A looks, but not only. If Marshall, whose stage amplifiers have been setting concert halls and stadiums on fire since 1962, knows how to cultivate its image like no other vintage, the firm knows the music. Her new enclosure Action IIIwhich “20 Minutes” tested, testifies to an incomparable know-how in combining emblematic design, sound power and audio quality.
An analog mind in a connected body
Beautiful object (260 x 170 x 150 mm for 2.85 kg) that can find its place in any room, the Acton III speaker is a sedentary wired Bluetooth speaker. Once plugged in, all you have to do is plug it in. Optional, the Marshall Bluetooth application will allow you to control the volume, modify the level of bass and treble, but also to improve the acoustic rendering using a new function called “Compensation of placement”.
As with other speakers (we think of those of the American brand Sonos), the device can thus significantly modify its sound reproduction depending on whether it is placed “near an edge” or “placed near a wall” .
For the basic settings, we prefer to use (if we are facing the device), its potentiometers. These undeniably charming physical buttons (Volume, Treble, Bass) are not without pleasure to manipulate, the level chosen by the user for each setting being indicated by small red LEDs which light up gradually on the brass control panel. Marshall has also added a small button to change the musical track (Skip/Forward) which allows you to do without your smartphone. Not to mention the big switch to turn the speaker on and off. Analog atmosphere when you hold us…
60 watts to add sound to almost any space
From the first sounds played, the ear recognizes the significant audio signature of Marshall products. The sound is dry, hard, sharp. In addition to a few classics that we have revisited (a little tribute to the band at The Who, who forged the reputation of Marshall on stage!), the new album Legend by John Legend revealed itself with roundness, but also finesse. On St. Clair, that of Benjamin Biolay, the Acton III knew how to favor the sometimes hoarse voice of the singer. As for That’What Happened – 1982-1985: The Bootleg Series, Volume 7 (the last compilation of Miles Davis!), it was only sensuality.
We can criticize the Acton III from Marshall for forcing a little on the bass. It must be said that the onboard 4-inch woofer, supported by two side tweeters, has serious arguments with its 30 watt amplifier (15 watts for each tweeter). On arrival, the 60 watts of the Action III really get along, with a sound that appropriates the room in which the loudspeaker is installed. We thought it was reserved for small spaces, it largely held its rank in a dining room/living room of around thirty square meters, without having to push the volume in the towers.
A more environmentally friendly design
Sold for 269 euros, this speaker justifies its price. We would have liked RCA sockets to be integrated at the back, in addition to its auxiliary input on the top. More practical for connecting a turntable! Marshall promises that its speaker will be compatible (by update) with the future Bluetooth LE Audio standard which should become widespread in the coming months on audio products. The LE Audio will make it possible to share the speaker between several devices, to connect different speakers to each other, but also to obtain a higher quality rendering.
In addition, Marshall has taken care to manufacture its latest with 70% recycled plastics and 100% raw materials. vegan, as for this leather-like covering (here in black, beige or brown), so emblematic of the brand’s products. This is a basic trend. More and more manufacturers of electronic products are (finally!) making the switch to eco-designed devices. As much as they can be…