Marshall Kilburn III: two-minute review

The Marshall Kilburn III is the latest entry in the brand's mid-sized Bluetooth speaker range, aiming to combine huge, impactful audio with a pleasingly portable design. It’s also a model that hopes to outdo its predecessor, delivering far superior battery life, refined looks, and revamped acoustics. But that all comes with quite a bump up in price. So, is the Kilburn III truly worth the additional spend?

Well, given the truly swathing improvements across the board, I honestly believe that the answer is "yes". Some of the upgrades here are totally game-changing, none more so than the boost to battery life. The Marshall Kilburn III can offer 50 hours – yes, 50 hours – of playtime, which is more than double its predecessor, at just over 20 hours. That bolstered battery life means that the Kilburn III has more playtime than any other Marshall speaker – and far more than the majority of competition in this size and price category.

What really makes this model stand out – even compared to some of the best Bluetooth speakers – is its stellar audio performance. But let me be clear, other enhancements, such as an IP54 dust- and water-resistance rating, sleeker overall build and a premium gold control panel all come together to make the Kilburn III so much better than its predecessor, the Marshall Kilburn II.

Yes, the Kilburn III has fully reengineered acoustics, as well as bolstered 360-degree stereophonic sound. And the results from these adjustments are astonishingly good. This speaker served up incredibly clean, impactful bass, fantastically expressive mids, and energetic treble. No matter the genre of music you throw at it – it could be classical, it could be house, it could be rock – the Kilburn III nails it all, with beautifully full-sounding, omni-directional audio that’s seriously addictive.

It's also super-easy to adjust sound to your taste, either using the tactile knobs on top of the speaker, or via the Marshall app. The companion software opens up a number of EQ presets, a five-band equalizer, and even Placement Compensation, which optimizes audio for your space. It really is so easy to forge a sound that’s tailored to you, wherever you’re listening.

There are a bunch more features to unlock, too, such as battery preservation, Auracast, and charging bank functionality – which enables you to charge your phone through the Kilburn III’s USB-C port.

Arguably, though, the biggest draw of this model is its stunning looks. We’ve come to expect boundless beauty from Marshall over the years, with its eye-catching retro, amp-inspired design work translating beautifully into the world of speakers, headphones, and now even soundbars, following the launch of the five star-rated Marshall Heston 120. And it's no different with the Kilburn III.

Unlike the Kilburn II, gorgeous golden details used here for the logo and the controls really hammer home a premium feel. Pair that with neat speaker grilles on the front and reverse sides, pleasant knob and switch controls, as well as a red velvet-infused strap, and you’re looking at a masterclass in design.

The catch, as I flagged earlier, is that you’ll have to splash a fair amount of cash for the Kilburn III’s services. It will set you back $379 / £299 / AU$599 – which is by no means cheap. And it's also $80 / £50 / AU$100 more than the Kilburn II cost at launch. Having said that, the improvements are seismic and this is a model that's right up there with premium rivals such as the Sonos Move 2 and Bose SoundLink Max.

All in all, the Marshall Kilburn III is an exemplary Bluetooth speaker that absolutely aces everything that matters most. Amazing sound? Check. Luxury looks? Check. And a tasty set of features? Also, check.

Sure, if you want an option that’s perfect for taking to the beach, its IP54 durability may not quite do the trick, and I’d point you in the direction of our best waterproof speakers guide. But if you want a true statement piece with class-leading battery life and audacious audio, this is one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market.

Marshall Kilburn III review: price and release date

• $379 / £299 / AU$599
• Launched in May 2025

The Marshall Kilburn III first released at the end of May 2025, almost seven years after its predecessor, the Kilburn II. It has a list price of $379 / £299 / AU$599, which is $80 / £50 / AU$100 more than the Kilburn II at the point of release. But the price reflects a slew of improvements, which I’ll tackle in depth below.

You can grab the Kilburn III in either Black & Brass or Cream, but the variant you select should have little to no impact on the price you pay for the speaker.

