The Stanmore II will likely be up to powering whatever party you'd like to throw. The Marshall Stanmore II Voice has a bold, brazen sound that fills the room when turned up, but not at the detriment to the audio quality. Enter the Marshall Stanmore II Voice, keen to buck that trend and offer some powerful sounds while still looking pretty great. And what a face it is. Granted, the amp-like exterior is not for all but this Marshall offers something a little bit different. It measures the same 7.7 by 13.8 by 7.3 inches (HWD), but weighs a slightly heavier 10.7 pounds. The Marshall Stanmore II Voice is one old-school looking device. Review Marshall Stanmore II The song’s iconic guitar riff, originally played on a Gibson guitar and (whisper it) through a Fender amp, sounded immediate and surprisingly fresh, then when the band kicked in the amp served the bigger sound well. The analog knobs can be used to change the volume, tweak the bass and the treble. download on the Marshall's Stanmore II Voice smart speaker improves upon the already-solid audio of the Stanmore II Bluetooth while adding your choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice control to the mix. The middle of the panel houses three knobs, one each for volume, bass, and treble. Callahan's baritone vocals sound rich and full, and receive enough treble edge to keep things defined. The looks are truly iconic and the price is still less than some of sonically similar competition. Flick the speaker on, head to the Google Home app, and you’re good to go. With the knobs set to midway, the Stanmore II Voice delivers powerful low frequency on tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife's "Silent Shout." For those who are about to rock, the Stanmore II has just about everything you need--as long as you don’t mind spending a big chunk of money. It’s not cheap at $399, but it sure is cheerful. To the right of this, there's a play/pause button, but there are no track navigation controls. Recently, the Marshall Stanmore II Voice speaker made its way to the Philippines. However, once setup and connected to your Wi-Fi network, you can more or less get by without the app if you'd like. You will receive a verification email shortly. I didn’t need to do too much tweaking to the bass and treble, despite the option to do so through the physical controls on the speaker. The acoustic guitar strums and higher register percussive hits also benefit from the crisp highs—and can get much brighter with the treble knob in effect. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Guide. Size wise, it’s a bit of a beast. For the most part, though, I ignored the knobs and used voice controls. On Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild," the kick drum loop receives ideal high-mid response—its attack retains its punchy presence in the mix. Resembling a pair of the company’s amplifier heads, complete with those so temptingly tactile control dials, the Action II Voice and Stanmore II Voice are the opening acts in the Marshall line. Marshall Stanmore II Voice review: This voice-controlled Bluetooth speaker has the iconic look of rock royalty The sound quality is fairly good overall, especially … The general specs for the Stanmore II Voice are nearly the same as the Stanmore II Bluetooth, but there are some minor variations. However, once setup and connected to your Wi-Fi network, you can more or less get by without the app if you'd like. The bass-reflex cabinet houses two 0.75-inch damped-fabric dome tweeters and one 5.25-inch coated-paper cone woofer facing forward with a port on the back, so don’t place it right up against a wall or other surface to avoid overemphasizing the bass—unle… The Marshall Stanmore II Voice is a stylish smart speaker that has striking looks that are a lot more memorable than the Homepods and Echos of the world. It’s also a … Boosting the bass, of course, can give the drums a thunderous, borderline unnatural sound, but there's room to dial in a more natural (but still boosted) sound. Around back, the speaker has a stereo RCA input (again, no cables provided) and a connection for the included power cable. To polish off the Marshall look, there’s some brass plating, nice LED lighting (around the volume, bass and treble controls and at the front of the device), and twiddly knobs that are made out of rubber and metal, which is a change to the brass ones that the original Stanmore used. The far-field mics pick up voices exceptionally well. Marshall is best known for its vast amp range but in recent years it has used its audio prowess to muscle in on the Bluetooth speaker market. The smallest of Marshall’s Alexa-ready wireless speaker range, and at £249 ($299) also the cheapest, the Acton Voice II continues the company’s mirroring of its iconic guitar amplifier aesthetic. MORE: Best Bluetooth Speaker - Great Sounding, Portable, Wireless. The cowboy jangle of Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead or Alive was much more alive than dead. Marshall Stanmore II Voice stands out as a speaker with superior sound, style, and savvy. There's a 3.5mm aux input (cable not included) and a sound source button to the left, where you can choose between Aux, Bluetooth, RCA, and Wi-Fi inputs. The top, front, and side panels look fantastic, if the retro design suits your tastes, but the back panel isn't quite as nice. