Scorata scores summarize analyzed review evidence on a 1–5 scale; they are not laboratory measurements or a simple average of customer star ratings. Feature scores summarize the reviews covering that feature. The overall score averages feature scores within each review, then combines review averages. When both expert and customer evidence are available, those two groups receive equal weight. Products can have different review coverage, so small score gaps do not establish a winner.
Recommendations prioritize important features for the category, with a score of at least 3.5, a gap of at least 0.25 points and at least two supporting reviews per product. Features with widely varying scores or broad connectivity contexts are excluded from recommendations. These safeguards do not establish statistical significance.
Quick verdict
What each product is best for
The review evidence points to a tradeoff: Weight convenience and Control button responsiveness versus EQ customization and Water resistance rating. Choose according to which strengths matter more to you; the overall score alone does not settle that choice.
Choose Edifier ES60 for Weight convenience and Control button responsiveness.
Choose Marshall Middleton II for EQ customization and Water resistance rating.
Why these recommendations?
Edifier ES60
Where It Has the Edge
Weight convenience is 3.8 vs 2.5. At roughly a kilogram, the ES60 has noticeable heft but remains portable for most reviewers. It fits in...
Control button responsiveness is 5.0 vs 4.1. Top-panel controls earned strong praise for quick response, easy operation, and satisfying feedback.
Handle or strap quality is 4.3 vs 3.9. The included carrying strap or lanyard is generally liked as a practical, premium-feeling portability extra.
Marshall Middleton II
Where It Has the Edge
EQ customization is 4.5 vs 2.4. EQ flexibility is a strong point. Reviewers liked the physical bass and treble controls plus the app’s five-band...
Water resistance rating is 4.8 vs 3.9. Reviewers are highly positive about the IP67 protection and repeatedly frame it as suitable for pools, rain, beaches,...
Dust resistance rating is 5.0 vs 4.2. The IP67 dust protection earned strong confidence for outdoor use. Reviewers specifically saw the sealed design as well...
Edifier ES604.0 overall score
Marshall Middleton II3.8 overall score
Compare features
Scores are out of 5. Missing scores mean missing review evidence, not a missing feature.
Scored on both products
Other features
Latency with TV (lip sync)
Edifier ES60
4.7
Marshall Middleton II
1.5
Details and evidence for Latency with TV (lip sync)
Edifier ES60
Movies and video playback were reported to stay in sync without distracting delay. The latency problem appears mainly in fast-paced gaming rather than normal video watching.
One reviewer found noticeable audio delay with video playback and said lip sync was not correct. Buyers planning to use the speaker for TV or video should expect Bluetooth latency.
Complex arrangements can become somewhat cluttered, even though the stereo layout helps create space. The speaker is cohesive with most music but not flawless when many instruments compete at once.
At roughly a kilogram, the ES60 has noticeable heft but remains portable for most reviewers. It fits in backpacks and is easy to move around, though one customer wished for a smaller form.
Weight is one of the most repeated drawbacks. At about 1.8 kg, it feels substantial and premium, but several reviewers and customers found it heavy for bags, walks, or truly portable use.
Microphone quality is serviceable rather than standout. Voices remain understandable, but reviewers describe the mic as somewhat muffled and less clear than hoped.
The built-in microphone is a welcome addition and generally works well for hands-free calls. Pickup is strongest at close to moderate distance rather than across a large room.
AirPlay is not supported, which one iPhone-focused reviewer specifically called a letdown. Apple users wanting Wi-Fi-based AirPlay streaming will need another option.
The IP67 dust protection earned strong confidence for outdoor use. Reviewers specifically saw the sealed design as well suited to dirt, sand, and general outdoor exposure.
Most reviewers find the ES60 easy to fit into desks, kitchens, travel, and general home use. A charging-resume issue and some PC/size quirks are notable exceptions.
Everyday operation is straightforward thanks to direct controls, simple pairing, and a practical feature set. Reviewers generally found it easy to live with across desk, room, and portable use.
