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Rated 5 out of 5 stars
One of the best sounding Bluetooth speakers
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Marshall Action III is my favorite Bluetooth speaker in terms of sound quality. It’s not battery powered, so you obviously can only use it near an outlet, but the sound quality, aesthetics, and its simplicity makes for a compelling option.
DESIGN
As you can tell by the images, this speaker mimics the look of a guitar amp. It’s simple, yet refined. It simply looks great on any shelf. And I absolutely love the controls. They are simple, easy to use, and do all that you need them to. There’s an auxiliary port (for those that use devices with an audio output), a source button to switch between Bluetooth and auxiliary, three knobs (volume, bass, and treble), a joy stick that you push to the left to go back a track, right to go forward a track and you push it to pause/play. And then there’s the power switch which is extremely satisfying to use. I should mention that around the knobs are red LED lights that light up to show the volume, bass, treble level.
SETUP
Using an auxiliary cable speaks for itself, but the Bluetooth pairing process was like any other. I flipped the switch on (after I plugged the speaker in of course) and a notification popped up on my Samsung phone asking me to pair. To put it in pairing mode, you simply hold the Source button down until the Bluetooth LED light blinks quickly. You’ll then be prompted to download the Marshall app (if you don’t already have it). More on the app below.
SOUND QUALITY
Within moments I was setup and ready to go. I placed the speaker in my living room on a table underneath my TV (mounted on the wall). I turned it on and immediately cranked the volume and was literally blown away. It’s loud and clear with deep bass and crisp highs. I played everything from rock, to hip hop, to my kids’ music. It sounded fantastic. For point of reference I was streaming music from YouTube music (FWIW). The sound fills the room without any distortion. I’m frankly impressed with how much bass this speaker puts out. And in some ways it isn’t overbearing. If you’re having a party and just want some background music, it’s great. If you want to jam out and have a dance party it can handle that as well. It really has studio quality sound. It certainly lives up to the Marshall name.
APP AND CONTROLS
I wanted to comeback to the app. I’m not one to typically tweak minute sound settings. I like just having the basics of bass and treble. For better or worse, the app only allows you to tweak the settings that you can control on the speaker. The app is in some ways unnecessary for that reason, it doesn’t really give you much in addition to what you can control on the speaker itself. But there is a setting for sound compensation within the app. If your speaker is in a corner or close to an edge, you can indicate that in the app and it will adjust the sound. The equalizer in the app only adjusts the bass and treble.
One other comment re controlling the device. I love how you can adjust the sound on your phone. In other words, when you turn the volume down on your phone it turns down the volume on the speaker. This is shown by the lights indicating the volume level around the knob itself. Same goes for changing bass and treble within the app.
WRAP UP
The biggest downside of this speaker is the lack of battery. I wouldn’t say it’s not portable, it is insomuch as it’s not heavy and bulky. But there’s no carry handle, so it’s definitely geared to become a permanent fixture in your home. If you need something to take on a trip, this may not be the next choice for you. But if you’re taking it somewhere you know you’ll have a plug, it’s worth considering given the superior sound quality compared to most other speakers I’ve used. But it’s also not waterproof, so using it by the pool or outside with a chance of rain, will require some forethought. Last, I’ll just add that there’s no “special features” to really distinguish it from other speakers. Other features might be pairing with other speakers for stereo effect or “party” lights. Frankly, that’s perfectly fine by me. Marshall focused its efforts on doing what it does best and that’s creating terrific sound. It’s simplicity and not having those extra features is frankly, a reason to look at this speaker despite it’s price.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the speaker:
Pros:
Leading sound quality in a Bluetooth speaker
Loud and clear
Deep bass
Crisp highs
Easy to use
Cons:
Expensive
Not waterproof
Not battery powered, must be plugged in
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Having owned a bunch of Marshall audio products I have to say I had high expectations on how good this product refresh would be. In summary - I was not disappointed!
The Marshall - Acton III is remarkably small for the amount of high impact, high fidelity sound it produces. Setup was super quick and I was blasting all my favorites in a mere matter of minutes.
The build quality is typical Marshall and the only gripe I have is the rather flimsy "rocker" switch on the top control panel section that allows for skipping forward & back... along with play & pause control of the connected devices audio app. Perhaps I'm just too picky but the action of this rocker switch feels a little lacking. But really, only time will tell how it holds up. It does function properly and is a convenient feature to have 'on board'. The onboard LEDs are clear & bright. All the knobs feel top-shelf and the aesthetics are ALL "Marshall".
