Sorry, we just need to make sure you're not a robot. For best results, please make sure your browser is accepting cookies. Show Type the characters you see in this image: Try different image Conditions of Use Privacy Policy © 1996-2014, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates Sorry, we just need to make sure you're not a robot. For best results, please make sure your browser is accepting cookies. Type the characters you see in this image:Try different image Conditions of Use Privacy Policy © 1996-2014, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates Despite a look that some might describe as gimmicky, the Marshall product lineup, modeled after the iconic amps, rarely fails to deliver solid audio. The company impressed us earlier this year with the excellent-sounding Kilburn, so we had high hopes for the $249 Stockwell, a portable Bluetooth speaker with the typical Marshall look, as well as solid audio performance at moderate volumes, and adjustable treble and bass. But some distortion issues at high volumes hold it back from a higher score. One quick note: The Stockwell is available in two versions—one with a flip cover that acts as a kickstand, and one sans cover that costs $229. We reviewed the version with the cover, but the two systems are sonically identical. Design Measuring roughly 5.7 by 10.1 by 2 inches (HWD) and weighing about 2.7 pounds, the Stockwell isn't exactly lightweight, but its slender rectangular shape makes it fairly easy to pack into carry-ons and other bags with enough room. The cover is made of imitation-leather vinyl, and the inside is lined with red velvet. Flip the cover open (you can use it as a kickstand to angle the speaker upward), and a familiar design reveals itself—another Marshall amp-inspired look. Cloth speaker grille and the iconic Marshall logo adorn the front panel, while the controls are arrayed across the top. Beneath the grille, there are dual 2.3-inch tweeters and 2.3-inch woofers, powered by a two-channel class D amplifier. Continuing Marshall's melding of the retro and modern, there are knobs for Volume (which works independently of, not in conjunction with, your mobile device's master volume), Treble, and Bass, all ranging from 1 to 10, like an amp. The knobs are retractable, so you can press them in to keep settings from accidentally adjusting. There are also buttons for Sound Source (Bluetooth or wired input), Phone (you can field mobile phone calls through the speaker), Pairing, and Power. The 3.5mm aux input, typically located on the rear panel of most speakers, is located along this top panel, as well—another nod to the amplifiers that made Marshall famous. A USB port on the back panel can be used to power mobile devices. Marshall estimates the Stockwell's battery life to be roughly 25 hours, which is fantastic, but your results will vary depending mainly upon how loudly you play your music. The speaker automatically powers down after a long period of inactivity. The Stockwell also ships with a thin cloth cover for the system, but cables are notably absent—there's no USB charging cable and no 3.5mm audio cable. The system does ship with a dedicated wall adapter that connects to the right panel of the speaker. Performance Marshall markets the Stockwell as the "loudest speaker in its class," which seems plausible after testing it. That said, the speaker can get louder than it really should, which sometimes causes distortion issues on deep bass. On tracks with serious sub-bass content, like The Knife's "Silent Shout," the speaker will distort at high volumes (say, full volume on the phone and 75 percent on the speaker, or vice versa). Even if you lower the bass knob to zero, you can expect a bit of distortion. Dial the volume back to mid levels and the distortion is less of an issue. Still, any distortion is disappointing given the speaker's price. Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with less challenging bass content, sounds excellent through the Stockwell, even at high volumes. Callahan's baritone vocals get a lovely low-mid richness and plenty of treble edge at default settings, and you can, of course, dial in a bit more brightness or richness with the Bass and Treble knobs. The attack of the drums and the guitar strums on this track also receive a pleasant high-mid and high-frequency presence. Generally speaking, this is a very balanced, full sound. On Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild," the kick drum loop's attack gets plenty of high-mid edge, which allows it to slice through the layers of the mix as one of the more powerful elements. The vocals float cleanly and clearly above, and the sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat seem to cause the drivers less trouble than the deep bass on the Knife track. This is a full sound, but not a deep, bass-heavy sound—if you want that, you're going to need to invest in a system with larger drivers. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene in John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, sound magnificent through the Stockwell. The lower register instrumentation packs a lovely resonance, while the higher register strings, brass, and vocals are crisp, clear, and in the forefront of the mix. It's a vibrant sound with a decent sense of space and natural bass depth when the mix calls for it. At moderate volumes and on genres that lack deep bass, we love the Marshall Stockwell—but the distortion at higher volumes is a bummer. If you're searching for a speaker with the Stockwell's looks and EQ options—but no distortion—the more expensive Marshall Kilburn is one of our favorites. Otherwise, the Bose SoundLink Mini II ($160.69 at Amazon) and the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 may not have EQ knobs, but both are solid portable Bluetooth speakers in this price range—and they avoid distortion. For less money, check out the Divoom Voombox Party, a budget portable Bluetooth option that delivers a decent sense of bass for the price. Is the Marshall Stockwell loud?The fact that the Stockwell can play loud with minimal distortion (depending on track quality and music genre) isn't terribly surprising, considering how Marshall has demonstrated uncanny ability to do so with its speakers. Is Marshall Stockwell 2 a good speaker?This speaker has better sound quality, it is omnidirectional so it sounds good wherever you are standing in the room. The battery lasts much longer and actually keeps it's charge. The bass and treble knobs actual make meaningful changes to the sound but are subtle enough that it never sounds bad. Why are Marshall speakers so good?Durability - Marshall speaker were designed to withstand the rigours of touring and heavy use and the philosophy extend in their designs even today. The cabinets are made of high-quality wood, which provides excellent acoustic properties and is highly resistant to wear and tear. Which Marshall Bluetooth speaker is loudest?Carry the loudest Bluetooth speaker for home, and outdoors in your hand. A hefty 20+ hours of portable playtime coupled with a tough-as-nails build makes Middleton ready for anything. Connect multiple Bluetooth speakers and drop straight into your music with no fuss, just pair and play. |
