I’ve tested more than 60 Bluetooth speakers and this Marshall model may just be the most stylish of them all — but does it sound as good as it looks? Here’s my verdict

The Marshall Stockwell III, a seven-year-old iteration of its predecessor, has arrived with an impressive aesthetic and luxurious finish. Upon unboxing, the speaker's striking amp-inspired design, coupled with PU leather, golden detailing, and red velvet-infused handle, made it an attractive option right off the bat. But, could its sound match its stunning appearance? After dedicating significant time to exploring the various features of Marshall's latest Bluetooth speaker, I have a few thoughts to share.

The Stockwell III's sound quality marks a significant improvement over its predecessor, boasting a strong presence in the bass, mid-range, and high-frequency sounds. Under the hood, the speaker features a three-inch woofer with 65W class D amplification and two 1.75-inch wide-band drivers, each with 31W class D amplification. This powerful combination yields a mighty, punchy audio experience that notably exceeds that of its predecessor.

Listening to tracks like "In Home Meeting" by Sadao Watanabe and "Vision of Love" by Lewis Taylor, the Stockwell III delivered a confident performance, with well-defined bass, mids, and highs. The rich, weighty bass and precise, accurate drums showcased the speaker's audio prowess. However, the speaker does exhibit a slight bass preference, which may not align with every listener's preferences.

Turning the bass dial can, however, accommodate individual tastes. Vocal tracks sounded excellent on the Stockwell III, though audiophiles may prefer more depth and detail in vocal performances.

In terms of connectivity, the Stockwell III offers USB-C audio for lossless playback, a 3.5mm port, and lacks LDAC support for higher-resolution Bluetooth playback. Nevertheless, the speaker performs excellently with its Dynamic Loudness feature, maintaining clarity even at higher volumes. The True Stereophonic 360 sound technology ensures exceptional audio quality from any angle, which proves effective in party settings, as there's no true 'sweet spot' to be found.

The Stockwell III supports stereo output, though the stereo effects are not particularly convincing due to the speaker's limited confines. The app, while older than Marshall's newer offerings, still provides a five-band EQ, soundstage mode, Source Mix, EQ configuration mapping, placement compensation features, USB-C port configuration, battery preservation options, and a remarkable 40-hour battery life.

Design-wise, the Stockwell III is an eye-catching speaker, lighter than its mid-weight counterpart, the Marshall Middleton II, and featuring superior amplification. While the Middleton II boasts a higher IP67 waterproof rating, the Stockwell III maintains an improved IP55 rating, offering protection against splashes and dust. Overall, the Marshall Stockwell III stands out as a visually appealing, powerful, and battery-efficient Bluetooth speaker, solidifying its position as a leading audio manufacturer.