The world of portable audio is a dynamic landscape, constantly evolving with new technologies and innovative designs. In this ever-shifting terrain, the Marshall Emberton III emerges as a beacon of both tradition and progress. Building upon the acclaimed Emberton lineage, this third iteration delivers a refined audio experience that caters to the discerning audiophile while maintaining the iconic Marshall aesthetic.

This comprehensive review delves deep into the intricacies of the Emberton III, dissecting its sonic prowess, design philosophy, and technological advancements. We’ll explore its audio performance, scrutinize its construction, and analyze its features to provide a holistic understanding of this remarkable portable speaker.

A Legacy of Sound: The Marshall Pedigree

Marshall Amplification, a name synonymous with rock and roll history, has been crafting legendary guitar amplifiers for over six decades. Their amplifiers have powered the music of countless iconic artists, shaping the sound of generations. In recent years, Marshall has leveraged its audio expertise to venture into the realm of consumer audio, producing a range of headphones, Bluetooth speakers, and home audio systems.

The Emberton series, in particular, has captured the essence of Marshall’s sonic legacy in a portable form factor. The original Emberton and its successor, the Emberton II, garnered widespread acclaim for their exceptional sound quality, robust construction, and distinctive design. The Emberton III, the latest addition to this esteemed lineage, builds upon this foundation, introducing subtle yet significant refinements that elevate the listening experience to new heights.

Unboxing the Emberton III: First Impressions

The Emberton III arrives in a compact, eco-friendly package that reflects Marshall’s commitment to sustainability. Upon opening the box, you’re greeted by the speaker itself, nestled securely within a molded cardboard insert. The packaging also includes a USB-C charging cable and a quick start guide.

The speaker’s design immediately commands attention. It retains the iconic Marshall aesthetic, with its signature black and brass color scheme and textured grille reminiscent of classic guitar amplifiers. The build quality is impeccable, with a solid heft that exudes durability. The combination of metal and leather accents adds a touch of sophistication, making the Emberton III as visually appealing as it is sonically impressive.

Audio Performance: A Symphony in Motion

At the heart of the Emberton III lies its exceptional audio performance. Marshall has meticulously engineered this speaker to deliver a rich, immersive sound that belies its compact size. The speaker employs two 2-inch full-range drivers and two passive radiators, working in harmony to produce a balanced and dynamic soundscape.

One of the most noticeable improvements over its predecessor is the increased loudness. The Emberton III can effortlessly fill a room with sound, making it ideal for parties, gatherings, or simply enjoying music at home. Despite its increased volume, the speaker maintains remarkable clarity across the frequency spectrum. The highs are crisp and detailed, the mids are well-defined, and the lows are surprisingly punchy for a speaker of this size.

Marshall’s proprietary True Stereophonic technology plays a crucial role in creating an immersive listening experience. This technology utilizes advanced signal processing to create a wider soundstage, giving the impression that the music is emanating from multiple sources. The result is a more spacious and enveloping sound that draws you into the music.

The Emberton III is designed to deliver sound in all directions, ensuring that everyone in the vicinity can enjoy the same high-quality audio experience. This 360-degree sound projection makes it ideal for social gatherings, where listeners may be positioned around the speaker. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, the Emberton III ensures that the music reaches every corner of the space.

While the Emberton III lacks a customizable EQ, it offers a selection of preset EQ options accessible through the Marshall Bluetooth app. These presets allow you to tailor the sound to your preferences, whether you prefer a bass-heavy profile for electronic music or a more balanced sound for acoustic genres. The app also provides control over playback, volume, and other speaker functions.

Design and Durability: Built to Last

The Emberton III’s design is a testament to Marshall’s commitment to both aesthetics and durability. The speaker’s rugged construction ensures that it can withstand the rigors of everyday use, while its stylish design makes it a statement piece in any setting.

With an IP67 rating, the Emberton III is virtually impervious to the elements. It can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, making it ideal for poolside listening or outdoor adventures. The dust-proof rating ensures that the speaker remains protected from dirt, sand, and other debris, making it a reliable companion for travel and outdoor activities.

A new addition to the Emberton III’s design is an integrated bracket on the side of the speaker. This bracket allows you to easily attach a lanyard or carabiner, providing convenient carrying options. Whether you’re hanging it from a backpack, belt loop, or tree branch, the bracket adds a level of versatility that enhances the speaker’s portability.

