Marshall announced new versions of its Acton and Stanmore Bluetooth speakers today with upgraded tweeters, bass ports, and internal designs that improve their ability to fill a room with sound. Both the Acton IV and Stanmore IV replace their four-year-old predecessors with a new focus on repairability. Parts including knobs, feet, and the speakers’ front grills bearing the iconic Marshall logo are replaceable should they get damaged.
The smaller Acton IV, featuring a 4-inch woofer and a pair of 0.75-inch tweeters, is available starting today for $299.99 through Marshall’s online store. The Stanmore IV, which has a similar driver setup but with a larger 5-inch woofer, is $399.99. Both speakers feature redesigned bass ports with a “more aerodynamic shape” producing “cleaner and more powerful bass,” according to a release from Marshall. Their power cords now also attach to the bottom of the speakers instead of the back, so the Acton IV and Stanmore IV can be used while positioned flush against a wall.
The new speakers carry forward support for the Bluetooth Auracast feature, making it easy to connect and sync music playback across multiple units, and they both work with Marshall’s Heddon Wi-Fi streaming hub that launched in January. The hub can directly connect to streaming services like Spotify Connect and Tidal (streaming Apple Music requires a smartphone) and broadcast audio to the Acton IV, Stanmore IV, or any Bluetooth speaker supporting Auracast.
