I reviewed Marshalls mid-sized Bluetooth speaker and its stereo sound blew me away

Date:
Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Marshall Middleton II boasts excellent sound quality, a classy design,
and plenty of battery life, but almost fittingly, it can sometimes feel stuck in the middle.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Marshall
Middleton II: two-minute review

The Marshall Middleton II is a small-to-mid sized Bluetooth speaker that combines a classy amp-inspired look with expansive stereo sound and a rugged design. It carries a pretty premium price for a model in its weight class, coming in at $329.99 / 259.99 / AU$499, so is it really worth buying?

Well, lets start by discussing the most important factor for any Bluetooth speaker: audio performance. And I have very few complaints here. The stereo separation on offer from such a small speaker is astounding, which results in a far more nuanced listen than most rivals in this size category can supply. You also get decent bass output, with the Middleton II able to reach down pretty low. Low-frequency sounds compress at the highest volumes, but thats fairly common for smaller models like this.

On top of that, you get satisfyingly balanced mids and clear treble it never feels like any elements are being overwhelmed, and there are EQ options to fine tune the Middleton IIs sound to your taste. You dont get the top-tier instrument separation, higher-resolution Bluetooth streaming, or indeed, the raw power of some options in my guide to the best Bluetooth speakers , but on the whole, sound quality is very strong on the Middleton II.

Features-wise, theres a lot of good stuff going on too. Theres a built-in microphone for hands-free calls, the aforementioned EQ settings, battery preservation options, and Auracast connectivity. I wouldve liked to see placement compensation and multi-speaker pairing, which is available on some other Marshall models, but all of the basic essentials are here.

One of the most impressive features, though, is the speakers phenomenal battery life. You get 30 hours of playtime from the Middleton II, which is considerably more than a lot of rivals supply.

Design-wise, I found the Middleton II to be an interesting one. I certainly appreciate its premium look and build. Sure, it isnt quite as flashy as the larger Marshall Kilburn III , but its golden control button and logo, faux-leather exterior, and inclusion of frets ensure it's still a beauty to behold. Its also IP67 dust and waterproof-rated, making it ideal for use in any environment even in the shower or in a pool.

In spite of that, I find its size and weight to be just on the awkward side
of things. It doesnt have the one-handed portability or lightweight feel of the Marshall Emberton III , which is ideal to throw into a bag or carry around. And unlike its big brother, the Marshall Kilburn III , it doesnt have a proper handle for transportation, just a small carry strap.

This ties into a wider theme for me the Middleton II feels like a harder
sell than the models on either side of it. Its priced closer to the Kilburn III a model that plates up superior sound and loudness, more luxurious
looks, and a stronger set of features. And it doesnt quite have that budget-friendly appeal of the Emberton III. This leaves the Middleton II feeling like the awkward middle child it doesnt quite feel like the best value-for-money speaker Marshall has made.

Is that to say that the Middleton II isnt worth checking out? Absolutely not. If you want something smaller than the Kilburn III as a statement piece, or
if the heaviness is no bother, it would still be a great pick. And when it inevitably goes on sale for less, I could definitely find it easier to pick
it over other models in its class.

And of course, this is still a fantastic model in the audio department. Commendable balance and stereo sound make this an admirable creation from Marshall, which has had an exceptionally strong 2025 in the commercial audio sphere. It's also got that unmistakable Marshall look and build quality, so all in all, its still a hit. (Image credit: Future) Marshall Middleton II review: price and release date $329.99 / 259.99 / AU$499 Launched in July
2025

The Marshall Middleton II was released in July 2025, two and a half years after its predecessor. It has a list price of $329.99 / 259.99 / AU$499,
which is $30 higher, 10 less, and the same amount of Australian dollars as
the original model cost at launch.

