Marshall Stanmore II vs Acton II: What Is the Difference?
In today’s highly competitive speaker industry, Marshall speakers have managed to achieve high rank despite strong competition. It seems like the popularity will continue to grow steadily in the years to come.
In this situation, it seems very difficult to choose between Marshall Stanmore II or Acton II, so this article will help you decide which one is best for you.
I would choose the Stanmore II over the Acton II since, while the latter may be loud enough for your kitchen (or, at most, a smaller bedroom), you would still have more distortion at lower volume levels with it. The Stanmore II is a great option for living areas greater than, say, 220 square feet (20 square meters).
In this article, I have compared the Marshall Stanmore II vs Acton II, highlighting their similarities and differences to help you decide which one to choose. So, let’s get started!
Marshall Stanmore II vs Acton II Comparison Chart
| Features | Marshall Stanmore II | Marshall Acton II |
| Weight | 10.25 lbs | 4.53 lbs |
| Frequency Response | 50HZ to 20KHZ | 50HZ to 20KHZ |
| Woofer | 50W | 30W |
| Connectivity range | 30’ | 30’ |
| Connectivity (wireless) | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Connectivity (wired) | 3.5mm input and RCA | 3.5mm input |
| Price | Check price | Check price |
Marshall Stanmore II Review
Like other Marshall products, the Stanmore II speaker’s design is like the classic Marshall amplifiers. The Stanmore II wooden box, textured vinyl exterior, and manual control knobs all contribute to its vintage feel.
According to the company, the most adaptable speaker in the Marshall lineup, the Stanmore II is ideal for any size space. Even at the greatest volumes, it generates clear and accurate sounds, thanks to its sophisticated construction.
Specifications:
- It has a maximum total power of 80W.
- The connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX; two 0.75″ dome tweeters and one 5.25″ woofer.
- You can use the Marshall Bluetooth App as well.
- It has almost frequency response of 50 Hz to 20 kHz.
- It includes Bass, treble, and volume control knobs.
Pros
- It has excellent audio quality, with clear highs and a deep, rich bass.
- It includes Applications EQ.
- You can turn the Bass and Treble knobs to adjust the sound.
- It has an attractive design on its whole.
Cons
- It is a little bit pricey.
- It can warp at high volumes.
- The rear panel is ugly.
- There are no input audio cables provided.
Marshall Acton II Review
The smallest and least priced of the three recently released Marshall Bluetooth speakers is the Acton II. Nonetheless, the Acton II Bluetooth is pretty huge by many measures. You’ll enjoy the style and detailing here if you like the way Marshall amplifiers look. The Acton II Bluetooth boasts robust bass and treble dials that can be adjusted.
Specifications:
- It has a maximum total Power of 60W.
- It has multiple connectivity options like Bluetooth 5.0, one 4″ Woofer, and two 3/4″ dome tweeters.
- It has a frequency response of almost 50 Hz to 20 kHz.
- It includes Volume, Bass, and Treble Control Knobs and a 1/8″ Aux In.
- It has a 10.24″ wide design.
Pros
- It has a powerful, balanced overall sound signature.
- It has a handsome design.
- It includes built-in bass and treble knobs.
Cons
- It faces distorted with deep bass at high volumes.
- It has an unattractive back panel.
- There are no included accessories with it.
Features Compared
Design
The traditional and iconic look of the Marshall Stanmore II Bluetooth and Marshall Acton II Bluetooth speakers is not hidden.
The Stanmore II captures the vintage spirit of Marshall amplifiers with its leather grain body, brushed aluminum tweed-like fabric grille, and gold-colored embellishments.
But unlike the Acton II, its rear panel, which is decorated with legal language and warning labels, is not as visually appealing.
The Acton II preserves a sophisticated appearance in a more compact design thanks to its tweed-covered grille and realistic-looking grain leather patina.
The Acton II has a more elegant and compact appearance, together with its elegant leather finish.
Performance
The five-band in-app EQ and the speaker’s bass and treble knobs contribute to the impressively balanced and powerful sound characteristic of the Stanmore II.
When tracks have a lot of sub-bass material, it does a great job of providing strong bass while keeping a balanced profile at moderate levels.
Though some distortion is heard at very high levels, there is more adaptability in the sound customization options available through the app and physical knobs.
On the other hand, the Acton II Bluetooth produces a rich and full sound, particularly in the midrange, at remarkable volume levels.
Even at mid-level settings, it exhibits distortion on tunes with strong sub-bass content, indicating difficulties with deep bass.
Frequently asked questions
At high volumes, how do the distortion levels of the Stanmore II and Acton IIcompare?
At extremely high volumes, distortion is present in both speakers, but the Stanmore II Bluetooth is far more distorted. On the other side, the Acton II Bluetooth has trouble with deep bass distortion, particularly on songs with a lot of sub-bass content.
Are RCA and 3.5mm aux input cords included with these speakers?
Remarkably, considering their relatively high costs, neither the Stanmore II nor the Acton II come with cables for the RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs.
Which speaker has a more elegant and sophisticated design?
Although taste in design is personal, the Acton II Bluetooth is renowned for having a more sophisticated and small design.
Final Verdict
The ultimate winner is determined by your priorities. The Acton II could be your first option if a dynamic midrange, portable design, and fashionable appearance are important to you.
The Stanmore II, on the other hand, performs better if you value a more comprehensive EQ customization, a vintage design, and a somewhat bigger form size.
In the end, both speakers are worthwhile, but the Marshall Stanmore II Bluetooth comes out on top because of its well-rounded audio quality and extensive customizability.
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