In the week or so I've demo'd the Marshall - Acton III, I've not experienced a single connection drop and the Bluetooth connectivity with high rez material has been astounding. With the basic tone controls on the top, you can dial this speaker in with great range of contour. The precise bass reproduction is kind of mind blowing and the mid-range & treble clarity is awesome out of the box. The soundstage the Marshall - Acton III creates is also pretty amazing. Botton line: I can only assume that this speakers sound will improve with use - as it breaks in.
The Marshall - Acton III gets pretty darned loud for its size and I wasn't left wanting for anything more. No matter if I was using in the garage, on the patio or inside a large great-room, the dBs were massive - with great bass and treble response & no distortion.
At the time of the writing this review, I did find the mobile app for the Marshall - Acton III somewhat shallow. Hopefully that part will improve with time.
All-in-all I am very happy with the Marshall - Acton III. It hits it out of the park each & every time. Would it have been nice to have some kind of detachable handle or strap? Certainly. Could it have been better to have an internal battery to make it more "on the go" portable. Sure thing. But that would have increased the cost and undoubtedly changed how this thing is tuned regarding the cabinet and the drivers. So, no bigs!
Pros:
Very compact for the amount of high-fidelity sound it produces.
All the controls one would need right there on the top.
Big, full, high-fidelity sound that doesn't disappoint.
Solid wireless connectivity and easy as pie setup.
And it's Marshall ... so it looks Good!
Cons:
None
Sidenotes:
The playback toggle control on the top feels a tad bit flimsy to me. YMMV
The mobile app is thin in features and pretty much useless in terms of functionality.
I can confidently recommend the Marshall - Acton III to anyone looking for a nicely priced, high performing - compact Bluetooth sound system.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
If you're passionate or like vintage you will love this Marshall Action3. As my other Marshall speaker when it comes to quality they are top notch. They have this distinctive vintage aesthetic look that makes them stand out. This Actions 3 falls in the same category, is a Bluetooth speaker that will take you back in time. This is not a small speaker but it is not that big either, it measures 10.23x6.69x5.9 inches. It is nicely well constructed. The outer side is covered with thick plastic that gives this leather look and feel. On the front it has this grayish mesh which I believe to be plastic but it gives this cloth look. It has the Marshall brand in the center and gold trim accent that gives this speaker such a retro appearance.
On the top of the speaker you have the retro golden analog/digital knobs and switches. Yes, they look and act as analog knobs but you can also control them digitally. There are 3 knobs, one for the volume, the other two are for bass and treble. There is a power switch, backward/fast forward switch, a source button and AUX input. Yes, there is an actual switch to power on this device, I love it. This speaker is portable but does not contain an internal battery; it has to be plugged. Paring was very simple. If you have an Android device it will pop on the screen as soon as it recognizes it.
To control the speaker digitally you have to use the Marshall Bluetooth app. The app is simple to use. Within the app you can control those analog knobs for the volume/treble and bass. You can set specific placement of the speaker that will adjust the sound accordingly. You can also control the current song that’s playing and add more speakers. The speaker sounds great, and it is loud. It has a 4 inch woofer and two angle tweeters. I do wish it had a deeper bass but for the size it does very well. if you sit it against a wall or a corner you’ll get a much better bass response. The tweeters do a very good job with the high sound. This speaker will definitely fill a large room with no issues.
Overall this is a speaker that sounds great and looks amazing. A vintage that will take you back in time. It is very well constructed and it is easy to set up and use. It supports Bluetooth LE and is earth friendly as is made of 75% recycled plastic. If you don’t mind the lack of internal battery for portability this speaker will look great in your home. In the box you get the speaker, power cable, and some manuals.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Marshal Action III Bluetooth speaker may be small in stature, but it's BIG when it comes to sound. This is, perhaps, one of the most richly sounding Bluetooth speakers I have ever used.
Setup is simple - the Marshall App was able to find the speaker almost immediately. Within the app, you can adjust the bass and treble along with spacial placement assistance they refer to as "Placement Compensation." I was a little unsure of how much Placement Compensation would really do, but it is incredibly impressive. I have the Marshal Action III Bluetooth speaker on a shelf that backs up to a wall. Tweaking the placement within the app made quite a bit of difference, especially with the bass which is already very strong.
One unique quality of this Bluetooth speaker is its design. It's made to look vintage but with a modern twist. The top has manual, vintage-appearing switches and dials but the device is fully connectable via Bluetooth.
