. With great sound quality and easytouse controls and indicators, though, it’s tough to see what more you could want from a rugged Bluetooth speaker.
Although this is marginally heavier than rivals and a little trickier to connect to a strap and hang on a backpack, it has all the weatherproofing I’d expect from a portable speaker, straightforward app control and Auracast support in the future. Its £149.99 price is also high, but competitive with other speakers with similar specifications.
The sound is definitely better than many rivals and only beaten by just a couple of the top contenders in this category. However, I think it’s a difference that’s hard to notice and this model delivers satisfying and punchy audio for a wide range of music genres.
I love the leatherlike texture and that it’s available in either a black or cream finish – and while it is a rugged design, I know its style can feel a little premium for camping adventures. Even so, it’s still a perfect speaker for perching on your bookshelf or taking out into the garden.
Simon Cocks is Hearst UK’s Technology Ecommerce Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy across a range of titles including Good Housekeeping UK, Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, ebook readers and smartphones. He’s reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and moneysaving advice guides and edited thousands of indepth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.You can follow Simon on Instagram at @simonrcocks, on Threads at @simonrcocks, and on Twitter/X at @simoncocks.