Short answer: the Marshall Acton IV. It ranks #3 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $329.99. The Apple HomePod Mini 2 ranks #11, rated 3.3/5, at $149, $180.99 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Marshall Acton IV is the better-sounding choice. A compact home speaker with classic Marshall styling, LDAC Bluetooth, Auracast, an aux input and app EQ with room calibration. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Apple HomePod Mini 2 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Apple HomePod Mini 2 lacks. Watch for: No independent measurements or side by side comparisons against speakers we rank have been published yet, so it can’t be ranked.
The case for the Apple HomePod Mini 2: Apple’s second generation HomePod mini keeps the compact acoustic design of the Apple HomePod Mini, a full-range driver with dual passive radiators and a waveguide for 360 degree sound, and adds a newer chip for real-time computational tuning. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Marshall Acton IV cannot. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor.
Pre-order: the Apple HomePod Mini 2 is available for pre-order and expected to ship Friday, October 30, 2026.
Buy the Marshall Acton IV. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $180.99 you would save on the Apple HomePod Mini 2 does not close the gap.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Marshall Acton IV 3.5 to 3.9; Apple HomePod Mini 2 3.1 to 3.5). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
A compact home speaker with classic Marshall styling, LDAC Bluetooth, Auracast, an aux input and app EQ with room calibration.
Apple’s second generation HomePod mini keeps the compact acoustic design of the Apple HomePod Mini, a full-range driver with dual passive radiators and a waveguide for 360 degree sound, and adds a newer chip for real-time computational tuning.
Prices on this page were last checked October 26, 2026 at 12:00 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Acton IV | Apple HomePod Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 each | $149.00 each Preorder |
| Ranked | #3 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers Estimated | #11 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers Estimated |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 110W (woofer 60W, tweeters 2x 25W) | - |
| App | Yes (Marshall) | Yes (Apple Home) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes (3 far-field mics) |
| Cabinet Color | black, cream | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7”H x 10.2”W x 5.9”D (171 x 260 x 150 mm) | 3.3” x 3.9” (84.3 x 97.9 mm) (H x diameter) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” woofer + 2x 0.75” tweeters with waveguides | Full-range driver + dual passive bass radiators |
| EQ | Yes (bass/treble knobs, app EQ, room calibration) | No |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 38kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB at 1m (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | External 20W USB-C power adapter |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) |
| USB Input | No | No |
| Weight | 5.8 lbs (2.65 kg) | 0.7 lbs (335 g) |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes (Wi-Fi 6E) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| Voice Assistants | - | Apple Siri |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only |
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