Marshall Emberton II vs JBL Clip 4
Buy the Marshall Emberton II if sound quality and battery life matter most: it plays 30+ hours, hits 87 dB from two 10W drivers, and is IP67 waterproof. Buy the JBL Clip 4 if you want the cheapest speaker that clips to a bag and survives splashes. The Emberton II has been seen at $129.00 (as of October 28), while the Clip 4 dropped to $16.50 (as of October 31) against a high of $48.95.
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Marshall Emberton II
Choose the Marshall Emberton II if you want fuller stereo sound, all-day battery, and a speaker that can sit in the rain.
Pros
- 30+ hours of playtime, with 4 hours from a 20-minute charge
- Two 10W drivers and passive radiators give real stereo separation
- IP67 rating handles rain, dust, and full submersion
- Stack mode links several units for wider sound
- Heritage amplifier look in metal and silicone
Cons
- $129.00 is far more than the Clip 4
- 700 g is heavy to clip on and carry
- No clip, strap, or mounting point
What separates them
| Marshall Emberton II | JBL Clip 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.00 (as of October 28) | $16.50 low, $48.95 high (as of October 31) |
| Battery play time | 30+ hours, 4 hours from a 20-minute charge | About 10 hours, 2 hours from a 10-minute charge |
| Drivers and output | Two full-range drivers plus two passive radiators, 20W total, 87 dB max | One driver, mono output |
| Water and dust rating | IP67, dust-tight and waterproof | IP67, dust-tight and waterproof |
| Weight and carry | 700 g, no clip | 0.53 lbs (about 240 g) with built-in carabiner |
| Stereo pairing | Stack mode links multiple Emberton II units for multi-room audio | No pairing or multi-speaker mode |
| Smart features | None; Bluetooth and USB-C only | None; Bluetooth only |
Price history
$129.00$16.50
- Marshall Emberton II: lowest $129.00 on Oct 28 at Best Buy; $129.00 on Oct 31.
- JBL Clip 4: lowest $16.50 on Oct 31 at militec.co.
Prices at every store
Marshall Emberton II
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
- eBayCheck price at eBay
JBL Clip 4
- CHUBB StoreCheck price at CHUBB Store
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
- 12thmantechnology.comCheck price at 12thmantechnology.com
Specs compared
| Spec | Marshall Emberton II | JBL Clip 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor | Yes | — |
| Bluetooth | Yes | — |
| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, Wireless | — |
| Ports And Interfaces | USB-C | — |
| Wi-Fi | No | — |
| Assistant Support | No | — |
| Smart Functions | Multi-room audio (Stack mode) | — |
| Speaker Placement | Portable | — |
| Design Highlights | Portable | — |
| Material | Metal (grille), Plastic, Silicone (sleeve) | — |
| Style |
Questions and answers
- Which sounds better, the Emberton II or the Clip 4?
- The Emberton II. Two 10W drivers and two passive radiators give it stereo sound and far more bass than the Clip 4's single mono driver. The Clip 4 is fine for podcasts and casual listening outdoors.
- Is the Emberton II worth $129 when the Clip 4 costs $16.50?
- Only if you want the sound and battery. The Emberton II gives 30+ hours and stereo audio; the Clip 4 gives about 10 hours and mono. At $16.50 the Clip 4 is a low-risk spare.
- Which lasts longer on a charge?
- The Emberton II, by a wide margin. Marshall rates it at 30+ hours, and a 20-minute charge adds 4 hours. The Clip 4 runs roughly 10 hours and needs about 2 hours to recharge.
- Can both handle rain and dust?
- Yes. Both carry an IP67 rating, so dust and water immersion are covered. Neither should be used underwater for long periods.
- Which is easier to carry?
- The Clip 4. At about 0.53 lbs with a built-in carabiner, it clips to a bag or belt. The Emberton II weighs 700 g and has no clip, so it goes in a bag or gets carried by hand.
- Can I pair two of them for stereo sound?
- The Emberton II supports Stack mode to link multiple units for wider multi-room audio. The Clip 4 has no pairing or multi-speaker mode.