Its positioned as a middle point between the small and rugged Marshall Emberton III and the larger Marshall Kilburn III , both of which we rate very highly here at TechRadar. You can grab the Middleton II in either Black & Brass, or Cream. Marshall Middleton II review: specs

Weight

3.9 lbs / 1.8kg

Dimensions

9.1 x 4.3 x 3.9 inches / 230 x 110 x 98mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3, Aux

Battery life

30 hours

Speaker drivers

2x 30W woofers; 2x 10W tweeters

Waterproofing

IP67 (Image credit: Future) Marshall Middleton II review: features Solid EQ options Colossal battery life No placement compensation or M button

The Marshall Middleton II packs in a solid suite of features, with pleasing customization options and battery preservation settings.

This model is supported by the standard Marshall app not the revamped one that the audio specialists home theater tech makes use of. Here, youll find a five-band equalizer and a small set of presets, all of which work well. You can also see the speakers remaining battery life, set a standby timeout, and tune into a live broadcast via Auracast.

Something that sets the Middleton II apart from a lot of the competition is its excellent battery life. You get a whopping 30 hours from this model,
which is admirable considering the raw power and premium sound it supplies. Those aforementioned battery preservation options come in handy too, with maximum charge, temperature, and charging speed controls on offer.

You also get a built-in mic on the Middleton II, which is ideal if you want
to take hands-free calls this is a feature I dont always see from speakers
in this size-class, but I think its a most welcome one.

Having said that, the Middleton II does omit some useful features that I
loved from its cousins. The first that pops to mind is placement
compensation. On models like the Marshall Kilburn III, this optimizes the speakers audio output to the space that youre listening to it in.

I also like the M button that's on a lot of Marshalls tech, and acts as a shortcut button I use it on the Marshall Monitor III ANC to activate a bass boost, for example. But thats not here either, and I wouldve appreciated it.

Theres also no multi-speaker pairing, and although you dont need two
Middleton II models to access stereo sound, the option to double up would be nice. Still, these gripes remain fairly minor, given that this speaker plates up plenty of playtime, an effective built-in mic, and good EQ options. Features score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future) Marshall Middleton II review:
sound quality Impressive stereo sound Impactful bass, clear mids, and controlled treble Effective 360-degree stereophonic sound

Lets get into the juicy stuff and chat about sound quality for a while. And Ill put my cards right on the table: this speaker is a very strong performer, and surprised me with its sonic capabilities.

First of all, the Middleton II absolutely nails the basics. When tuning into Fascinator by Max Dean, the pumping bass was replicated with agility and serious impact. It never sounded bloated or overbearing. Vocal chops in the midrange also cut through with intent and clarity, while synths had fantastic tonal accuracy and character.

For me, I felt that higher-pitched drums though well controlled didnt quite have the energy that I was looking for, but even this was easy to rectify
with the on-board EQ controls. I simply ramped up the treble, and found that the track had that high-end sparkle I was looking for.

The Middleton II can even handle deep bass pretty effectively, reaching all the way down to 50Hz. In 15 Seconds of Fame by Kolter, I was instantly struck by weighty and immersive low-frequency performance. At top volumes, I did notice the bass compress a bit, but thats very understandable for a smaller model. If you want loud, almighty low-end performance for outdoor use, say,
it may be worth going for the larger Marshall Kilburn III.

All of this is great, but what really impressed me about the Middleton II was its stellar stereo sound. Yep, for such a small model, this thing whips up a phenomenal sense of stereo separation, something I found when listening to Foxey Lady by Jimi Hendrix. In this track, vocals on the left, and percussion on the right were both expertly positioned, creating an engrossingly
expansive spatial impression.

360-degree true stereophonic sound is here too, which means you get a beautiful listen, no matter where you are in the room. As Marshall says, theres nowhere to hide with the Middleton II.

When listening to a collection of smooth jazz tracks, I was impressed with
the levels of details the Middleton II could unveil. Subtle percussion and
the breathy vocals came out to play, and I rarely felt as if the finer intricacies were lost in my favorite tracks. Its worth noting, though, that this model doesnt go beyond SBC and AAC, meaning you dont get the higher-res codecs (think LDAC or aptX) for the most insightful listen over Bluetooth.

Finally, I did a comparison against the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen ,
a smaller-sized portable speaker at a similar price-point to the Middleton
II. I thought that the Marshall more than held its own, providing a well-balanced, yet exciting performance.

