Short answer: the Marshall Woburn III for better sound quality, the Marshall Acton II for the lower price. The Marshall Woburn III ranks #4 of 13 powered desktop speakers at $499.99. The Marshall Acton II ranks #10 at $195.60, $304.39 cheaper.
What the Marshall Acton II offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: Boosted upper bass, not as deep bass as competitors.
What the Marshall Woburn III offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: Hollow sounding, peaky upper mids.
Buy the Marshall Acton II if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Marshall Woburn III if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Marshall Acton II. It ranks near the bottom of the 13 powered desktop speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Acton II | Marshall Woburn III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $195.60 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #10 of 13 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #4 of 13 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | ~45Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg | 16.4 lbs / 7.44 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) | 15.7" x 12.5" x 8" (400 x 317 x 203 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux | Bluetooth, HDMI, RCA, Aux |
| Drivers | 4" (midrange/woofer), 1x 4" midrange, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters | 6" woofer, 2x 2" midranges, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Voice Assistants | Yes | - |
| Wifi | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Output Power | 50W (Woofer: 25W, Tweeters: 2x12.5W) | 150W (Woofer: 90W, Midrange: 2x15W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Max Volume | - | 100.5dB @ 1m |
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- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Stanmore II
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- Edifier D12 vs Marshall Woburn III
The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Acton II: $195.60 Amazon
Cons: Boosted upper bass, not as deep bass as competitors. Boosted highs. Sounds mushy.
Full Marshall Acton II review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| 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) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux |
| Output Power | 50W (Woofer: 25W, Tweeters: 2x12.5W) |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| Voice Assistants | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg |
| Wifi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier D12 vs Marshall Acton II sound.DEMO
- 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?
- One-month hobbyist: Klipsch The One ii vs Marshall Acton ii Sound Battle
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Acton 2 vs Marshall Kilburn 2
- Reddit Search for Marshall Acton II Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Acton III
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Stanmore III
- 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 Woburn II
- Marshall Acton II vs JBL Authentics 200
- Marshall Acton II vs Edifier D12
- See all 9 comparisons
Marshall Woburn III: $499.99 Amazon
Cons: Hollow sounding, peaky upper mids. Not as deep bass as others in the class.
Full Marshall Woburn III review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~45Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 15.7" x 12.5" x 8" (400 x 317 x 203 mm) |
| Drivers | 6" woofer, 2x 2" midranges, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, HDMI, RCA, Aux |
| Max Volume | 100.5dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 150W (Woofer: 90W, Midrange: 2x15W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 16.4 lbs / 7.44 kg |
| Wifi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons