Short answer: the Stanmore II, for $104.40 more. It ranks #10 of 17 in the powered desktop class at $300; the Acton II ranks #14 at $195.60.
Neither review lists a single pro, which puts the weight entirely on the cons. The Acton II’s are boosted upper bass without matching competitors’ depth, boosted highs, and an overall sound our notes call mushy. The Stanmore II’s are narrower: not very deep bass, no battery, and no water rating.
The step up in Marshall’s lineup buys a real ranking improvement, even without either speaker earning a strong recommendation on its own merits.
Buy the Stanmore II if choosing between these two specifically. Check the powered buyer’s guide for options with a stronger measured case at either price point.
Skip the Marshall Acton II if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 17 powered desktop speakers.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Acton II | Marshall Stanmore II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $195.60 each Discontinued | $300 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #14 of 17 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #10 of 17 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 10.3 lbs (4.65 kg) |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 10.2" x 6" x 5.9" (260 x 153 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) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux | Bluetooth, RCA, Aux, Optical |
| Drivers | 4" (midrange/woofer), 1x 4" midrange, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters | 5.25" woofer, 2x 2" midranges, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Amplifier Power | 50W (Woofer: 25W, Tweeters: 2x12.5W) | 80W (Woofer: 50W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | 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, 5.0 | Yes |
| Power Input | - | AC Power brick |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Marshall Stanmore II compares with other leading options:
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Woburn III
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Woburn II
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Woburn I
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Stanmore III
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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
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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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 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
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Woburn III
- See all 9 comparisons
Marshall Stanmore II: $300 each Discontinued eBay
Pros: Marshall Stanmore II uses 5.25” woofer, 2x 2” midranges, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters. Its 4.65 kg, aux input and limited-stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 55Hz specification. Discontinued.
Full Marshall Stanmore II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W (Woofer: 50W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.8" x 7.9" x 7.3" (350 x 200 x 185 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" woofer, 2x 2" midranges, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, Aux, Optical |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | None |
| Weight | 10.3 lbs (4.65 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Acton III
- Marshall Stanmore II vs JBL Authentics 200
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Stanmore III
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Klipsch The Three II
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Woburn I
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Woburn II
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Klipsch The One II
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Woburn III
- See all 9 comparisons