Details and evidence for Distortion at high volume
Edifier ES60
High-volume behavior depends on the listener and material. Some found no noticeable distortion or heard the speaker stay composed, while others reported compression, harsh treble, or thinner bass near the top of the range.
It generally stays composed at high volume, with multiple reviewers reporting little obvious distortion. The main caveat is bass compression or rougher treble when pushed close to maximum output.
One customer reported a good unboxing experience and that the speaker arrived in good condition. There is limited commentary on packaging beyond that positive experience.
Details and evidence for Frequency response balance
Edifier ES60
Tuning draws mixed reactions: many hear a warm, balanced sound with clear mids and punchy bass, while others find the treble too aggressive, mids recessed, or the default sound over-bassy.
Most reviewers describe the tuning as balanced, with clean mids and controlled bass. A few found the upper mids and treble less detailed or somewhat overshadowed by the low end.
Most reviewers like or recommend the ES60, especially for its style and energetic sound. The more cautious verdicts center on battery life, treble balance, EQ limits, and full-price competition.
Overall satisfaction is mostly high, with many customers calling the speaker excellent or saying they would buy it again. Repeated charging failures and delayed LE Audio support create a meaningful minority of strongly negative experiences.
The stronger amplifier setup gives the speaker useful headroom and low-frequency extension. Reviewers described the added reserve as helping bass feel more substantial without immediately losing control.
Hands-free calls are generally usable and sometimes very clear, but other tests found the mic muffled. One owner also notes that microphone use is unavailable during USB-C audio playback.
Speakerphone performance is good at close range, with clear calls reported by several reviewers. Quality drops with distance, where voices can become less clear or more echoey.
The detachable strap is generally useful and later versions feel more durable, but opinions are mixed because the speaker lacks a full carry handle. That matters more given its relatively heavy weight.
USB-C audio is a widely appreciated extra, often praised for stable, cleaner playback and desktop flexibility. One customer, however, found USB-C output much quieter than Bluetooth.
The 3.5mm auxiliary input is repeatedly welcomed as a useful fallback when Bluetooth is not ideal. Reviewers also liked that the port is easy to access.
Auracast gives the Middleton II a flexible path to grouped playback with compatible speakers and broadcasts. Reviewers viewed it as a useful, more future-facing inter-speaker option.
The ES60 is particularly well suited to desks, bedrooms, nightstands, bookshelves, and other small-to-medium spaces because it produces far more volume than its footprint suggests.
The speaker is particularly well suited to desks, kitchens, and small-to-medium rooms. It can fill these spaces comfortably without requiring maximum volume.
Details and evidence for Loudness / maximum volume
Edifier ES60
The ES60 plays unexpectedly loud for its size and can fill bedrooms, living rooms, garages, and even larger social spaces. Wired USB-C playback can be noticeably quieter for at least one owner.
The Middleton II gets impressively loud for its size and easily handles rooms, backyards, and smaller gatherings. Reviewers still caution that it is not a true high-output party speaker.
Detail is mixed by source. Some listeners praise excellent clarity and refinement, while more critical reviewers say the ES60 misses the nuance available from similarly priced rivals.
Detail retrieval is generally good, with reviewers hearing subtle percussion, vocals, and spatial information that smaller speakers can lose. The main weakness is reduced high-frequency detail in some dense or bass-heavy tracks.
Build quality is consistently strong, with reviewers describing the ES60 as solid, premium, well made, and better finished than its price or size might suggest.
Most reviewers see the Middleton II as a premium, well-made product with strong sound and practical features. A few customer failures and one casing-quality concern prevent the overall quality picture from being uniformly positive.
Multipoint is treated as a useful everyday upgrade, allowing two source devices to remain connected. Reviewers liked the flexibility for switching between devices without repeated pairing.
The absence of conventional multi-speaker pairing disappointed at least one reviewer. Auracast offers another route to grouped playback, but it does not fully replace the expected pairing option for everyone.
EQ control is one of the most repeated complaints. The four presets can be useful, but many reviewers say they change too little and strongly miss a true manual or custom EQ.
EQ flexibility is a strong point. Reviewers liked the physical bass and treble controls plus the app’s five-band EQ, though one noted that more advanced adjustment options would still be welcome.