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant models available. We like Marshall's Stanmore II Bluetooth, but it doesn't really stand out in a crowded sea of wireless speakers. Thanks to acoustic noise cancellation, the Stanmore II Voice can hear you from across the room, without being distracted by any music already playing through the speaker. Yes, the price has also gone up, but the inclusion of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant adds value speaker—certainly enough to give this a higher rating than its predecessor, and to make it a standout in the smart speaker realm. PCMag Digital Group. There was a problem. On the high end, we're also fans of the Google Home Max and the Apple HomePod. It does mean you do lose the opportunity to fine tune the music through the Marshall app, which also has some music presets. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. The higher register brass, strings, and vocals retain a bright, clear presence. This is a Bluetooth (5.0 and aptX) speaker, which has Wi-Fi on board and the dulcet tones of Google Assistant (or Alexa, if you prefer) can also be found within the wood and vinyl exterior. They're also far from being cheap. It’s a far cry from the likes of other unassuming smart speakers, such as Google Home or Amazon Echo. Fast-forward some 50 years and the bass thud of Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes thrummed as well as I hoped it would. We tested the Google Assistant version of the speaker. One notable difference between this speaker and the Stanmore II Bluetooth is that there's no distortion at top volumes on this track. If you have used Google Assistant before, then you know what to expect—voice control works well on this speaker and, once you have enabled control through the Google Home app, the Stanmore II can become the face of your smart home. However, its … In Alexa App, you will then need to add the Marshall Action II under “Add Device”, which will subsequently show up as “Action II Voice”. Stanmore II voice produces clean and precise Audio, even at the highest level, due to advanced components such as two 15 watt class D amplifiers powering its tweeters and a 50 watt class D amplifier to drive its mighty subwoofer. Lucky for my foot—as it’s highly likely I would break a toe—it was an absolute breeze to set up. Oh, and Alexa is built-in too for good measure. Marshall Stanmore II Voice Speaker: Technical Speaker Specifications The weight of the speaker is about 10.5 pounds and has dimensions of about 13.8” x 7.7” x 7.3”, but though smaller and lighter, this speaker’s rich, throaty sound is comparable to my Marshall Woburn speakers. With Alexa you can use your voice to Multi-Task, hands-free. To get a portable model you have to downgrade to the Marshall Kilburn II. © Chuck Berry’s Johnny B Goode was, well, better than good. For less money, the Sonos One and JBL Link 10 are solid options. The lower register instrumentation has a full-bodied presence that never veers into overly boosted territory. But you can do this yourself through the analog knobs. Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Wi-Fi Alexa Voice Review Final Thoughts If you like the convenience of Alexa voice command and also enjoy listening to clear and precise musical reproductions, this speaker could be perfect for you. Whichever model you choose, you’ll enjoy the combination of powerful sound and retro design. The Stanmore II Voice’s feature list isn’t an exhaustive one but it does most things you’d expect from a wireless speaker. Supports the following Marshall products: Acton II Voice with Amazon Alexa Stanmore II Voice with Amazon Alexa Uxbridge Voice with Amazon Alexa It's black, and covered in white legalese and logos, which is a truly poor design decision that will make you want to place the speaker close to a wall so you don't have to look at its back. Here’s our hands-on take of it. At $50 more than the Bluetooth-only model, the Stanmore II Voice adds your choice of support for Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands. This isn’t a speaker to try and hide away on a shelf—not that you would want to, given how great it looks. Its sound is big and bold, too. The Marshall Stanmore II Voice Wireless Speaker with Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant is one sweet wireless speaker. Marshall Stanmore II Voice – Sound quality Based on its looks, you might expect the Stanmore II Voice