Marshall is taking two of its most popular home speakers to the next generation: The Acton III and the Stanmore III, both originally released in 2022, are getting long-overdue successors in the form of the Acton IV and the Stanmore IV. Despite a four-year hiatus, the launch prices remain unchanged.
Unchanged Price Despite a Four-Year Hiatus
The Acton IV still costs 299 euros, while the slightly larger Stanmore IV remains at 399 euros. Given the general rise in prices for consumer electronics, this comes as a pleasant surprise. Both speakers are already available on the official Marshall website, and additional retailers are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Refined sound and new control panel
Marshall has redesigned the tweeters and waveguides on both models to create a wider and more spacious soundstage. The bass port has also been modified, which, according to the manufacturer, is intended to provide cleaner and more powerful bass through improved airflow.
The distinctive brass control panel remains, but has been supplemented with redesigned media controls. Those who wish to mount the speakers on the wall will benefit from a new cable routing system along the bottom edge. In terms of materials, Marshall uses 100 percent FSC-certified wood; some components, such as the grilles, controls, and feet, are also interchangeable.
Turntable Connection and Auracast for the First Time
The biggest new feature is likely to be of interest to vinyl fans: Thanks to RCA and AUX inputs, a turntable can now be connected directly for the first time—something that wasn’t possible with previous models. In doing so, Marshall is also aligning with its own products, such as the Heddon multiroom hub, which is explicitly designed for the combination of streaming and vinyl. In addition, Marshall has integrated the Adaptive Loudness feature, which automatically adds more bass at low volumes, as well as Auracast, which allows multiple Acton IV and Stanmore IV speakers to be connected into a multi-room setup.
Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Marshall Acton IV | Marshall Stanmore IV |
|---|---|---|
| Woofer | 4 inches | 5 inches |
| Tweeter | 2 x 0.75 inches | 2 x 0.75 inches |
| Amplifier power | 60 W (woofer), 25 W each (tweeter, Class D) | 60 W (woofer), 25 W each (tweeter, Class D) |
| Codecs | SBC, MPEG-2 AAC, LC3, LDAC | SBC, MPEG-2 AAC, LC3, LDAC |
| Connections | RCA, AUX | RCA, AUX |
| Special Features | Auracast, Adaptive Loudness, FSC-certified wood | Auracast, Adaptive Loudness, FSC-certified wood |
| Price (MSRP) | 299 euros | 399 euros |
Price and Availability
The Marshall Acton IV costs 299 euros, and the Stanmore IV costs 399 euros. Both are available now at marshall.com, and retailers are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks. If you’d rather buy one right away and don’t mind that the previous model lacks a turntable connection, you can currently find the Marshall Acton III on sale at Amazon. For a detailed comparison with the competition, check out our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers.
