
Marshall Speakers have earned quite a fan following because of their quality offerings and exceptional functionality. But the brand offers a plethora of choices and making the right decision is not as easy.
There are numerous delicate factors to consider, including product build, sound quality, battery life, and so much more. We understand the dilemma and that is why we have decided to compare and review two of the most popular portable Bluetooth speakers offered by Marshall.
Marshall Acton and Marshall Kilburn are claimed to be two of the best Bluetooth speaker in the long line of Marshall Speakers. Here is an in-depth review and comparison to check that claim and help you choose the right one.
Specs
Marshall Acton | Marshall Kilburn | |
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Battery Life | No battery | 20 hours |
Weight | 6.6 pounds 3000 grams | 6.6 pounds 3000 grams |
Dimensions | 10.4 x 5.9 x 6.2 inches 246 x 150 x 157 mm | 9.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches 242 x 140 x 140 mm |
Bluetooth | 4.0 | 4.0 |
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Build Quality & Design
Both Marshall Acton and Kilburn look quite similar with some differences here and there. With a solid vinyl casing and clear front grille showcasing the Marshall logo, both the portable speakers are of great quality.
The one noticeable difference between both the speakers is the addition of a nice and sturdy carrying strap on the top of Kilburn which makes the speaker look quite vintage and classy.
Kilburn also offers wireless connectivity which is stable and does not cause any dips or interruptions while streaming music. It is great for uninterrupted parties and bingeing sessions. While Acton looks similar to Kilburn, it lacks the nice, sturdy strap.
Marshall offers portability in its Kilburn speaker while Acton stays deprived. Kilburn has a built-in battery that can be easily replaced. The battery is estimated to offer almost 20 hours of music play at half the volume. Obviously, the time will decrease if you play it at the maximum volume.
The design of both speakers is nostalgic and classy. The overall build and construction is sturdy and strong and feels quite durable. Marshall Kilburn boasts a dimension of 9.5inches x 5.5 inches x 5.5 inches. Acton is a bit of the bigger side with the dimensions of 10.4 inches x 6.2 inches x 5.9 inches.
When it comes to the overall build quality, both the speakers offer exceptional quality and very resilient and sturdy.
Connectivity
Marshall Kilburn offers an auxiliary input for non-wireless sources. While the sound is good, it gets better when used with a USB sound amplifier but you will have to deal with the hassle of setting it up.
You can easily connect it with your phone’s Bluetooth and enjoy music for almost 20 hours without recharging the speaker. The battery life is a savior if you are on a road trip and want to experience high-quality music from your speaker.
Marshall Acton is quite similar and uses standard auxiliary input for Bluetooth connections and other music inputs.
We were slightly disappointed that Acton does not use an RCA audio input. The one problem you will face with the Acton is that it does not offer any built-in battery and you will need to keep a dedicated power supply.
When it comes to connectivity, we definitely found Marshall Kilburn to be the winner.
Sound Quality
While both Acton and Kilburn offer great sound quality, there are some definite differences.
Marshall Kilburn offers a high-quality sound that can be effortlessly adjusted according to your personal preferences, to almost any kind of music. The knobs for managing treble and the individual bass are some other positive points in this speaker.
The volume output is extraordinary and you can easily play your favorite music at high volume without any glitches and distortions.
The highs are crisp, the mids detailed and clear, and the lows offer a clean and intricate. Although the sound does incline more towards the bass, you can enjoy almost all different genres without much complaint.
The one issue is that you will not get much stereo separation but then again that is the reason why the bass is that clean and deep. The sound feels warm, rich, and crystal clear.
When it comes to the sound quality of Marshall Acton, it offers higher power than Kilburn. With a woofer rated at 25 watts and a dual dome tweeter pumping out 8 watts of power, the power will leave you speechless.
The volume on Acton is slightly louder but both the speakers show equal promise when blasting them at high volume.
With a woofer rated at 25 watts and a dual dome tweeter pumping out 8 watts of power, the power will leave you speechless. The volume on Acton is slightly louder but both the speakers show equal promise when blasting them at high volume.
The sound of Acton is quite clear and crisp. You will experience great highs, clear mids, and bright trebles. We loved the fact that you can turn up the bass just by turning the knob. The different ranges stay where they should and do not bleed into one another.
Acton is definitely more critical and analytical when compared to Kilburn. It shows more professional or “studio” finish. But Acton definitely lacks the vibrancy and punch needed in electronic dance music. It is best for jazz or rock enthusiasts.
Pros and Cons
Marshall Acton | Marshall Kilburn |
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PROS: – Stylish design – Sturdy build – Higher power – Clean, crisp, and accurate – Studio finish – Best for Jazz and rock enthusiasts. | PROS: – Nice and sturdy carrying strap – Built-in battery – Easily adjustable treble – No distortions at the max volume – The sound is clean, crisp, and detailed – Versatile for all genres |
CONS: – No built-in battery – No carrying strap | CONS: – Less stereo separation – Heavier |
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Conclusion
Marshall Acton and Kilburn both show great build and quality. Both the speakers are classy and vintage and will charm any music enthusiast. The sound quality is great and the speaker quite sturdy and long-lasting.
If you want more portability and want a speaker that you can travel around with, Kilburn is best for you. Its built-in battery and long battery life are great positive points and will ensure an uninterrupted music session.
If you are looking for more critical and analytical sound, it is best to go with Acton. The sound is much cleaner and “studio-like”. Acton is also preferable for enthusiasts who are looking for more power.
We found Kilburn to be better than Acton, in portability, build, and sound quality. Go for Marshall Kilburn if you want a more versatile and talented speaker.
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