Pros:
– Surprisingly powerful sound for its size
– Extremely portable
– Included strap makes it easier to lug around
– Sturdy design with water-resistance and dustproof with IP67 rating
– Premium, iconic design
– Solid value for money
– Easy to use, clutter-free app
– Quick charge feature
Cons:
– Bass can be a bit underwhelming
– Does not get very loud
– Limited EQ options in the Marshall App. No custom option
Price: Rs 12,499
Rating: 4.5/5
If you’re thinking about diving into Marshall’s speaker ecosystem, the Willen II Bluetooth speaker is a fantastic place to start. It delivers that classic Marshall sound and iconic design, all wrapped up in a super compact package. Depending on how you look at it, the price might seem a bit steep for what it offers, or it could be exactly what you’re looking for.
At Rs 12,499, the Willen II is priced similarly to competitors like Bose, Sony, and JBL. When it comes to sound quality, these brands can go head-to-head all day long. But where the Willen II truly shines is in its sound clarity, compact size, and a unique strap that lets you hang it from a hook or tie it to a pole, making it incredibly versatile.
Of course, the Willen II isn’t without its drawbacks. If you’re someone who loves deep, thumping bass, this speaker might not satisfy you. It offers a flatter, more nuanced sound, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
That said, the overall package is hard to beat — the blend of portability and sound quality is impressive. It’s small enough to slip into your bag without adding noticeable weight, and the strap allows for easy attachment to your bag’s handle or strap.
So, how does the Marshall Willen II stack up? Is it worth the Rs 12,500 price tag? Given its combination of style, sound, and portability, it’s certainly worth considering, especially if you value clarity and design in a compact form.
Marshall Willen II Bluetooth Speaker Review: Design
The Marshall Willen II continues the brand’s tradition of impressive design, housed in a rubber enclosure with a leather-like texture and a gold metal grille on the front, reminiscent of Marshall’s iconic amps from the past. It’s available in two classic colour options: Black and Brass, or Cream.
When you pick it up, the Willen II feels surprisingly heavy for such a small speaker, almost to the point of being shocking when you first handle it. For those not familiar with speaker technology, the weight can be a good sign, often indicating higher quality. A heavier speaker typically means it can produce a broader range of frequencies, especially in the lower end. So, the moment I felt its heft, I had a good feeling that the sound would be impressive.
The speaker features a nicely recessed multidirectional control button on the front grille, along with a red LED on the top to show battery life. With an IP67 rating, the Willen II is ready for outdoor adventures, whether at the beach or on a hike. The handy strap lets you easily attach it to a backpack or hang it up at camp.
Compact, durable, and easy to carry, the Willen II might not rattle windows, but it’s the kind of speaker you’ll appreciate having with you wherever you go.
Controlling the Willen II is straightforward with just two buttons: a Bluetooth pairing button on top and a multidirectional joystick-like control button on the front grille. The joystick control, a signature feature of Marshall speakers, is as intuitive and satisfying as ever, far surpassing the typical ‘double-click’ controls found on most Bluetooth speakers.
Although there are no labels around the joystick, it’s intuitive to use.
A single push plays or pauses music, pushing it left or right skips tracks, and holding it left or right lets you scrub through the track. You adjust the volume by pushing it up or down. For phone calls, a single push answers or ends a call, while a double push rejects a call.
The extra weight of the Willen II also speaks to its solid build quality. The construction is robust and rugged, and with its IP67 waterproofing, the Willen II is well-protected against accidental damage, making it an excellent choice for outdoor use.
Even though there’s no cover for the USB-C port, the Willen II’s IP67 rating means it can handle being submerged in up to half a meter of water for 30 minutes without issue.
Marshall is also making strides in sustainability with the Willen II. The speaker is made from 70 per cent recycled plastic, sourced from old electronics and CDs, and it’s completely PVC-free, avoiding one of the most harmful plastics. Specifically, 30 per cent of the product’s total plastic content is GRS-certified post-consumer recycled plastic.
Marshall Willen II Bluetooth Speaker Review: Functionality & Software
Pairing the Marshall Willen II with your smartphone or laptop is incredibly straightforward, just as you’d expect from a Bluetooth speaker. If you’re already familiar with Marshall’s audio devices and their app, you’ll appreciate their no-nonsense approach — keeping things simple without any unnecessary fluff.
The Willen II comes with a companion app available for both iOS and Android, which is quite common for Bluetooth speakers these days. The app offers a few basic features like selecting the EQ and applying firmware updates. Thankfully, the app is user-friendly and doesn’t overwhelm you with a bunch of unnecessary options.
