Standing out in the crowded world of portable audio can be tough. Many Bluetooth speakers follow similar designs, often lacking personality. But Marshall, a brand with deep roots in iconic amplifier design dating back to the 1960s, takes a different approach. Their speakers aren’t just sound devices; they’re statement pieces. The Marshall Kilburn III continues this legacy, sporting the distinctive retro-inspired look of a miniature guitar amp.
But is the Kilburn III all style and no substance? Absolutely not. Based on extensive testing, the Kilburn III isn’t just a head-turner; it’s a powerhouse portable speaker that excels in critical areas, from its robust audio performance and signature aesthetic to its tactile controls and truly remarkable battery life. While it has a couple of minor omissions, the Marshall Kilburn III confidently positions itself as one of the best Bluetooth speakers currently available, particularly for those who crave both potent sound and vintage flair.
Marshall Kilburn III: Key Specs
Price: $379 / £299
Colors: Black, Cream
Size: 10.7″ W x 6.6″ D x 5.9″ H
Weight: 6.1 pounds
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, Aux
Bluetooth Range: Up to 33 feet (10 m)
Custom EQ: Yes (via app & physical knobs)
Voice Assistant: No
- Multi-speaker connectivity: Yes (Auracast)
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Design: Classic Marshall Looks Meet Rugged Portability
True to Marshall’s heritage, the Kilburn III looks exactly like you’d expect – a miniature version of one of their famous guitar amps. This includes the iconic metal grille, prominent Marshall logo, leatherette finish, and satisfyingly sturdy brass knobs and buttons. It’s a design that instantly sets it apart from the minimalist black boxes or fabric-wrapped cylinders flooding the market. Compared to rivals like the Bose SoundLink Max, the Kilburn III offers a far more interesting, industrial aesthetic.
The build quality lives up to the looks. Wrapped in what feels like durable leatherette, the speaker feels incredibly solid and well-constructed. It has a reassuring weight to it, suggesting quality components inside. While you probably don’t want to toss it off a building, it feels capable of handling the bumps and scrapes of typical outdoor use. It carries an IP54 dust and splash resistance rating, which is an upgrade over the Kilburn II’s IPX2, making it suitable for pool sides or light rain, though less waterproof than some competitors like the UE Epicboom or JBL Charge 6 with their IP67/68 ratings.
A notable design feature often missing from modern portable speakers is the removable battery. The Kilburn III includes one, allowing for potential replacement down the line should its impressive longevity eventually diminish, significantly extending the speaker’s lifespan. A sturdy, woven carrying handle makes it easy to transport the 6.1-pound unit.
Connectivity and Controls: Mostly Wired, Expertly Tactile
Connectivity is straightforward, relying primarily on Bluetooth 5.3. Pairing is quick and stable, maintaining a solid connection even beyond the stated 10-meter range in testing. An auxiliary (3.5mm) port is included for wired connections, a welcome addition for different sources or potentially higher fidelity audio (though hi-res Bluetooth codecs are not supported).
One notable omission is Wi-Fi connectivity. While more common in home speakers or premium portables like the Sonos Move 2 or B&W Zeppelin Pro, its absence here simplifies the speaker’s purpose – it’s built for portability via Bluetooth. While Wi-Fi might justify a higher price point in some products, it’s not a dealbreaker for the Kilburn III’s core function.
Where the Kilburn III truly shines in interaction is its extensive physical controls. The top panel features three beautiful brass knobs for volume, bass, and treble adjustment, complete with indicator lights. A tactile jog switch handles play/pause and track skipping. There are also dedicated buttons for Bluetooth pairing and a programmable ‘M’ button via the app.
The accompanying Marshall Bluetooth app enhances control, offering EQ settings, speaker placement tuning (adjusting sound based on position), battery preservation options, and M-button customization. While the app doesn’t handle playback control (you use the physical controls or your source device for that), it provides useful fine-tuning capabilities. The speaker also supports Auracast, a newer technology allowing connection to multiple compatible speakers for a wider sound stage, a feature also seen in newer speakers like the JBL Charge 6.
