Marshall Middleton II Review: Is This $399 Rugged Speaker Worth It?

Marshall recently sent us the updated Middleton II portable speaker to check out, so here is our quick hands-on review. If you are a fan of that classic Marshall aesthetic, the Middleton II hits all the right notes immediately.

Right off the bat, I was impressed by the design; it has that rugged, premium feel you would expect, and the included carrying strap is very handy for a speaker that weighs nearly four pounds (1.8kg). While it looks identical to the first generation, the internal upgrades make this a much more future-proof investment. It also feels pretty solid and rugged, offering the kind of build quality that gives you peace of mind; I wouldn’t hesitate to accidentally drop this without immediately panicking about it breaking.

The Sound Experience and Auracast

For a speaker of this size, the soundstage is surprisingly wide. Marshall uses what they call True Stereophonic to create 360-degree sound, and it actually works. You do not feel like you have to sit directly in front of it to get the full effect. Sound just comes from everywhere. The audio is powered by dual 30W woofers and dual 10W tweeters, delivering a punchy and refined frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz.

One major technical shift here is the move to Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast support. This replaces the old Stack Mode, allowing you to broadcast audio to an unlimited number of other Auracast-enabled devices. It is a great addition for future-proofing, though keep in mind it will not stack wirelessly with the original Gen 1 Middleton (from Jan. 2023).

Features, Battery Life, and Repairability

The battery life is a big improvement, jumping from 20 hours in the previous model to over 30 hours of playtime. It still doubles as a power bank via the USB-C port, and it is built like a tank with an IP67 rating (meaning you can submerge it under 1 metre of water for 30 minutes). But maybe the most impressive feature is that the battery is now user-replaceable. Being able to swap the battery yourself down the road adds significant long-term value.

Tactile Controls and App Tips

The tactile controls feel nice and do the job. There is a multidirectional brass knob on top for playback, plus dedicated buttons for bass and treble (this saves you from going into an app to change these settings). It also features a built-in microphone for speakerphone calls, which was missing on the original.

The Trade-offs

It is not all perfect, though. For a speaker released in 2025, the lack of AirPlay support is a bit of a letdown for iPhone users who prefer Wi-Fi streaming over Bluetooth. Then there is the price: at $399 CAD, it is a hefty investment that puts it at the top end of the portable market, even if the ruggedness and repairability help justify the cost. It’s still cheaper than the Sonos Move 2 at regular price (but when on sale at $519 it gets closer to the Middleton II).

Final Verdict

If you want that iconic Marshall look and a speaker that is tough enough for the road without sacrificing audio quality, the Middleton II is a solid choice. It is not cheap, but the decent bass, 30-hour battery, and new repairable design make it a reliable companion for life on the move. If your kids are rough with your speakers this one will survive some tumbles outdoors.

Pros:

• Same Marshall design with a user-replaceable battery.
• 360-degree soundstage and new built-in microphone.
• 30+ hour battery life with improved fast charging.
• IP67 dust and water resistance. This thing is a tank.

Cons:

• $399 CAD price tag is on the high end.
• No AirPlay support for Apple users.
• Not backwards compatible with Gen 1 Stack Mode speakers.