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Tom's Guide
7 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I just tested the Marshall Kilburn III — and it's one of the best Bluetooth speakers ever
How do you stand out in a sea of identical Bluetooth speakers? If you're Marshall, you continue to design speakers based on the amps that you've been making since the 60s. The Kilburn III isn't a departure from Marshall's current design philosophy, and that is no bad thing at all — it looks great. But are those looks only skin deep? Thankfully not. There are plenty of reasons to love the Kilburn III, from its excellent sound and epic battery life to its physical controls and helpful carrying handle. Despite a slightly bassy tone, the Kilburn III might just be one of the best Bluetooth speakers that I've ever tested — here's why. Price: $379/£299Colors: Black/CreamSize: H x 5.9' D x 6.6" W x 10.7" Weight: 6.1 poundsConnectivity: Bluetooth 5.3Bluetooth range: up to 33 feet (10 m)Custom EQ: YesVoice assistant: NoMulti-speaker connectivity: No The Marshall Kilburn III is going up against the likes of the Bose SoundLink Max ($399), the UE Epicboom ($329), and even the Sonos Move 2 ($449). That's a strong set of competition, so it's a very good thing that the Marshall undercuts almost all of them on price. The Kilburn III will set you back $379, less than both the SoundLink Max and the Sonos Move 2. You might miss the Wi-Fi connection of the Move 2, but you get far superior sound to the SoundLink Max in arguably a more attractive and interesting package. When it goes up against the slightly cheaper UE Epicboom, the only place the Kilburn III loses out is waterproofing. IP54 as opposed to the UE's IP67. In every other metric, like sound, looks, and battery life, the Kilburn III comes out very firmly on top. There's an expected look to a Marshall product, and the Kilburn III doesn't deviate from the formula. It looks like a small version of one of the firm's guitar amps, from the metal grille and Marshall logo to its brass knobs and buttons. Evocative like little else, and absolutely ready to be cranked up to 11. There are some key extras in the design that are well worth highlighting as well. The battery is removable, so that you can replace it in the future should it start to die sooner than you'd like. That's a nice bonus, considering how many Bluetooth speakers end up in the trash the moment the battery stops holding a charge. The whole thing is built exceptionally well. The fake leather coating feels great in the hand, and there's a reassuring heft to the speaker. It's not heavy, per se, but it's weighty enough that you know there's some great hardware inside. I'm yet to drop it, but I can imagine it not being too perturbed by a couple of falls from tables during particularly energetic parties. Compare the Kilburn III to its closest rivals and you not only find a similar if not superior build, but I'd argue a more interesting industrial design. It is slightly larger than the likes of the SoundLink Max, and the retro styling look far more interesting than Bose's relative minimalism. The Kilburn is more of a statement, that's to be sure — but it's one well worth making. Some might consider Wi-Fi a glaring omission, but given that Sonos seems to be the only firm that offers a wireless internet-enabled portable speaker of similar caliber, I'm not so sure it is. It would go some way to justifying its slightly higher US price, but held to the same standard as the Bose and UE options, the blow is softened. It would be nice to have, but I don't miss it. Now that the lack of WiFi is out of the way, I can talk about the other connection options packed into the Kilburn III. There's Bluetooth 5.3, and it's easy to get connected and solid once engaged. I've had no signal weirdness, and it's even exceeded the 10m range when I've walked around the house with my phone. The Bluetooth connection affords Auracast, ready to listen to broadcasts. Unfortunately, there's little support for hi-res codecs, which is a shame — but if you want to listen to higher resolution tracks the aux port is but a 3.5mm cable away. There are then a couple of ways to control the Marshall Kilburn III. There are the lovely knobs on the top of the unit, which control the volume, bass, and treble. They have little lights circling them to give you an idea of the level. They're joined by a kind of jog switch that clicks down to skip and play/pause your music. Then there are two small buttons. A Bluetooth button to initiate connection, and then an 'M' button shortcut that can be programmed in the app. The Kilburn III uses the same Marshall Bluetooth app as the likes of the Willen II and the Emberton III. It remains a very good app. There are plenty of options on board, including EQ and other settings. There's the speaker placement options, for example, which change the sound depending on where you've put it. It works well, and changes the sound accordingly. There are also Battery preservation options to elongate the life of the battery, as well as the M-button customization settings. It can be set to change the equalizer — at the moment, that's about it. Or nothing. It can also do nothing. You can't control the playback of the speaker through the app either. You'll have to use the on-device physical controls for that, or the controls in your streaming app of choice. When you've got a speaker the size of the Kilburn III, there's one thing you're going to hope for in the sound department: That it sounds really, really big. And really, really big the Marshall Kilburn III indeed sounds, thanks in part to its interesting