Marshall Kilburn III review: specs

Marshall Kilburn III review: features

• Effective Placement Compensation
• Nifty companion app with decent EQ options
• Colossal battery life

The Marshall Kilburn III has many of the key features you’d be looking for in a modern Bluetooth speaker. You get all the basics, such as multi-point connectivity and fast-pairing, but there’s so much more to unlock in the Marshall app.

For instance, there’s Placement Compensation, where you can state if the speaker is positioned close to an edge, a wall or corner, and the speaker will adapt its audio output accordingly. I tried all of the different calibrations and found that the adjustments all make a significant difference, so ensure that you have the right setup for your space.

There are also some tasty EQ options to sink your teeth into. Yes, gone are the days of simply making adjustments to the bass and treble; Marshall has included a five-band equalizer here, enabling you to make a custom EQ that's to your taste. Alternatively, you can pick from a number of presets, such as bass, mid, and treble boost.

Some other nuggets include: battery preservation options, such as the choice to lower charging speed if temperature is outside the ideal range; Auracast broadcast tune-in; and M-button customization, which enables you to alter the function of the "M" shortcut on the speaker’s control panel.

The bottom line is, all of the crucial features are present – and super-easy to play around with in the Marshall app. Although, there are a few omissions that you’ll find on rival speakers.

For instance, there’s no built-in mic for high-quality, hands-free calling, something you’ll find on a model such as the Sony ULT Field 3. In addition, there’s no multi-speaker pairing (ie. no JBL PartyBoost equivalent), so if 100% volume isn’t enough or you want to create a multi-room setup over Bluetooth, it may be worth checking out a larger option in our guide to the best party speakers. I don’t typically keep multiple units of the same speaker at hand, and I prefer to keep calls more private, meaning neither of these missing features bothered me all too much.

Perhaps the best feature of this speaker, though, is its ridiculously long battery life. It delivers 50 hours of playtime, which is far, far more than most rivals in its price and weight class. Even the brilliant JBL Xtreme 4 can only just knock out 30 hours with PlayTime Boost active. Combine that with the ability to charge external devices via the speaker’s USB-C port, and you’re looking at a true powerhouse.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Marshall Kilburn III review: sound quality

• "True" 360-degree stereophonic sound
• Incredible bass output
• But overall sound is still brilliantly balanced

I was lucky enough to have the chance to try the Kilburn III out early at Marshall’s HQ in Stockholm, Sweden, so I already had a decent idea of this speaker’s talents. However, having spent a bit more time with it at our music testing room at Future Labs, I have realized that the Kilburn III is even better than I’d first thought.

One of the first things that struck me about this speaker was its booming bass output – something I also loved about the brand’s Heston 120 soundbar. When blasting Keep That Groove by Vitess, the pumping low-end was translated ultra-cleanly, with no noticeable distortion or muffling. Bass didn't ever overpower synths or vocals, and I didn’t even feel the need to activate the Bass Boost EQ mode!

The Kilburn III treated me to clear audio, even when I pumped out the tunes seriously loudly. For instance, when playing One-Winged Angel by Nobuo Uematsu, the piercing strings, ominous bass drums, and fear-inducing vocals culminated beautifully, never outshining one another. This is in part thanks to the Kilburn III’s dynamic loudness tech, which automatically adjusts bass, mids, and treble, so you don’t lose out on any detail.

Speaking of which, the Kilburn III is able to put up a pleasingly intricate performance, even though it lacks any "hi-res" Bluetooth codec support such as LDAC or aptX Adaptive. Leading sax from In The Pocket by Eric Darius danced through our testing room, sounding tonally accurate and unrestricted, resulting in a nuanced and expressive interpretation of the track. And thanks to the speaker’s "true" stereophonic sound, it didn’t matter where I was listening from – I got full-sounding, clear audio at every angle.

Even instrument separation surprised me after throwing on Vantablack by Intervals, with in-your-face electric guitar sounds well defined in the mix, even with a deep, powerful bassline and thrashing drums running throughout.

I really did throw a huge variety of tracks at the Kilburn III, and I was truly blown away by its ability to effortlessly handle anything sent its way.

