Short answer: the Marshall Acton III, for the better rating and lower price. It ranks #11 of 29 powered desktop speakers against the Three II’s #24 of 29 and costs $101.01 less, pairing a 4 inch woofer with dual dome tweeters in a 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) cabinet. The Klipsch The Three II adds aptX Bluetooth plus RCA, optical and USB inputs in a heavier 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) cabinet, but shares the limited bass reach and has no companion app. The Klipsch The Three II is discontinued; its replacement is the Klipsch The Three Plus.
Acton III pairs a 4” woofer with dual dome tweeters in a 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) cabinet, but its Bluetooth is limited to SBC and its 45Hz-20kHz spec points to modest bass extension for the class.
The Three II uses a 4.5” woofer and dual full-range midranges in a heavier 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) cabinet, adding aptX Bluetooth plus RCA, optical and USB inputs a wired setup can use, though it shares the Acton III’s limited bass reach and has no companion app.
Buy the Marshall Acton III for the better rating and lower price. Buy the Klipsch The Three II (while stock lasts) if the extra optical, USB and RCA inputs matter for a wired setup.
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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 III | Klipsch The Three II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298.99 each | $400 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #24 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 10.2” x 6.7” x 5.9” (260 x 170 x 150 mm) | 11” x 7.3” x 7.3” (280 x 186 x 186 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA, Optical, USB |
| Drivers | 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters | 4.5” woofer, 2x 2.25” full-range midranges |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Amplifier Power | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Tweeters: 2x15W) | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Full-range: 2x15W) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Marshall Acton III: reviews by Danny Pops.
- Klipsch The Three II: reviews by DSAUDIO.review.
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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