Table of Contents
Key Features of Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Speaker
Marshall Acton III is a home speaker model that perfectly embodies a blend of vintage aesthetics, cutting-edge features, and uncompromising audio performance. Released in 2022, the Acton III comes with a detailed user manual, essential legal and safety information, and a mains lead.
One of the defining features of Marshall Acton III is its powerful audio performance. Operating in stereo mode, the speaker possesses a broad frequency range of 45 – 20,000 Hz, which caters to a wide spectrum of sound. With one 30-watt Class D amplifier for the woofer and two 15-watt Class D amplifiers for the tweeters, it provides a maximum sound pressure level of 95 dB at 1 meter. The bass-reflex cabinet principle further enhances the richness of the sound, delivering deep and resonant bass tones.
The Acton III is equipped with adjustable bass and treble controls, which can be adjusted through analog controls on the device or the Marshall Bluetooth App. This feature ensures users have the flexibility to customize the sound to their liking, catering to different music genres and listening preferences. Marshall Acton III also integrates Dynamic Loudness, which maintains tonal balance at different volumes, offering a consistent sound experience.
In terms of design, Marshall Acton III retains the classic Marshall aesthetics with a modern twist. It sports a vegan leather body, a gold Marshall logo, and a grey mesh grille, taking inspiration from the iconic Marshall amplifiers. This speaker is available in black, cream, and brown color options, ensuring a style to fit any room décor.
The speaker has an impressive array of connectivity options. Besides the wired connectivity through a 3.5mm input, it supports Bluetooth 5.2 and Bluetooth LE Audio, providing a seamless, wireless audio experience. The Bluetooth range is approximately 10 meters, and it is designed to support future Bluetooth technology advancements.
The top panel of the Acton III is user-friendly and incorporates controls for source, volume, bass, treble, play/pause, skip backward/forward, and power. These controls ensure intuitive navigation and enhance the user experience. The speaker does not feature a microphone system or voice command feature, and it prioritizes sound performance over excessive features, ensuring a focus on music playback.
The Acton III speaker measures 260 x 170 x 150 mm and weighs 2.85 kg, making it compact and easily portable. While it is not water-resistant, it is intended for home use, prioritizing sound quality and design aesthetics over rugged outdoor features.
The speaker is equipped with OTA updates to keep up with the latest software and features, promising improved audio quality, extended streaming range, and enhanced audio synchronization. The Marshall Bluetooth app enables firmware updates and features like Placement Compensation, and optimizing sound based on the speaker’s location.
In conclusion, Marshall Acton III is an impressive home speaker that brilliantly melds vintage design, modern functionality, and superior sound performance, making it an excellent choice for music enthusiasts who value style and substance.
Specification
| Release Year | 2022 |
| Frequency Range | 45 – 20,000 Hz |
| Maximum Sound Pressure | 95 dB at 1 meter |
| Cabinet Principle | Bass-reflex |
| Amplifiers | One 30 Watt Class D amplifier for the woofer and two 15 Watt Class D amplifiers for the tweeters |
| Mains Input Voltage | 100-240 V |
| Mains Frequency | 50-60 Hz |
| Wired Connectivity | 3.5 mm input |
| Controls | Source button, volume control knob, bass control knob, treble control knob, play/pause button, skip backward/forward control knob, power switch |
| Voice Command Capability | Not equipped |
| Bluetooth Range | 10 meters (30 feet) |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.2 and Bluetooth LE Audio |
| Compatible App | Marshall Bluetooth app for iOS and Android |
| Dimensions | 260 x 170 x 150 mm (10.24 x 6.69 x 5.91 inches) |
| Weight | 2.85 kg (6.28 lbs) |
| Water Resistance | Not equipped |
| Colors Available | Black, Cream, Brown |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Impedance | 4 Ω |
| Bluetooth Codec | SBC |
| Sustainability | Made with 70% recycled plastic and vegan materials |
| Warranty | 12+3 months exchange warranty |
Performance
Marshall Acton III is a Bluetooth speaker that performs admirably in day-to-day usage, earning a reputation for its robust sound performance and aesthetic design that harks back to Marshall’s iconic guitar amplifiers.
In terms of sound quality, the Acton III shines with a frequency range of 45–20,000 Hz and angled tweeters. The speaker excels in reproducing various music genres, particularly rock music, and features dynamic loudness and adjustable bass and treble levels, providing a customizable and immersive audio experience. Despite its powerful sound capabilities, some distortion may occur at maximum volume and bass levels, which is a factor users may want to consider.