audio engineering. Traditional Bluetooth speakers are very conventional. They have drivers facing forward, which points the sound in one direction. The Kilburn III switches things up with what Marshall calls 'True Stereophonic' 360-degree audio. That means drivers pointing every which way, blasting out sound for a stereo effect. It's surprisingly effective — you can still place the speaker when you close your eyes, but the sound is alarmingly wide and 3-dimensional. Add that on to the sound placement options, dynamic volume and even the EQ settings, and you've a speaker that sounds truly epic no matter where you place it. It fills large rooms with very little effort, and even at loud volumes, it doesn't get peaky or distorted. There's a built-in subwoofer for the low stuff, and for some, it might even be a touch too much in some spaces. Thankfully, it's super easy to turn down on top of the speaker with the bass knob, or with the EQ settings in the Marshall app. Detail isn't lost to the all-conquering bass either, with plenty of crash to cymbals and even delicacy during quieter moments. It's a whole load of fun to listen to, and given how well it fills a room, I'd wager it's the best sounding Bluetooth speaker at this price range. It also happens to go very loud indeed. It out-matched the SoundLink Max and even the Sonos Move 2 in my testing, although those two can be doubled up for extra volume should you want it. For a solo device, the Kilburn III is unbelievably loud. I managed to blast out Ne Obliviscaris' Equus with little problem. Despite the speaker pumping out impressive volume, the intricacies of the prog metal track where extremely well represented. The dancing bass line was impactful and strong, while the layered guitars created and palpable wall of noise. Not impenetrable, however — the sung and growled vocals were crisp and clear, cutting through the rest of the ensemble with ease. Tame Impala's Elephant and its fuzzy guitars got the head bobbing and the foot tapping. The bass line is well defined and window-shaking in presence, while the drums pulsate. I don't have any major criticisms of the sound of the Kilburn III — and any I do have can be very quickly EQ'd out with ease. Where most Bluetooth speakers last for 20 or so hours, the Marshall Kilburn III steps it up with some truly astonishing staying power. Up to 50 hours of battery life is the best battery life of any speaker you can buy today, outdoing the likes of the Sonos Move 2, Bose SoundLink Max, and even the current record holders, JBL. I found the battery life claims rang true during my testing. After around 8 hours of continuous use at ⅓ volume (plenty loud enough), the speaker has 85% of its battery left. Volume level and even genre will bring that figure up and down of course, although Marshall's claims look to be accurate. Extra bonus — plug your phone into the USB-C charging port at the back and juice your phone up in a pinch. Nice. With the Kilburn III, Marshall has made one of the best Bluetooth speakers around. It sounds excellent, with an open, stereo-adjacent sound stage, and some of the most articulate bass at the price. It gets mind-blowingly loud, and even lasts for a few days while doing so. A lack of Wi-Fi is a shame, but that's about the only real criticism you could level at the speaker. The price is right when compared to similar rivals, and it's looks more than give it enough cool points to stick out in a very busy, competitive space. I love this speaker, and it's a great statement piece from Marshall to show off what their audio engineers are capable of.
Global News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
12 Bluetooth speakers that'll get your summer party started
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Tired of listening to distorted audio through the tiny, tinny speaker on your phone? Then it's probably time to invest in a portable Bluetooth speaker. We've rounded up a dozen favourites, from JBL's wee, padlock-shaped Clip 5—perfect for clipping to purses—to Bose's feature-packed SoundLink Max, which boasts beautiful sound and maximum durability. Whether you're looking for a multi-speaker music system for your next outdoor party or just something for listening to podcasts, you'll find it in our curated list. Best affordable Tribit StormBox 2 Working on a budget? It'll be hard to beat the StormBox 2. For just 90 bucks you get 34W of power, up to 24 hours of playtime per charge, IPX7 waterproofing, and a range of up to 50m for Bluetooth connectivity. Plus, the free Tribit app lets you tinker with your tunes, applying six equalization presets designed for a variety of listening milieus. $89.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Best aesthetic Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 We think this small, simple puck—available in six hues and sporting a built-in leather tote cord— is the prettiest portable speaker around. It looks great anywhere, from living rooms to hot tubs. And it's waterproof, so no worries if it falls in! Bang & Olufsen's legendary engineering is evident via the 13cm driver that delivers warm bass and a clear high range. And you can enjoy your music for an incredible 42 hours per charge at low volume. $358.75 on Amazon Best for parties Soundcore Boom 2 It's a bit industrial in design, but the Boom 2 is actually a wild party machine. It pumps out powerful bass (up to 80W), and has a built-in passive radiator to deliver colourful light shows. It can also be synced with more than 100 additional speakers to ensure the music reaches every nook and cranny of your jamboree. Plus, it floats! $179.