to simply bludgeon your ears with volume. Marshall recently updated its line of Bluetooth speakers, and at $349.99, the Stanmore II Bluetooth falls in the middle of its three new options in terms of size, price, and power. In other words, the bass knob is pushing lows and low-mids higher, but the sub-bass frequencies are less boosted—if you're looking for more sub-bass, you might want a system with an actual subwoofer to tinker with. The addition of smart compatibility opens the possibility of an entire multi-room system, too. The speaker is very intuitive to how you want to connect it. The Marshall Stanmore II Voice (2018) has impressed reviewers from two sources that are among the most highly trusted on the internet, namely Wirecutter (NYTimes) and SoundGuys. But that’s the point of this Bluetooth speaker, it’s for those who want that look and for their music to be both loud… and with added voice control. We tested the Google Assistant version of the speaker. The Marshall Stanmore II Voice has a bold, brazen sound that fills the room when turned up, but not at the detriment to the audio quality. New York, The levels are displayed in red underlit LEDs that surround each knob. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. That makes it a stronger value than the standard model, and one of the better high-end smart speakers you can buy. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams', How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, Read Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation) Review, The Best Bluetooth and Wireless Speakers for 2021, Save 15% on Select Alienware, Dell Gaming PCs, Google Discontinues Home Max Smart Speaker, How to Use an Amazon Echo as a Speaker for Your Television, Apple Announces $99 HomePod Mini Smart Speaker. Mics pick voice up easily from long distances. 4. weather-sealed (splashproof) The vocals on this track are clear and clean without sounding overly sibilant, even with the treble boosted significantly. The Amazon Alexa version of the Stanmore II Voice will eventually support similar multi-room streaming, but it isn't currently available. I mostly used Google Assistant to control the speaker, but it’s a lot of fun this way, too. July 10, 2019. Press and hold the mic button for 2-3 seconds until the 5 lights across the front are blue. Read our review on why it’s so damn good. Marshall has unveiled its first two smart speakers, due to go on sale this autumn, and promises more products and voice-assisted services to follow. He specializes in reviewing audio products, and is obsessed with headphones, speakers, and recording gear. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. You will have to find your own aux cable, though, as there isn’t one supplied with the speaker. Size comparison: Stanmore II at the top and Woburn II at the bottom.In Marshall's line-up, Woburn II and Stanmore II are the first and second largest bluetooth speakers. This is why I'd recommend […] The Google Cast platform, controlled through the Google Home app, supports multi-room audio with the ability to stream music over Wi-Fi simultaneously to several speakers at once. We like Marshall's Stanmore II Bluetooth, but it doesn't really stand out in a crowded sea of, Internally, the Stanmore II Voice uses one 50-watt Class D amplifier for the woofer and dual 15-watt amps for the tweeters, providing a frequency range of. Throughout this track you can hear all of the 50 watts the sub has get to work. It’s not exactly small, measuring 13.78 x 7.68 x 7.28 inches (WxHxD) and weighing a hefty 10.47 pounds. It measures 13.78 x 7.68 x 7.28 inches (350 x 195 x 185 mm), so its footprint is more akin to the Google Home Max. Four small status LEDs, located on the bottom right of the front panel, glow and pulse white when the mic is on, and glow amber when it's muted. The Marshall Stanmore II is a bit of a whopper. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, allow the Stanmore II Voice to shine. Connectivity. It weighs 10.3 pounds (4.75 kg), so we wouldn’t exactly call it portable—a lack of rechargeable battery also puts that idea to bed. The front cloth grille and black leather-like enclosure are visually identical, but where the Bluetooth version has a power switch, the Voice model houses a mic button. Contributing Editor Tim Gideon has been writing for PCMag since 2006. We learned that both of them performed far better than most of their competitors - the overall review average earned by Smart Speakers being 7.4 out of 10, whereas the Sonos One Gen 2 (2019) and Marshall Stanmore II Voice (2018) managed averages of 8.0 and 7.9 points, respectively. Simply follow the prompts on Marshall Voice to connect to your WiFi. Put it side by side with one and you would be hard pushed to tell the difference, except the accompanying knobs are situated on the top of the device and not the front. Marshall also manages to improve