Also included on this unit is a handle, something that I wish was part of every speaker for the purposes of portability. Despite being a Bluetooth speaker, the Marshall Stanmore II actually needs to be plugged-in to function. To look at it you may think, “of course it needs mains power, look how big it is”. However, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is a similar-ish size but can run for up to eight hours off a charge. Marshall’s Bluetooth app lets you use parametric EQ presets with more bands that just the treble/bass of the top-plate controls, and create your own. For the most part I’ve used the default “flat” mode, though.

The speaker can put out sound with decent scale and stature, but it can seem a little flat and two-dimensional compared with the best-in-class models. There’s some bass bleed, or at least less-than-ideal tonal control in the area where the bass meets the mids. On the above note, it should be pointed out that both the Stanmore 2 and 3 require a permanent power source. These are not portable speakers with built-in batteries.The placement compensation feature is controlled through the app, and basically functions to modify the equalizer settings if there are obstructions nearby the speaker. Bluetooth 5.2 has the potential to make the speaker much more functional by reducing power consumption and improving communication between devices. Essentially, 5.2 should give us the ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously while also decreasing latency. This is the reason it sounds so relaxed; it’s at ease at volumes that will make your neighbours feel anything but. The Stanmore II is a great party speaker. Both speakers have the same input options – a 3.5 mm aux port, RCA inputs, and bluetooth-capability. The speaker appearance is nearly identical, as well. The control panel is located on the top of both speakers, and again is almost identical. With a global score of 144, the Marshall Stanmore II ranks high in our wireless home speaker database.

While this seems like a downgrade, it really doesn’t make much of a difference. In fact, it contributes to the decreased product weight of Stanmore 3. This gadget was created by Marshall, a British audio enterprise. Anyone who has ever attended a live music session will identify the Marshall logo from towering, strong speakers on either side of the stage. They're consistently named as one of the best speaker brands. They also specialise in amps for your guitar.. Stanmore II is an active set up. Therefore it comes with a fitted amp. On paper, powered set ups are the best option. Active Principle There’s no hiding that the Stanmore II falls behind top performers such as the Sonos One and Harman Kardon Go + Play in certain areas, though. Bass control, dynamics and separation are just okay. Dynamic loudness, on the other hand, changes the equalizer based on the speaker’s volume, in an attempt to find the right sound balance at any level. Testing bluetooth speakers can sometimes feel monotonous – an endless sea of cheap plastic and fabric. But any Marshall speaker turns this trend upside down.As I’ve mentioned, there are two ways to customise the audio. You can either use the knobs on the control panel, or you can use the Marshall Bluetooth smartphone app which is available for both iOS and Android. You get full control over the bass and treble. Admittedly, some options offer even more detailed control across a three or even a five band equaliser but if you’re not an audiophile then those two are sure to be enough. The Bluetooth is very reliable, I could take my smartphone into another room without the music cutting out, and my phone automatically connected almost instantaneously every time I switched it on. So, there is definitely an argument to be made for either version of the Marshall Stanmore, especially if you can find one available at a discount.

Marshall’s marketing material for the 3 focused on the improved soundstage, and thankfully Marshall actually delivered in this regard. The tweeters are positioned with a wider angle on the 3 than the 2, and in testing you can truly hear a difference. The big differences are that Multistream (essentially just a party mode) is “on its way” to the Stanmore 3, as is a “Broadcast” function that allows you to broadcast audio from the speaker to other devices. Marshall is the most iconic name in guitar amplifiers – but if you’re reading this then you probably know this already. Famous names who have used Marshall kit over the years include Hendrix, Van Halen, Slayer and Spinal Tap.

However, the build quality and design of both speakers is so similar that I don’t expect the Stanmore 3 to suffer durability issues. The speaker box is solid, the product is well-built, and the faux leather exterior holds up well over time. It sounds its best when played fairly loud, but doesn’t quite have the separation and dynamics of the very top performers. The same criticism can be levelled at Marshall’s other speakers, too. If you do want a speaker capable of multiroom, then the Sonos Five is a better choice. It provides a clean, room-filling sound that you can stream directly through the likes of Spotify and Apple AirPlay 2. Granted, there’s still no voice control and it’s pretty pricey but you will be able to hook it up to all of your other compatible devices. Small batteries, especially those that experience the drain/recharge cycle on a repeated basis, are destined to fail. The Stanmore, on the other hand, avoids this risk by relying on a constant power source instead. However, the one true omission is portability. The Marshall Stanmore II would be a great speaker for summer days – and if that appeals then you should consider the Harman Kardon Go + Play while it’s still available. Verdict