For me, I felt that the B&O speaker gave individual instruments a touch more breathing space to work their magic, resulting in a beautifully layered listening experience. However, you need two B&O speakers to access stereo sound, which is downmixed to mono in a single unit, meaning you lose some of the nuance and expansiveness the Middleton II can offer.

And again, the fact that the quality of stereo sound is so high from the Middleton II really helps it to stand out in a highly convoluted market.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5 (Image credit: Future) Marshall Middleton II review: design Premium look and feel Strong IP67 dust and waterproofing Slightly awkward size and weight

As Id always expect from Marshall, theres a real sense of luxury on display with the Middleton II. This model has a fret-infused design, with a gorgeous golden multi-directional controller, and neat LED lights to indicate battery level. Its faux leather outer casing and iconic logo at the center also
hammer home that feeling of quality.

This speaker is also heavy given its size, weighing in at 3.9 lbs / 1.8kg.
Now on one hand, this feels indicative of its high standard of build and materials, as well as its inclusion of multiple quality speaker drivers. But on the other hand, it does feel a little too hefty, especially given the lack of a proper handle theres just a carry strap here.

I also had a similar feeling about the dimensions of the Middleton II. It feels too large to hold in one hand and throw in a bag, as you would with the Emberton III. But then again, it doesnt supply the raw power and even
stronger sound quality of the Kilburn III. I suppose the speakers name is fitting in this regard, as it does almost seem like the awkward middle child in Marshalls speaker lineup.

Again, there is a lot to like about the Middleton IIs look. Although its control buttons arent all too flashy, they are easy to use and
well-positioned on the top of the model. There are also some easily
accessible USB-C and Aux ports on the reverse side for charging and wired listening respectively. And perhaps best of all, this model is IP67 dust and waterproof, meaning it can survive being dunked under a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Pretty neat! Design score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future) Marshall Middleton II review: value Quite expensive, although limited change from original Middletons pricing Kilburn III only slightly more expensive, but a considerable upgrade Still a very good speaker with premium build and excellent sound

The Middleton II sits between the Emberton III and Kilburn III in terms of size, but its far closer to the latter when it comes to price. It comes in at $329.99 / 259.99 / AU$499, which is similar to the list price of the first Middleton at launch.

Id still argue that this model is on the slightly more expensive side of things. Sure, it offers excellent stereo sound, with fantastic soundstage performance and well-balanced audio. It also looks premium, and plates up plenty of playtime. But thats a lot more than a lot of models in its size class, and now, you can even get the significantly mightier and great
sounding JBL Xtreme 4 at a similar price.

In fact, for just $50 / 40 / AU$100, you can get your hands on the Kilburn III, which offers more power, better bass performance, an even more premium look, and a better feature-set. The Kilburns inclusion of a proper handle is also a big plus, and helps to cement it as a stronger value pick than the Middleton II.

As Ive expressed throughout this review, this is still a very high quality model. And in the future, if you can snap it up on sale for closer to $250 / 200 / AU$400, it will undoubtedly prove to be well worth the investment. But it lacks the pure portability of the Emberton III, and it doesnt quite
provide the five-star sound and look of the Kilburn III. As a result, it
feels like a slightly harder sell than those two models. Value score: 3.5/5 (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Marshall Middleton II?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

In-built mic, effective app, 30-hour playtime, but missing some options from other Marshall models.

4/5

Sound quality

Fantastic stereo sound, excellent soundstage, well-balanced audio, only some minor imperfections.

4.5/5

Design

A little heavy and awkwardly-sized, but premium and pretty.

4/5

Value

Kilburn III offers better bang for your buck, but overall quality is high.

3.5/5 Buy it if...

You want a smaller-sized speaker with excellent sound quality
For a speaker that sits on the smaller side of things, this model does sound pretty impressive. It packs fantastic stereo sound and never takes any half measures when it comes to soundstage. You wont be blown away by gigantic
bass, but what is here is clean, agile, and surprisingly deep. You also get detailed mids and clear treble, making for an engrossing listen, time after time.