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Best compact JBL Flip 7 Compact and cute, JBL's latest Flip is available in nine colours, from a pretty coral pink to combat camouflage. It delivers clear, non-tinny highs and robust lows, using AI to analyze your music and apply equalization in real time to prevent distortion. And Auracast lets you connect with other nearby JBL speakers to level up your soirée. $169.98 on Amazon (was $189.98) $169.99 at Best Buy Canada Best portable JBL Clip 5 If portability is your primary shopping criteria, JBL's Clip 5 should be at the top of your list. It's not much bigger than a phone. And its clever padlock-style design—available in 16 colour schemes—lets you clip it to just about anything, from handlebars to purses. The small size means just 12 hours of battery life at normal volume, but the Playtime Boost button adjusts settings to give you an extra three hours. $99.98 on Amazon $99.99 at Best Buy Canada Story continues below advertisement Best design Beats Pill Apple's portable speaker (which also works with Android devices) is sleek, simple, and sounds great. The pill-shaped shell—available in red, black, and champagne gold—looks great in any setting, and sports just four cleverly configured buttons that make it easy to control playback, adjust volume, take calls, and activate your voice assistant. Plus, the Beats By Dre sound pedigree is evident in every falsetto note and throbbing drumbeat $149.99 on Amazon $149.99 at Staples Canada You may also like: Solar String Lights – $49.99 Rattan Patio Furniture Set – $252.99 Story continues below advertisement Ninja FrostVault 45qt Wheeled Cooler – $399.99 Best durable Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 Ultimate Ears says this IP67-rated is 'virtually indestructible.' We're pretty sure we could come up with a few ways to break it, but why would we want to? The Megaboom 4's cylindrical design means it pumps out 360 degrees of sound, reaching everyone in the room. And the patented Magic Button makes playing from almost any source—from Spotify to Apple Music—a snap. $279.99 on Amazon Best stereo experience Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 The niftiest thing about this affordable little speaker is that if you buy two you can pair them and get a true stereo experience. It's waterproof, shockproof, and has an EQ mode that cranks things up for outdoor listening. Cooler still, it also has a voice enhancement setting that makes it ideal for podcasts. $119.99 on Amazon (was $139.99) Story continues below advertisement Best bass Brane X The Brane X is all about that bass. It's the first portable speaker in its class to feature a true subwoofer, and the difference it makes is exponential. You get ten times the sub-bass of other portable speakers, meaning you'll actually feel (and not just hear) each pounding beat. The tradeoff? It's a bit of a beast. Chunky, heavy, and not waterproof. I guess bass aficionados can't have everything. $698.99 at Staples Canada Best EQ Sonos Roam 2 Sonos is known for high-tech features and high quality audio, and the American spreaker maker brings both to this small but powerful sound machine. It constantly measures how soundwaves reflect off nearby surfaces and alters the EQ accordingly to ensure an ideal listening experience. Plus, it's integrated with Amazon's Alexa, meaning you can control both the speaker and other smart home devices with your voice. $171 on Amazon (was $229) $171.99 at Best Buy Canada Story continues below advertisement Best for camping Sony ULT Field 1 No portable speaker list would be complete without an entry from Sony, a true pioneer in portable music. The ULT Field 1 sits in the affordable wireless speaker pile, with features like a detachable tether, IP67-rated durability, and a bass boost button. The forest green model is a good pick for campers and hikers. $109.99 on Amazon (was $119.99) $179.99 at Staples Canada Best splurge Bose SoundLink Max Up for a splurge? Then you can stop reading now and just order the Bose SoundLink Max. It checks all the boxes. Rich, pulsing bass. Long battery life. An AUX jack so you can connect turntables and MP3 players. The ability to act as a charger for other devices. And it's waterproof, dustproof, and shock resistant, to boot. It's pretty much the pinnacle of portable speakers. $459 on Amazon (was $549) $459.99 at Staples Canada Story continues below advertisement You may also like: Long Box Planter – $179.99 Outdoor Side Tables – $54.99 Patio Umbrella – $479.00
Phone Arena
07-06-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
The stylish Bose SoundLink Max drops to its second-best price with Amazon's exclusive sale
Bose's big SoundLink Max is large, bold, and simply gorgeous. As the biggest addition to the brand's SoundLink lineup, this puppy delivers serious audio quality, but its high asking price—nearly $400—might put off some users. Well, Amazon's latest deal is here to change that. We don't know for how long, but this big portable Bluetooth speaker is 18% more affordable at the e-commerce giant, saving you $70. Although this isn't the most substantial price cut we've ever seen, it lands the unit at its second-best price of 2025. Not only that, but we rarely see discounts for it. And considering that neither Best Buy nor Walmart matches Amazon's current deal, we think it's definitely worth checking out. $70 off (18%) You can grab the Bose SoundLink Max at a rare discount on Amazon right now. Both colorways are available for $70 off, making it an excellent pick for users seeking premium sound and style. Buy at Amazon The SoundLink Max is rugged and stylish, making