The ConneX app is usually described as easy or useful, but experiences vary: one firmware update was very slow, one source flagged regional availability, and a customer called the app limited.
The Marshall app is consistently described as simple, well organized, and easy to use. Reviewers liked quick setup, clear battery information, and straightforward access to EQ and device settings.
Vocals are often clear and forward enough to follow easily, but some tracks expose reduced accuracy or separation compared with the strongest competitors.
Close-range call testing produced clear, rich voice pickup, even with quiet speech. Voice quality appears strongest when the user stays near the speaker.
The raised, tactile controls are generally easier to feel and use than before. One reviewer noted that some strip controls can be pressed accidentally, so the layout is not flawless.
Codec support is mixed: AAC, SBC, and LC3 are useful additions, but several reviewers criticize the lack of aptX or LDAC. One customer was also frustrated that promised LE Audio functionality had not arrived.
Physical controls are usually simple, tactile, and easy to use. The main weakness is that volume-button behavior can be inconvenient when the speaker is connected to a PC over USB.
Physical controls are a standout usability feature, letting users handle playback, volume, bass, and treble without opening the app. Reviewers repeatedly described the layout as intuitive and convenient.
Music playback is generally enjoyable, with strong bass, good scale, and engaging dynamics. The main reservation is that more critical listeners hear less nuance and refinement than top rivals.
Music playback is consistently enjoyable, with reviewers especially liking rock and bass-driven material. The warm, energetic presentation also works across a broader range of genres.
Wireless stability is strong in testing, with reviewers reporting reliable connections around homes and gardens plus fast reconnection to paired devices. The newer Bluetooth implementation appears dependable in normal use.
Higher-resolution wireless audio options are limited. Reviewers specifically note that the speaker does not provide the broader high-res codec support available from some competitors.
Imaging is mixed: some reviewers criticize weak vocal and instrument separation, while another heard a noticeably wider soundstage from the front/rear tweeter layout.
Stereo imaging is one of the clearest strengths. Reviewers repeatedly praise unusually convincing left-right separation and a soundstage that extends beyond the compact cabinet.
Low-volume listening is a strength, especially for desks and quiet rooms. Reviewers and a customer said the speaker retains a full, satisfying sound without needing to be played loudly.
The front-and-rear driver layout gives the ES60 convincing room coverage and fairly consistent sound from multiple angles. Placement still matters if you want the strongest frontal presentation.
The 360-degree presentation is repeatedly praised for producing a wide, immersive sound from many listening positions. Reviewers generally found the effect convincing rather than just a marketing claim.
Overall sound earns broad praise for scale, clarity, warmth, and bass impact from a compact enclosure. Critical voices still point to treble harshness, weaker vocal nuance, and limited refinement versus leading rivals.
Overall sound quality is a major strength, with broad praise for clarity, stereo width, bass, and musicality. Even critical reviewers generally describe the sound as good, while the main reservations involve price, high-frequency detail, or reliability rather than core audio quality.
Bass is one of the ES60’s clearest strengths, repeatedly described as punchy, warm, powerful, and impressive for the size. A few listeners wanted deeper extension or noted thinning at very high volume.
Bass is one of the most praised sound traits: deep, punchy, controlled, and unusually substantial for the size. It can compress at maximum volume and cannot reproduce the deepest sub-bass, but most reviewers still rate it highly.
Details and evidence for Battery life (if portable)
Edifier ES60
Battery opinions are sharply split. Several reviewers found roughly nine hours adequate or even good, while others called it underwhelming, terrible, or a major weakness—especially at higher volume.
Battery life is a major strength, with many reviewers praising roughly 30-hour endurance and multi-day use. A few users did not reach the full claim, and one customer found the newer model shorter-lived than the original.
USB-C charging is normally convenient and quick, but one customer reported a frustrating failure to resume charging automatically after the battery reached full.
Quick charging is repeatedly praised as practical, with short top-ups restoring several hours of playback. Reviewers found this especially useful before gatherings or when the battery is nearly empty.
