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I brought this portable Marshall speaker on vacation - and now my Bose is staying home

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Marshall Middleton II ZDNET's key takeaways Marshall's Middleton II Bluetooth speaker is available in Black And Brass or Cream for $330.

The Middleton II debuts with meaningful upgrades from its predecessor, spectacular sound, a stylish design, and 30 hours of battery life.

Despite its long list of pros, this speaker is considerably more expensive than its competitors with similar features. $329.99 at Amazon $329.99 at B&H Photo-Video $329.99 at Crutchfield more buying choices

There's a sea of Bluetooth speakers to swim in, and, believe it or not, choosing the right one isn't a one-size-fits-all affair. Some are better suited for particularly messy or rugged outdoor activities, some serve as a piece of home decor more than anything else, some are smarter, and some are better than the rest at reproducing sound.

Also: Why I prefer this $180 Fender speaker over competing models by Sony and Bose

Thus, anyone like me, who doesn't need a portable speaker that can survive the apocalypse or summon their phone's virtual assistant, is likely looking for a speaker that sounds great, can handle a few tumbles, and looks good doing it.

Enter the Middleton II, Marshall's latest portable speaker. I spent a few weeks with it, supplying the soundtrack to my chill outdoor hangouts with my dad, solo jam sessions in my office, and late nights celebrating my friend's bachelorette party. This speaker has seen some things, and here's how it went.

The Middleton II is the second generation of Marshall's midsize portable speaker, debuting with the company's 360-degree True Stereophonic sound, which promises clear audio regardless of the speaker's position. Inside are two three-inch woofers, two .6-inch tweeters, and two passive radiators.

Also: I replaced my Bluetooth JBL speaker for this Bose model, and it'll be hard to give it up

Like many of the company's speakers, the Middleton II is wonderfully tuned and offers an array of EQ settings to tailor the sound to your liking. Even with two woofers and added passive radiators, the Middleton II's bass response doesn't overpower the speaker's sound profile while delivering the big bass most people prefer.

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