Marshall Emberton III

The Emberton III is an improvement over the last model in terms of performance, specs and features. It does occupy a niche within the portable speaker market for those who are looking for something edgy and different from the usual boxes and cylinders. Its design is instantly recognisable as Marshall, with that vinyl texture and the big brass knob that allows for easy controls of pretty much everything from volume to music playback to calls.

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 easy-to-use controls and indicators, though, it’s tough to see what more you could want from a rugged Bluetooth speaker.

The Emberton III builds on the strengths of its predecessors. It still excels when it comes to battery life, and it's a no-brainer if you’re the type of person who values both style and sound performance in equal parts.

The Marshall Emberton III will tick a lot of boxes for a lot of people. combining style and substance in a big way. The eye-catching design is certainly a draw. I have it placed up on a shelf and it adds to the look of the room, rather than taking away from it. It's also a great size for chucking in your bag, and it's durable so will survive all sorts along the way. And you won't need to charge it too often because the battery lasts for ages.

The latest version of Marshall’s Emberton speaker is the brand’s best yet. The improvements are incremental and subtle, but the Emberton III sounds superb and despite its small size, the sound can’t fail to impress. Readiness for Bluetooth LE is welcome, as is the inclusion of a microphone to turn the Emberton III into a very capable speakerphone. If you want a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s tough enough for life on the road and with a powerful and punchy sound, Marshall Emberton III is a top performer.

Okay, seriously… I'm not saying this speaker is the best thing I've heard. But as far as speakers of this size, you bet it tops the list. Although it might not offer a basement-dwelling low end, it gives you just enough to know it's serious about sound. If Marshall added a custom EQ to the app, it would quickly become my go-to for music when I don't feel like packing a larger speaker or wearing headphones. And the 32 hours of playtime doesn't hurt.