Marshall Acton III
Score: 78/100
Sonos Sub Mini
Score: 76/100Rankings
The Acton III is a compact, AC-powered Bluetooth speaker that delivers 60 W RMS of rich stereo sound with premium analog controls and modern Bluetooth 5.2 features. Its iconic design and eco-friendly build make it a stylish centerpiece for small-to-medium rooms, though it lacks battery power and advanced smart-home connectivity.
The Sonos Sub Mini is a compact, wireless subwoofer that adds surprisingly deep bass to Sonos setups, ideal for small-to-medium rooms.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
60 wattsbest | — | |
45 Hzbest | 25 Hz | |
20,000 Hzbest | — | |
2best | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 2.85 kgbest | 6.346 kg |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Physical Specs(1) | ||
Weight (kg) | 2.85 kg | 6.346 kg |
Audio Performance(1) | ||
Frequency Response (Low) (Hz) | 45 Hz | 25 Hz |
Design & Build(1) | ||
Finish | Black | Matte white |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the Acton III for delivering bold, room-filling sound in a small footprint, highlighting its powerful 60 W RMS output, wider soundstage from outward-angled tweeters, and modern Bluetooth 5.2 features like LE Audio and placement correction. They note the premium build and iconic design as strong points, while pointing out the lack of RCA inputs and smart-assistant support as the main drawbacks.
Everyday users consistently commend the speaker's impressive sound quality, stylish look, and tactile brass controls, often mentioning the convenience of Bluetooth multipoint and the helpful app. Common complaints revolve around the absence of a battery, occasional Bluetooth drop-outs, and the desire for more wired input options.
Reviewers praise its deep bass and force-canceling design, while noting iOS-only calibration and limited power for larger spaces.
Users love the punchy bass and wireless convenience, but are frustrated by the iOS-only Trueplay and inability to place it horizontally.
“Sounds amazing for its size - fills my 700 sq ft apartment effortlessly.”
“Beautiful design - looks great on my bookshelf or console table.”
“Love the physical knobs - feels like real audio gear, not a plastic gadget.”