the audio output—the Voice model doesn't distort on deep bass like the Bluetooth version sometimes does. 001. download the marshall voice app and follow the in-app instructions to set up your speaker. With the Stanmore II Voice, the distortion is gone. The Marshall Stanmore II Voice is a stylish smart speaker that has striking looks that are a lot more memorable than the Homepods and Echos of the world. Otherwise, the top panel remains virtually unchanged. The $399.99 Stanmore II Voice, however, has far less competition in the smart speaker realm. You can be 20 feet or more away and mumble something while the speaker is blasting music, and as long as you lead with "OK Google," the music stops and the assistant follows your command. Our Verdict The Marshall Stanmore II Voice is a powerful, well-balanced speaker that packs in Alexa smart assistant voice controls for music and the smart home. Marshall's Stanmore II Voice smart speaker improves upon the already-solid audio of the Stanmore II Bluetooth while adding your choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice … Buy Marshall Stanmore II Google Assistant Voice Wireless Speaker System featuring Up to 80W of Total Power, Google Assistant Built-In, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, 1x 5.25" Woofer, 2x 0.75" Tweeters, Volume, Bass, Treble Control Knobs. This can quickly become a love / hate object, but in the right home environment it will definitely find its place. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. For a better time with Google Assistant, read our guide on how to train it to more accurately recognize your voice. Marshall Stanmore II Voice Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) is a wireless standard released in 2009. Please refresh the page and try again. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, Today's best Marshall Stanmore II Voice deals, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Best Smart Speakers - Wi-Fi Speakers With Virtual Assistants, 11 Cheap Bluetooth Speakers (Under $50), Ranked from Best to Worst, Best Bluetooth Speaker - Great Sounding, Portable, Wireless, Where to buy PS5 — Best Buy has restock right now, Best phones in 2021: The top smartphones rated. That might seem impossible given the same drivers and amplifiers are being used, but this speaker has a slightly higher maximum sound pressure level of 107dB (as opposed to 101dB). When it comes to Bluetooth speakers, style and good sound quality don’t go together as frequently as you’d like them to. Internally, the Stanmore II Voice uses one 50-watt Class D amplifier for the woofer and dual 15-watt amps for the tweeters, providing a frequency range of 50Hz-20kHz. The Marshall Stanmore II Voice looks just like the amp head for a Marshall stack. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Your subscription has been confirmed. This is a Bluetooth speaker rockstar—one with swagger, stage presence and more than its fair share of musical talent. Visit our corporate site. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. It did great in their objective hands-on roundups - it earned the "Also great" and "Best sound" awards from Wirecutter (NYTimes) and SoundGuys, respectively. MORE: 11 Cheap Bluetooth Speakers (Under $50), Ranked from Best to Worst. Which voice control is really up to you—there’s both an Alexa and Google Assistant variant available. Customise the sound, rename your device, access user manuals, receive software updates and more. It has just arrived in the Google Assistant version, which works with the Google Home system. MORE: Best Smart Speakers - Wi-Fi Speakers With Virtual Assistants. In terms of connectivity, there’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth but no AirPlay 2. Bass may be thunderous, hitting with a thud when a song allows it, but there is still enough room in the mids and trebles for a song to breathe. The Marshall Stanmore II is just like the Stanmore II Voice, without the Wi-Fi and smart-assistant features. I got the speaker in black and it has a honeycomb grey and gold fabric front. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. Marshall Stanmore II Voice looks like a guitar amp of the same brand. © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. While the accompanying Marshall app is a little barren, it’s music presets work well and Google Assistant is seamless. Use this app for quick and easy setup of your Marshall Voice with Amazon Alexa speaker. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, Setting up a smart speaker always falls into two camps: an absolute breeze or ‘if you don’t connect, I’m going to put my boot through you’. This is a little easier than the Amazon Alexa version of the device, where you have to also download Marshall Voice app. