Marshall Willen II specifications and in-depth review

Marshall Willen II

Manufacturer: Marshall

The Marshall Willen II is a compact portable speaker designed for on-the-go use, built around an IP67-rated waterproof and dustproof enclosure that can handle submersion up to one meter. Weighing 360 grams and measuring 100.5 mm on each side with a 43.4 mm profile, it strikes a balance between portability and presence. A passive radiator works alongside the single driver to extend the low-end response, with a stated frequency range running from 75 Hz up to 20,000 Hz.

Connectivity is handled through Bluetooth 5.3, which supports both LE Audio and Auracast, with a maximum wireless range of 100 meters. The speaker delivers 38W of audio output from a single driver channel, reaching a sound pressure level of 88 dB/mW. Battery life is rated at 17 hours with a 2.5-hour charge time via the USB Type-C port, and a battery level indicator is included. Additional features include a sleep timer, voice prompts, a physical control panel on the unit itself, and smartphone remote support through a companion app.

Pros
  • IP67 rating means it is fully dustproof and can be submerged in water up to one meter, making it well-suited for outdoor or wet environments
  • 17-hour battery life allows extended use between charges, with a relatively short 2.5-hour recharge time
  • Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and Auracast support adds modern wireless broadcasting capability rarely found at this size
  • A passive radiator helps extend low-frequency response down to 75 Hz within a compact 360-gram enclosure
  • USB Type-C port is used for charging, a current and widely compatible standard
  • A battery level indicator removes guesswork about remaining charge during use
Cons
  • No stereo speaker configuration or stereo pairing support limits the audio to a single-channel mono output
  • No aptX, AAC, LDAC, or any other advanced Bluetooth audio codec is supported, restricting audio transmission options
  • Neither a 3.5 mm audio jack nor an AUX input is available, making wired audio playback impossible
  • Wireless charging is not supported, requiring a cable to recharge
  • The microphone does not feature noise cancellation, which may affect call clarity in louder settings
  • No mute function is available, which can be inconvenient during calls or when temporarily silencing playback
Who is this for?

This speaker is a strong fit for users who frequently take it into demanding outdoor environments — its IP67 waterproof rating with one-meter submersion tolerance makes it a practical choice for beach trips, hiking, or poolside use without concern for water or dust damage. The 17-hour battery life supports full-day outings without needing a recharge, and the compact 360-gram form factor means it travels easily. Users who value modern wireless standards will also appreciate the Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and Auracast support, which suits those who want to broadcast audio to multiple listeners simultaneously.

Who is this NOT for?

This speaker is less suited to users who prioritize high-fidelity stereo playback, as it outputs a single-channel mono configuration with no stereo pairing option. Listeners who rely on advanced Bluetooth codecs such as aptX, AAC, or LDAC for higher-quality wireless audio will find no support for any of them here. It is also a poor match for those who need wired audio connectivity, since there is no 3.5 mm jack or AUX input available, and anyone hoping to use it for hands-free calls in noisy settings will be limited by the standard single microphone with no noise cancellation.

Design:

Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP67
volume 438.35085 cm³
drivers count 1
has a neodymium magnet
control panel placed on a device
water resistance Waterproof
travel bag is included
has a touch screen
has RGB lighting
has a detachable cable
is a neckband speaker
has a remote control
weight 360 g
waterproof depth rating 1 m
height 100.5 mm
width 100.5 mm
thickness 43.4 mm

The Marshall Willen II has a compact, symmetrical footprint measuring 100.5 mm in both height and width with a thickness of 43.4 mm, and a total volume of 438.35 cm³, making it a genuinely pocketable unit at 360 grams. Its IP67 rating confirms full dustproofing and waterproofing, with a submersion tolerance of up to one meter. Physical controls are mounted directly on the device, while there is no remote control, touch screen, RGB lighting, detachable cable, or included travel bag. The speaker does not use a neodymium magnet in its driver configuration and is not a neckband-style design.

Sound quality:

has stereo speakers
has a subwoofer
highest frequency 20000 Hz
lowest frequency 75 Hz
audio output power 1 x 38W
Has a passive radiator
number of microphones 1
has a noise-canceling microphone
sound pressure level 88 dB/mW
has a magnetic shielding

The Marshall Willen II runs a single-channel configuration delivering 38W of audio output through one driver, with no stereo speaker setup or dedicated subwoofer. Its frequency response spans from 75 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and a passive radiator is included to help reinforce the low end without requiring an additional active driver. The sound pressure level is rated at 88 dB/mW. For voice calls or voice capture, a single microphone is built in, though it does not feature noise cancellation. The speaker also lacks magnetic shielding.

Power:

Battery life 17 hours
charge time 2.5 hours
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery
has a removable battery
has wireless charging

The Marshall Willen II is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery that is not user-removable and does not support wireless charging, requiring a wired connection to recharge. Battery life is rated at 17 hours, with a full charge taking 2.5 hours. A battery level indicator is included, allowing users to monitor remaining charge without guesswork.

Connectivity:

Bluetooth version 5.3
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has an AUX input
has aptX Lossless
has LDAC
has aptX Adaptive
has aptX HD
has aptX
has aptX Low Latency
has AAC
has AirPlay
has Chromecast built-in
has Auracast
has Bluetooth LE Audio
maximum Bluetooth range 100 m
supports Wi-Fi
USB ports 1
Has USB Type-C
has a 3.5mm male connector
has an external memory slot
is DLNA-certified
supports Ethernet
has a microphone input

The Marshall Willen II connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3, with a maximum stated range of 100 meters, and supports both LE Audio and Auracast for broader broadcasting flexibility. NFC pairing is not available. On the wired side, the speaker includes one USB Type-C port but does not offer a 3.5 mm audio jack, AUX input, 3.5 mm male connector, external memory slot, microphone input, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi. None of the common Bluetooth audio codecs are supported, including aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, aptX Low Latency, AAC, or LDAC, and the speaker is not compatible with AirPlay, Chromecast, or DLNA.

Features:

Can be used wirelessly
supports a remote smartphone
has fast pairing
has voice commands
Has a radio
Has voice prompts
has a mute function
works as a power bank
has a sleep timer

The Marshall Willen II operates fully wirelessly and supports smartphone remote control, allowing playback management from a paired device. Voice prompts are built in to provide audio feedback, and a sleep timer is available for timed playback. Fast pairing, voice commands, and a mute function are not supported, and the speaker cannot function as a power bank. It also does not include a radio tuner.

Miscellaneous:

supports pairing for stereo sound

The Marshall Willen II does not support stereo pairing, meaning it cannot be linked with a second unit to create a two-channel stereo configuration.

Final Verdict

The Marshall Willen II is a compact portable speaker built around a clear set of priorities: outdoor resilience, extended battery life, and modern wireless connectivity. Its IP67 waterproofing combined with 17 hours of playback makes it a dependable companion for users who spend time in unpredictable environments and need a speaker that keeps up without constant recharging. The addition of Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and Auracast support positions it at the more capable end of the wireless spectrum for this form factor. That said, its mono-only output, absence of advanced audio codecs, and lack of any wired audio input mean it is not designed for the discerning listener seeking high-fidelity or versatile connectivity. For users whose main concern is durability and all-day wireless use in outdoor settings, the Willen II delivers a focused and coherent feature set; those with broader audio demands will need to look elsewhere.

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