Marshall Middleton II Bluetooth speaker arrives with LE audio, improved battery life, and a built-in microphone

It has been over two years since Marshall announced the Middleton portable Bluetooth speaker. Now, it has unveiled a successor which is unsurprisingly named the Middleton II, and it brings notable upgrades.

The Middleton II has the same signature design of Marshall's speakers, and while it looks a lot like its predecessor, there are enough noticeable differences between them. Like the original, the Middleton II has a carrying strap and is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance.

In terms of features, the Middleton II should sound better as Marshall says it has improved its audio performance. Compared to the previous generation, the new speaker is said to deliver deeper bass and more accurate sounds even at full volume. It should also easily fill up a room thanks to Marshall's unique True Stereophonic (360° sound) multi-directional sound.

Another upgrade is support for LE audio for better audio quality and improved power efficiency. Talking about power efficiency, the Middleton II has a battery life of over 30 hours, a significant upgrade from the 20+ hours of the original Middleton. It can also double as a power bank when your phone is running low.

In addition, the Middleton II now sports a microphone at the top which allows the speaker to be used for hands-free calls, a feature absent on the first-gen model. Surprisingly, the Kilburn III doesn't have a microphone. The Middleton II retains the battery indicator and physical controls at the top which includes dedicated buttons for adjusting the bass and treble. However, owners can still tune the sound using the companion app.

Despite all of the upgrades, the Marshall Middleton II keeps the €299 price tag of its predecessor. It is available to buy now on Marshall's website in Black and Beige, and will be available at retail stores on July 15.