Sound Quality: Big, Bold, and Adjustable
Turn up the Marshall Kilburn III, and you’re immediately greeted with a sound that is unapologetically big, energetic, and impactful. It leverages Marshall’s “True Stereophonic” technology, utilizing multiple drivers facing different directions to create a 360-degree, surprisingly wide, and three-dimensional soundscape. This design effectively fills large rooms and spaces with sound. Even when moving around, the audio remains consistent and engaging.
The sound profile is characterized by a robust low end, thanks to a built-in subwoofer. For some listeners, the bass impact might initially feel a touch too strong, but this is easily managed using the dedicated physical bass knob or the EQ settings in the Marshall app – offering useful customization rarely found on portable speakers. The speaker employs dynamic loudness technology (as noted in external previews) to maintain a balanced sound signature across different volume levels, preventing it from sounding thin or overly bassy at lower volumes. With a frequency range extending down to 45Hz, it capably reproduces deep notes.
Crucially, despite the powerful bass, the Kilburn III retains good detail across the mid-range and treble frequencies. Vocals cut through clearly, guitars have plenty of edge, and even complex arrangements like prog metal tracks maintain separation and clarity, as evidenced when testing with bands like Ne Obliviscaris. The speaker gets exceptionally loud, easily outperforming many direct competitors like the SoundLink Max or Sonos Move 2 when used as a single unit, all without significant distortion even at high volumes. Tame Impala’s bass lines feel window-shakingly present, while cymbals retain sufficient crash.
Battery Life: Simply Mind-Blowing
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Marshall Kilburn III is its battery performance. Rated for up to 50 hours of playtime, it offers industry-leading battery life that significantly outpaces most portable speakers on the market today, including top rivals like the Sonos Move 2 (24 hrs), Bose SoundLink Max (around 20 hrs), and even the capable JBL Charge 6 (24-28 hrs).
Real-world testing confirms Marshall’s claims, with minimal battery drain during extended listening sessions at moderate volumes. This extraordinary longevity makes it the perfect companion for multi-day camping trips, extended beach parties, or simply forgetting to charge it for days on end. As an added bonus, the USB-C port doubles as a power bank, allowing you to charge your phone or other small devices in a pinch.
Price and Competition
Priced at $379 / £299, the Kilburn III enters a competitive space occupied by speakers like the Bose SoundLink Max ($399), UE Epicboom ($329), and Sonos Move 2 ($449).
The Kilburn III is strategically priced, often undercutting its more expensive rivals while offering superior battery life and arguably better sound quality than some peers around the same price point. Its primary trade-off compared to the slightly cheaper UE Epicboom is its less robust IP54 rating versus the UE’s IP67, but it counters with longer battery life, stronger audio performance, and that signature Marshall look. Compared to the pricier Sonos Move 2, you miss Wi-Fi but gain significantly more battery life and a lower price tag.
Verdict: An Instant Classic Portable Performer
The Marshall Kilburn III successfully blends iconic design with outstanding audio performance and unparalleled battery longevity. Its big, adjustable sound fills rooms with ease, the classic amplifier aesthetic stands out beautifully, and the tactile physical controls are a joy to use. The truly astonishing up to 50 hours of battery life sets a new standard for portable speakers, making it ideal for anyone needing power that lasts for days.
While the absence of Wi-Fi and hi-res Bluetooth codecs are minor drawbacks in the premium portable space, they don’t detract from the Kilburn III’s core strengths. It’s competitively priced, built like a tank (IP54 considered), and offers a unique combination of style, sound, and stamina. For its powerful output, adjustable audio, stunning looks, and record-breaking battery life, the Marshall Kilburn III is undoubtedly one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers we’ve had the pleasure of testing – a loud, proud statement piece that delivers on all fronts.
