As someone who’s tested a whole lot of Bluetooth speakers – more than 30, to be exact – my standards are pretty high for every model that I get my hands on. And recently, a speaker landed on my desk that really impressed me – but not due to a gimmick or novelty feature.
Instead, I was blown away by its performance – something I’ll get into the specifics of later on. But essentially, the model wowed me with its nuanced and expansive approach to replicating my favorite tunes, especially considering its moderate mid-sized form.
What speaker am I talking about? None other than the Marshall Middleton II – one of the audio specialist’s 2025 releases. It’s a fairly premium model that certainly competes with some of the best Bluetooth speakers that I’ve tested – sonically speaking, at least – here’s why.
Bumpin’ that stereo
As soon as I started playing tunes on the Middleton II, I was instantly struck by one thing – its spectacular stereo sound. A lot of smaller models will downmix your music to mono or require a second speaker, which acts as a stereo partner. And in all honesty, many rivals that do offer stereo sound aren’t always the most convincing – we even found this with the Sonos Move 2.
But the Middleton II does exceptionally well as a relatively small standalone stereo speaker. The sense of left and right channel separation is, simply put, astonishingly good.
When listening to Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix – a man who loved to play creatively with stereo imaging – the definition of individual instruments was sublime. Vocals on the left and percussion on the right were both perfectly positioned, meaning I was treated to a deliciously layered listen.
What makes this even better is that the audio sounds awesome from every angle imaginable. That’s thanks to the inclusion of Marshall’s 360-degree ‘true’ stereophonic sound.
This is designed to eradicate any ‘blind spots’ in the speaker’s vicinity, and works like a dream. Pair that with the excellent stereo sound on offer, and you’re getting an engrossing-sounding speaker.
It’s also worth noting that this model is highly talented outside of its high-quality soundstage and stereo separation. It serves up pumping, agile bass, ultra-clear mids, and tightly controlled treble. You can also adjust the EQ in the Marshall app, allowing you to select the ideal sound for your playlists.
The look of luxury
The sound of the Middleton II is what really sets it apart from the competition, but if there’s one other thing I love about this model, it’s the way it looks.
This Bluetooth speaker has the iconic amp-inspired aesthetic that Marshall has become known for over the years, with a gorgeous speaker grille and faux-leather casing. The Marshall logo is front and center, too, with a golden multi-directional button up top for controlling volume and playback.
Sure, it’s a little hefty for a model of its size, coming in at 3.9 lbs / 1.8kg, but you get a nifty carry strap with an enticing red velvet interior. This emphasizes Marshall’s focus on luxurious looks and build quality, as well as making the speaker easier to carry around with you.
Oh, and one more design aspect that I love about the Marshall Middleton II is its ability to brave just about any environment. That’s because it has an IP67 rating – considerably higher than the IP54 rating of its larger-sized cousin, the Marshall Kilburn III.
This IP67 rating doesn’t only mean that the Middleton II is highly dustproof, but it also indicates great waterproofing. In fact, this speaker can survive a good dunking under a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Pretty impressive, right?
OK, the Middleton II isn’t the cheapest model on the market, coming in at $329.99 / £259.99 / AU$499. But that stellar stereo sound and genuinely premium build make it a very tempting option indeed, and if you’re looking to buy a new Bluetooth speaker for 2026, it’s well worth considering.
The best Bluetooth speakers for all budgets
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harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan)
