Just after the debut of its first-ever Heston 120 soundbar, Marshall is ready to unleash the next-generation version of one of its flagship portable speakers to keep your summer adventures and get-togethers rocking. Pulling heavily from the physical design of the previous edition, the all-new Marshall Kilburn III is making its worldwide debut today with reengineered acoustics for better sound and a serious upgrade on battery life.
Marshall unveils next-gen Kilburn III portable speaker
As you can see from the imagery in this post, Marshall certainly hasn’t changed a ton in the aesthetics department. But considering its pedigree and reputation in the amplifier space these portable speakers are heavily inspired by, that wasn’t likely to happen anyway. The look and feel of its portable speakers are a major part of its identity in the space, and the new Kilburn III is carrying the tradition into the next-generation.
Where the series 3 Kilburn is different from the previous model is mostly on the inside. And frankly these speakers already look fantastic for me, so the internal upgrades are where it really counts.
The Kilburn III is once again rocking the brand’s 360° True Stereophonic sound “so you won’t miss a beat from wherever you’re standing.” This system largely relies on “a stereo arrangement with no blind spots” and a design that has been “engineered to be turned up loud, without compromising sound quality.”
The brand does specifically state the new model has “re-engineered acoustics,” but there are no real hardcore details on what exactly that means. Let’s say it is likely going to sound as good or better than the last model, but where it is making a tangible upgrade is in the battery life.
Marshall starts out introducing the world to the Kilburn III with a mention of its newfound 50+ hours of battery life for a reason. It does appear to be the major upgrade this time around, effectively more than doubling its portable playback prowess over the series 2 model. I’m not sure that’s going to be enough to upgrade for folks who love their Kilburn II, but it might be enough to skip over the less pricey previous models for those just looking for a bangin’ amp-style speaker.
Features at a glance from Marshall:
- 50+ HOURS OF PORTABLE PLAYTIME A speaker for inside and outside your home. Start track one in the bedroom, then listen to the encore on the balcony. With 50+ hours of portable playtime, your playlist will probably run out before the battery.
- TRUE STEREOPHONIC 360° sound finds you wherever you’re standing thanks to a stereo arrangement with no blind spot. Take in well-rounded mids, crisp highs, and bass that digs deep with improved tuning and wide-band drivers.
- DUST & WATER-RESISTANT (IP54) Kilburn III’s IP54 dust and water-resistant design makes it ready to deal with a splash of water or a bit of dirt. It won’t be bothered about a little spill from an overexcited house guest either.
- DYNAMIC LOUDNESS Turn the music right up without compromising on any musical detail. Kilburn III has been designed so that the bass, mids, and treble adjust perfectly no matter the volume.
- TACTILE CONTROLS Whether you want to customize your bass and treble, turn your speaker on or off, play, pause, and skip tracks, or use the M-button to instantly access presets.
- CHARGING BANK Power up your playlists and use Kilburn III to charge your phone whenever it needs a boost. Just plug in,and let your speaker do the rest.
Marshall has once again taken the classic aesthetic inspired by their amps and rock’n’roll heritage by incorporating intricate details such as tactile control knobs and a carrying strap lined with velvet that can be easily removed and reattached with guitar strap buttons. This is a design true to the brand and a classic that fits comfortably around any home. Kilburn III can be picked up and moved around without the bother of wires and power supplies.
The new Marshall Kilburn III will launch in a cream and black/brass colorway on June 10 with a $379.99 MSRP – that’s $180 more than the price you can pickup the Kilburn II for on Amazon right now.
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