Marshall Kilburn II – Review Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Intro

Among the many Bluetooth speakers we have reviewed, one of the most interesting speakers overall in terms of overall quality and sound quality is the Marshall Kilburn II. The case in question was manufactured by Marshall Amplification. A historic British company that designs and manufactures acoustic amplifiers, electric guitar and electric bass guitar cases. Since 2010 also drums and percussion instruments.

Ultimo aggiornamento 2023-09-30 / Link di affiliazione / Immagini da Amazon Product Advertising API

The Marshall Kilburn II immediately stands out for its beautiful design, unmistakable elegance, and very high sound quality. The materials are great, the construction impeccable, and you can see great attention to detail, these are the hallmarks of a famous brand like Marshall. This powerful and versatile portable speaker offers an incredible sound experience given mainly by the very high sound quality. It is equipped with a sound system with two woofers and two tweeters, which allows any frequency of sound to be heard optimally. Its shape and size also makes it splendid in the eyes of lovers of the elegant vintage style that characterized typical music products of the 1980s and 1990s.

If you are looking for Bluetooth Speakers, we recommend our article: Best Bluetooth Speakers.

This speaker is in the high end of bluetooth speakers and therefore provides high sound output and good power output. In this article we will take an analytical look at the various characteristics of this product so that we can understand what are the major qualities that set it apart.

Size, Weight, Shape and Design

This beautiful case is about 14 x 16.2 x 24.3 cm in size and weighs about 2.5 kg. It has a durable vinyl exterior, a material from which the convenient lanyard for carrying it is also made. Given its weight and size, it is not very compact, but it shows itself in a very simple and elegant way, following the brand’s style philosophy.

To create it, the company took its cue not from classic Marshall amplifiers, but from microphones. In fact, these speakers have a front grille composed of a metallic mesh instead of fabric. Thus, on the outside we have vinyl coating and a metal mesh grille to promote sound release.

Ultimo aggiornamento 2023-09-30 / Link di affiliazione / Immagini da Amazon Product Advertising API

The logo is located in the center of the case, and is white in color, echoing Marshall’s typical classic design. As for the buttons and controls, these protrude from the top of the case. There are volume, bass, and treble buttons, and a panel that indicates the speaker’s battery. We also find an AUX input present, which is located on the back of the speaker.

The previous model of this case had a power lever, which some users found annoying. Instead, this model has a very simple power button, which creates a clean and essential look that we can call elegant and vintage. In fact, it is not only a portable bluetooth speaker for use at the beach or away from home but also a great piece of furniture for the rooms in a home.

Technical and Additional Features

We mentioned that this speaker has high sound quality thanks in part to the two built-in woofers and two tweeters. These are speakers dedicated to reproducing the low and high frequencies of the audio range. The power output is also very good, of 36 watts RMS (2x 8 watts + 1x 20 watts), which thus allows for powerful sound with good diffusion, also allows for 360-degree multidirectional sound. Among the more technical parameters we also find an excellent frequency response (52Hz – 20kHz).

Regarding connectivity, the Kilburn II uses Bluetooth 5.0 aptX that allows us to connect up to about 10 meters away, has a 3.5mm AUX input and an RCA input.

Ultimo aggiornamento 2023-09-30 / Link di affiliazione / Immagini da Amazon Product Advertising API

In terms of battery life, we are also at a very good level since the battery life is about 20 hours of playback. Clearly this parameter is calculated with an average volume of music, if we use the speaker at maximum volume we should expect a few hours less playback. In any case, the charging time is not too long, and we will be able to reuse it after a charge of about 2 1/2 hours. Or we can take advantage of the fast charging feature, with only 20 minutes of charging time this way we will have as much as 3 hours of playback.

In terms of additional features, we have an IPX2-type water resistance. With this grade, the case is certainly resistant to light water splashes, but it should not be submerged in water at all; an IPX7 grade would be needed to do this. This speaker also has a stereo pairing function with other Kilburn units and has controls to modify bass and treble.