With an all-action rock banger such as Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz, intertwining guitars sounded satisfyingly forward, with drums expertly positioned for a next-level listening experience. And with an upbeat dance track – something perhaps not associated with Marshall – such as A Fresh Energy by Gaskin, pumping bass was never lethargic, while higher-pitched percussive elements came through with incredible vibrancy.

The Kilburn III really is a Jack of all trades…but it's also a master of each one.

• Sound quality score: 5/5

Marshall Kilburn III review: design

• Stunning amp-inspired looks
• Excellent physical controls
• IP54 waterproofing is better, but nothing special

I already own the Marshall Stanmore III and have always adored the way it looks in my living room setup. I just love the retro feel of the amp-inspired design Marshall uses for its speakers, so you won’t be shocked to hear I very much like the look of the Kilburn III.

It has a premium-looking faux leather outercasing, stunningly finished speaker grilles on its front and reverse side, a gold-plated control panel, and sleek handle that has a red velvet underside. I didn’t so much like the white logo and black control panel on the Kilburn II – but this new model feels far more high-end, and it's one that is going to look like a true statement piece in any living space.

When I spoke to Marshall about the Kilburn III, that sense of the speaker being a "statement piece" was strong in the mind. I was assured that the speaker wasn't meant to compete with the company's rugged models – think the Marshall Middleton or Marshall Emberton III. And that may explain its sort of "meh" waterproof rating.

The Kilburn III is just IP54 dust- and waterproof-rated, meaning it's only really protected against splashing water, not water jets or full on submersion. Of course, a lot of portable Bluetooth speakers are now IP67-rated – sometimes higher – so if you’re looking for the most rough-and-ready model around, you should probably look elsewhere.

Regardless, there are other design aspects of the Kilburn III of which I am a fan. First of all, the tactile knobs on top of the speaker are incredibly effective and well built. You can alter volume, bass, or treble levels with these. There’s also a pin control, which makes a return from other Marshall models, for switching the speaker on or off. Perhaps the most interesting physical control, though, is the "M" button, which can be set to a variety of functions – such as sifting through EQ options – via the Marshall app.

On the reverse side of the speaker, you'll also find a USB-C port to charge the speaker or external devices, as well as a 3.5mm AUX port if you want to indulge in wired listening.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Marshall Kilburn III review: value

• More expensive than its predecessor…
• …but a seismic improvement across the board
• Well-priced against rivals

I’ve flagged it a couple of times in this review, but the Marshall Kilburn III is significantly more expensive than its predecessor. Given the sheer scale and breadth of improvements, though, I think it’s totally worth it.

Battery life is much improved, it has a more premium design, and the re-engineered acoustics have taken the revamped Kilburn to new heights. Even around that $400 / £300 / AU$600 zone, it sounds well-worth every penny.

And even against some similar-sized competitors, I wouldn’t consider the Kilburn III to be overpriced. For instance, 2024’s JBL Xtreme 4 launched at $379 / £329 / AU$499, and after testing both models side-by-side, I'd give Marshall’s effort the slight edge sonically. Of course, given its age, you can often find the JBL Xtreme 4 on sale now, though.

On top of that, this model is cheaper than the Bose SoundLink Max at the point of release, which often still goes for the full $399 / £399 / AU$599. So, the Kilburn III is far from the priciest in its weight class.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Marshall Kilburn III?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Marshall Kilburn III review: also consider

Marshall Kilburn III review: how I tested

• Tested for one week
• Mainly used in our music testing facility at Future Labs
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Marshall Kilburn III over a week-long period, making use of its full set of features, playing hours of music, and assessing all aspects of its design. I mainly used the speaker in our music testing room at Future Labs, so that I could judge audio quality in an isolated, controlled environment.

When blasting tunes, I mainly used Tidal, but I occasionally played songs over Spotify too. As always, I started the testing process by streaming tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist, but I also listened to a ton of tracks from my own personal library. I ran a comparison test with the JBL Xtreme 4 to assess aspects such as sub-bass output, instrument separation, and sonic detail.

