JBL Charge 5 vs. Marshall Emberton II – Differences beyond design

Having a wireless speaker is, nowadays, quite common. In fact, we use this type of speakers practically every day, whether at home when we are doing something, or outside. And, of course, whenever we travel we take it with us. For this reason, we continually search for the best portable speakers on the market, and compare those that users demand the most. Today we bring you a particularly interesting comparison: the JBL Charge 5 speakers and the Marshall Emberton II.

The most obvious difference is the design, although this usually happens whenever we compare any speaker with a Marshall. If you are a fan of this brand, you will know that its vintage aesthetic continues to prevail wherever it goes. We are, therefore, facing two totally different styles, which can be a first filter. Another differential aspect is the sound power, which is superior in JBL speakers. On the other hand, the Marshalls have the advantage when it comes to autonomy, since their battery lasts up to 30 hours.

However, in addition to differences, there are also similarities between the two models. For example, both have IP67 certification, which guarantees very high protection against water and dust. On the other hand, both are compatible with a mobile app, from which you can adjust the parameters (in addition to the buttons, of course).

To help you decide between these two JBL and Marshall speakers, we have prepared a detailed comparison. Join us!

JBL Charge 5 vs Marshall Emberton II – Comparative table

If you are thinking about buying a portable speaker and don’t know which one to choose, we bring you a table comparing the characteristics of two of the best sellers on Amazon. This way, you can check which one is better and what differences there are between them:

Do you prefer a modern or retro speaker?

The design is one of the main differences between Marshall speakers and those of other brands. The Marshall Emberton II maintains the vintage aesthetic that characterizes this brand, and, in this case, we have two versions, in black and cream. Particularly, the cream-colored speaker has a more retro touch that we love, but it is a matter of taste. In addition, it is much smaller and lighter than the JBL speaker, which has a cylindrical shape, more aligned with current designs. This model, for its part, is available in a wide range of colors, all of them quite vivid and intense.

The sound power, double in JBL

One of the aspects that we usually look at most when we buy a speaker is the maximum sound power it has. Our advice is, however, to analyze the entire general context of each model apart from the power. There are times when some speakers, with lower power, may have better resolution and clarity in bass reproduction, for example.

In this case, the JBL Charge 5 have a maximum power of 40 watts, which is divided between 30 watts for a bass speaker and 10 watts for a tweeter. For its part , the Marshall Emberton II has an output power of 20 watts, divided into two speakers of 10 watts each. In this case, furthermore, the fact that the JBL are larger speakers, combined with twice the power, means that the music is heard more intensely than in the Marshalls.

Autonomy, Marshall’s great asset

If the Marshall Emberton II stands out for something, it is for the high autonomy they achieve. In fact, they are speakers that can work for 30 hours on a single charge, far from the 20 hours of maximum autonomy provided by the JBL Charge 5. In addition, they have a fast charging option; In 20 minutes you can recover battery for about 4 hours.

Even so, the time it takes to fully recharge is 3 hours, while the JBL Charge takes about 4 hours, and they do not have fast charging. Although, to compensate, they allow you to charge your cell phone while they are working, something that is not possible in the Marshalls.

Connectivity and pairing with other devices

We now look at the connectivity options that the two speakers have. Both are compatible with Bluetooth version 5.1, and have a range of approximately 10 meters. However, they do not have a Wi-Fi connection.

On the other hand, the two speakers have pairing options, although not exactly the same. The Marshall Emberton II have the “Stack” mode, with which it is possible to connect them to other speakers of the same model. Instead, the JBL Charge 5 can be synced with other JBL speakers that are compatible with PartyBoost, but they do not have to be the same model.

They have the same resistance to dust and water

Finally, we tell you that both the JBL Charge 5 and the Marshall Emberton II have the IP67 resistance level. That is, they have the maximum possible resistance to dust specks, and a very high tolerance to water splashes, the maximum of which would be 8 points (the last digit is what indicates it). Therefore, you could take any of them to the pool, the countryside or the beach, without problems.

Which wireless speaker would we choose?

Now that you know what the main differences and similarities are between the two speakers, it’s time to make a decision. We recognize that it has cost us more than we expected, because both have a very similar price. This, in fact, shows how equal they are and the good value for money they have. Let’s not forget that they belong to brands that have extensive experience in the sound technology market, and it shows.

You may wonder: why don’t you clearly choose the JBL, which has more sound power? Because, as we told you, that does not necessarily mean that you hear each other better. In this case, we would choose the JBL Charge 5 to use in an outdoor space. That is, if we have a party at the pool, we want to liven up the afternoons at the beach or we take it to spend the day in the countryside or in the mountains, it is the best alternative.

However, if you are going to use it indoors, the Marshall Emberton II convinces us more, because it has a system that emits sound omnidirectionally, filling any interior space. If you try it and put it in the living room, for example, you will notice how you hear the music practically the same from any part of the room. But, as you know, this is our personal opinion, which does not have to coincide with yours. Think about what your most important preferences are and, based on them, choose the model that best satisfies them.