The range is also quite impressive. I am using an iPhone 14 Pro Max and was able to maintain a connection with this marvelous Bluetooth speaker on another floor of my home (approximately 3,400 square-feet). I left my phone upstairs and the speaker continue to play loud, clear, bass-rich music effortlessly.
For anyone looking for a relatively small speaker with a LOT of great sound - this is a great option. As an audiophile, I am beyond impressed.
Classic Marshall Design, looks great, sounds great
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
As a long time guitarist and musician / music lover, I was drawn to the Marshall Acton III by its beautiful and classic Marshall styling. I love that it kind of resembles a guitar amp. I wanted it for my Vinyl record player. I connected it via Bluetooth, and I love this little speaker. The toggle on and off switch feels just like a guitar amp switch. The volume, treble and bass knobs are a nice touch. Most Bluetooth speakers don’t have any sort of physical controls for that. Having the ability to tweak treble and bass on the fly is a must have for me. I think they are “fly by wire”. So, when you adjust the volume, or EQ, it takes a second or so to make the change. If that makes any sense? Not a deal breaker, but keep that in mind, when adjusting volume or EQ with the knobs. Build quality is excellent, it feels like a solid and well built Marshall head lol. Feels like it is built to last and come with you on the road for tours ! (or holidays) It requires a power connection (no built in battery) but that is ok with me. It stays put near my record player at home. Sound quality is fantastic. It gets very loud. I leave it at about 30-40% and it easily fills our living room. Bass and treble sound great. To my ears, it kind of has that warm / classic sound of a Marshall cab. It’s great for vinyl record listening in my opinion. It will also pair with your phone, tablet, laptop via Bluetooth or Amy device that has an AUX out port. Thank you Marshall for including the 3.5mm input, I still use and love having that option. Would I recommend this speaker? YES! It sounds great, and looks beautiful on any shelf. I love it and I think you will too.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I recently purchased the Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Speaker in Black, and I am thoroughly impressed with both its performance and design. This speaker perfectly combines vintage aesthetics with modern sound technology, making it a standout addition to my home audio setup.
First and foremost, the sound quality is phenomenal. Despite its compact size, the Acton III delivers rich, full-bodied audio with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. Whether I'm listening to rock, jazz, or podcasts, the sound is always balanced and immersive. The speaker easily fills the room with sound, and the bass is surprisingly powerful for its size.
The Bluetooth connectivity is seamless, allowing me to pair my devices quickly and without any hiccups. The range is great too; I can move around my apartment without losing connection, which is a huge plus. It also has an AUX input, which is a nice touch for connecting non-Bluetooth devices.
In terms of design, the Acton III is a real eye-catcher. The classic Marshall look, complete with the iconic logo and textured vinyl finish, adds a touch of retro charm to any space. It’s stylish without being overly flashy, and it fits perfectly on a shelf or side table.
The build quality is top-notch, as you would expect from Marshall. It feels sturdy and well-constructed, giving me confidence that it will last for years. The knobs for volume, bass, and treble on the top of the speaker are easy to use and allow for quick adjustments to tailor the sound to my liking.
Overall, the Marshall Acton III is an exceptional Bluetooth speaker that offers fantastic sound, great design, and solid build quality. If you're looking for a speaker that looks as good as it sounds, this is definitely the one to get. Highly recommended!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Speaker in black, and I must say, it's an absolute game-changer in the world of portable speakers. This compact powerhouse not only delivers exceptional audio quality but also adds a touch of timeless elegance to any space.
First and foremost, let's talk about the sound quality. The Acton III produces rich and vibrant sound that fills the room with remarkable clarity. Whether you're listening to your favorite tunes, watching a movie, or hosting a small gathering, this speaker delivers a truly immersive audio experience. The bass is deep and resonant, the mid-range is well-balanced, and the highs are crisp and detailed. You'll find yourself rediscovering your music library with a whole new level of appreciation.
The Acton III's design is a perfect blend of classic and contemporary. With its iconic Marshall logo, textured vinyl covering, and gold accents, this speaker exudes a sense of sophistication. It effortlessly complements any decor, be it in your living room, bedroom, or even your office. The build quality is outstanding, ensuring that it will withstand the test of time.
Connectivity is a breeze with the Acton III. The Bluetooth feature allows for seamless pairing with your devices, and the aptX technology ensures a stable and high-quality wireless audio connection. Additionally, it also offers a 3.5mm input for wired connections, providing you with versatility and convenience.
