These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Charge 6 ranks #12 of 173 medium speakers by sound quality at $119.95; the Marshall Acton III ranks #11 of 28 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $298.99.
The JBL Charge 6 is the battery-powered, tougher option. Seems more neutral than the JBL Charge 5. Its battery is rated for 24 hours, while the Marshall Acton III needs an outlet. It is rated IP68, while the Marshall Acton III has no water resistance. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Acton III lacks. The tradeoff: Still some boosted bass by default.
The case for the Marshall Acton III: Ac-powered operation and limited-stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 6 lacks.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 ($119.95) for a medium speaker; the Marshall Acton III ($298.99) suits a powered desktop speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings.
Seems more neutral than the JBL Charge 5.
Amazon $199.95 B&H Photo Video $149.95 Woot $119.95 Lowest eBay
At 2.85 kg, Marshall Acton III combines 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters with Bluetooth, Aux.
Amazon $298.99 Marshall $299.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 19, 2026 at 10:32 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
| JBL Charge 6 | Marshall Acton III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.95 | $298.99 each |
| Ranked | #12 of 173 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 28 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | None |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (990 g) | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | 10.2” x 6.7” x 5.9” (260 x 170 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Amplifier Power | 45W | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, Aux |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| XLR Input | - | No |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
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