We’ve always loved the Marshall aesthetic—there’s something about that rock-n-roll swagger wrapped up in textured vinyl, golden knobs, and that unmistakable logo that just feels right. But let’s be honest: when you’re choosing between the Marshall Acton II and the Acton III, it’s not just about the looks anymore. It’s about subtle upgrades that make your favorite speaker just a bit more seamless, a bit more spacious, and—dare we say it—smarter without losing that analog soul.
Sure, they look almost identical. But the moment you start using them, especially side by side, the Acton III starts to pull ahead. It doesn’t scream “new generation”—but that’s kind of the point. It refines, rather than reinvents. And for this kind of speaker, that’s exactly the direction we want.
Same spirit, sleeker execution
At first glance, they’re cut from the same cloth. Literally. Both speakers share that iconic Marshall exterior: textured finish, brass details, tactile knobs, and that big, bold logo across the grille. You could put them in any room—mid-century living room, dark-stained home office, corner of a minimalist studio—and they’d fit like they’ve always been there.
But the Acton III? It’s just… cleaner. The brass strip on the front is slimmer now, letting the grille take center stage. And while the Acton II had a slightly colder white variant, the Acton III swaps it for a warmer, richer cream that gives the vintage vibes a bit more warmth. It’s not a dramatic visual overhaul, but it’s one of those design updates that feels intentional the longer you look at it.
They weigh exactly the same. Dimensions? Also identical. So if you’re thinking about shelf space or portability—no surprises there. But the way the Acton III feels? It just feels more considered.
One extra button makes a surprising difference
The top panel still gives you those beautifully analog controls—volume, bass, treble, source select, play/pause, and the classic toggle for power. But on the Acton III, you get something extra: a track skip button.
Yes, it sounds minor. But once it’s there, you wonder why it ever wasn’t. Being able to skip tracks directly on the speaker—no phone, no app—is so much more convenient, especially if you’re walking around the house or using the speaker in a shared space.
It keeps the layout just as tidy, but now it’s more functional. And for something as simple as music control, that little detail lands hard.
Sound on paper stays the same, but in practice? The Acton III steps it up
Here’s where things get interesting. Internally, both the Acton II and III use the same amplification setup—30 watts for the woofer, and 15 watts each for the tweeters. So on paper, same power, same drivers.
But the Acton III’s frequency response now dips down to 45 Hz, compared to 50 Hz on the Acton II. That extra low-end reach matters—especially in smaller rooms. You feel it more than hear it. Basslines roll in with more body, kick drums punch a little harder, and even acoustic tracks sound rounder and warmer.
On top of that, Marshall re-angled the tweeters in the Acton III, which means sound dispersion is wider. In normal terms? It fills the room more evenly. You don’t have to sit in the sweet spot to get the best sound. Whether you’re at your desk or walking by with a coffee, everything feels more immersive.
It doesn’t just sound better—it feels like it knows how to perform for a room, not just a person.
Bluetooth 5.2 and LE Audio: future-proofed without the fuss
This is the kind of upgrade you might not notice today—but you’ll be glad it’s there down the line.
The Acton II supports Bluetooth 5.0, which is already solid. But the Acton III bumps that to Bluetooth 5.2 and adds LE Audio support. That means lower latency, better battery efficiency (if you’re using a portable source), and improved sound quality over Bluetooth in future updates.
More importantly, the Acton III supports over-the-air firmware updates. So when Marshall tweaks performance or adds features? You get them without cables or weird software. Just a tap in the app, and you’re updated.
The Acton II doesn’t do that. What you buy is what you live with. It’s not a dealbreaker—but the future-readiness of the Acton III adds peace of mind.
Same EQ knobs, same app—but better tuning out of the box
Bass and treble control are part of the whole Marshall experience. Both speakers give you those lovely metal knobs to dial in your sound. Want a deeper low-end? Crank the bass. Want vocals to cut through? Turn up the treble. It’s immediate, it’s physical, and it’s fun.
But if you want more control? Both speakers work with the Marshall Bluetooth app. You can fine-tune EQ, adjust source settings, and push firmware updates (if you’re using the Acton III).
The app doesn’t give the III any exclusive EQ features, but paired with the wider tweeter spread and improved low-end, it just responds better to adjustments. You feel like you’re sculpting something more dynamic.
Multi-host magic and easy wired backup
Both speakers include multi-host Bluetooth pairing, meaning two devices can stay connected at once. Switch from your phone to your laptop? No problem. No need to unpair and reconnect each time. That alone makes them fantastic for couples, roommates, or solo multi-device setups.
And yes, there’s still a good old 3.5 mm jack on the top for wired listening. No RCA, no Wi-Fi, no HDMI. These are Bluetooth-first, and that’s fine. They’re built for simplicity and style, not for being mini home theater systems.
Bluetooth range is the same: about 10 meters. Solid, reliable, no drama.
Volume, weight, footprint? Identical—but one feels more alive
This is maybe the most surprising part. Both hit the same max output (around 95–98 dB), and they’re not built to shake the walls—but they get plenty loud for apartments, bedrooms, kitchens.
What changes with the Acton III isn’t power—it’s projection.
The widened soundstage, extra low-end extension, and tweeter orientation mean the Acton III just fills a space better. It doesn’t need to be louder—it just wraps around you more.
The Acton II sounds more focused. More directional. Still good. Still punchy. But once you’ve heard the III, it feels a little more boxed-in.
No voice mics, no smart assistants—and that’s a feature, not a flaw
If you’re looking for Alexa, Google Assistant, or a built-in mic to take calls—look elsewhere. Neither the Acton II nor III offers voice features. No wake words. No voice dialing. No spying.
And honestly? We like it that way. This is a speaker for people who want music without middleware. You press play, you hear sound. That’s it.
In a sea of smart speakers trying to do too much, this feels refreshingly dumb—in the best way possible.
So, which one wins?
Look, the Acton II still sounds good. If you already have one and love it, you don’t need to rush to upgrade. It still holds its own. But if you’re buying fresh—or trying to decide between the two—it’s pretty clear where the edge lies.
The Acton III keeps everything that worked in the Acton II and smooths out the rest. Better sound dispersion, richer bass, future-proof wireless, OTA updates, and a better user interface thanks to that seventh button.
It feels like Marshall quietly took feedback from the last model and just fixed things. Without bragging. Without slapping a “Pro” or “Max” on the name.
So if you’re into timeless design, crave that Marshall sound, and want a speaker that delivers modern convenience without losing its analog soul—yeah, the Acton III is your winner. Not flashy. Not radical. Just smarter, smoother, and better where it counts.