The Acton III also features a user-friendly design with premium controls on the top panel, including knobs for volume, bass, and treble adjustment, a power switch, and a track navigation button. The Marshall Bluetooth app allows for firmware updates and access to features like Placement Compensation, which optimizes sound based on the speaker’s placement. Its Bluetooth functionality is reported to be easy to use, making the pairing process and control straightforward.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the speaker’s vintage-inspired design, characterized by a vegan leather exterior, mesh grille, and gold accents, sets it apart from other speakers in the market. It is available in three color options: black, cream, and brown, offering variety to fit different style preferences.
Despite its strengths, the Acton III does have some limitations in day-to-day usage. Notably, it lacks advanced features such as a speakerphone, voice assistant functions, and Wi-Fi connectivity. While it comes with the Marshall Bluetooth app, the app itself has limited features. The speaker is also not portable and lacks water resistance, limiting its usage scenarios.
Overall, Marshall Acton III is a compelling option for music enthusiasts seeking a visually appealing and powerful Bluetooth speaker for home use. Its focus on high-quality audio performance and a simple, music-focused experience makes it a worthy choice despite its limitations.
Pros
- Retro amp design: Marshall Acton III boasts an appealing vintage-inspired aesthetic that echoes Marshall’s classic amp design and rock n’ roll heritage.
- Powerful audio: The speaker delivers high-quality sound performance with rich lows, bright highs, and a wide soundstage.
- Adjustable bass and treble levels: The Acton III features well-designed brass knobs for adjusting bass and treble levels, allowing for personalized sound preferences.
- Placement Compensation: The Marshall Bluetooth app offers a Placement Compensation feature to optimize audio based on speaker placement.
- Compact size: Its compact size fits well in various rooms, making it suitable for home use.
- Connectivity: The speaker offers Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, providing reliable connections over decent distances, and includes a 3.5mm input for analog backup.
Cons
- Distortion at high volumes: At high volumes, some distortion can be observed, potentially affecting the overall sound quality.
- Lack of advanced features: The Acton III lacks advanced features like voice control, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a built-in battery, which may limit its functionality and integration into smart home setups.
- Not portable: Due to the lack of a built-in battery, the Acton III is not designed to be portable.
- Cluttered back panel: The back panel is cluttered with legal text, potentially impacting its aesthetic appeal.
Conclusion
The Marshall Acton III is a testament to Marshall’s longstanding reputation for producing quality audio products, characterized by both sonic excellence and visual appeal. The vintage-inspired design is reminiscent of Marshall’s iconic amplifiers, showcasing a blend of the brand’s rock n’ roll heritage and modern functionality. The speaker encapsulates a truly classic aesthetic that can appeal to many music enthusiasts, especially those with a fondness for retro styles.
At its core, the Acton III speaker has been engineered to deliver impressive sound quality. It boasts a frequency range of 45-20,000 Hz, providing a broad spectrum of audio reproduction that captures both the lowest and highest pitches effectively. The speaker comes equipped with tweeters angled outwards to enhance sound dispersion, which can contribute to a more immersive listening experience.
In terms of customization, the Acton III provides adjustable bass and treble levels. This feature, coupled with the inclusion of dynamic loudness for optimal tonal balance, allows users to tailor the audio output to their preferences. Such flexibility can be particularly appreciated by audiophiles who enjoy tweaking their audio settings for an ideal listening experience.
Connectivity-wise, the Acton III offers Bluetooth 5.2 support, ensuring reliable wireless connections. The speaker can also automatically update over the air, providing a user-friendly experience and convenience in maintaining the device’s firmware.
A note of interest is Acton III’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing, with the speaker made of 70% recycled plastic. This shows Marshall’s consideration for the environment, a factor that can be a deciding point for many eco-conscious consumers.
Despite its merits, Acton III does fall short in some areas. It lacks advanced features such as voice control or Wi-Fi connectivity. Also, at higher volumes, some distortion can be observed. However, these drawbacks do not substantially overshadow its strengths, as the Acton III primarily focuses on delivering excellent audio performance in a stylish, retro package.
In conclusion, Marshall Acton III is a compelling choice for music enthusiasts who value sound performance, customizable audio settings, and vintage design. It provides excellent performance at a more affordable price compared to similar models from competitors, making it a strong contender in its category.
FAQs
-
What is the Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Speaker?
The Marshall Acton III is a discreet Bluetooth speaker, designed specifically for home audio. It provides a distinctive Marshall sound experience for home settings.
-
How do I pair the Acton III speaker via Bluetooth?
To pair the Marshall Acton III with a Bluetooth device:
– Use the source button on the speaker to select Bluetooth.
– Press and hold the source button until the Bluetooth LED begins pulsing red.
– From your device, select “ACTON” from the list of available Bluetooth devices to establish the connection. -
Where can I purchase the Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Speaker?
The Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Home Speaker is available for purchase on Amazon, and it offers free delivery on eligible purchases. Additionally, the speaker can be directly bought from Marshall’s official website.