Youre a fan of the classic Marshall aesthetic
I love the look of the Marshall Middleton II. It doesnt quite have the same sex appeal of the Kilburn III, with its gorgeous control panel and red velvet handle, but its still very nice to look at. Thats thanks to a multi-directional metallic control button, attractive faux-leather casing,
and eye-catching frets. If you appreciate the classic Marshall look, I expect youll appreciate the Middleton II. Don't buy it if...

You want the ultimate portable option
The Middleton II is heavy for its size, and it doesnt come with a proper handle either, just a small carry strap. As a result, its not the best in terms of portability.

Youre looking to get the most bang for your buck
For the slight increase in cost, the Kilburn III offers more value for money, thanks to its superior sound quality, power, build, and feature-set. You can even get the larger JBL Xtreme 4 at a similar price right now, which makes
the Middleton II feel like a slightly tough sell, in spite of its strong overall quality. Marshall Middleton II review: also consider

Marshall Middleton II

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen

JBL Charge 6

Price

$329.99 / 259.99 / AU$499

$349 / 299 / AU$639

$149 / 129 / AU$229.95

Weight

3.9 lbs / 1.8kg

1.3 lbs / 576g

3lbs / 1.37kg

Dimensions

9.1 x 4.3 x 3.9 inches / 230 x 110 x 98mm

5.2 x 1.8 x 5.2 inches / 133 x 46 H x 133mm

9 x 3.9 x 3.7 inches / 229 x 99 x 94mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3, AUX

Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C

Bluetooth 5.4

Battery life

30 hours

24 hours

28 hours (with PlayTime Boost)

Speaker drivers

2x 30W woofers; 2x 10W tweeters

1x 0.6-inch tweeter; 1 x 3.25-inch woofer, each with 1x 30W Class D amplification

53 x 93 mm mid/bass 'racetrack' driver, 20mm tweeter

Waterproofing

IP67

IP67

IP68

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen
This is a top-of-the range Bluetooth speaker that offers phenomenal sound quality, fantastic features, and one of the most luxurious designs around. It downmixes stereo content to mono, so some may appreciate the sound of the Middleton II more, but it still offers palpable bass, beautifully detailed mids, and exciting treble, with adept instrument separation and higher-res Bluetooth streaming. Its similarly priced to the Middleton II, so if you want a real touch of class, Id certainly consider this. Read our full Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen review .

JBL Charge 6
This is a much cheaper, and not quite as powerful option, but the JBL Charge
6 is still a worthy rival to the Middleton II. It has class-leading dust and waterproofing, fantastic sound quality, top-tier portability, and a nice
array of color options. Its recently been on sale for less than $130 / 100 / AU$180, so its a great budget-friendly option. Read our full JBL Charge 6 review . How I tested the Marshall Middleton II (Image credit: Future) Tested across multiple weeks Used in the Future Labs music testing space Predominantly tested using Tidal

I spent multiple weeks with the Marshall Middleton II, during which time I exhausted every feature, listened to hours and hours of music, and carefully assessed its design. For the most part, I used the speaker in our music testing space at Future Labs, which we use to judge audio quality in an isolated, controlled environment.

When tuning into tracks, I mainly used Tidal over a Bluetooth connection, but I did dip into Spotify on occasion and tested out wired listening too. As always, I kicked off my review by playing tracks from our curated TechRadar reference playlist , but I also bumped a whole lot of tunes from my own personal library. As I mentioned in the review, I also compared the Middleton II with the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen, in order to assess aspects such as bass output, instrument separation, and detail.

More generally, Ive tested all kinds of audio equipment during my time here
at TechRadar, from flagship headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM6 , as well as home cinema products like the Marshall Heston 60 . Ive also reviewed a whole lot of Bluetooth speakers, from leading brands like Bose, JBL, and, of course, Ive tested more than 30 models in total, and personally curated our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers , so I have a deep understanding of the Middleton IIs competition, and how it compares in a challenging market. First reviewed: December 2025 Read more about how we test



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