Marshall has redesigned its home speaker range with useful tweaks and two new options, but something important is missing

Marshall introduces Acton IV and Stanmore IV loudspeakers
Redesigned bass port, repositioned cables and modified speaker assembly
Unfortunately, there’s still no Woburn IV in sight

It’s been four years since Marshall revamped its line of home speakers, so the fourth-generation models from Marshall Stanmore, Marshall Acton, and Marshall Woburn are certainly due.

In the words of Meat Loaf, two out of three is not bad, because the former amplifier company (which now seems to focus solely on consumer technology) has just introduced the new Acton IV and Stanmore IV speakers.

These two new speakers are now on sale, and since we’re interested, we already have a Marshall Acton IV review hot off the press for you, that is. the slightly smaller and cheaper of the two. It costs $299.99 / £259.99 (AU$430), while the Stanmore IV is a little more expensive: $399.99 / £349.99 (around AU$700).

Fourth-generation upgrades abound

Cables under the Marshall Acton IV

(Image credit: future)

Acton and Stanmore IV provide some improvements over the third generation models.

These include support for Auracast, improved tweeters for brilliant high-end, a redesigned bass port for greater airflow, and cables that connect to the bottom of the speaker instead of the side.

The latter was an interesting move and was made to allow the speakers to be leaned against the wall. In theory, then, they will fit much better in a closet or closet.

Beyond that, you’re largely getting a package that will feel familiar to Marshall fans, especially the amp-style design and styling. Both remain compatible with the brand’s control app, as well as the M button for controls, and retain the various connection options, including Bluetooth, RCA and auxiliary.

In previous reviews of Marshall home speakers, we praised the bass performance and audio detail (thanks to a previous redesign of the bass port), but wished they could stream music over Wi-Fi or offer voice assistance. Unfortunately, these particular benefits have not been added for the new models, but we can still expect them to arrive with Woburn, right?