Short answer: the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It ranks #1 of 19 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $300. The Marshall Acton III ranks #9, rated 3.7/5, at $250.03, $49.97 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Audio Pro C5 MkII: At 2.4 kg, Audio Pro C5 MkII combines 4” woofer, 2x 0.75” tweeters with Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA. The catch: Bass is limited by its 50Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification.
The case for the Marshall Acton III: At 2.85 kg, Marshall Acton III combines 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters with Bluetooth, Aux. The tradeoff: Bass is limited by its 45Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification.
Buy the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $49.97 with the Marshall Acton III does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio Pro C5 MkII | Marshall Acton III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $300 each | $250.03 each |
| Ranked | #1 of 19 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #9 of 19 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, 4.2 | Yes, 5.2 |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Audio Pro C5 MkII compares with other leading options:
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Woburn III
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Woburn II
- Apple HomePod 2nd Gen vs Audio Pro C5 MkII
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Edifier D12
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs JBL Authentics 200
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Audio Pro C5 MkII: $300 each Amazon eBay
Pros: At 2.4 kg, Audio Pro C5 MkII combines 4” woofer, 2x 0.75” tweeters with Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA. Ac-powered operation and limited-stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Reviews find the sound fairly neutral.
Cons: Bass is limited by its 50Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification. There is no battery, so it needs mains power.
Full Audio Pro C5 MkII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 41W (2x8W + 25W) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 5.1” x 5.9” (250 x 130 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” woofer, 2x 0.75” tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Subwoofer line out |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Woburn III
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Woburn II
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Apple HomePod 2nd Gen
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Edifier D12
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs JBL Authentics 200
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Denon Home 250
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Sonos Era 100
- See all 14 comparisons
Marshall Acton III: $250.03 each Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Acton IV. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: At 2.85 kg, Marshall Acton III combines 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters with Bluetooth, Aux. Ac-powered operation and limited-stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: Bass is limited by its 45Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification.
Full Marshall Acton III review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.2” x 6.7” x 5.9” (260 x 170 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Acton III vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Marshall Acton III vs JBL Authentics 200
- Marshall Acton III vs Edifier D12
- Marshall Acton III vs Denon Home 250
- Marshall Acton III vs Marshall Stanmore III
- Marshall Acton III vs Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
- Marshall Acton III vs Apple HomePod 2nd Gen
- Marshall Acton III vs Marshall Woburn I
- See all 16 comparisons