I’ve tested all sorts of audio equipment during my time at TechRadar, from flagship headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM6, through to home cinema products such as the Marshall Heston 120. I’ve reviewed an array of speakers along the way from brands such as Sony, JBL, and, of course, Marshall. As a result, I’m more than familiar with the Kilburn III’s rivals, as well as what it takes for a speaker to stand out in a highly competitive market.

• First reviewed: July 2025
• Read more about how we test

Tribit Stormbox Lava: Two-minute review

A new Bluetooth speaker has erupted, boasting booming bass output that will make you “feel the heartbeat of the earth”. So yes, enter the Tribit Stormbox Lava. This semi-cylindrical party speaker aims to supply powerful sound and a rugged build in one budget-friendly package. It comes in with a list price of $129.99 / £111 (about AU$200) which is really quite modest for a medium-large sized option like this.

As some of you may have suspected given that low price-tag, feeling the earth’s heartbeat may be a slight exaggeration. And you’d be correct. Sure, you can get bold, room-filling low-end output from the Tribit Stormbox Lava, but it struggles to knock those really deep notes out of the park, even after some EQ adjustment.

General audio quality is decent, but hardly as red-hot as some of the best Bluetooth speakers. Out of the box, the standard tuning is a little bloated, with sounds in the mid-range often smothered by rumbling low-end frequencies. That can often be the case when you activate XBass too – a mode which ramps up low sounds even further and will cause the speaker’s solid 24 hour battery life to deplete at a faster rate.

With a bit of tuning, you can get relatively clean sound for a speaker close to $100 / £100. It’s never going to get ultra-detailed or airy, especially with the lack of ‘hi-res’ codecs like LDAC, but it’s certainly clear enough for house parties or outdoor events with lots of background noise.

And this speaker truly is party-ready, no matter the surroundings. It has a rugged build – similar to that of the JBL Xtreme 4 and, like the best waterproof speakers, has the IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating, protecting it against grime and underwater submersion. Other practical elements include an interchangeable handle and strap, AUX port for wired listening and a USB-A port for charging external devices – though I would’ve preferred to see a more 2025-friendly USB-C slot substituted in.

The basic but handy Tribit app is back too, opening up access to a ten-band equaliser and a bunch of EQ presets, voice prompt settings and multi-speaker pairing. Speaking of, you can actually link more than 160 of the same model together. I didn’t get the chance to validate that, of course, but still…I’m sure 160 of these at once could create quite a racket.

I think the most disappointing aspect of the Tribit Stormbox Lava is that really, it does very little to appear on-theme and validate its strong name. Yes, the whole Lava thing may be more in reference to bass than anything else, but surely it could’ve inspired a more volcanic, explosive design? The Stormbox Lava is a plain, black speaker that does very little to stand out from the crowd.

Another issue I ran into was that sound would cut out for half a second whenever I adjusted volume, but I’d hope this will be remedied in a future firmware update. Otherwise, there’s a lot to like about this affordable party speaker. It can’t compete with more sonically talented speakers like the Bose SoundLink Max or even its cousin, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2. But if you can grab it for around $100 / £100 it's a reasonable, cheap option that’s worth a look.

I’d argue that the original Tribit Stormbox Blast is a stronger alternative thanks to its regimented bass floor, eye-catching looks and USB-C out port. And given it's regularly available for less than $200 / £150, it beats the Stormbox Lava for sound-for-pound value – so long as you’re OK with a more boombox-like appearance.

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Price and release date

• $129.99 / £111 (about AU$200)
• Launched in March 2025

The Tribit Stormbox Lava is the latest addition to the audio manufacturer’s speaker range, having launched in March 2025. Pricing already seems to be in flux, but at the time of writing, Tribit is shipping the Stormbox Lava for $129.99 / £111 (about AU$200). I’d expect to see discounts coming thick and fast though, as this is regularly the case with Tribit products in my experience.

At the moment, it’s only available in black, but a grey version is said to be coming in May 2025. For a speaker of this size, the Stormbox Lava is very modestly priced. It’s strikingly similar in form to the JBL Xtreme 4, which for reference, has a list price well in excess of $300 / £300.

