Meet the Marshall Killburn III - Iconic design, 50+ hour replaceable battery, IP54, 360-degree stereophonic

Marshall's latest portable speaker, the Killburn III, recently landed in the Philippine market— and we've spent time testing what it brings to the table. 

Marshall Killburn III's carry strap

With over 50 hours of battery life, IP54-rated dust and water resistance, true 360-degree stereophonic sound, and a bold retro design, this PHP 21,990 unit from the legendary British music amplifier and speaker cabinet manufacturer promises more than just loud sound.

In this review, we break down how it performs in real-world use, from audio quality to durability and everyday convenience.

Meet Marshall Killburn III - Stylish and Versatile Performer

It comes in the familiar black box with the render of the product, Marshall branding, key features, and regulatory information.

Killburn III box inclusions

Inside the box are the Killburn III, USB-C to USB-C cable, and documentation.

Our Experience

Killburn III front design

The Marshall Killburn III consists of 38 percent recycled materials. It is a mix of brass, polycarbonate, and faux tumbled black leather. It has a built-in strap with a red velvet inner lining.

Classic Marshall look

Its exterior is mostly made of the aforementioned faux leather, which helps bring out the brass on top and in the Marshall logo. The red velvet inner lining of the strap also adds a pop of bright color. Overall, the Marshall Killburn III is a head turner. It is one of the most beautiful portable speakers we have seen yet. 

In front, if you look closely, it has a diagonal grill pattern that is surprisingly made of high-quality polycarbonate. We only truly noticed once we looked closer.

Killburn III rear design

At the back are the polycarbonate diagonal grill, the sub-woofer, screws, the aux port, and the USB-C port.

Killburn III top side

On top are the faux leather exterior, brass-furnished control panel, control knobs, M button, input button, red LED indicator lights, and power switch.

Bottom of the Marshall Killburn III

At the bottom are the rubber feet, screws, regulatory information, and the battery replacement hatch.

In a surprise move, Marshall allows its customers to replace the battery of the Killburn III should the need arise.

Killburn III left and right sides

On both sides of the speaker are gold cap or rivets that holds the strap to the speaker.

What surprised us even more is that despite its size of 273 x 150 x 169 mm, it just weighs 2.8kg. It is way lighter than it looks.

It is lightweight because it is made of the aforementioned recycled plastics, but the combination of faux-tumbled leather texture, the brass furnishing, and the red velvet inner lining makes it look and feel more premium than it lets on.

The Killburn III can be paired with your smartphone via Bluetooth using the Marshall App.

Marshall App with Equalizer controls

The Marshall companion app allows users to pair their respective Marshall audio devices and customize features like the equalizer, the M-button, standby time, and battery preservation. 

Marshall Killburn App features

The app also allows users to listen to broadcasts via Auracast and select the appropriate speaker placement compensation. Users are asked whether the speaker is placed on the edge of a surface and whether the speaker is placed close to a wall.

The Killburn III features one 4-inch woofer and two 2-inch full-range dynamic drivers with a frequency range of 45 to 20,000Hz.

It delivers a signature sound profile that is primarily bass-forward yet surprisingly balanced and articulate. We attribute this to its dramatically improved and more immersive 360-degree stereophonic audio. We can't emphasize enough how deep, impactful, and controlled the bass is. It is firm and lively without muddiness, nor does it overpower mids and vocals, even at maximum volume. This is thanks to the subwoofer and dynamic loudness technology.

The mids, on the other hand, are expressive and full with clear instrument separation and detailed vocals, especially on genres such as rock, progressive metal, and house. While the highs remain crisp and energetic without ever becoming harsh.

What surprised us even more was the speaker's capability to fill medium to large-sized rooms or outdoor spaces. The volume is loud, and the soundstage is remarkably wider than we thought it could produce.

Bass-forward with outstanding mids and highs!

Compared to its predecessor, the Killburn II, this new Killburn III offers a substantial improvement in sound quality because of the enhanced 360-degree sound dispersion and refined bass response. This can be attributed to the subwoofer and the additional tweeter.

It connects through the USB-C port and the 3.5mm auxiliary port at the back, and it connects wirelessly through Bluetooth 5.2. It supports SBC and AAC codecs only. We wished it supported aptX or LDAC, though. Music through the auxiliary port is cleaner and more detailed because it bypasses the Bluetooth compression.

Users can also connect multiple Killburn IIIs via Bluetooth for stereo or party modes, which may appeal to certain crowds.

Marshall advertises that the Killburn III can get up to 50+ hours of battery life, but in our experience, we were getting a little more than 20 hours of playtime with the volume at 80 to 100 percent. This can dip further when playing tracks with heavier bass. This is far from the advertised playtime, but it is more than enough for most people, and it makes it ideal for day-long gatherings or trips. 

It charges via USB-C, and it takes under 3 hours to fully charge its battery. It does have a fast charging feature where 20 minutes of charging will offer several hours of play time.

Marshall Killburn III Specs

Driver: 1 4-inch woofer, 2 2-inch full-range dynamic drivers

Frequency range: 45 to 20,000Hz

Cabinet Principle: Active Stereo Loudspeaker with bass reflex system

Power Amplifiers: One 30W Class D Amplifier for the Woofer, Two 10W Class D Amplifiers for the full-range

Codecs: SBC, LC3, MPEG-2 AAC

Battery: Rechargeable and replaceable Li-ion Battery rated for 50+ Hours

Connectivity: Aux 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.3, Auracast

Others: IP54 dust and water splash resistance,  controls, USB-C, Colors: Black and Brass, and Cream

Dimensions: 273 x 150 x 169mm

Weight: 2.8kg

Price: PHP 21,990

Our thoughts

Marshall Killburn on the desk

If you appreciate Marshall's history and style and want a portable Bluetooth speaker with great sound quality, then the Killburn III could be for you.

The speaker is lighter than it looks at 2.8kg, and thanks to their recycled plastic, faux leather, and brass furnishing, it is eye-catching and easy to carry around.

Pairing with most devices is a breeze, and the companion app unlocks additional features such as an equalizer, battery preservation, M-button, and more.

Because of its subwoofer, additional tweeter, and enhanced 360-degree stereophonic tech, it is one of the best-sounding Killburn speakers yet. It may be the best-sounding portable speaker from Marshall yet.

However, because it only supports SBC and AAC codecs, it is not yet audiophile-grade. And that is fine, not everybody wants or needs the Killburn III to be one.

The sound quality may not satisfy audiophiles, but it is ideal for more casual listeners who also appreciate stylish earphones.

Lastly, it is advertised to offer 50+ hours of battery life, but we were getting around 20 hours consistently. It may dip when playing bass-heavy tracks, though.

Do you agree with us?

What do you guys think?