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Following a Two-Month Period of Utilization, Marshall’s Emberton III Demonstrates Its Remarkable Sound in a Compact Form.

With a unique design and impressive audio, the Emberton III has become one of my preferred Bluetooth speakers. I own over two dozen Bluetooth speakers at home, yet I’ve always been drawn to Marshall products. A decade ago, I purchased the Stanmore, which has performed excellently over the years — I still use it regularly, and its sound quality is remarkable. I also appreciate the Kilburn II; however, it’s not the most travel-friendly option.

This is where the Emberton III shines. It’s not the tiniest Marshall speaker — that title goes to the Willen II — but its natural portability gives it a clear edge. Priced at $149 on Amazon, it’s significantly more budget-friendly compared to Marshall’s other offerings. The size is a crucial reason why I love the Emberton III, and in the past two months, I’ve utilized this speaker more than virtually any other.

Marshall’s speakers feature a striking design reminiscent of the brand’s legendary amplifiers, and the Emberton III follows suit. I appreciate that the brand adapted the design principles into a compact form, and the metal grille at the front, adorned with the embossed Marshall logo, enables the Emberton III to stand out aesthetically.

However, the real draw isn’t the appearance; it’s the audio quality where the Emberton III truly excels. The speaker delivers 20W of sound through dual 10W full-range drivers, alongside dual passive radiators. While 20W might seem modest compared to portable speakers like the Tribit StormBox Blast 2 that boast up to 200W, the Emberton III intelligently leverages its internal design to generate a much louder output than one might assume from its specifications.

Consequently, the Emberton III performs exceptionally well for its size; most of the time, I didn’t need to raise the volume above 60%. The sound profile is quintessentially Marshall; a prominent bass paired with a tight sub-bass is delightful, a detailed mid-range allows vocals and ensemble instruments to shine, and a clean treble free of sibilance rounds it out.

The drivers are positioned at an angle within the chassis, providing a captivating stereo soundstage. While there are no controls to adjust bass and treble levels like those on the Stanmore, the Marshall app allows for switching between three EQ modes. It may not offer extensive customization, but if you’re seeking additional bass emphasis, there’s an EQ setting for that purpose.

Essentially, the Emberton III delivers audio quality that matches its visual appeal, and I was continually impressed by its performance in this regard. Achieving this in an enclosure measuring just 160mm wide and weighing 1.2lb is a feat, and Marshall has done a fantastic job overall. Its compact size makes it effortless to carry the Emberton III anywhere, and the design clearly emphasizes durability. The speaker has endured its share of falls in the past two months and emerged unscathed.

There are additional perks; the Emberton III features IP67 ingress protection, making it perfect for poolside or shower use. It includes a built-in microphone for taking calls on the speaker, which is a worthwhile feature. You’ll also find convenient onboard controls; a multi-function knob on top allows you to adjust volume, play or pause media, and navigate tracks. A dedicated Bluetooth button activates pairing mode, and there’s a power button along with a battery life indicator.

Battery performance is commendable too; I achieved over 24 hours of use at higher volumes, surpassing most other speakers within this category. Charging the battery via USB-C takes just over two hours, and a quick charge delivers up to six hours of music playback with a 20-minute charge.

It connects using Bluetooth 5.3, and I encountered no issues with range or connectivity. I tried the Emberton III with my Pixel 10 Pro XL, Galaxy Z Fold 7, Vivo X200 Ultra, and various Android phones. The only drawback regarding connectivity is the absence of AptX codecs; it supports only the standard SBC and AAC.

If you’ve already committed to Marshall’s products or are seeking a standout portable Bluetooth speaker, the Emberton III is an obvious choice. Its compact size makes it transportable, and the robust design, coupled with IP67 dust and water resistance, prepares it for any environment.

The audio quality is where the Emberton III surpasses other products I’ve used in the past year; it gets louder, offers more detail, and produces an unexpectedly rich sound given its size. The asking price of $149 is at the higher end, but you’re investing in a speaker that outperforms nearly everything else in this category.