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Specs

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Features

• Handy app with nice EQ options
• USB-A charge out
• Solid 24-hour battery life

Tribit hasn’t done anything crazy with the Stormbox Lava’s feature-set, but it’s still got the basics down. Of course all the usual stuff is here, be that multi-speaker pairing, Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity or XBass – a feature which ramps up low-end power for bass-heavy bangers.

But you also get EQ settings that have been fleshed out pretty nicely. There are six presets, including genre-specific options like Rock or Jazz, but there’s also space to save some custom calibrations via a ten-band equaliser. You’ll likely want to make use of that custom EQ option to achieve the best sound, but we’ll get more into that later…

There are a few other small options to mess around like toggles for voice prompt or remotely adjust volume and play/pause music. But a more prominent addition is a USB-A charge out port that enables the Stormbox Lava to double up as a power bank for other devices, including the best phones. I would’ve preferred to see a more modern USB-C port used for this function, something the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus offers, among others.

Another big talking point is battery life – an area in which the Stormbox Lava performs decently. It can offer 24 hours of playtime, so long as you’re listening at 50% volume with XBass on. That’s very much in-line with competitors in this size class – it’s nothing mind-blowing, but more than enough if you want a speaker that’s going to keep the party moving into the early hours.

• Features score: 4/5

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Sound quality

• Relatively clean audio possible with some tuning
• Bass is fairly meaty, but the deepest notes can prove challenging
• Can struggle a little at top volumes

At around $100 / £100, I really wasn’t expecting any miracles from the Tribit Stormbox Lava and although there were definitely some sonic shortcomings, it still put up an adequate performance.

I knew what I was in for with the Stormbox Lava; a whole lotta bass. And that’s exactly what it delivers. XBass was on by default and I realized the room instantly filled with an impactful, in-your-face low end rumble. When tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the thump of the drum machine had commendable depth and didn’t sound too lethargic. But with XBass on, there was a slightly muddy audio profile and that deep bass smothered other sonic elements like electronica and vocals – the latter was given much more room to breathe after flicking XBass off.

Bass response, though big, wasn’t the most beautiful however. Comparing it to a more expensive and slightly more powerful model, the JBL Xtreme 4, I picked up on a lack of dynamism with the Stormbox Lava. Bass didn’t connect up to the mid-range quite as effectively, resulting in a slightly thin and cluttered sound at points, to the extent that the track’s trademark bounce felt less defined.

And although the Stormbox Lava can reach frequencies as low as 43Hz, it really struggled to belt out some ultra-deep notes. In Yung Gravy’s The Boys Are Back In Town, the deep dark sub-bass that blasts throughout sounded feeble, especially at high volumes. And although you can adjust EQ to improve this slightly, the Lava still won’t be able to go quite as far into depth as more premium competitors.

Everything from the mid bass and up does sound relatively clear though and even if you’re missing out on the absolute deepest notes in their fully-fledged glory, bass is generally powerful. Unfortunately, I found the standard XBass off EQ mode to sound a little uneven and slightly bloated, though. Thanks to Tribit’s easy-to-use app, though, I was able to adapt the speaker’s EQ to have a slight bump to deep bass and treble for a more balanced, albeit still exciting sound.

This made for an improved listening experience overall, especially for tracks that are less centred around thumping bass. For instance, when listening to SAMBA DO MARCOS by Sadao Watanabe, the intro’s raw, emotive guitar was tonally accurate and the accompanying piano layered nicely. Samba drums also entered the fray rhythmically with gusto. Some of the finer details, like light percussion in the background were understated. There are no ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth codecs here, such as LDAC, which can offer up a less compressed performance either.

Another factor worth noting is that this speaker can get pretty loud thanks to its 80W maximum power output. However, at top volumes audio quality is going to take a bit of a dip. This is pretty standard and to be expected for what is ultimately, a budget Bluetooth speaker, but at peak loudness, treble could be a touch grating and vocal clarity took quite the hit to boot. If you’re looking for the ultimate party speaker, that may be problematic, but if you’re unlikely to venture into ear-splitting volume territory, this may not bother you all too much.