Battery Life and Charging: Power to the Music

The Emberton III boasts an impressive battery life, ensuring that the music keeps playing for extended periods. Marshall has also implemented fast charging technology, minimizing downtime and maximizing convenience.

With up to 32 hours of playtime on a single charge, the Emberton III can keep the music going all day long. This extended battery life makes it ideal for road trips, camping excursions, or simply enjoying music at home without worrying about running out of power. The actual battery life may vary depending on volume levels and usage patterns, but even at higher volumes, the Emberton III delivers impressive longevity.

When it’s time to recharge, the Emberton III’s fast charging capabilities come into play. With just 20 minutes of charging, you can gain up to 4 hours of playtime. A full charge takes approximately 2 hours, ensuring that you’re never far from your music. The USB-C charging port adds to the convenience, allowing you to use the same charger as your smartphone or other devices.

Connectivity: Embracing the Future with Auracast

The Emberton III embraces the future of wireless audio with its support for Bluetooth Auracast, a groundbreaking technology that promises to revolutionize how we experience sound.

The speaker utilizes the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard, ensuring a stable and reliable connection with your devices. However, the true highlight is its compatibility with Auracast, a new Bluetooth feature that enables audio broadcasting. With Auracast, you can share your music with multiple listeners simultaneously, creating a shared audio experience.

While Auracast is still in its early stages of adoption, its potential applications are vast. Imagine walking through a park and tuning into a public audio stream from a nearby kiosk, or sharing your music with friends at a party without the need for pairing. Auracast opens up a world of possibilities for public and private audio sharing, and the Emberton III is at the forefront of this exciting new technology.

By incorporating Auracast support, Marshall has future-proofed the Emberton III. As Auracast becomes more prevalent, your speaker will be ready to take advantage of this transformative technology. This forward-thinking approach ensures that your investment remains relevant and compatible with the evolving landscape of wireless audio.

User Experience: Intuitive and Seamless

The Emberton III is designed with user-friendliness in mind. From its intuitive controls to its seamless connectivity, the speaker provides a hassle-free experience that enhances enjoyment.

The speaker features a minimalist control panel with just three buttons: a multi-function button for play/pause, track skipping, and call handling; a volume up button; and a volume down button. These tactile buttons provide a satisfying click and are easy to locate by touch, making it simple to control playback without looking at the speaker.

The Marshall Bluetooth app enhances the user experience by providing access to additional features and settings. Through the app, you can adjust EQ presets, check battery status, and even locate your speaker if you misplace it. The app also provides firmware updates, ensuring that your speaker remains up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.

For Android users, the Emberton III supports Google Fast Pair, making the pairing process a breeze. Simply bring the speaker near your Android device, and a notification will prompt you to connect with a single tap. This eliminates the need to fumble through Bluetooth settings, streamlining the setup process.

The Emberton III supports multi-point connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously. This means you can seamlessly switch between audio sources, such as your smartphone and laptop, without having to disconnect and reconnect each time.

For those seeking an even more immersive audio experience, the Emberton III offers Stack Mode. This feature allows you to wirelessly connect multiple Emberton III speakers together, creating a synchronized audio system.

By stacking multiple speakers, you can significantly expand the soundstage, creating a more expansive and enveloping listening experience. This is particularly effective in larger spaces or outdoor environments, where a single speaker may not be sufficient to fill the area with sound.

Stack Mode offers flexibility in how you configure your speakers. You can create a stereo pair for a more traditional stereo experience, or stack multiple speakers in a line or circle for a truly immersive surround sound effect. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination and the number of speakers you have.

The Verdict: A Sonic Masterpiece

The Marshall Emberton III is more than just a portable speaker; it’s a statement piece that embodies the legacy of Marshall’s audio expertise. With its exceptional sound quality, rugged design, and forward-thinking features, it sets a new standard for portable audio.

Whether you’re a discerning audiophile or a casual listener, the Emberton III delivers an immersive and enjoyable listening experience. Its versatility makes it equally at home in the living room, at the beach, or on a mountaintop. The Emberton III is a testament to Marshall’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to crafting audio products that inspire and delight.