Marshall Uxbridge Voice Speaker
£169.99/$179.99
“Has Time Lord technology has been applied to cram far more into this modest‑sized box?”
Key features
Voice control • Airplay 2 • Bluetooth • Wi-fi • 54-20,000 Hz
Learn more
marshallheadphones.com
Available from
amazon.co.uk
THE LATEST ADDITION TO MARSHALL’S EVER‑GROWING family of portable speakers surprised us on many different levels. Measuring 128 x 168 x 123mm, we figured that it would be a decent-sounding speaker with built-in voice control. We certainly didn’t expect it to be a great-sounding speaker, but looks can be deceiving.
Built to go loud
We don’t know if some sort of Time Lord technology has been applied to cram far more into this modest box than a 30-watt Class D amplifier for the mono tweeter and woofer, but it sounds surprisingly loud. Of course, we appreciate that a big noise is Marshall’s thing, but we were astonished at how well the Uxbridge’s sound projected in large open spaces.
Available in a black or white enclosed cabinet, the Uxbridge sports Marshall’s iconic frontal mesh and logo combo, with the top of the unit reserved for round metal play/pause and microphone buttons and three press-button strips to control the volume, bass and treble. The only other pressable within the casing of the speaker is a Bluetooth pairing button on the back. It’s all kept very simple. A strip of colourful LEDS near the base of the speaker conveys the connection status, listening state, etc.
Setting up the Uxbridge is very easy. You’re prompted to download the Google Home app and then use that to connect the device to your home Wi-fi and set up the voice control. As well as having Alexa built-in, the Uxbridge can also connect to your Mac or IOS device via Airplay 2 or Bluetooth 4.2, and it also supports Spotify Connect so there are plenty of connection methods available. The Uxbridge can also slot easily into a multi-room speaker system with other Alexa-supported or Airplay 2 speakers.
Listen up
Voice control is made possible thanks to a built-in dual microphone array with acoustic noise cancellation that is capable of detecting your tones and executing your commands from quite far away. It proves very responsive and easy to use.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Uxbridge is its lack of a built-in rechargeable battery. It is certainly small enough to go fully portable and accompany you on a nice picnic out in the dales, for example, but sadly it requires a mains connection. This shouldn’t in any way detract from what is a triumph for Marshall, though. Aside from the voice control features, the Uxbridge is, first and foremost, a wonderful-sounding speaker that projects well beyond its
titchy footprint and not sound in any way reined in or contained. Although it does a great job of filling a large lounge or other open space, position it next to your Mac in a home office and it’ll go loud enough to make you feel as though you’re really rocking out somewhere else entirely.