Marshall built its legacy on guitar amps loud enough to scare your neighbors and stylish enough to make it onstage. So naturally, the British icon decided to shrink that swagger down and throw it into wireless speakers—and apparently now, soundbars too. The Marshall Kilburn III follows the same playbook: black-and-gold vintage flair, tactile metal knobs that feel like they belong in a studio, faux leather that screams rock ‘n’ roll and that unmistakable script logo front and center like it’s about to headline Glastonbury–or the pub down the road with the really good fish and chips.
And just in case you missed it, Marshall’s first-ever soundbar dropped recently—and sold out online in less than 24 hours. Looks like people really do want their living room to look (and sound) like a backstage pass.
These days, Marshall’s wireless speaker lineup covers all the bases—like a well-dressed roadie with a clipboard. You’ve got models in every size, from bookshelf-friendly to battery-powered beasts. The Kilburn sits near the top of the portable stack: hefty enough to shake the patio furniture, but still light enough to lug to your mate’s rooftop party.
Kilburn III: A “Remarkable Upgrade”?
The Kilburn III is finally here, fashionably late like a washed-up rockstar making a comeback tour. The last model—the Kilburn II—dropped back in 2018, which in Bluetooth speaker years is roughly a decade. You’d think after all that time we’d be getting something wildly new, but no. Marshall stuck to the “don’t mess with the aesthetic” brief like it was tattooed on their forearm.
From the outside, it still looks like a shrunken guitar amp cosplaying as a Bluetooth speaker. It even weighs the same—just under seven pounds—because apparently, “portable” still translates to “lift with your legs and maybe stretch first.”
But according to Marshall’s product manager Hanna Wallner, the Kilburn III is a “remarkable upgrade.” Right. And I’m the King of Sweden—unless awkwardly standing in line for a photo with the late Börje Salming at a Leafs alumni event counts, in which case I’ll take the crown and a meatball.
Sure, it’s louder, the battery life’s better, and there’s some extra stereo separation this time around—but “remarkable”? Let’s not get carried away. It’s an iterative upgrade, not the 24-bit version of 2112.
This Wireless Speaker Goes to 11
Marshall claims the Kilburn III has undergone a full acoustic makeover—and for once, it’s not just marketing fluff. This version ditches the old setup in favor of a tri-amp configuration: two 2-inch full-range drivers and a 4-inch woofer, each powered by its own dedicated 30-watt Class D amp. Translation? It’s got more muscle than your average Bluetooth boombox, and yes, it still cranks loud enough to get you evicted.
Then there’s the whole 360° True Stereophonic thing—Marshall’s fancy name for its proprietary spatial audio tech. Allegedly, it eliminates audio “blind spots” and delivers immersive stereo sound in every direction. In practice? It actually works pretty well, assuming you’re not expecting Atmos-level wizardry from a box that still looks like it should be onstage with Slash.
And because it wouldn’t be a proper Marshall without a few knobs to fiddle with, the top panel features classic tactile controls for bass, treble, and volume. No app required, no confusing menus—just good old-fashioned knob-twiddling. Spinal Tap would approve.
Goes to 50 (Hours): Battery Life That Outlasts Your Weekend—and Your Friends
Seven years is a long time to wait for a sequel, but Marshall used the time wisely. The Kilburn III now boasts over 50 hours of battery life, which is not only double what the Kilburn II managed, but also better than most speakers in its weight class—literally and figuratively. You’ll run out of playlists (and possibly patience) before this thing dies.
It’s also tougher than before. With an IP54 rating, the Kilburn III can now handle dust, splashes, and whatever your summer adventure throws at it—short of full submersion or a slip into a volcano. That means it’s now actually beach- or pool-friendly, instead of just “looks good in your living room pretending it’s summer” friendly.
Oh, and if you thought Marshall was done just offering everything in Henry Ford black, you now get a choice: black or cream. Not exactly a rainbow, but it’s progress.
The Kilburn III offers versatile connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.3 and a 3.5mm AUX input. It also features tactile controls for bass, treble, and volume, along with an M-button for quick access to presets. The media jog allows for easy track navigation, and the Bluetooth button facilitates seamless pairing with your devices.
Specifications:
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3
- Connectivity: 3.5mm AUX input
- Battery Life: 50+ hours
- Controls: Bass, Treble, Volume, M-button, Media Jog, Bluetooth Button
- Charging: USB-C
- Water Resistance: IP54
- Dimensions: 10.75″ x 5.91″ x 6.65″ (273 x 150 x 169 mm)
- Weight: 3.0 kg
The Bottom Line
The Marshall Kilburn III isn’t just a Bluetooth speaker dressed up as a rockstar’s lunchbox—it’s a serious piece of audio kit under the hood. With three Class D amps pushing a dedicated 4-inch woofer and dual 2-inch full-range drivers, it delivers a stereo image that’s surprisingly wide for something you can sling over your shoulder.
Add in Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast support, a rugged IP54 rating, and a 50+ hour battery life, and you’ve got a portable speaker that’s more than just vintage cosplay. It’s built for real-world performance—whether that’s backyard barbecues or beachside playlists that don’t fade out before the sun does. And yes, the knobs still go to 11.
Price & Availability
The Marshall Kilburn III is ready to rock your world (and maybe lighten your bank account). It’ll set you back a cool $379, which is steep, but hey, that’s the price of looking and sounding like a legend.
Where to buy: $379 at Amazon | Marshall (available June 15, 2025)
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Anton
May 28, 2025 at 11:38 am
As much as I liked the soundbar, this sorta falls flat. Boring. Feels like there are dozens of other options including the Tivoli you wrote about that are more visually appealing.
Ian White
May 28, 2025 at 1:43 pm
Anton,
I’m ok with the design. It’s their trademark look. But I do agree that the Heston soundbar is a more interesting product.
IW