Marshall Amplification is a British company founded by Jim Marshall in 1962. The iconic Marshall guitar amplifiers are known worldwide and have been used by some of the most esteemed artists who have ever picked up a guitar. But then, Marshall decided there are new audio frontiers to conquer.
The future is here…
Marshall developed their first range of Bluetooth consumer speakers in 2016 to cash in on that lucrative portable audio market. With their classy retro styling and clever branding, representing locations that were important in the company’s history, Marshall certainly is making a splash in the world of portable audio consumer electronics.
Contents
Overview
Marshall Stockwell 2 is a portable speaker with lots of character. It resembles classic Marshall amplifiers and is part of a range of speakers that came out in 2019, which include the larger Kilburn 2 and Tufton. This is a great, on-the-go speaker, and it is pretty light at just three lbs.
Is it the best portable speaker? Let us take a better look at what Marshall has been up to in our in-depth Marshall Stockwell 2 Review…
(4.6 / 5)
Design
The Marshall Stockwell 2 is a rugged, compact speaker covered in a tough rubber. It has that very traditional Marshall look and comes in a choice of black, grey, or burgundy. The exterior is very durable and certainly built to avoid scratches and scrapes. That ruggedness continues with a front and back metal grill.
This is one woofer and a dual tweeter system, which gives great stereo sound. The woofer is powered by a class D amplifier, and the tweeters have one class D amplifier each.
Analog controls…
The controls are on the top of the speaker. They are comprised of a volume knob (which also turns it on), bass and treble knobs, a Bluetooth pairing button, and a battery life meter. But unfortunately, no skip or play features are present on this unit and will need to be accessed from your audio device.
Portability…
The carrying strap is designed to look like a guitar strap and is made of vegan leather with a red velvet material covering the back. Therefore, it is quite easy to carry around. Plus, you’ll get some nods of approval just because of how cool it looks.
The Stockwell 2 has an IPX4 rating, which means it cannot be submerged in water, but it will do perfectly well in a little light rain. Likewise, being splashed by a little water when at the beach won’t slow it down. In fact, this is one of the most durable compact speakers out there.
With a rugged, compact build, sound quality, extended battery life, and phone charging capability, it really is the traveler’s companion. It is easily one of the best travel speakers on the market, but the price may put some people off.
Battery and Connectivity
This speaker has 20 hours of battery life on a full charge. I must say, this depends greatly on how you use the volume and EQ settings. Continued playing at excessive levels with the bass cranked will significantly reduce the playing time. Charging for twenty minutes will give you about six hours of battery life, though.
It charges via a USB-C port. This port is also useful to charge your phone if it slipped your mind before leaving home. Additionally, there is an external 3.5mm jack input if you prefer a wired connection.
Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity…
The Stockwell 2 has excellent Bluetooth connectivity and can reach a very acceptable range of about 30 feet or 10 meters. If you are using it on a beach with no obstacles in the way, the range does increase significantly.
Two devices can be connected simultaneously, allowing more than one person to control the playlist. Furthermore, there are no latency concerns when doing so. As a result, you have one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market.
Connecting to other speakers…
Unfortunately, this unit cannot pair with other speakers in the Marshall range. This is a bit of a shame, as it would be nice to have more than one speaker placed throughout your home playing the same music.
That said, having no latency makes it a pleasure to watch movies from one of your media devices. So, if you’re looking for the best wireless speaker, the Stockwell 2 is well worth a closer look.
The Sound
Marshall knows a thing or two about getting the most out of a speaker, and they don’t disappoint with the Stockwell 2. The big sound achieved here matches the awesome styling and acclaimed history.
The bass is very impressive for the speaker size and was deep and warm. Even with the speaker volume cranked up, I didn’t hear any audible distortion. The high-range is crisp and clear and not overly bright or harsh.
Multi-directional sound…
This is a great feature that projects the music out of the back. The front is the best position, but this does allow you to spread out the sound more, which is great if you are entertaining guests.
The Stockwell 2 is not the loudest speaker you can buy, but it will have no problems filling an average-sized room. The multi-directional feature really helps to spread the sound out. If you do find any issues with the sound, then you always have the cool analog EQ to smooth out those problem frequencies.
Specifications
- Frequency range: 60-20,000 Hz.
- Max sound pressure level: 80 dB SPL@ 1 m.
- Bluetooth 5.0 range: 30 feet.
- IPX4 waterproof rating.
- Play-time: 20 hours.
- Dimensions: 180 x 161 x 70 mm.
- Weight: 1.38 kg/3.04 lb.
- Class D amplifiers.
- Multi-directional sound.
Marshall Stockwell 2 Review – Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great design.
- Very portable unit.
- Great sound quality.
- Battery life.
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
- Multi-directional sound.
Cons
- Cannot pair with other speakers.
- No skip or play features.
Looking for Something Else?
We have a growing selection of audio equipment and solutions. So check out our in-depth review of the Best Wireless Workout Headphones, the Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming, the Best Karaoke Microphones, and the Best Bluetooth Hearing Protection you can buy in 2023.
Also, have a look at our comprehensive Marshall Code 50W Review, our AKG Perception 220 Review, our AKG K240 Studio Review, our Audio Technica AT 2020 Review, our Oontz Angle 3 Ultra Review, and our Monolith M1060 Headphone Review for superb more items currently on the market.
Marshall Stockwell 2 Review – Final Thoughts
In the Marshall range of portable speakers, there is so much to choose from. Personally, I love the Stanmore, because it looks like a piece of art history. The build is superb and carries that retro nostalgia along with it, that I love. For a speaker this size, it really does sound great.
I love anything with a bit of history behind it, and Marshall certainly has lots of that. They are not the cheapest speakers around, but you know Marshall wouldn’t put their name behind a sub-standard product. Marshall Stockwell 2 ticks all the boxes for me. Who wouldn’t fall in love with that retro style?
There are cheaper portable speakers on the market that have similar and even better features. For many, the price puts this speaker out of reach, especially for a portable speaker that may get wet or stolen on your travels. But the main selling point, besides the great sound, is that this speaker just looks much cooler than all the others.
Until next time, happy listening.
