The JBL Charge 6 is more of an upgrade than it might at first appear. It’s an engaging and enjoyable portable speaker, and represents excellent value for money, even though it’s pricier than the smaller Flip 7. A great balance between big, beefy speaker power and actually being able to carry the thing everywhere.
Pros
- Incredibly durable and IP68-rated
- USB-C audio passthrough
- Easy multi-speaker pairing with Auracast
Cons
- Downmixes stereo sound to mono
- Marshall’s speaker is more powerful
- Doesn’t have a mic
The Marshall Middleton II is a success in many of the key areas, boasting exceptional stereo sound, admirable build quality, eye-catching looks, and wonderful protection against the elements. It doesn’t quite find the happy medium between the Marshall Emberton’s portability and the Kilburn III’s raw power, but still, it’s a great-sounding, attractive model.
Pros
- Excellent stereo sound
- Tantalizing retro-style design
- Built-in mic for hands-free calling
Cons
- Heftier than the Charge 6
- Costs a lot more too
- Slightly inferior waterproofing
If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker that provides regimented bass and impressive fidelity, while still remaining pleasingly portable, then a mid-sized model is probably the path you’ll want to take.
In my search for the best Bluetooth speakers, I’ve tested a number of excellent middleweight options, but there are two that really stick out to me. Those being the JBL Charge 6 and the Marshall Middleton II. Both of these are phenomenal sounding, brilliantly built, and feature filled, offering just about anything you could want for listening at home or on the go.
But which one of these models is better? Well, I’ve spent hours with each model, comparing them directly to find out which is the best value for money, and which I’d recommend to all of you out there. Interested to know which model will come out on top? Then make sure to scroll on down. Oh, and I’d be interested to know whether you agree with my conclusion or not, so let me know any thoughts in the comments.
JBL Charge 6 vs Marshall Middleton II: price and availability
The JBL Charge 6 released in April 2025, and comes with a list price of $199.95 / £169.99 / AU$229. However, I have seen it going for less on a few occasions – it dropped below $130 in December 2025, for instance, and is selling for £125 on Amazon UK even as I type this.
If you’re looking to buy the Marshall Middleton II instead, you can expect to spend a fair bit more. It typically sells for $329.99 / £259.99 / AU$499, and sales are few and far between – perhaps unsurprising given its more recent July 2025 launch. I’ll speak more about the reasons for that, and whether it’s worth the increased cost down in the Value section.
Both of these models are available in a collection of colorways. There’s a Black and Brass or Cream variant for the Middleton II, as well as Red, Purple, Camo, Blue – among other options – for the JBL Charge 6.
JBL Charge 6 vs Marshall Middleton II: specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
JBL Charge 6 |
Marshall Middleton II |
|---|---|---|
|
Weight |
3 lbs / 1.4kg |
3.9 lbs / 1.8kg |
|
Dimensions |
9 x 3.9 x 3.7 inches / 229 x 99 x 94mm |
9.1 x 4.3 x 3.9 inches / 230 x 110 x 98mm |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C |
Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm |
|
Battery life |
28 hours |
30 hours |
|
Speaker drivers |
53 x 93 mm mid/bass ‘racetrack’ driver, 20mm tweeter |
2x 30W woofers; 2x 10W tweeters |
|
Waterproofing |
IP68 |
IP67 |
JBL Charge 6 vs Marshall Middleton II: features
You get plenty of useful features on both the JBL Charge 6 and the Marshall Middleton II, although both offer a pretty distinct set of options.
For instance, the JBL Charge 6 supports USB-C audio passthrough, which opens up 24bit/96kHz audio quality – something that a lot of rivals don’t supply. You can get high-resolution playback from the Middleton II as well, but it employs a 3.5mm port instead of USB-C data transfer. This is a nice option, but USB-C is so much more ubiquitous now, and feels like the more practical route.
