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Marshall Willen Review

Nathan Rizzuti Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM

True Score

80
78
8

Experts

90
987

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Marshall Willen is a compact, sturdy speaker that reproduces clear vocals and instrumentals with a substantial volume output and good durability. However, it lacks low bass and has some compression at max volume.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Marshall Willen is a portable, entry-level Bluetooth Speaker first announced in mid-2022. The battery-powered speaker lasts up to 14.5 hours on one charge, and it also has an IPX7 dust and water resistance rating that not many of the best speakers on the market can compare to. Once connected to a smartphone through Bluetooth, owners can use it as a speakerphone when answering calls or customize its sound output through the Marshall Bluetooth app, which has Eq presets. The portable speaker will take around 2.6 hours to get to a full charge, which isn’t unique among the best Bluetooth speakers.

Best For

  • Best Overall

  • Boat

  • Car

  • Golf Cart

  • Mini

  • Outdoor

  • Portable Speakers For iPhone

  • Shower

  • Small

  • Under $100

Consensus

our Verdict

The Marshall Willen is a well-built Bluetooth Speaker designed for the outdoors courtesy of its dust and water resistance, and its sound output consists of well-balanced mid and trebles for clear vocals and lead instrumentals. It has a volume output of about 87.9 dB, placing it among the top third of portable speakers in this regard.

However, its lack of a strong thump in its bass response may not be impressive for bass heads, even though owners can fine-tune its sound output through its intuitive Marshall Bluetooth app. The compact speaker also boasts Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, which allows users to set it up as a speakerphone or connect it to two devices. Its 33ms and 32ms latency over iOS and Android devices, respectively, is perfect for in-sync audiovisuals, and its 255ft Bluetooth range is excellent for listening from a distance.

Its battery also offers 14.5 hours of playtime, and its control scheme is easy to use.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Average sound output
    • The Marshall Willen is a portable Bluetooth speaker with a sound profile that depicts well-balanced mids and trebles for clear vocals and instrumentals. Also, with a volume output of 87.9dB, it compares pretty well to other alternatives in its category, securing a top 30% placement on our certified tested list.

    • Fortunately, some elements of its sound profile can be fine-tuned through the Marshall Bluetooth app.

  • Good battery life
    • The Marshall Willen’s battery lasts up to 14.5 hours, which is suitable for its size. This places it in the top third of our certified, tested list compared to other alternatives in its category.

  • Exceptional build quality
    • With an IPX7 dust and waterproof rating, the Willen stands well against the forces of nature, and is great for carrying around during outdoor activities.

  • Good portability
    • The Marshall Willen is compact in size, and weighing only 0.7 lbs, it is pretty easy to carry around.

Reason to Avoid

  • Underemphasized bass output
    • The Marshall Willen lacks a strong, thumpy bass output, which will not impress bass heads.

  • Sound compression at max volume
    • The Marshall Willen has noticeable sound compression at max volume.

Marshall Willen Specs

Battery Charge TimeBattery Charge Time3 hrs
Battery LifeBattery Life15 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneYes
Charge TimeCharge Time4 hrs
DepthDepth4"
HeightHeight4"
IPX RatingIPX RatingIP67
SizeSize1.6"(w) x 4"(h) x 4"(d)
Smart AppSmart AppYes
Speaker PairingSpeaker PairingYes
Water ResistantWater ResistantYes
WattageWattage10W
WidthWidth1.6"
Wireless RangeWireless Range10 m

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)14.5
Volume Output (dB)87.9
Low End Roll Off (Hz)179.594
High End Roll Off (Hz)16,974.656

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Product Comparison

Marshall Willen Review

Anker Soundcore Motion 300 Review

True Score

80
81
83
NR

Ranking

#

59

/

260

#

47

/

260

#

19

/

260

#

/

Market Context

The Marshall Willen is a portable, entry-level Bluetooth Speaker first announced in mid-2022. The battery-powered speaker lasts up to 14.5 hours on one charge, and…

The Marshall Willen is a portable, entry-level Bluetooth Speaker first announced in mid-2022. The battery-powered speaker lasts up to 14.5 hours on one charge, and it also has an IPX7 dust and water resistance rating that not many of the best speakers on the market can compare to. Once connected to a smartphone through Bluetooth, owners can use it as a speakerphone when answering calls or customize its sound output through the Marshall Bluetooth app, which has Eq presets. The portable speaker will take around 2.6 hours to get to a full charge, which isn’t unique among the best Bluetooth speakers.

The Marshall Willen Portable Bluetooth Speaker has a more limited frequency response range compared to the Marshall Woburn II Bluetooth speaker. Also, the Marshall Willen…

The Marshall Willen Portable Bluetooth Speaker has a more limited frequency response range compared to the Marshall Woburn II Bluetooth speaker. Also, the Marshall Willen is the more portable option between the two, as it is battery-powered as opposed to the Wobourn II, which needs to be connected to a power source to work. If you don’t mind its high price point, see what else the Woborn II has in store by reading our Marshall Woburn II review, but if you’d like a portable option that offers a better bass response, check out our JBL PartyBox Encore Essential review.

The Marshall Willen Portable Bluetooth Speaker is more water resistant than the Sonos Move 2. On the other hand, the Move 2 has a stereo…

The Marshall Willen Portable Bluetooth Speaker is more water resistant than the Sonos Move 2. On the other hand, the Move 2 has a stereo sound output as opposed to the Willen’s Mono output, but its battery life is inferior to the Willen’s. Here’s our Sonos Move 2 review if you’d like to learn more about it and won’t mind paying its higher price point, but if you’re a golfer, you might be surprised that there are speakers such as the Bushnell Wingman View designed with your specific needs in mind.

The Marshall Willen has a mono sound output, while the Anker Soundcore Motion 300 offers a stereo output. However, the Willen has a longer-lasting battery…

The Marshall Willen has a mono sound output, while the Anker Soundcore Motion 300 offers a stereo output. However, the Willen has a longer-lasting battery than the Anker Motion. If you’d still like to learn more about the Motion 300, we’ve covered it in our Soundcore Motion 300 review.

Battery Charge Time

3 hrs

n/a

n/a

Battery Life

15 hrs

n/a

24 hrs

Built In Microphone

Yes

n/a

Yes

Charge Time

4 hrs

Depth

4"

12.2"

4.9"

Height

4"

7.9"

9.5"

IPX Rating

IP67

n/a

IP56

Size

1.6"(w) x 4"(h) x 4"(d)

15.7"(w) x 12.2"(h) x 7.9"(d)

6.29"(w) x 9.53"(h) x 4.96"(d)

Dig Deeper

Marshall Woburn II Review →

Sonos Move 2 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

78

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

90

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

80

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    66
    The Marshall Willen portable Bluetooth speaker rocks out even when it’s not turned on. The… Read More

    By:

    Kevin Hunt
  • PC Mag
    43.6

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    The Marshall Willen is satisfactory for outdoor use. Its compact, portable design makes it easy… Read More

    By:

    John Panoryios
  • Which?
    55.2

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The Marshall Willen portable Bluetooth speaker is a small, stylish speaker bringing the promise of… Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Consumer Reports
    15.6

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    “No bottom line found for this product” Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Choice
    44.8

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    “No bottom line found for this product” Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Techhive
    47.9

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The Marshall Willen is a fully waterproof speaker with a reasonable amount of power, though… Read More

    By:

    Tim Gideon