And one more note before I wrap up on sound. I realized that when altering volume on the Stormbox Lava, sound would cut out for half a second or so, which was pretty frustrating. I’m sure Tribit will fix this with a firmware update in the near future, but it’s still a frustrating quirk that I’m sure would frustrate a lot of users.

So, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for the Stormbox Lava. Does it sound terrible? No. With a bit of tuning, you can get decently clean audio out of this $100 speaker without sacrificing its room-filling low-end presence. But the combination of audio cutting out, sub-bass troubles and high-volume distortion will be hard to ignore for audiophiles.

• Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Design

• Plain design that lacks a creative spark
• But it is conveniently IP67-rated
• Interchangeable handle and strap attachments

For me, the Tribit Stormbox Lava sounds like it should be a pretty cool-looking speaker – I pictured some red details or maybe even some fiery LED lights that could sync up to bass output. Unfortunately, this is a totally basic looking speaker with no real design quirk. It’s a plain, black model with no lights or splashes of color and I’m not sure why Tribit played it so safe.

Having said that, it’s undeniable that this model is a pretty practical beast. It’s got a rugged build – very much reminiscent of the JBL Xtreme line of speakers. And it also has an IP67 rating, meaning it's both dustproof and waterproof. That rating even ensures that the Stormbox Lava can be submerged in one meter of water for a period of up to 30 minutes – ideal for beach-side listening or pool parties.

Another practical inclusion is the Stormbox Lava’s accessories box, which includes both a handle and a strap for carrying the speaker around. The handle has an elastic-like property to it and is comfortable to hold, while the strap is adjustable and is useful for carrying the Stormbox Lava over longer distances.

The speaker is also adorned with seven button controls, all of which are well sized and responsive, these include buttons for volume/play controls, Bluetooth pairing, toggling XBass and even multi-speaker pairing. On top of that, you can find a tab on the reverse side of the speaker for accessing its AUX and charging ports.

• Design score: 3/5

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Value

• Low price for a speaker of this size
• And you can expect to see discounts in coming months
• But that will come with a few hiccups in performance and design

The Tribit Stormbox Lava is available at a point ever-so-close to $100 / £100. It's a medium-to-larged sized option that sounds decent with some tuning and plates up both a good battery life and feature-set. At that price, this is an option worth your consideration.

I wouldn’t be surprised, either, to see this speaker available for less in the coming months as has so often been the case with Tribit’s products, including the Tribit XSound Plus 2 and Tribit Stormbox Blast. You’ll be able to find other low-priced alternatives in this ballpark, like the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 or even the giant Earfun UBoom X when it’s one sale. But these both take more of a boombox form, which might be a dealbreaker for some.

As I mentioned earlier, this speaker feels far more reminiscent of the JBL Xtreme line of speakers, with its pseudo-cylindrical looks and similar scale. But the most recent iteration from it, the JBL Xtreme 4, will set you back $379.95 / £329.99 / AU$499.95 if you’re buying at full price – and I wouldn’t expect it to get anywhere near as cheap on sale.

Of course, this thing isn’t going to challenge the Xtreme 4 on sound quality, let alone looks or feature-set. But if you’re not the most analytical listener and you just want a bass-heavy, budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker for parties, the Tribit Stormbox Lava will still get the job done.

• Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Tribit Stormbox Lava?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: Also consider

Tribit Stormbox Lava review: How I tested

• Tested for one week
• Mainly used at our music testing facility at Future Labs
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I put the Tribit Stormbox to the test over a one week period, exhausting all of its features, blasting out tune after tune and closely critiquing all aspects of its design. I predominantly tested it out at our music testing room at Future Labs in order to test audio quality in a quiet, controlled environment.

When listening to music, I mainly used Tidal, though I occasionally played songs via Spotify after connecting up my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. To start with, I streamed tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist, but I also listened to music from my own personal library. Where appropriate, I tested the Stormbox Lava alongside the JBL Xtreme 4 to compare sound quality and ease-of-use.

• First reviewed: April 2025
• Read more about how we test