Comparison Marshall Emberton II vs Marshall Willen

— Mono. The simplest type of acoustics is a single-channel audio system equipped with one speaker. Of course, there is no question of any volume of sound.

— Stereo. Acoustic system equipped with two speakers responsible for the left and right channels. Allows you to create a minimal illusion of "surround" sound by simulating the displacement of the sound source in the space in front of the listener.

— 2.1. A system of two stereo speakers that create a minimal illusion of "surround" sound, and a subwoofer that provides powerful and rich sound at low and ultra-low frequencies.

The SPL (Sound Pressure Level) parameter determines the sound volume of portable acoustics. This indicator is expressed in decibels (dB). The higher the SPL, the louder and farther the sound produced by the speaker travels. It is important to consider that decibel is a non-linear quantity. In other words, increasing the volume from 20 dB to 40 dB or from 40 to 80 dB does not mean increasing it by 2 times. Therefore, when making an assessment, it is most convenient to refer to comparative tables of noise levels in special sources.

The total power of all channels of the speaker system. The higher the power, the larger the size of the room in which the audio system can be used, however, more powerful portable speakers usually have larger dimensions and weight.

The range of audio frequencies reproduced by the audio system. The wider the range, the richer the sound, the more details the speakers can convey, especially in the low and high frequencies. At the same time, we note that the average human ear is able to hear sounds in the range of about 16 – 20,000 Hz, and it makes no sense to provide a wider range in speakers — a person simply will not hear it. Also note that a wide frequency range alone does not guarantee good sound quality.

- Speakerphone. Possibility of using portable sound system as a public address system for a mobile phone. In this mode, the sound system are connected to the device using Bluetooth, and the voice of the subscriber at the other end of the line is output not to the phone’s speaker, but through the speakers of the speaker system. This is often more convenient than holding the phone to your ear; In addition, speakerphone is useful if several people need to participate in a conversation.

— NFC chip. NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology (about 10 cm). It allows for many uses, but in portable speakers it is usually used as an addition to Bluetooth, making it easier to set up the communication. For example, a smartphone with an NFC module can simply be brought close to a speaker with the same function - and both devices will automatically recognize each other, and the user will only have to confirm the communication.

- Multipoint. A technology used in Bluetooth models that allows the speaker to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. Thanks to this, you can, for example, listen to music from a laptop, and when you receive a call on your mobile phone, switch the speakers to conversation. Different manufacturers have their own characteristics of this technology, and therefore, if the multipoint function is critical for you, it is worthwhile to...separately clarify the details of its operation in the selected model.

- Mobile app. The ability to operate the functions and settings of portable sound system through a mobile application for a smartphone or tablet. Communication between the device and gadgets is usually carried out via the Bluetooth wireless protocol. The proprietary software may provide tools for flexible sound settings (equalizer, bass boost, etc.), managing wireless connections, selecting a sound source, etc. Also, through a mobile application, it is often possible to update the firmware of portable sound system.

— Lighting effects. Such effects can be different - from a simple set of light bulbs blinking at a constant frequency, to advanced color and music systems that produce multi-colored patterns in time with the music being played. In any case, this function has more of an entertainment meaning and does not in any way affect the sound of the device.

- LCD display. Such a screen makes device management more intuitive: it can display the operating mode, equalizer settings, battery level, etc.

- Handle / strap. The presence of a handle or strap makes wearing the speaker more comfortable. So the handle is used mainly in large stereo speakers and makes them look like boomboxes ( radio tape recorders) of yesteryear. The strap can be used both for large speakers and for miniature ones, which allows you to hang them on your hand, on elements of a backpack, etc.

- Flashlight. Such a function most likely will not replace a high-end specialized flashlight. The power of the built-in flashlight is usually enough to illuminate at least a distance of 2 - 3 meters, and models with a bike mount (see above) can even play the role of a headlight (although, again, they are inferior to specialized bicycle lights).

— Carabiner A latch-like device that allows you to attach the speaker to items of clothing, backpack straps, etc.

- Bike mount. A special device designed to fix the speaker on a bicycle - usually on the handlebars, at the user's fingertips. Such models are often complemented by a speakerphone function that allows you to talk on the phone without taking your hands off the steering wheel.

Operating time of a portable audio system without connecting to an external power source (network or USB port, depending on the capabilities). Note that manufacturers tend to indicate battery life in their specifications under optimal conditions for energy saving: at low volume, without using additional functions, etc. Therefore, in fact, this indicator may be noticeably lower than the claimed one, and speakers with a long operating time will not sound at full volume for the specified hours.