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Alexa, what's new with the Marshall smart speakers?
Marshall, a company renowned for its guitar amplifiers, announced an update to two of its popular, pre-existing speakers. The Stanmore II Voice and Action II Voice include Amazon Alexa support straight out of the box.
Connecting via Wi-Fi allows for hi-resolution audio streaming, which is available with both products. Of course, you can also connect via Bluetooth, directly through Spotify Connect, with an RCA cable, or a 3.5mm aux cable. Safe to say, there’s no shortage of connection options.
Both speakers come dressed in all-black vinyl with gold accents, appearing unmistakably “Marshall.” And, just like their predecessors, both are adorned with top panel controls, harkening back to the days of analog adjustments.
Each speaker houses a Class D amplifier for the woofer and two Class D amplifiers for the tweeters. As one would expect, the larger Stanmore II Voice gets a bit louder than the Action II Voice at 101dB(SPL) and 98dB(SPL), respectively.
It’s not all about smart speakers
Even though Marshall is investing in Alexa integration, the company also released a non-smart speaker, the Killburn II. It’s more portable and provides 20 hours of playback before needing to be recharged. Weighing in at just 2.5kg (5.5lbs), Marshall touts the Killburn II to be the “loudest speaker in its class.”
The signature Marshall aesthetic means that this is decked out with a metal grille and guitar-inspired strap for transport. Unlike the company’s guitar amplifiers, this speaker is water-resistant.
Marshall’s new smart speakers will be available October 2 with the Action II Voice retailing for $349, and the Stanmore II Voice for $449. The Killburn II will begin shipping on September 13 for $299.