This Marshall Bluetooth speaker sounds better than audio systems that cost hundreds more

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Marshall Killburn III Bluetooth speaker is available on Amazon for $379.
• With rich, dynamic bass and a wide soundstage, you’ll enjoy music of all genres with this speaker
• You might run into trouble pairing the speaker with the Marshall app (as I had).

more buying choices

I’m quite familiar with the Marshall brand and its lineup of audio products. I have a Marshall amp that sounds brilliant (much better than I sound with a guitar) and enjoy that classic Marshall sound. So when I recently got the chance to test its latest Bluetooth speaker (the Kilburn III), I bit.

After weeks of testing, not only has this speaker met my expectations, but it has exceeded them. Here’s how.

My experience

I’ve reviewed Marshall speakers and headphones before, so I know what to expect from the sound. And given how many devices of this nature I’ve reviewed, there are certain givens that I’ve grown used to. The biggest of those “givens” is the need to use an app to tweak the sound. 

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As soon as I unboxed the Kilburn III, I realized that wasn’t going to be an issue because Marshall gave this speaker anolog knobs for volume, bass, and trebel.

On top of that, the speaker has the Marshall look and feel. There’s no mistaking who made this speaker, and the thing feels like it was built to last. There are no plastic knobs or cheap buttons. In fact, the power switch is a toggle, and it feels so good to flip it.

There’s just something about analog in an all-digital world that makes things better.

But that analog doesn’t end at the buttons, as there is a decidedly non-digital feel to the sound. Listening to certain tracks (such as Kashmir from the O2 concert) sounds warm, like it was played via a turntable. It’s not 1:1, but I’d say this is as close to an analog sound as I’ve ever heard from a digital speaker. If that sounds appealing to you, then you should seriously consider this speaker.

Now, before you immediately hop onto Amazon to purchase a Kilburn III, know that not every track has that luxurious analog sound. That’s common. I have vinyl albums that sound distinctly digital (because, ya know, some artists record in nothing but digital, and mastering digital to analog takes a certain skill that not everyone has). 

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When you do come across a track that has been mastered well, it will stand out when listening through the Kilburn III. Another good example of that is what I consider my all-time favorite song, “La Villa Strangiato” (by Rush). Although it did get a bit “middy” in the midsection of the piece, everything else was an absolute delight.

Speaking of which, there is an app you can use. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the app refused to finalize the Kilburn III connection, so I couldn’t experience what benefits came along for the ride.

Next, I tapped play on “Big Generator” by Yes. This was another track with a bit too many mids (which could probably be toned down within the app), but it still bounced out of the speaker with huge energy and a surprising soundstage (especially when the volume is cranked). When the chorus came in (with those thick vocals), the song was stunning. 

I switched to more poppier fare with the latest release (Many Lives) from Purity Ring. I love this band and am always fascinated by how they layer sound. The Marshall Kilburn III really does the song justice in ways other Bluetooth speakers can’t. Thanks to that Marshall soundstage, every sound floated out of the speaker with a high level of clarity. 

Of course, no review is complete without spinning up a bit of Primus. This time around, it was “Shake Hands With Beef.” The problem with this delightful track is that the entire album is a bit too distorted (something Les Claypool admits). Even so, the song sounded great out of the Kilburn III. Yes, the distortion was clear and apparent, but knowing that it was a part of the album made it easy to overlook.

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Primus places demands on speakers that other artists don’t, and when a speaker can handle all that slapping and thumping, you know you’ve got something special on your hands. I switched to “My Name Is Mud,” and the sound made me want to do that strange dance Claypool does when he plays. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Marshall Kilburn III is a bit pricey at $399, which makes it a hard sell to those on a budget. But if you want a speaker of this caliber, you know you’re going to have to pay the price. And given that the Kilburn III is capable of serious decibels without introducing distortion, if you have the money, you’ll find it worth every penny.

The Marshall Kilburn III is one of the best-sounding USB speakers I’ve heard in a long time, so asking me if it’s worth the cash will lead to a fairly predictable response. Even so, I do recommend the Kilburn III because of the rich sound, loud volume, and beautiful analog look and feel.

The specs

• Connectivity – Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast
• Controls – Analog volume, bass and treble control knobs
• Speakers – Two 2″ full-range speakers and one 4″ woofer, driven by three independent Class D amplifiers
• Cabinet – bass reflex
• Total system power – 50W (10W x 2 plus 30W for woofer)
• Frequency response: 45-20,000 Hz
• Rechargeable and replaceable battery delivers up to 50 hours of operation

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