One aspect that truly sets the Acton III apart is its user-friendly controls. The top panel features a set of analog controls, allowing you to adjust the volume, bass, and treble to suit your preferences. It's refreshing to have physical knobs that provide a tactile and intuitive experience, making it easy to fine-tune your audio exactly how you like it.
Lastly, the Acton III boasts impressive portability. Despite its compact size, it delivers a punchy sound that can fill a room. You can easily move it around your home or take it with you on your outdoor adventures, ensuring that you always have your favorite music by your side.
In conclusion, the Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Speaker in black is a remarkable audio companion that combines exceptional sound quality, timeless design, and user-friendly features. Whether you're an audiophile, a music lover, or simply someone who appreciates great sound, this speaker is sure to elevate your listening experience. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of audio bliss!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Marshall Action III Bluetooth Speaker is an all around great speaker. The retro styling is great for the garage or My Man cave. The sound is good from near and far
The companion app to get started is one of the best I have seen. it literally took less than 30 seconds to pair and play. No issues what so ever.
The ability to dial in your treble and bass to your liking directly on the machine is nice, especially when you are going to stream an certain band or concert. You set it and forget it. The same can also be done via the Marshall App.
The base beats for the size of the box and the mid tones come through perfect. Like previously said I use mine in a 2 car garage when playing with my Mustang. and the sound fills the whole space without distortion. Same results in the Cave, 500 sq feet.
The app will allow you to adjust your equalizer in case you are not near your box. The lights on the box actually change when increasing and decreasing levels.
Placement compensation is a neat tool to ensure the best sound possible no matter the setting. Just a few questions and it is set. I could actually hear a difference when testing this feature and its options.
On the fly updates through the app make sure your box is always up to date.
The only down side to the almost perfect box is the fact that there is not an internal battery. It must be plugged in so it is not as versatile as it should be. but not a game changer for me. But did take away 1 star from rating.
I would recommend this to family and friends.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I had a hard time deciding whether to get the portable or corded version of this, they are different models and sizes, but priced about the same. Finally I decided that +90% of the time I'll be in a location that has power, either on my patio, pool or at work. And the Action III has the larger amplifier, with hardware bass and treble controls. I have two other BT speakers that are about this size, one does not have an Aux input, as this Marshall does. Both are priced about the same. They both start with a brand name that starts with "S". I did some side by side comparisons, and this Marshall Action III, was far better than the one from a well known Japanese manufacturer. The Marshalls bass and mids were much more well rounded, fuller. Its highs were similar, both very pleasing, the Marshalls had a wider soundstage. Compared to the American "S" brand, which had a room tuning tool, the Marshalls bass was again fuller. But the mid's/voices of the Marshall were not as precise. But to be fair the room tuning tool of the American brand adjusts, equalizes the speaker based on the room's acoustics. The application that comes with the Marshall speaker is pretty primitive, it allows you to change the bass/treble knobs from the app, instead of turning the knobs. Both of the other speakers have more sophisticated apps. Apple's Music app has a set of equalizer settings, these helped me get the Marshall's sound much better to my ear, but not as crisp as I'd hoped. IOn my iPhone I also use an 'Equalizer Pro' app, that provides a sophisticated graphic/parametric equalizer. Using this I could dial in a better tone curve that I could get from either of the other speakers. So with the appropriate sound tools, I found the Marshall better filled the room than either of the others.
But like I said I'm going to use this speaker outside the majority of the time. So out the door I went. I started listening to Boston's first album. I was about 15' from the speaker with the speaker close to a wall. More than a Feeling, sounded quite airy, the speaker seemed to bounce highs around. Quite pleasant. The bass was a little thin, so I adjusted the bass via the knob on the speaker, and that muddled the mids. I used the equalizer I used indoors and knocked up the bass from 40hz to 120hz about 8db, and what a difference. Another boost from 1k to 2k and the mid highs from the speaker were much improved. As Boston's Foreplay switches to Long Time, and the rhythm picked up, the speaker sounded very sweet, very easy to listen to. Pretty superb. The bass of Smokin was ok for a small speaker, I didn't expect chest thumping bass, and I didn't get it but it had a very even tone, just what I wanted. I was listening with the speaker turned up to 6, and it was plenty loud. But turning it up to 8 it was really loud, MUCH louder than my Japanese "S" brand could go, and a bigger, deeper bass. I then listened to some DSOTM, Money sounded amazing, a little bass light but the mids and highs were awesome. US And Them had a nice presence, some nuances of the girls' voices seemed to get lost in the mono mix, but the subtle voices in Brain Damage and Eclipse seemed quite fine.
