Short answer: the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It ranks #1 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $325. The Marshall Acton III ranks #11, rated 3.7/5, at $298.99, $26.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Audio Pro C5 MkII is the better-sounding choice. An excellent sounding medium home speaker, with fairly neutral sound, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, and an RCA input for a turntable. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Marshall Acton III cannot. It links with other speakers (AirPlay 2 multi-room), which the Marshall Acton III cannot.
The case for the Marshall Acton III: A compact home speaker with classic Marshall amp styling, Bluetooth and an aux input for a small room or desk. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Audio Pro C5 MkII lacks.
Buy the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $26.01 with the Marshall Acton III does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio Pro C5 MkII | Marshall Acton III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $325 each | $298.99 each |
| Ranked | #1 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #11 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA | Bluetooth, Aux |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Outputs | Subwoofer line out | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Drivers | 4” woofer, 2x 0.75” tweeters | 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)) | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 5.1” x 5.9” (250 x 130 x 150 mm) | 10.2” x 6.7” x 5.9” (260 x 170 x 150 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast | - |
| Amplifier Power | 41W (2x8W + 25W) | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Audio Pro C5 MkII: reviews by Smart Home Sounds and Storytripper HD.
- Marshall Acton III: reviews by Danny Pops.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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