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Marshall’s brand-new rugged Bluetooth speaker guarantees powerful sound in a compact package

The name Marshall is almost associated with durable guitar amplifiers, and this new Bluetooth speaker seems to be up to the task of touring the globe with Slash.

The Middleton has an impressive appearance, what with its black plastic shell and white script corporate logo. The housing is IP67 rated and made from 55% post-consumer recycled plastic, so it is completely dustproof and can withstand being immersed in 1 metre of water for at least 30 minutes.

The Middleton, which is priced between Marshall’s newly introduced Stockwell 2 and Emberton 2, has a multi-directional quad-speaker set-up that can compete with the greatest Bluetooth speakers in terms of sonic power from a small body.

Marshall’s proprietary ‘True Stereophonic’ technique, which the firm says delivers a more immersive 360-degree sound stage than a traditional stereo configuration, is implemented via the device’s four-speaker array, as it does in the Marshall Emberton 2.

The gadget has a maximum output of 87dB, which should be loud enough to wow even the ghost of Lemmy, but if that isn’t enough, you can utilise the Stack Mode with additional Middletons to increase the volume.

The top of the speaker has real bass and treble settings, unlike the Emberton 2, and the EQ can also be modified via Marshall’s specialised software for iOS and Android smartphones.

Over 20 hours of fun is promised for the Middleton, and it only needs 4.5 hours to be fully charged. The battery may also be used as a power bank to charge electronic gadgets while you’re on the go.

How hard does the Marshall rock, and is that enough to warrant the price?

We were thrilled by the performance of Marshall’s revised Emberton 2 speaker when it was released at the end of last year, particularly its extended battery, sleek appearance, and balanced sound, but we questioned its inflated price tag.

There are several things we’d expect to see at this price that are lacking from the Middleton, despite its increased power, IP67 waterproofing, and helpful EQ controls.

Some may find it difficult to recommend the Middleton when compared to other options on our best waterproof speakers list, such as the cheaper Sonos Roam, due to its lack of support for smart assistants, with no built-in methods of utilising the likes of Alexa or Google Assistant.