Don’t let its compact dimensions deceive you;

New Meta Quest Games Highlight the Timeless Charm of VR

Quest games were somewhat overlooked at Meta Connect. However, the new Star Wars and D&D VR games sparked a sense of childlike wonder and creativity.

At Meta Connect 2025, Quest headsets were not the main focus. Zuckerberg directed attention towards smart glasses and indicated a pivot towards 3D media like Avatar in Meta’s VR strategy. Yet, during my time at Connect, just a few minutes of Star Wars podracing, Dungeons & Dragons skirmishes, and Deadpool action reminded me of the enchanting impact of VR gaming.

Experiencing the Meta Ray-Ban Displays and running alongside the Oakley Meta Vanguards was thrilling. It offers a different type of excitement, centered around convenience and merging technology with daily activities or fitness.

However, when I engaged with the demo for Star Wars: Beyond Victory, I was instantly taken back to my childhood memories of podracing on the N64 or playing with my small collection of Star Wars figurines. Additionally, the new Demeo x D&D VR game transported me back to my high school tabletop roleplaying days.

This serves as a reminder that, although the Quest 3 and Quest 3S may not be at the forefront or be Meta’s main concern, they continue to be as immersive and transformative as before.

Rekindling the imaginative thrill of Star Wars

ILM’s game has a somewhat generic title, but Beyond Victory is basically a blend of Podracing VR and Star Wars Action Figure VR. Each offered unique escapism to a distant galaxy.

The primary story mode places you in the podracing circuit under the guidance of Anakin’s former rival, Sebulba. However, it diverges from the expected first-person cockpit view for VR; instead, it adopts a top-down racing format requiring quick reactions to obstacles and power-ups appearing in the gameplay area.

Those fond of the N64 version might have preferred a first-person experience with cockpit immersion, akin to Squadrons. Instead, ILM opted for a playful tone reminiscent of driving Hot Wheels toy cars on motorized loop tracks.

I need to sharpen my reflexes to excel in the game, but I felt the same nostalgic thrill that emerged when I played podracing on the N64 or first viewed the film as a child.

Conversely, the Playset mode has a straightforward concept: what if you wanted to position a Stormtrooper in a Karate Kid stance, battling C-3PO wielding a lightsaber, or have a massive Darth Vader crushing tiny rebels? The answer is, you can, and I did!

It’s not “gameplay” in the conventional sense (though you can use weapons to “eliminate” figures). Beyond Victory’s Playset mode offers a sandbox limited by your creativity, ideally for the Gorilla Tag audience, yet still an enjoyable pastime for those young at heart, revisiting their imaginative play.

D&D, Deadpool, and the nostalgic memories

I had the opportunity to experience the Deadpool VR demo earlier this year and loved the creatively brutal combat, witty meta-dialogue, and striking comic-style visuals. I revisited it at Connect 2025, just to relive the intense youthful joy.

While gaming today, I often keep one eye on my phone or play a podcast in the background. I find it hard to devote hours to games or fully engage with a world, feeling anchored by real-life issues and the hustle.

But engaging in Deadpool and Batman: Arkham Shadow in VR brings a refreshing sensation of stepping into the pages of a comic book, roleplaying how these characters would act and battle. Games like these in VR still possess that unique ability to transport me elsewhere, reminiscent of earlier times.

I also enjoyed playing Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked with three others — exploring a tabletop setting and defeating enemies as a crafty rogue — for similar nostalgic reasons.

I once engaged in my fair share of tabletop RPGs (mainly D&D) and board games, but my friends gradually transitioned to lunches and bars when they struggled to devote hours to rolling dice and roleplaying.

Demeo isn’t intricate or driven by narrative like Baldur’s Gate 3. Instead, Resolution Games created a straightforward game that revives that feeling of hanging out with high school friends around a table during weekends, without being overly complicated.

The magic of VR gaming endures

After spending a brief time on the VR titles mentioned, Zuckerberg dedicated more time to discussing “3D storytelling,” the new Horizon TV app, and how VR films will attract a new generation of users to Quest. They even invited James Cameron to the stage to discuss his vision for 3D content.

This shift in priorities doesn’t surprise me: Meta’s Chris Pruett spoke at GDC 2025