Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Marshall are the premiere name in amps and speakers and their ranges of portable speakers are legendary – much like their rock and roll history. The Marshall Emberton 3 is their newest portable speaker, with some clever future-proofing and unexpected features.
The Marshall Emberton 3 is only 16cms long and less than 7cms tall, weighing only 670grams. It still packs a punch as a portable speaker. The gold dial on the top is for volume and skipping tracks, plus there’s a battery level, the Bluetooth pairing button and on/off switch. Beyond that, there’s only the cable output for charging but the biggest feature is the 360 degree sound from the speakers – front and back.
Connecting to Bluetooth from any device is easy. Just press the Bluetooth button until the light pulses red then connect on your device. You won’t be able to tell, but the Bluetooth is LE-Audio ready, meaning it will keep up with the Bluetooth capabilities planned in the future. I would recommend downloading and connecting the Emberton 3 with the Marshall app though, as it checks for firmware updates regularly and allows you to make changes to the sound balances. It’s much easier to use the app as a remote control as well, especially if you’re seated further away!
The quality of the sound is amazing, as you would imagine. If there is something wrong with your speaker though, there is an authorised repair service and spare parts through the website. The balance of the sound as well as the clarity are exceptional, even without changing it on the app. The volume is also really generous, with a normal household level being about half way. The full volume would have woken the neighbours so I didn’t dare try and go to top volume The battery on the Emberton 3 lasts 32 hours but even when it is completely flat, a full charge only takes 2 hours. That’s amazing!
One of the added treats in the Emberton 3 is that it can be submerged underwater for up to 30 minutes. That really means it can be sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool, dropped in a bath or submerged in a puddle and it will be OK. It’s a great gimmick if you have children, or if your teenagers are going camping or to a festival and you don’t know what conditions they’re going to end up in. Bonus points to Marshall too for 79% of the plastic in Emberton 3 being recycled. It’s PVC-free too, which is better for the environment and human health.
Whether the Marshall Emberton 3 is for you or as a gift, it has longevity, durability and above all it sounds astonishing and will last the whole weekend, no matter what you get up to with it!
The Review Studio 