These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Marshall Kilburn II ranks #43 of 103 large speakers by sound quality at $279; the Marshall Acton II ranks #17 of 25 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $195.60.
The Marshall Kilburn II is the battery-powered, tougher option. 20W Class D amp + dual 8W tweeters. Its battery is rated for 20 hours, while the Marshall Acton II needs an outlet. It is rated IPX2, while the Marshall Acton II has no water resistance. Watch for: Boosted upper bass, not very detailed, not as deep bass as competitors, upper mids peak.
What the Marshall Acton II does well: It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the Marshall Kilburn II lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Marshall Kilburn II lacks.
One note: the Marshall Acton II is discontinued and no longer widely available new. The Marshall Acton II’s replacement, the Marshall Acton IV, is still sold new.
Buy the Marshall Kilburn II at $279 for a large speaker, or the Marshall Acton II at $195.60 for a powered desktop speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Kilburn II | Marshall Acton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $195.60 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #43 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #17 of 25 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| IP Rating | IPX2 | None |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 36W | 50W (Woofer: 25W, Tweeters: 2x12.5W) |
| Dimensions | 9.6” x 6.4” x 5.5” (243 x 162 x 140 mm) | 10.2” x 6” x 5.9” (260 x 153 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” (102mm) woofer + 2x 20mm dome tweeters | 4” (midrange/woofer), 1x 4” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, Aux |
| Voice Assistants | - | None |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| XLR Input | - | No |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Kilburn II: $279.00 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Kilburn III, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5, released May 2025. It adds power bank charging, app control, adjustable EQ and party mode, but drops the built-in mic. Battery life goes from 20 to 50 hours. Water resistance goes from IPX2 to IP54. See every Marshall Portable Speakers generation.
Pros: 20W Class D amp + dual 8W tweeters. 20+ hour battery with quick-charge (20 min charges 3 hours of play). Rugged design with leather handle and reinforced corners, IPX2 rated. Thrives with rock music. Bluetooth 5.0 with 30ft range. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted upper bass, not very detailed, not as deep bass as competitors, upper mids peak. Very low IPX2 water rating. AC charging
Full Marshall Kilburn II review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 36W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.6” x 6.4” x 5.5” (243 x 162 x 140 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” (102mm) woofer + 2x 20mm dome tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX2 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Marshall Acton II: $195.60 each Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Acton IV, estimated 3.7/5, released Jul 2026. See every Marshall home speakers generation.
Same family: the Marshall Stanmore II (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5) and the Marshall Woburn II (larger model, ranked higher, rated 4/5).
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 →
| Released | Oct 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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
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- 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
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