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 II ranks #15, rated 3.5/5, at $195.60, $104.40 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Marshall Acton II does well: Marshall Acton II uses 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 56Hz specification.
The case for the Audio Pro C5 MkII: At 2.4 kg, Audio Pro C5 MkII combines 4” woofer, 2x 0.75” tweeters with Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 50Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification.
One note: the Marshall Acton II is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the Audio Pro C5 MkII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $104.40 saving on the Marshall Acton II is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Acton II | Audio Pro C5 MkII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $195.60 each Discontinued | $300 each |
| Ranked | #15 of 19 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #1 of 19 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 10.2” x 6” x 5.9” (260 x 153 x 150 mm) | 9.8” x 5.1” x 5.9” (250 x 130 x 150 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux | Bluetooth, Wifi, RCA |
| Drivers | 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters | 4” woofer, 2x 0.75” tweeters |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) |
| TWS | No | No |
| Voice Assistants | None | - |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Amplifier Power | 50W (Woofer: 25W, Tweeters: 2x12.5W) | 41W (2x8W + 25W) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| 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, 5.0 | Yes, 4.2 |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer line out |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Streaming Services | - | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Marshall Acton II: $195.60 each Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Acton IV. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: Marshall Acton II uses 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters. Its 2.9 kg, aux input and limited-stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 56Hz specification. Discontinued.
Full Marshall Acton II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W (Woofer: 25W, Tweeters: 2x12.5W) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.2” x 6” x 5.9” (260 x 153 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 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 |
| Voice Assistants | None |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier D12 vs Marshall Acton II sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Acton II sound.DEMO
- Danny Pops: Marshall Acton 2 vs Klipsch The One 2 - which sounds better? More from DannyPops →
- One-month hobbyist: Klipsch The One ii vs Marshall Acton ii Sound Battle
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Acton 2 vs Marshall Kilburn 2 More from storytripperhd →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Acton II vs Klipsch The Three II
- Marshall Acton II vs Klipsch The One II
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Acton III
- Marshall Acton II vs JBL Authentics 200
- Marshall Acton II vs Edifier D12
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Stanmore III
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Woburn II
- See all 10 comparisons
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 Acton III
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Denon Home 250
- See all 14 comparisons