All and all this is an excellent speaker, the software they provide is somewhat deficient, but this is easily remedied. The bass and treble knobs do boost those frequencies, but depending on your listening environment some additional help will yield better results. This is exactly what a parametric equalizer is intended to do, help get the most out of a good speaker, based on your rooms acoustics. Marshall has a winner here.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I never write reviews but this speaker is so good that I just had to. 10/10 recommend completely. The bass and treble are really good and the sound is so phenomenal that it feels like the music is being performed right in front of you. If you have doubts about this speaker, don’t because you will get your mind blown. For a small looking speaker it can really get to work in the sound department. Get it if you’re considering buying it.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Marshall Acton III is a standout in its class. It pairs gorgeous design with seriously good audio performance. If you want a powerful “plug-in” speaker that looks as impressive as it sounds, this is a winner.
I briefly owned a second-generation Stanmore, and in my opinion, it wasn’t tuned particularly well at low volumes. The Marshall Acton III, however, is a completely different experience. For someone like me who enjoys having music softly playing in the background, this speaker is tuned beautifully — the sound remains balanced, clear, and enjoyable even when played quietly.
On top of that, the Acton III still has plenty of power when you want to turn it up, delivering crisp highs, warm mids, and tight bass. The retro design is classic Marshall — stylish enough to blend into any room while still making a statement.
Overall, the Acton III feels like the perfect choice if you want a compact speaker that sounds just as good at low volume as it does when filling a room.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Marshall speaker is really good—great sound and easy to use anywhere. You can connect it at home, on the go, or even in your car. Stylish design with strong, clear audio every time.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Well worth the $$. I am extremely happy with the sound & ease of use. It looks extremely pretty, contrmporary, macho in just about any room of the house. I would gladly buy the exact same model if i ever needed to. Ive had it for the past 15 months. 05/2025. [It is only plug in type (no battery).
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I bought the Acton III recently and absolutely love the audible quality it exherts. I have never been so satisfied purchasing a speaker that explodes your music while keeping the music playing crisp. I enjoy taking this outside in my back porch and play whatever the mood I am in. I do wish I could take it anywhere I could like a jobsite but you'll need somewhere to connect power. Overall, for the simplicity in design, the quality of material and most importantly the sound it delivers, I will not be going to any other brand such as JBL anytime soon.
Great sound... so much better than our Alexa devic
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
We really like the sound and look. Deep base, and clear high ends from a somewhat compact speaker. The form factor is the best part of this. First saw one of these at a boutique hotel but it didn’t work. Then an AirBnb had one so we got to really play with it. Overall, worth it to have a few good speakers in your home and this one both looks and sounds great!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
As an amateur music lover, the Marshall Acton III has completely elevated how I enjoy music at home. The iconic Marshall design is a standout — vintage, stylish, and solidly built.
Sound-wise, it’s honestly a game-changer. I may not be an audiophile, but everything I play sounds noticeably richer and more detailed. The bass is warm and balanced, vocals are crisp, and the overall sound feels immersive, no matter the genre — whether it’s acoustic, indie, or old-school rock.
The setup was simple, and the Bluetooth connection is super reliable. I also love the physical knobs — they make fine-tuning the sound feel more personal.
If you’re someone who truly enjoys music and wants a speaker that delivers both quality and character, the Acton III is absolutely worth it.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is an overall amazing speaker. I love it so much I find myself needing to order another one. We use it for our records and now I want one for the other room so I don't go without this excellent sound. Plus it just has that classic look and it is so simple to set up with bluetooth!!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I got this speaker for my small apartment and it works wonderfully. It fills the room with superb sound quality. Not only does it sound nice, but it is built beautifully. It is obvious that this speaker is built with quality materials and is designed to last a very long time. I also found that this speaker performs much better in small rooms vs big rooms, specially on the low end of the sound, I have experienced much more bass in smaller rooms, however this is expected. All in all, this is just such a high quality product and it is worth the price tag. For its size, this speaker has surprisingly good bass, great treble and gets more loud than you would probably need, just a great product.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is hands down my favorite purchase that I have bought the entire year. This speaker is a good medium size with bluetooth compatibility and I was so shocked when I first started playing it and the sound quality was SO GOOD. You can adjust the bass and you can hear sounds that youve never heard before. Who needs to go to a concert when you can just listen to this speaker?