Bluetooth Speakers / Marshall Emberton III vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Marshall Emberton III vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Marshall Emberton III
32+ hours, IP67 and 360-degree sound in the most distinctive body here.
Wins overall by 0.5 points
Quick Verdict
The Marshall Emberton III is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 0.5 points. 32+ hours, IP67 and 360-degree sound in the most distinctive body here.
The Marshall Emberton III and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) are both current-generation bluetooth Speaker models, and the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is $21 cheaper than the Marshall Emberton III ($159 vs $179.99). On Battery, the Marshall Emberton III leads (9.5 vs 5.5/10) — rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume. On Durability, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) leads (9.0 vs 8.5/10) — IP rating, drop resistance and whether it floats. On Portability, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) leads (8.5 vs 8.0/10) — weight, size and how easily it travels. Overall, the Marshall Emberton III scores 7.7/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.2/10 for the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Marshall Emberton III | Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 | $159.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 32✓ | 12 |
| Water & Dust Rating | IP67 — dust and water, to 1m for 30 minutes | IP67 — dust and water |
| Floats | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Power Output (W) | 76W of amplification (2x 38W Class D); note the drivers themselves are rated 2x 10W, and maximum SPL is 90dB at 1m | Bose does not publish power ratings for any SoundLink speaker |
| Weight (g) | 670 | 585✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 LE with multipoint | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 2-inch 10W full-range drivers plus two passive radiators, in a True Stereophonic 360-degree arrangement | Single full-range transducer with passive radiators; Bose does not publish driver dimensions |
| Stereo & Multi-Speaker Pairing | Bluetooth multipoint is confirmed; Auracast was promised via firmware because the unit is LE Audio-ready, and a dedicated two-unit stereo mode is not documented by Marshall | Two compatible Bose speakers can run in Stereo Mode or Party Mode; there is no large-scale chaining |
| Speakerphone | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Charges Your Phone | No | No |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black and Brass, Cream | Black, Blue Dusk, Alpine Sage |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Marshall Emberton III and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) are level here, at 8.0/10 each. tonal balance, clarity and detail is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Bass
The Marshall Emberton III and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) are level here, at 6.5/10 each. low-end weight and extension for the size is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Battery
The Marshall Emberton III leads clearly here, 9.5 against 5.5 — a 4.0-point margin on rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on IP rating, drop resistance and whether it floats. If that is what you are buying for, the Marshall Emberton III does not close the gap elsewhere.
Portability
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on weight, size and how easily it travels. If that is what you are buying for, the Marshall Emberton III does not close the gap elsewhere.
Loudness
The Marshall Emberton III and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) are level here, at 6.5/10 each. maximum usable volume before it strains is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Features
The Marshall Emberton III leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.5 — a 0.5-point margin on app EQ, multi-speaker pairing, charge-out and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Marshall Emberton III leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Marshall Emberton III if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Marshall Emberton III scores 9.5/10 here (rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume).
- • Features matters most to you — the Marshall Emberton III scores 7.0/10 here (app EQ, multi-speaker pairing, charge-out and extras).
- • Value matters most to you — the Marshall Emberton III scores 7.5/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
Choose the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) if…
- • Durability matters most to you — the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) scores 9.0/10 here (IP rating, drop resistance and whether it floats).
- • Portability matters most to you — the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) scores 8.5/10 here (weight, size and how easily it travels).
- • You want to spend less — it's $21 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is poolside.
Pros & Cons
Marshall Emberton III
Pros
- +32+ hours is exceptional for a speaker this size
- +True Stereophonic gives real 360-degree presentation
- +IP67 dust and water rating
- +The most distinctive design in the category, and built to match
Cons
- −No USB charge-out
- −No aux input
- −Auracast support still depends on firmware that may not have shipped
- −Marshall does not document a true two-unit stereo pairing mode
- −The 76W figure is amplifier rating, not driver output — do not compare it directly to JBL's numbers
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Pros
- +The best tonal balance of any small speaker here — Bose's core strength
- +PositionIQ genuinely works, retuning whether it is upright, flat or hanging
- +Floats, with a full IP67 rating
- +App EQ finally added this generation
Cons
- −12 hours is short next to the Marshall's 32 or the Tribit's 24
- −Bose publishes no wattage or driver specification at all
- −No USB charge-out
- −No aux input
- −List price has risen from $149 to $159
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Marshall Emberton III or Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Marshall Emberton III comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Battery, the Marshall Emberton III or the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Marshall Emberton III scores higher on Battery (9.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume.
Which is better for Durability, the Marshall Emberton III or the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) scores higher on Durability (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10) — IP rating, drop resistance and whether it floats.
Which is better for Portability, the Marshall Emberton III or the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) scores higher on Portability (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — weight, size and how easily it travels.
Which is better for Features, the Marshall Emberton III or the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Marshall Emberton III scores higher on Features (7.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — app EQ, multi-speaker pairing, charge-out and extras.
Is the Marshall Emberton III worth the price difference over the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is the cheaper option at $159 versus $179.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Battery.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Marshall Emberton III is the better fit if you mainly care about portable or outdoor. The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is the better fit for poolside.
What's the warranty on the Marshall Emberton III vs the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Marshall Emberton III ships with a 12-month warranty; the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
JBL Flip 7 — $149.95
Premium Option
JBL Charge 6 — $199.95
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.