Short answer: the Marshall Stanmore III. It ranks #6 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $388.99 and is still sold new; the Marshall Acton II ranks #19 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Marshall Acton II’s replacement, the Marshall Acton IV, is rated 3.7/5 at $329.99.
Why pick the Marshall Acton II: A compact home speaker with classic Marshall styling, aptX Bluetooth, an aux input and bass and treble adjustment. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the Marshall Stanmore III lacks.
The case for the Marshall Stanmore III: A mid size home speaker with classic Marshall amp styling, Bluetooth, and RCA and aux inputs for a turntable or other source. The tradeoff: Bass is limited by its 45Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification.
Buy the Marshall Stanmore III. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Marshall Acton II is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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
| Marshall Acton II | Marshall Stanmore III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $195.60 each Discontinued | $388.99 each |
| Ranked | #19 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #6 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| 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) | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 10.2” x 6” x 5.9” (260 x 153 x 150 mm) | 13.8” x 8” x 7.4” (350 x 203 x 188 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux | Bluetooth, RCA, Aux |
| Drivers | 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters | 5” (midrange/woofer), 1x 5” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Voice Assistants | None | - |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Amplifier Power | 50W (Woofer: 25W, Tweeters: 2x12.5W) | 80W (Woofer: 50W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| 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 | Yes |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Marshall Acton II: reviews by DSAUDIO.review, Danny Pops and Storytripper HD.
- Marshall Stanmore III: reviews by 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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