Sony STRDH190
Score: 68/100
Marshall Acton III Midnight Blue
Score: 77/100Rankings
The midnight-blue Acton III offers the same 60 W RMS performance as its black counterpart, wrapped in a stylish, eco-friendly cabinet with tactile analog controls. It excels in Bluetooth convenience and sound quality for modest spaces, but lacks advanced codecs, Wi-Fi, and any form of portability.
The Sony STR-DH190 is a compact 2-channel stereo receiver delivering 100 W per channel with a built-in phono preamp and Bluetooth receive-only streaming. It targets vinyl enthusiasts and casual listeners who value analog sound quality and a sturdy, low-profile design.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
100 wattsbest | 60 watts | |
— | 45 Hzbest | |
— | 20,000 Hzbest | |
2best | 2best | |
| ↓ lower better | 7.756 kg | 2.85 kgbest |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | |
1 countbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Physical Specs(1) | ||
Weight (kg) | 7.756 kg | 2.85 kg |
Audio Performance(2) | ||
Power Output (watts) | 100 watts | 60 watts |
Supported Audio Formats | WMA | SBC |
Design & Build(1) | ||
Finish | Black | Midnight Blue |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the STR-DH190 for its solid build, reinforced chassis, and clear analog performance, noting the phono stage as a strong point for vinyl users while the lack of digital inputs is seen as a deliberate strength for analog-focused setups.
Everyday users consistently rate the receiver highly for sound quality and ease of use, especially appreciating the built-in phono input and stable Bluetooth streaming, though they miss digital inputs and wish Bluetooth could transmit.
“Great sound quality and the phono input works perfectly with my turntable.”
“I wish it had HDMI or optical inputs for my TV.”
“The remote is handy, but the front display is hard to read in low light.”
Professional reviewers praise the Acton III for its premium build, iconic brass knobs, and warm, detailed sound signature that stays true to Marshall's rock heritage. They also commend the Placement Compensation and Dynamic Loudness features delivered through the Marshall app, but criticize the lack of advanced Bluetooth codecs and consider the price high for the feature set.
Everyday users love the speaker's ability to fill modest spaces with rich audio, its eye-catching vintage look, and the tactile satisfaction of the analog knobs. Common complaints revolve around the missing AAC codec on iOS, occasional app instability, overpowering bass at high volumes, and the absence of a battery for portable use.
