Short answer: the Stanmore III if you want something currently sold new, the Woburn I if you are comfortable buying used for slightly better measured sound. These rank #6 and #4 of 17 medium powered desktop speakers, $154.01 apart.
Both speakers have real, distinct weaknesses rather than a clean winner. The Stanmore III’s own notes call it not as good sounding as the Stanmore II it replaced, with not enough bass and distortion at higher volumes. The Woburn I’s complaint is different: a peaky midrange with treble rolloff, and less deep bass than others in its class. Neither has a Pros callout on this site, which tells you this pairing is a compromise on both sides rather than one clear best pick.
The Woburn I is the larger, more powerful unit on paper. It is rated for 90W against the Stanmore III’s 80W, with a wider 30Hz to 20kHz frequency response spec against the Stanmore III’s 45Hz to 20kHz, and it is true stereo where the Stanmore III is only partially stereo with a single woofer. It is also considerably heavier, at 17.4 pounds against 9.7.
The Stanmore III is the more modern speaker to actually use day to day: it has a companion app the Woburn I lacks, a newer Bluetooth 5.2 radio versus the Woburn I’s Bluetooth 4.0, and it is still sold new with a warranty rather than only available used.
Buy the Stanmore III if you want current manufacturer support and a newer Bluetooth connection, and can live with its own bass and distortion complaints.
Buy the Woburn I if you find a good used unit and prefer its stereo imaging and wider frequency response over the Stanmore III’s tighter, punchier design.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Stanmore III | Marshall Woburn I | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $345.99 each | $500 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #6 of 17 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #4 of 17 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.0 |
| Dimensions | 13.8" x 8" x 7.4" (350 x 203 x 188 mm) | 15.7" x 12.1" x 7.9" (400 x 308 x 200 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, Aux | Bluetooth, RCA, Aux |
| Drivers | 5" (midrange/woofer), 1x 5" midrange, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters | 2x 5.25" woofers, Integrated in woofers midrange, 2x 1" tweeters |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) | 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Amplifier Power | 80W (Woofer: 50W, Tweeters: 2x15W) | 90W |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | 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, 5.2 | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~50Hz |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Marshall Woburn I:
- Marshall Woburn I vs Marshall Woburn III
- Marshall Woburn I vs Marshall Woburn II
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn I
- Marshall Woburn I vs Marshall Acton III
- Marshall Stanmore II vs Marshall Woburn I
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 Stanmore III: $345.99 each Amazon eBay
Pros: At 4.4 kg, Marshall Stanmore III combines 5” (midrange/woofer), 1x 5” midrange, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters with Bluetooth, RCA, Aux. Ac-powered operation and limited-stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: Bass is limited by its 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification.
Full Marshall Stanmore III review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W (Woofer: 50W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.8" x 8" x 7.4" (350 x 203 x 188 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (midrange/woofer), 1x 5" midrange, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Stanmore III vs Edifier D12
- Marshall Stanmore III vs JBL Authentics 200
- Marshall Stanmore III vs Marshall Woburn II
- Marshall Stanmore III vs Marshall Acton III
- Marshall Stanmore III vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Marshall Stanmore III vs Marshall Woburn III
- Marshall Stanmore III vs Marshall Acton II
- Marshall Stanmore III vs Klipsch The Three II
- See all 9 comparisons
Marshall Woburn I: $500 each Discontinued eBay
Pros: A substantial mains-powered stereo speaker with two 5.25-inch woofers, two tweeters, 90W output and physical bass and treble controls. It supports Bluetooth with aptX plus RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs, so it is a flexible single-box system for a desk, living room or turntable setup. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Its midrange can be peaky while the upper treble rolls off, and bass reaches only around 50Hz in practice rather than matching deeper modern speakers. At 7.9kg it is not portable, has no app, Wi-Fi or multi-speaker mode, and this discontinued first-generation model should be checked carefully before buying used. Discontinued.
Full Marshall Woburn I review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7" x 12.1" x 7.9" (400 x 308 x 200 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25" woofers, Integrated in woofers midrange, 2x 1" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons