Marshall Bromley 150 Adds Microphone Inputs To A Portable Party Speaker

Most portable speakers are made to play a playlist. Marshall’s new Bromley 150 can also take a microphone or instrument, giving a group a simple way to sing or play along without assembling a separate sound system.

It costs £400 and weighs 6.3kg, so “portable” means carrying it by its built-in handle rather than slipping it into a backpack. For somebody who hosts gatherings or makes music with friends, the extra inputs are the reason to consider it.

Quick Reference

• Product: Marshall Bromley 150 portable party speaker.
• Price: £400; general sale is scheduled for 13 October.
• Battery: More than 40 hours claimed, with a replaceable battery.
• Connections: Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm auxiliary, USB-C and two microphone/instrument combo inputs.
• Protection: IP55 against dust and water splashes.
• Size and weight: 290 × 208 × 297mm; 6.3kg.

Music Around The Room

Marshall calls its front-and-back speaker arrangement True Stereophonic 360°. The cabinet contains a 6.5-inch woofer, two 2-inch full-range drivers and a passive radiator. The aim is for people standing around it to hear music more evenly than they would from a speaker aimed in one direction.

The bass and treble controls are on the cabinet, making simple sound adjustments possible without reaching for an app. Lighting behind the grille has three modes and can move with the music.

A Speaker You Can Perform With

Two combined XLR and 6.35mm sockets accept compatible microphones and instruments. Each has its own volume control, so a microphone or guitar can be balanced against the music. A microphone is not included.

A 3.5mm auxiliary input covers a wired source. Bluetooth is convenient for a phone, while Auracast can connect with compatible broadcast audio equipment. Always check compatibility before assuming another Bluetooth speaker will join it.

Battery And Durability

Marshall claims more than 40 hours on a full battery and says a 20-minute charge can give five hours of playback under its test conditions. The battery is preinstalled and replaceable, and several exterior parts can be replaced too. Real playing time will depend on volume, lighting and use of the extra inputs.

IP55 means some protection against dust and splashing. It does not mean the Bromley 150 is safe to submerge or leave out in heavy rain. The 6.3kg cabinet is better suited to a room, garden or rehearsal space than a long walk.

Who It Suits

This is a complete speaker, so a listener needs no separate amplifier. Its price is much higher than a small Bluetooth speaker, but the microphone and instrument inputs provide a practical use beyond ordinary portable playback. It makes most sense when those features will actually be used.

Price And Availability

The Marshall Bromley 150 is priced at £400 in the UK, in Black and Brass, with general sale scheduled for 13 October. Regional prices and availability can differ.

What The Terms Mean

Woofer: A driver built to reproduce lower notes. Passive radiator: An unpowered diaphragm that helps reinforce bass. XLR: A three-pin audio connector often used for microphones. Auracast: A Bluetooth broadcast system for compatible receivers. IP55: A protection rating for limited dust entry and water jets or splashes; it is not waterproof immersion protection.

For more from Starting Out click here