Bass-heavy sound: Marshall Middleton II Bluetooth speaker reviewed
Bass for your ears.
On July 1, Marshall unveiled the Middleton II. This Bluetooth speaker falls into the same category as the JBL Xtreme and is positioned between Marshall’s smaller Emberton and the larger Kilburn. Thirty hours of battery life and a microphone are two of the key features. We are reviewing the new Middleton, which is officially priced at $329.Christian Hintze, 👁 Christian Hintze (translated by Enrico Frahn) Published 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 ...
Verdict on the Marshall Middleton II speaker
Marshall has noticeably improved the Middleton II. You can finally make calls with it, and the battery life has been increased. While you won't find outstanding detail in terms of sound, you do get a good-sounding Bluetooth speaker that delivers enjoyable music thanks to its strong bass. And aesthetically, it's arguably a step ahead of many competitors.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The Middleton II costs $329 directly at Marshall and on Amazon. The predecessor currently retails for $224, which constitutes a 30% discount relative to the original MSRP.
Even though the design remains pretty much the same, the new Middleton is better than its predecessor in almost every aspect. The battery is larger, there's finally a built-in microphone for phone calls and both the bass and overall sound have been tweaked. We take a listen.
Specifications
| Drivers | 4 multi-directional speakers: 2x 3-inch 15 W woofer, 2x 0.6-inch 10 W tweeter, 2 passive membranes |
| Frequency range | 45 to 20,000 Hz |
| Maximum volume | 91 dB @ 1 meter |
| Controls | Multi-directional knob, 1 Bluetooth button, 1 power button |
| Connections | Bluetooth 5.3 (Multipoint, 60 m range) and 3.5 mm jack |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC-mpeg 2 and LC3 |
| Battery life | 20 hours |
| Battery type | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Protection | IP67 |
| Charging time | 3 hours for a full charge, 20 minutes charging = 5 hours of runtime |
| Power | USB-C 5 V / 9 V / 12 V /20 V – 3 A |
| Dimensions | 230 x 98 x 110 mm (length x width x height) |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Colors | Black and Brass Cream |
Design and features - Marshall amp tradition
The design practically screams guitar amplifier and is once again a welcome change from the usual plastic designs. The smooth surfaces are covered with an easily removable rubber skin that resembles leather in terms of texture. Underneath, you can easily access the replaceable battery.
The front and back sport the stylish Marshall grille, which is where dirt might accumulate when using the speaker outdoors. An IP67 rating is included. The classic gold-copper Marshall lettering is found on the front. Visually, little has changed compared to the predecessor. The only visibly new parts are the microphone and the power button, which previously had a different function.
Next to its predecessor, the Middleton II shares some of its features with the smaller Emberton. However, the Emberton lacks the separate bass and treble knobs, which can be adjusted directly on top of the Middleton II.
The red LED bars show the battery percentage as well as the volume, bass and treble in 10 levels when adjusting them.
On the back, there are the two ports, namely a 3.5mm aux input for analog devices and a USB-C port for charging and reverse charging. The battery can be fully recharged in 3 hours, with a 20-minute charge providing 5 hours of playtime.
Regarding codecs, the new Middleton II supports SBC, AAC-MPEG2 and LC3, but unfortunately not aptX. When connected to a PC or smartphone, it automatically turns off after approximately 10 minutes of inactivity in order to save energy. This timeout period can be adjusted in the app in 5-minute increments, from 10 to 55 minutes.
We also liked how quickly the Bluetooth speaker reconnects to an already paired computer after being turned on. Additionally, the Middleton II supports Auracast, which we were not able to test due to a lack of compatible devices.
The controls are located on top, including the gold multi-directional knob. On the upper right edge, there's a sturdy attachment point for the included carrying strap.
Marshall Bluetooth app - Neatly arranged, no account required
The app installs quickly and doesn't require an account, which is very pleasant. It’s clearly structured, though the range of options is limited. You can save an additional equalizer preset, adjust the battery charging behavior to extend its lifespan, and install over-the-air updates. That's basically it. The app is useful but really necessary in order to use the Marshall speaker, which we generally appreciate.
When playing YouTube content or other videos, we notice a latency between the picture and sound. The latter doesn't appear to be lip-synced properly and is somewhat delayed. This is a problem that, unfortunately, many current Bluetooth speakers share.
Hands-on and sound test - Marshall likes bass
Marshall remains true to its sound with the Middleton II. The bass packs a punch again, which specifically applies to kick drums in songs, but not always to the fine resolution of basslines.
However, the bass resolution is by no means bad. It’s significantly better compared to the smaller Emberton, and the bass is generally more powerful. Of course, it not as powerful as on the much larger Marshall Tufton, which we have already reviewed. Overall, the bass is convincing and makes music enjoyable.
The Marshall Middleton II is not perfect when it comes to the highs and mids. The highs could be a touch clearer, and there’s a greater lack of detail compared to the bass.
In Aurora's "Churchyard," the Middleton II shows it can do more than just kick drums. The string bass comes through well, as do the electronic sounds. In fact, even Aurora's delicate voice at the beginning is well-represented.
In Rufus du Sol's "Innerbloom", a powerful bass thumps at us without becoming muddy. However, the mids and highs could be a bit more spirited.
Needless to say, rock music runs in Marshall's veins. In Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing", the guitar roars wonderfully from the speaker.
The missing detail in the highs can be heard in Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man". The highs are certainly very present, but they lack a bit of breadth. This is likely due to the transition from the mids to the highs, which doesn't quite come across either.
Conclusion - Stylish funbox
The Middleton II is a lot of fun sound-wise and really shines with its bass.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
