Yamaha R-S202BL
Score: 71/100
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 Yamaha R-S202BL is a 2-channel stereo receiver offering 100 W per channel, a high 100 dB S/N ratio and Bluetooth 4.1 streaming, aimed at entry-level audiophiles and secondary-room setups. It lacks digital inputs, a phono stage and advanced smart-home features.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
100 wattsbest | 60 watts | |
100 dBbest | — | |
20 Hz | 45 Hzbest | |
20,000 Hzbest | 20,000 Hzbest | |
2best | 2best | |
| ↓ lower better | 6.7 kg | 2.85 kgbest |
| ↓ lower better | 0.5 wattsbest | — |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Physical Specs(1) | ||
Weight (kg) | 6.7 kg | 2.85 kg |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
Audio Performance(3) | ||
Power Output (watts) | 100 watts | 60 watts |
Frequency Response (Low) (Hz) | 20 Hz | 45 Hz |
Supported Audio Formats | MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, WAV | 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 R-S202BL for its low distortion, clean circuitry and impressive power output, calling it a refreshingly honest amplifier that prioritises audio fidelity.
Everyday users appreciate the strong volume, easy Bluetooth pairing, straightforward setup and solid build quality, while complaints focus on the lack of phono input, digital inputs and a basic remote.
“the perfect fit”
“Plenty of volume”
“Bluetooth pairs instantly and maintains stable connection”
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.
