Marshall has released its new compact Middleton II Bluetooth speaker. A direct replacement for the first generation Middleton from 2023, the new speaker promises 360-degree surround sound from a device that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and won’t take up much space in your travel backpack.
The original Middleton speaker offered bright, clear sound despite its diminutive proportions, and its successor, according to Marshall, has deeper bass and “a more refined sound at maximum volume.” Amplified sound is provided by two 30-watt woofers and a pair of 10-watt tweeters, and the speakers are positioned so that you can hear the music clearly wherever you stand.
The battery life is more than 30 hours, which is an improvement over the 20 hours offered by the previous model. A 20-minute charge will be enough to resurrect a fading Middleton II and avoid the wrath of your guests, and like the speaker it replaces, it doubles as a power bank if your phone needs life support.
The multi-directional control knob controls play/pause and song selection, as well as answering calls and adjusting the volume. There’s also a built-in microphone for hands-free communication. And, as you’d expect from a Bluetooth speaker designed for on-the-go use, the Middleton II is IP67-rated for dust and water resistance, so you won’t need to keep it safe by the pool this summer.
