Marshall has always been known not only for pleasing sound, but also for employing iconic aesthetic cues on its audio products. We finally see the company breathe some new life in its portable speaker lineup with the Emberton II, a successor to the original, and an all-new model called the Marshall Willen. The latter is now officially the most compact Bluetooth speaker in their roster. However, it is another attempt to prove that big sound can come in small packages.

The Marshall Willen comes in at a size that fits right in one hand. That’s quite impressive given the fact that it shelters a 2-inch full-range driver and 2 passive radiators. The design philosophy is maintained through a finish that appears like leather on the sides, while a grille dominates the face of the cube-shaped speaker. Gold “Marshall” text sprinkles the finishing touches on the device, branding it as no less of a device from the company than its stouter siblings.

Travelling with this speaker should be no issue at all. This is due to its IP67 rating which makes it resistant to dust and water, giving it further ruggedness. A strap comes installed too for hanging onto rails, wall fixtures, and anything you can think of. The device will keep playing your tunes for an advertised 15+ hours, while 3 hours is enough to top it back up. If someone calls during your sound trip, a built-in microphone will be capable enough to capture your voice and transmit it clearly to the other party.

Have a couple of friends with Marshall Willen units as well? Stack Mode allows for a multi-device listening session to turn a session into a full-blown party. Imagine that kind of functionality on the go.

The Emberton, formerly holding the throne for smallest Marshall speaker, delivered impressive sound for its compact size. We’re expecting a similar feat to be achieved by the Willen since it passed through the rigorous standards of the audio engineers over at Marshall.