Target Audience:
Though aesthetics should never be the sole deciding factor for selecting a speaker, it certainly matters for those who value well-designed products. If you’ve taken the time to curate your living space, your audio equipment should complement that effort.
For design enthusiasts, the new Marshall Emberton III stands out. This premium Bluetooth speaker not only embodies Marshall’s unmistakable vintage aesthetic but also delivers impressive sound quality for its price point.
Reasons for Selection:
Wherever we placed the Emberton III—on a desk, coffee table, bookshelf, or kitchen counter—it instantly enhanced the room’s ambiance. Initially, we were concerned that its appealing design might not reflect its audio performance.
Fortunately, our concerns were unfounded. Right out of the box, the speaker produced crystal-clear and balanced sound. With a slightly emphasized bass profile, it effortlessly rendered tracks like Still Woozy’s “Get Down” and Billie Holiday’s “Solitude” with equal finesse. While we would have appreciated a custom equalizer option, the companion app allows users to choose from different sound presets: the standard Marshall preset, a Push preset for boosted bass and treble, and a Voice preset tailored for vocal-centric content. The distinctions between these presets were notable, a feature not always found in comparable audio products. However, the Voice preset did not meet expectations, as it compromised the clarity of podcast hosts’ voices.
The speaker features a battery life indicator, and both the power and Bluetooth buttons ensure quick and effortless connectivity—users can switch between devices in under 10 seconds. Additionally, it includes a central knob for adjusting volume and song selection, although this dial may not appeal to everyone.
Marshall touts a remarkable 32-hour battery life for this speaker. After several days of moderate to heavy use, it maintained around 60% battery. With the app, users can activate battery-saving features to extend usage even further.
Priced at $169.99, the Emberton III offers solid audio performance, compensating for minor drawbacks with its stylish retro design. Released in August 2024, its features and aesthetics are quite similar to its predecessor, the Emberton II. For those looking for a cost-effective alternative, the Emberton II can be purchased at a reduced price without a significant compromise on sound quality.