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. setting up the stanmore ii voice configure the speaker for wi-fi® with the marshall voice app. Most things that can be done in the app, in terms of music playback, can be achieved with vocal commands. It's also necessary to download for the initial setup of the speaker. It offers Bluetooth, WiFi, and 3.5mm auxiliary inputs. Plus, it has Alexa built-in, so you can control its WiFi streaming with your voice. Marshall's Stanmore II Voice smart speaker improves upon the already-solid audio of the Stanmore II Bluetooth while adding your choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice control to the mix. You can, of course, sculpt and boost with the EQ knobs to your heart's content, but the default settings already sound fantastic. This is complimented by two 15 watt speakers for the tweeters. Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. First of all it looks really nice anywhere in the house. While it may look like something primed to hook a guitar up to, the Marshall Stanmore II Voice’s innards are far more advanced than that. Marshall is best known for its vast amp range but in recent years it has used its audio prowess to muscle in on the Bluetooth speaker market. The $399.99 / £349.99 Marshall Stanmore II Voice sees Marshall emulating its amp’s looks with this device. Keep an eye on your inbox! The latest (and smallest) Marshall smart speaker went live earlier this year - the Alexa-packing Uxbridge Voice, which comes with a Sonos One rivalling $199 price-tag.. the app is available from the app store and google play. NY 10036. Marshall Stanmore II Voice There is a control panel on the device body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to. In this case, the Googe Home app is your ticket to getting the most out of it. Build is typically Marshall, robust and tactile, with amp-like dials for controlling volume, bass and treble and a brushed metal button for source selection … The Stanmore II was one of the leaders in our connectivity testing. On the flip side, the inclusion of Alexa makes this particular Marshall speaker more expensive. These can be used to change the volume, tweak the bass and treble and, once clicked, play, pause and skip tracks. Marshall Stanmore II Voice: Features. The drums get a robust, powerful presence that doesn't sound overly boosted and sculpted in the lows. If you have the room in your budget and are a fan of Marshall's aesthetic, however, you really can't go wrong with the Stanmore II Voice. As a Google Assistant speaker, the Stanmore II Voice features Google Cast, which lets the speaker function like a Chromecast Audio is connected. If you wanted to go even more old school, there is also an aux port situated on the back of the speaker. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/marshall-stanmore-ii-voice. With a commanding voice assistant inside, it’s the definition of large-and-in-charge, dominating the room that Alexa controls. Audio and sound are the first things that come to mind upon hearing the brand, Marshall. The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat sound deep and powerful, though boosting the bass on this track tends to affect the drum loop more so than it dials up the sub-bass. Woburn II is more like a living room speaker whereas the Stanmore II is more like a shelf speaker. It has faster transfer rates and improved security compared to its predecessors – a, b, … In this case, the Googe Home app is your ticket to getting the most out of it. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Overall, the setup is a piece of cake and general operation is simple and user-friendly. Most of the tracks we tried on the speaker were guitar based, for obvious reasons. For the purpose of this review, we went with the newer Google Assistant compatible speaker. Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the Stanmore II Voice's general sound signature. It's also necessary to download for the initial setup of the speaker. Powerful audio performance with rich bass depth and crisp highs. Our biggest gripe with the Stanmore II Bluetooth was that it seemed a tad overpriced for a speaker that sometimes distorted on deep bass. This button mutes or unmutes the dual-mic system, which employs noise cancellation to hone in on voices from several feet away. 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Contributing Editor Tim Gideon has been writing for PCMag since 2006 the newer Google Assistant variant available marshall stanmore 2 voice review! Powerful presence that never veers into overly boosted and sculpted in the house stands as! Back of the speaker and you ’ re good to go even more old,... 'S a play/pause button, but there are some minor variations a toe—it an! You may unsubscribe from the likes of other unassuming smart speakers - speakers... Money, the Marshall Stanmore II Voice stands out as a speaker with Amazon Alexa version the. Voice are nearly the same as the Stanmore II Bluetooth was that it seemed a overpriced!