Several reviewers and customers see strong value when focusing on the big sound, build, and design, especially at lower prices. Full-price value is less universally convincing.
Value opinions are split. Some reviewers and customers consider it worth the premium or a strong buy at the right price, while others think cheaper rivals or nearby Marshall models offer better value.
Value is highly price-sensitive. Some reviewers call the ES60 excellent for the money, while others find the regular price steep because rivals offer longer battery life, stronger sound refinement, or tougher water protection.
Price is a recurring concern. Several reviewers think the Middleton II is expensive for its size, especially when the Kilburn III or cheaper rivals are close enough in price to complicate the value proposition.
A customer reported a serious charging-resume problem: after reaching full charge, the speaker would not automatically begin charging again without reconnecting the cable.
Power reliability is the clearest customer concern. Multiple buyers report units that would not charge, arrived dead, stopped holding power, or failed across more than one replacement, although another customer described Marshall speakers as reliable.
Bluetooth setup was described as extremely easy by a customer, with quick connection and little friction. Pairing simplicity is a clear usability strength.
IP66 is considered useful for rain, splashes, poolside use, and outdoor listening. Multiple reviewers note that rivals with IP67 or IP68 ratings offer stronger protection against submersion.
Reviewers are highly positive about the IP67 protection and repeatedly frame it as suitable for pools, rain, beaches, and outdoor use. One reviewer still considered it less rugged than purpose-built outdoor rivals.
One hands-on reviewer had enough confidence in the rugged build to say an accidental drop would not cause immediate concern. That supports strong perceived impact durability.
Design is the strongest point of agreement: reviewers repeatedly praise the retro styling, faux leather, metal grille, gold accents, and premium feel. The ES60 is often treated as a speaker that doubles as a décor piece.
Design is one of the most consistently praised traits. Reviewers and customers repeatedly call the retro Marshall styling premium, distinctive, attractive, and closer to décor than a generic portable speaker.
Backward compatibility is limited because the Middleton II does not wirelessly stack with the original first-generation Middleton. That is a meaningful drawback for owners hoping to reuse an older unit in a paired setup.
Construction feels premium overall, but there is a specific concern about the removable outer wrap lifting at the corners. Other users praised the materials, so build impressions are positive with a notable casing caveat.
LC3 support was praised for reducing energy use while maintaining good audio performance. That gives the newer Bluetooth implementation a modest efficiency advantage.
The ability to float adds extra reassurance around pools despite the speaker’s weight. One reviewer specifically saw it as useful peace of mind for poolside use.
Fast-paced gaming is a clear weak spot, with noticeable audio delay reported in PUBG-style play even though movies and ordinary video stay acceptably synchronized.
The reverse-charging power-bank function is widely seen as genuinely useful for travel and outdoor use. One customer did report that this function failed before the speaker later stopped charging entirely.
The companion app can be installed and used without creating an account, which one reviewer explicitly appreciated. That makes the software experience relatively privacy-friendly.
The LED bars provide useful feedback for battery, volume, bass, and treble levels. A customer specifically appreciated being able to see power and volume status at a glance.
Repairability and replaceable parts make the Middleton II less disposable than many sealed portable speakers. Reviewers viewed that approach as a meaningful sustainability advantage.
Bluetooth range is a notable upgrade, with reviewers reporting much longer reach and reliable use around a house, garden, or park. The extended range reduces the likelihood of dropouts in everyday use.
The feature set covers the essentials, including EQ, battery controls, microphone use, and Auracast. Some reviewers still miss extras found on other Marshall models, so the smart feature package feels useful rather than exhaustive.
One reviewer was disappointed that the speaker remains Bluetooth-only with no Wi-Fi streaming. That limits its flexibility as a more integrated at-home speaker.
Support experiences are inconsistent. One customer praised Marshall’s warranty replacement, while others felt help was limited or unhelpful when charging failures and delayed LE Audio support arose.
The replaceable battery is repeatedly praised as a meaningful long-term advantage. Reviewers value the ability to extend the speaker’s useful life instead of treating the battery as permanently sealed.