EQ options look a little different on these two as well. The Charge 6 has a seven-band custom equalizer, as well as various genre-related presets, making it an awesome pick for all listeners. The Middleton II only has a five-band equalizer, and its set of presets is smaller – it’s still absolutely fine, don’t get me wrong, but there’s more customizability with JBL.
It may seem like Marshall’s down a bit right now, but it does take the edge over JBL in a couple of areas.
First of all, it serves up superior battery life. You get 30 hours out of this thing, which is absolutely fantastic for a speaker with this much power and scale. Sure, you can get 28 hours from the Charge 6, but that’s only with PlayTime Boost on, which will reduce audio fidelity. Without this, you’re getting 24 hours – still very respectable, but inferior to the Middleton II all the same.
On top of that, the Middleton II has a built-in mic, handily enabling you to take hands-free calls. That’s something JBL decided to skip on the Charge 6, which may not suit the more avid chatters among you.
Having said that, the Middleton II does omit some of the features I love on other Marshall speakers, including placement compensation – a calibration option that optimizes the speakers’ sound for your listening environment. The Charge 6 doesn’t have this either, although it does come with AI Sound Boost tech, which analyzes audio content in real time and optimizes output to reduce distortion – pretty cool.
Both models also support Auracast for multi-speaker connectivity, although you can pair two Charge 6 models the traditional way in order to access stereo sound instead. Unfortunately, the Middleton II doesn’t let you create a standard stereo pair, which is a shame, but not a total dealbreaker given it can output in stereo via a single unit.
This is a very close contest overall, and it’s really hard to separate the two. But as much as I love the Middleton II’s 30-hour battery life, I still think JBL offers a healthy dollop of playtime. And although the Marshall does have a built-in mic, JBL’s AI Sound Boost tech, better EQ options, and inclusion of USB-C audio passthrough just about give it the edge for me.
JBL Charge 6 vs Marshall Middleton II: sound quality
This is where things get interesting. See, the JBL Charge 6 and Middleton II sound pretty different, although both are very strong performers in their own right.
The Charge 6 is JBL all over. You get direct, powerful, yet beautiful audio in one rough ‘n’ ready package, with clean bass, rich mids, and expressive highs. Despite its 45W maximum power output, the Charge 6 punches well above its weight – especially in the low end. I was wowed by its regimented yet large low-frequency presence – it’s a considerable step up on the JBL Flip 7, which already plates up sumptuous bass.
With a USB-C connection, you can also experience surprisingly intricate detail levels on the Charge 6, with subtle percussion and vocal quirks easy to make out. Combine that with its effective handling of dynamics and genuinely impressive soundstage, and you’re onto a winner with JBL’s midweight audio companion.
But for me, the Marshall Middleton II takes things to new heights. In fairness to the Charge 6, Marshall’s rival is a lot more powerful, and packs in 80W of power across its two woofers and two tweeters. But the Middleton II really does make the best of what it’s working with, serving up a clear, intent-filled sound that’s instantly gripping.
When listening to deep house tracks, the Middleton II managed pumping, agile bass without a hitch. In smooth jazz songs, charismatic leading sax and subtle keys were ultra-clear in the mix. And even in energetic electronic tunes, high-pitched percussion never sounded harsh or uncontrolled – even at higher volumes.
What really sets this model apart from the Charge 6, though, is its impeccable stereo sound. For my review, I tuned in to Foxey Lady by Jimi Hendrix – an artist who loved to play around with the stereo field to create immersive listening experiences. And with the Middleton II, vocals on the left and percussion on the right were both expertly positioned, creating an engrossingly spatial impression.
The Charge 6 downmixes stereo content to mono, unless you have a second unit to pair it with, so if you’re after a more nuanced presentation, the Middleton II should be your go-to. It can also go louder, and some elements like instrument separation seem superior on Marshall’s model, so I’d give it the nod in the audio department.
JBL Charge 6 vs Marshall Middleton II: design
These two are worlds apart across multiple aspects of design – especially if we’re talking about looks.
