Short answer: the JBL Authentics 200 for better sound quality, the Marshall Acton II for the lower price. The JBL Authentics 200 ranks #8 of 19 powered desktop speakers, rated 3.7/5, at $380. The Marshall Acton II ranks #15, rated 3.5/5, at $195.60, $184.40 cheaper.
The case for the Marshall Acton II: Marshall Acton II uses 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters. The tradeoff: Bass is limited by its 56Hz specification.
What the JBL Authentics 200 does well: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. Watch for: Bass not as deep as others.
One note: the Marshall Acton II is discontinued and no longer widely available new.
Buy the Marshall Acton II if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the JBL Authentics 200 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Acton II | JBL Authentics 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $195.60 each Discontinued | $380 each |
| Ranked | #15 of 19 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #8 of 19 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.2” x 6” x 5.9” (260 x 153 x 150 mm) | 10.5” x 6.8” x 6.6” (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) |
| Drivers | 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters | 5” full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| TWS | No | No |
| Voice Assistants | None | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Amplifier Power | 50W (Woofer: 25W, Tweeters: 2x12.5W) | 90W |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 | Yes, 5.3 |
| Power Input | - | AC Power Cable (100-240V) |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Authentics 200 compares with other leading options:
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs JBL Authentics 200
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn III
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn II
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn I
- Apple HomePod 2nd Gen 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
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 Edifier D12
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Stanmore III
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Woburn II
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Woburn III
- See all 10 comparisons
JBL Authentics 200: $380 each Amazon eBay
Pros: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. Well balanced sound that reviewers rate close to the pricier Authentics 300. Measured about 113dB at 1kHz on max volume, matching the bigger 300 despite the smaller cabinet. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass not as deep as others. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 200 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.5” x 6.8” x 6.6” (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Edifier D12
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Acton III
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Stanmore II
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Stanmore III
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Apple HomePod 2nd Gen
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Denon Home 250
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn I
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
- See all 42 comparisons