The Marshall Middleton II is described as a portable speaker featuring True Stereophonic 360° sound, providing left-right separation from a single cabinet. It offers a 30-hour battery life and includes IP67 protection, making it suitable for outdoor use.
The speaker is positioned in the Marshall lineup as the middle-child, sitting between the smaller Emberton and the larger Kilburn, emphasizing its role in balancing features.
Its design includes a textured silicone-rubber cabinet, a stamped-metal grille, and the gold-script logo. The default color combination is Black and Brass, though a Cream version is also available. A detachable PU nylon carry strap can be chosen in two-tone black and burgundy or cream.
In terms of build quality, the Middleton II weighs 1.8kg, making it heavier than its dimensions suggest. It utilizes True Stereophonic, Marshall’s 360° audio processing, which arranges drivers and passive radiators for sound to spread in all directions.
Connectivity features include Bluetooth 5.3, supporting SBC, AAC, and LC3 codecs with a quoted 60-metre range. The speaker also incorporates Multipoint, Auracast, hands-free calls, and functions as a USB-C power bank.
Internally, the unit contains two 3-inch neodymium woofers powered by 30W Class-D amplifiers, two 0.6-inch tweeters with 10W amplifiers each, and a pair of passive radiators.
Marshall quotes a frequency response of 50Hz–20kHz and a maximum SPL of 87dB at one metre. This suggests the speaker is designed for personal use and is not intended to function as a portable PA system for large gatherings.
Battery performance is rated at 30+ hours of playtime at moderate volumes, which is described as a realistic expectation for a long weekend. A 20-minute top-up can provide approximately three hours of playback.
Charging is done via USB-C. Furthermore, the same USB-C port can be used in reverse, allowing the Middleton II to power a phone or earbuds, provided the speaker has over 20% charge.
Regarding maintenance, while the battery is not removable, Marshall sells spare parts and supports authorized repairs through its website, marketing the product as self-repairable.
The Middleton II is noted for its ability to add up features, including Multipoint pairing, Auracast, IP67 protection, extended battery life, and stereo image quality. This combination gives the speaker its own reason for existence.
When compared to competitors, the Middleton II is noted to match the Bose SoundLink Plus and undercuts the Sonos Move 2, while purportedly offering superior bass extension and battery life.
Source: Trusted Reviews