Unlike many other speakers that provide an extensive range of customization options for the sound signature, the Willen II keeps things straightforward. You get to choose from just three EQ options: Marshall, which gives you a balanced and nuanced sound; Push, which boosts the bass and treble a bit more; and Voice, which emphasizes the treble and mids.
The Willen connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.3 LE, supporting connections with up to two devices at once, and it can remember up to eight devices. A standout feature is that the Willen II is the only speaker in Marshall’s current Bluetooth lineup with a built-in microphone, so you can take calls directly through the speaker.
Marshall also includes a feature called Stack, which allows users to connect multiple Marshall speakers. Unfortunately, we didn’t have another Marshall speaker on hand to test this out with the Willen II. However, since the Willen II uses Bluetooth LE, it’s likely that it could support Auracast broadcast, though we couldn’t confirm this firsthand.
Marshall Willen II Bluetooth Speaker Review: Audio
For this review, we tested the Willen II by pairing it with an iPhone, mainly using Apple Music and YouTube for tunes, and Netflix for streaming shows.
The speaker packs a 2-inch 10W full-range dynamic driver, accompanied by two passive radiators, all powered by a 38W Class D amplifier. Together, they deliver sound across a frequency range of 75Hz to 20KHz, which is pretty impressive.
Given its small size, the Willen II doesn’t get overwhelmingly loud at maximum volume. But don’t get me wrong, it’s still plenty powerful for a small room. However, some might note that there are other speakers in this price range that can push a bit more bass, making them sound louder. The downside with those, though, is that they often muddy up the bass or aren’t as finely tuned for the mid-range, which is something many people seem to overlook.
One of the great things about the Willen II is that even when you crank it up, the sound stays balanced without much distortion. It handled bass-heavy tracks like “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar, Hanumankind’s “Big Dawgs,” and “Taambdi Chaamdi” by Kratex & Shreyas with finesse.
For songs where the bass isn’t the star, like Passenger’s “Let Her Go” or vocal-heavy tracks by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, the Willen II really shines. The vocals hit a sweet spot between rich low-mids and crisp high-mids, coming through clear and strong, with no noticeable gaps or muddiness.
Instrument separation is another plus — each instrument stands out clearly without blending into each other, giving the overall sound excellent clarity. When listening to rock, you’ll feel the thump of the bass drum and bass guitar, hear clear vocals, and the guitar solo will pop right when it should. That said, some elements like the rhythm guitar, keys, and hi-hats might blend a bit into the background.
Interestingly, when we turned the volume down, the bass didn’t disappear, which is something even larger and pricier speakers often struggle with. At normal listening levels, there was no distortion at all. Plus, during a casual listening session, we never felt the need to push the volume to the max.
Due to its compact size, the Willen II isn’t able to replicate the deep sub-bass you’d get from bigger speakers. However, its well-balanced sound profile makes it versatile and enjoyable for a wide range of music.
Marshall Willen II Bluetooth Speaker Review: Battery life
Marshall claims that the Willen II can last over 17 hours on a single charge, but in our experience, we managed around 14 hours, which is still quite respectable. Of course, this can vary depending on how you use it and the settings you choose.
As for charging, the speaker powers up pretty quickly with its USB-C port. However, a full charge does take about 2 hours. The good news is that a quick 20-minute charge will give you around 5 to 5.5 hours of playtime, which is great if you’re in a hurry.
Marshall Willen II Bluetooth Speaker Review: Verdict
Priced at Rs 12,499, the Marshall Willen II does come in a bit pricier than some of its competitors. However, it offers a cleaner and more refined audio experience compared to most. The trade-off, though, is that it sacrifices some of its loudness at peak volume for that clarity.
Despite this, the speaker’s sound quality and overall build are excellent for the price. What you have to remember is that good audio products that last are not cheap by any means. Look at any offering from Sonos, B&O or Klipsch and you will know what we are on about. So what you’re getting here is a budget speaker, that delivers outstanding value for money.
The Marshall Willen II is perfect for those who want a robust, portable speaker that sounds great on the go. Its rugged construction and beautiful design are standout features, ensuring you’ll get years of reliable use. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a party lover, or someone who enjoys just sitting back to relax on a lazy Sunday evening with some slow tunes in the background, the Willen II provides consistent quality across volume.
All in all, the Marshall Willen II strikes a fine balance between features and impressive sound quality, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a top-notch audio experience but doesn’t wish to spend much. The speaker exudes quality and justifies its price, thanks to its solid performance across a variety of music genres.