Just like its sound, the JBL Charge 6’s appearance is incredibly on-brand. It’s a very rugged model, with a hardy fabric exterior, drop-proof build, and a trusty carry handle. Is it the most stylish speaker out there? No.
Despite coming in a range of enticing colorways, the aesthetic screams substance over style – it’s a reliable cylindrical audio companion, but not one that’s oozing with class and luxury.
It’s a different story for the Marshall Middleton II, though. This model is a feast for the eyes, featuring gorgeous golden details, a faux-leather exterior, and an attractive speaker grille. It’s got a real retro feel to it, and its amp-inspired aesthetic is timeless. If we were judging this on looks alone, the Middleton II would clear its JBL rival without question.
But there’s more to a speaker’s design than looks alone. If we’re talking about more practical elements, the playing field begins to even out a bit. For instance, the JBL Charge 6 is IP68 rated, meaning that it’s fully dustproof, and capable of surviving a 30 minute dunking under a meter and a half of water. Pretty impressive, right?
Sure, the Middleton II has a similar IP67 rating – which means its waterproof, but can’t be submerged as deeply as the Charge 6 – but there are other ways in which JBL surpasses it. The most obvious for me is its portability. The Middleton II is seriously hefty for a speaker of its size, and doesn’t even come with a proper handle, unlike its larger cousin, the Marshall Kilburn III.
Meanwhile, the Charge 6 is considerably lighter, comes with a handle, and is generally much more portable. So, when it comes to design there’s really not a lot in it. The convenient nature of the Charge 6 is very appealing indeed, and it’s built to a high standard. But for me, the premium look of the Middleton II makes Marshall’s speaker the top pick, even if it has slightly inferior waterproofing and a bit more bulk.
JBL Charge 6 vs Marshall Middleton II: value
This one’s been too close to call so far, but we’ve finally arrived at the most important category of all: value for money.
The Middleton II is, admittedly, a more premium model. It’s constructed from more fancy materials. It’s got more drivers and power than its JBL rival. And yes, it’s got a higher price to match. Typically, this thing will set you back $329.99 / £259.99 / AU$499. That’s a lot of cash for a midweight model like the Middleton II, and as it’s still fairly new, there’s been little in the way of sales yet.
Does it earn that price-tag? I’m sort of on the fence. It’s an amazing-sounding speaker – better than the Charge 6 for me – and it’s dripping with style. But you’re still shelling out a lot of cash. A similar amount to what you’d need for the Charge 6’s larger cousin, the JBL Xtreme 4. Its slightly awkward size and considerable heft also prove to be a thorn in the Middleton II’s side – the speaker’s got a lot going for it, but it’s perhaps not the best value for money option on the market.
The same can’t be said for the JBL Charge 6. This Bluetooth speaker offers much of the good stuff we covered on the Middleton II – it sounds fantastic, it’s well protected against the elements, and its build quality is commendable.
However, it’s way cheaper, typically coming in at $199.95 / £169.99 / AU$229 (but often on sale for less). Sure, it’s not as stylish, but it makes up for that with a superior feature-set, cementing it as the ultimate value pick in this clash.
JBL Charge 6 vs Marshall Middleton II: verdict
This is one close battle – perhaps even closer than I imagined in the first place. But as I mentioned in the Value section, the JBL Charge 6’s impeccable value for money just about gives it the edge for me. It supplies superb sound, an awesome IP68 dust and waterproof rating, and its portability is top-drawer.
There’s still a case for the Middleton II, though. If you need a mid-sized speaker that screams luxury and has some unbelievably good stereo sound, it’s a great pick.
For me, its slightly larger cousin, the Marshall Kilburn III, is a better value option. It’s priced surprisingly similarly to the Middleton II, but sounds better, looks classier, and has a handle for easy transportation. But that will cost far more than the JBL Charge 6, which comes out as the winner in its close-fought contest with the Middleton II.
The best Bluetooth speakers for all budgets
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harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan)