It is usually priced between €200 and €270, but given its high quality it is still very good value for money even at the high end.

Scopri il Prezzo su Amazon

Let’s look at a brief summary on the Technical Characteristics:

Power output:	36 watts RMS (2x 8 watts + 1x 20 watts)
Frequency response:	52Hz – 20kHz
Speakers	2 tweeters + 2 woofers
Autonomy:	About 20 h
Charging time:	2.5 h
Waterproof grade:	IPX2
Size and weight:	243 x 162 x 140 mm, 2.5 kg
Connectivity:	Bluetooth 5.0 aptX, 3.5mm aux input, RCA input
Price:	Between 200€ and 270€
Additional features:	Does not have built-in microphone and voice assistant, bass and treble control, 360° multidirectional sound

General Benefits

Compared with the previous model, the Kilburn II offers superior performance when it comes to audio quality, thanks mainly to the tweeters and woofers. At the level of sound power, on the other hand, they are very similar, this is also because too high a volume often has a poor bass performance, and can even create “vibratory” sounds spoiling the sound experience. But this is not the case, as this speaker also holds high volume very well and also has very good power output.

Very interesting is the possibility of being able to use bass and treble controls that allow us to calibrate the sound of our songs, especially according to the musical genre. For example, if we listen to heavy metal, turning up the treble allows us to hear instrumentals and vocals at their best. On the other hand, if we put on dance, tekno, hip-hop or psy-trance songs, it will be a good idea to turn up the bass, to achieve the desired effect. The oscillating synthesizers are bright and clear, while the bass is rich and pounding, sometimes being slightly dirty.

This speaker is really perfect for listening to rock and metal, both classic and modern. The treble makes it possible to create very clear tones and atmospheres, which exceptionally render the effects of electric guitars. In this case the treble tones become outstanding, allowing the guitars, hi-hats and snare drums to sound crisp and punchy. This model is also perfect for those who are looking for a bluetooth speaker model with a lighter, less boxy design than the classic Marshall speakers, but want a product with a retro look.

Value for money and availability

The Kilburn II can be ordered from Amazon for €240 in Italy at the moment, its price usually fluctuates with deals between 199 and 270. It is quite expensive for a Bluetooth speaker, particularly when compared with other models on the market. This is more than just a speaker, however, as it is produced by a brand with a history of rock heritage. For those seeking a similar listening experience at a lower price, the original Kilburn costs about 50€ less, but is harder to find and has lower sound quality.

Thus, the price-performance ratio is very good for a high-end product, although very good products can also be found in the mid-range and budget range. In terms of availability, it is rather easy to find this case in Italy, much more complex, however, is to find the first version of the Kilburn.

Ultimo aggiornamento 2023-09-30 / Link di affiliazione / Immagini da Amazon Product Advertising API

Conclusions and Final Judgment

Overall, the Kilburn II is a fantastic speaker with a well-balanced sound, suitable for both parties and casual listening. With 360-degree multidirectional sound, it fills a room or a room of about 20 square meters with music. This speaker is mainly suited to rock and metal music, and that is where it excels most, but it does very well with almost all genres of music.

The Kilburn II is quite expensive compared to other Bluetooth speakers on the market, has a gorgeous design, and is therefore much more suitable for indoor than outdoor use. In addition, it has little drop resistance and the water resistance is only IPX2, so it only resists water splashes and not submersion. In the home because of its vintage design, it is very elegant and proves to be a splendid ornament. But if we are interested in hiking, perhaps it is better to choose a more durable speaker.

In the great competition from other speaker brands, the Kilburn II definitely stands out from the crowd with its cool, retro look and its elegance and reliability. The highlight always remains the top-notch audio quality, which reaches exponential levels in songs with electric guitars.

Finaljudgments:

Design: 10/10

Sound quality: 10/10

Sound power: 8/10

Resistance: 6.5/10

Autonomy: 9/10

Functionality: 8/10

Ultimo aggiornamento 2023-09-30 / Link di affiliazione / Immagini da Amazon Product Advertising API