Short answer: the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It ranks #1 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $325 and is still sold new; the Marshall Stanmore II ranks #12 (rated 3.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Marshall Stanmore II’s replacement, the Marshall Stanmore IV, is rated 3.8/5 at $429.99.
The Audio Pro C5 MkII is the better-sounding pick. 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 Stanmore II cannot. It links with other speakers (AirPlay 2 multi-room), which the Marshall Stanmore II cannot.
Why pick the Marshall Stanmore II: A home speaker with classic Marshall styling, aptX Bluetooth, RCA, aux and optical inputs, and bass and treble controls. 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 the Marshall Stanmore II is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio Pro C5 MkII | Marshall Stanmore II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $325 each | $300 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #1 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #12 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA | Bluetooth, RCA, Aux, Optical |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Outputs | Subwoofer line out | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Drivers | 4” woofer, 2x 0.75” tweeters | 5.25” woofer, 2x 2” midranges, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 10.3 lbs (4.65 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 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 5.1” x 5.9” (250 x 130 x 150 mm) | 13.8” x 7.9” x 7.3” (350 x 200 x 185 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast | - |
| Amplifier Power | 41W (2x8W + 25W) | 80W (Woofer: 50W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Voice Assistants | - | None |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Audio Pro C5 MkII: reviews by Smart Home Sounds and Storytripper HD.
- Marshall Stanmore II: reviews by DSAUDIO.review and Storytripper HD.
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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