it an ideal addition to outdoor gatherings. It features an IP67 rating, so you shouldn't worry too much about water and dust damage. That said, the device isn't the most lightweight at 4.6lbs, so it might not be the perfect choice if you're looking for something that takes little to no space inside a backpack. This puppy is no slouch in the audio department. It delivers relatively neutral stereo sound out of the box, but you can easily turn up the bass and treble through its companion app to get more thumping low-end. Special features include USB-C charging that can be used to juice your device while streaming your favorite jams. However, it relies on its own battery to charge devices, so using this feature will diminish overall playtime. Speaking of which, you can expect the SoundLink Max to last you up to 20 hours on a single charge, which is a very solid result the SoundLink Max delivers style, long playtime, and excellent sound. What more could you need in a portable Bluetooth speaker ? Get yours at Amazon and save $70 before it's too late.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Bose Soundlink Max Portable Speaker Is 25% Off
Bose's outstanding SoundLink Max portable Bluetooth speaker is now on sale with a 25% discount. This drops its price to $299.00 on Amazon from the original $399.00. This great deal makes this great speaker even more appealing. We reviewed the SoundLink Max, and it ended up delivering surprisingly powerful sound despite its small, lightweight design. It gives clear stereo audio with deep, punchy bass, something many small speakers struggle with. All this impressive sound comes from a speaker that weighs less than five pounds, making it easy to carry. The addition of a sturdy, stylish rope handle makes it even more portable, perfect for trips to the park, backyard gatherings, or just moving from room to room. Designed to be both tough and portable, the SoundLink Max has an IP67 rating, meaning it's fully waterproof and dustproof. The top of the speaker has simple, easy-to-use media controls, while the back has a 3.5mm aux input for wired connections and a USB-C charging port that can even charge your other devices. It has up to 20 hours of battery life, so you can enjoy music all day before needing to charge it. The Bose Connect app lets you choose from four different sound settings to match your preferences or the environment you're in. For example, the "Bass Boost" mode works especially well outdoors. The shortcut button on top only lets you pick between two options, line-in or Spotify, which can feel limiting, but is helpful nonetheless. It has been months since the speaker was this cheap from Amazon's online store, so you should jump on it as soon as you can. It is currently on sale for $299.00 on Amazon, which is a 25% discount from its regular price of $399.99.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bose's Stellar SoundLink Max Portable Waterproof Speaker Is $70 Off (and Ready to Soundtrack Your Summer)
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Warmer weather calls for rocking out to your favorite playlists outdoors. Whether you're responsible for DJing this weekend's hang in the park, or want to give your over-ear headphones a break for a while, investing in a high-quality Bluetooth speaker should be at the top of your shopping list this season. Luckily, one of our recent favorites just got a steep discount online: Right now, music lovers can snag Bose's new SoundLink Max Portable Speaker on sale for $70 off on and Amazon. More from Rolling Stone Linen Is Winnin': These Brands (and Celebs) Are Making Linen Pants Cool for the Summer Miami GP Livestream: How to Watch F1 Races Online MasterClass' Mother's Day Deal Gets You 50% Off an Annual Subscription $70 OFF $329.00 $399.00 18% off Buy Now On Amazon $329 $399 18% off Buy Now at bose Normally, the speaker retails for $399 online, but Bose has knocked the price down to $329 for a limited time — the cheapest price we've recently seen for the SoundLink Max. But is the Bose SoundLink Max speaker actually worth it? After testing it ourselves, absolutely. Bose has knocked it out of the park with its latest releases — even winning several Rolling Stone Audio Awards — and the Bose SoundLink Max doesn't disappoint. Once we paired the Bose SoundLink Max to our phone, we noticed that it delivers powerful bass and stellar sound quality, no matter what we played. Its beefy stereo sound aside, its durable design gives it a leg up on the competition. The sturdy, substantial carrying handle, for one, make it easier to haul, and its waterproof IP67 rating and dustproof exterior mean that it's fully equipped to withstand the outdoor elements. It's the ideal speaker for summertime parties, beach treks, and everything in between. LIMITED-TIME DEAL $329.00 $399.00 18% off Buy Now On Amazon $329 $399 18% off Buy Now at Bose Get 10% off your order on The Bose SoundLink Max boasts a 20-hour battery runtime, according to the brand, along with a USB-C charging port to charge up another gadget. Oh, and it even has a built-in 3.5mm aux input to connect a record player or CD player. Put simply, Bose's SoundLink Max is a worthwhile, versatile waterproof speaker with impressive, powerful sound. It's a must-own portable speaker for any music fan in your life. As with many Bluetooth speaker deals on Amazon, you'll want to act quickly as this $70-off Bose speaker discount could end at any time. Shop the Bose Bluetooth speaker promo now on and Amazon before the price jumps back up to its original price. Best of Rolling Stone The Best Audiophile Turntables for Your Home Audio System
