
The Marshall Kilburn III serves up an incredible combination of beautifully balanced audio, meaty features and premium aesthetic. Its 50-hour battery life means you’ll barely ever have to charge it too. Sure, it’s more costly than its predecessor was at launch, and you can get better protection against the elements from rivals like the Xtreme 4, but the Kilburn III is still one of the best-sounding (and looking) models in its weight class.
Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- Classy amp-inspired design
- Highly effective placement compensation
Cons
- Inferior IP rating to Xtreme 4
- No multi-speaker pairing
- Not as portable as JBL’s speaker
The JBL Xtreme 4 delivers each musical element with clarity and distinction and packs in some nifty features that build on the strengths of its predecessor. It's a rugged, outdoorsy speaker that doesn’t go all out on style, but hits all the right notes when it comes to utility, boasting a great battery life and IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating.
Pros
- Ultra-rugged design
- Seriously powerful audio output
- Considerably lighter than Kilburn III
Cons
- Requires EQ tuning to sound its best
- Lower battery life than Kilburn III
- Exterior design lacks sex appeal