Jakarta –
A few months ago Marshall updated its Homeline speaker lineup by releasing three new speakers. One of them is the Stanmore III, a Bluetooth speaker intended for home use.
The most noticeable difference between the three speakers — Acton, Stanmore, and Woburn — is their size and maximum power. The Stanmore III is in the middle with 50W of power.
But believe me, the sound of this speaker is very thunderous. Even during testing, I never passed the volume above 25% for use in a 5x5m room. What are the overall capabilities of this speaker?
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Design
In terms of design, the Stanmore III — just like the other two speakers — has a boxy body and retro design. Equipped with synthetic leather on the top, edges and bottom which makes it feel luxurious.
This design is very iconic, because it follows the design of the guitar amplifier which has been Marshall’s flagship product since the 1960s. The variant I received was black, and looked very luxurious with the combination of black and brass, complete with the Marshall logo in the middle.
This brass-colored metal material also decorates the panel where the Stanmore III control buttons are located at the top, which consists of the power, volume, treble, bass and other buttons, as well as the 3.5mm auxiliary port.
At the beginning, I mentioned this speaker as a device that is suitable for use at home. This is because this speaker is not equipped with a battery, and has quite dimensions and weight. It weighs around 4 kg with dimensions of 350 x 203 x 188 mm. Lifting it is not very easy because it is not equipped with a handle or handle to lift it. So, yeah, this isn’t an easy speaker to move from one place to another.
Features and Specifications
In terms of specifications, this speaker uses a 5 inch woofer that receives a signal supply from a class-D 50W amplifier. There are also two 0.75 inch tweeters, which receive a signal from a class D amplifier with 15W power.
The supported Bluetooth connection is version 5.2 and supports LE Audio with the LC3 codec. This is much higher than the SBC codec in the Homeline II series. There are also input options from the 3.5mm aux port (on the top of the speaker) and RCA (on the back).
This connection issue is actually quite unfortunate, because the Woburn III — the largest variant — is equipped with an HDMI ARC port which allows it to get input from a TV and — apparently — can function like a soundbar. With a price of IDR 6.5 million, it feels like the AirPlay input option or WiFi connection is worth including. Unfortunately these two features are missing.
Regarding features, the Homeline III series is actually equipped with features available on Android and iOS. Unfortunately, this application is too simple to use, or in other words, its features are very limited. The only aspect that can be regulated via this application is “Placement Compensation”.
This feature allows the speaker to compensate for speaker placement that may not be optimal in the room. However, when I tried it, the changes weren’t too noticeable.
Sound quality
In terms of features and specifications, the Stanmore III doesn’t really stand out. Fortunately, the sound produced is quite satisfying. For a Bluetooth speaker whose sound source comes from one point, the resulting soundstage is quite wide.
The sound produced is also booming, for use in a 5x5m room, a volume of 30% is very sufficient. Oh yes, the bass is boomy and a bit boomy even at the lowest setting, which doesn’t really suit my preferences.
Fortunately, the detail and clarity are maintained and not covered by the bass sound, so the sound is still relatively balanced.
Conclusion
Overall, the Marshall Stanmore III is a speaker that has quality sound and a design that is not ashamed to be displayed in the living room at home. The price, which is in the range of Rp. 6 million, is still quite comparable to the performance and appearance of the design, which is relatively luxurious.
(asj/rns)
Marshall Stanmore III: A Roaring Retro Wonder
Jakarta here we go! A few months ago, Marshall decided to tickle our auditory pleasure zones with the Homeline speaker lineup, introducing three new delectable toys for our home. Let’s just say, the Stanmore III is like Goldilocks—it’s right in the sweet spot with 50W of power. Not too big, not too small; it’s your musical porridge just right!
Design
Let’s talk about design—a blend of boxy charm and nostalgic elegance. The Stanmore III looks like it stumbled right out of a vintage rock ‘n’ roll music video, dressed to impress in synthetic leather that feels more luxurious than your best friend’s questionable leather jacket. It’s like the manufacturer rummaged through old amplifier closets and decided, “Why not wear this?” And it works!
The variant I got my hands on was black, with brass accents. Picture this: you walk into a room with this speaker, and suddenly, it’s like you’ve emitted an air of sophistication. The Marshall logo gleams like a beacon of sound, inviting you closer, saying, “Just try to ignore me while I shake your walls”.
Moving It? Good Luck!
Speaking of shaking walls, let’s address the elephant—or rather, the hefty 4 kg speaker in the room. If moving this speaker was an Olympic sport, you’d need a team of strong men and lots of motivational speeches. With no handle in sight, lifting this beauty should come with a warning: “Do not attempt alone. Call for backup!” It’s quite the work out for your biceps while auditioning for the role of the world’s strongest dinner party host.
Features and Specifications
Now, let’s flex a bit of tech muscle. The Stanmore III is powered by a class D 50W amplifier, featuring a 5-inch woofer and two tweeters. It may sound like a fancy math equation, but it’s all designed to produce sound that can peel the paint from your walls. And yes, it uses Bluetooth 5.2—enabling you to connect to your device faster than you can say “Where’s my phone?” But there’s no HDMI ARC port like its bigger sibling, the Woburn III. So, no fancy soundbar tricks here! Shame.
What About Sound Quality?
Ah, sound quality! It’s like the moment you open a bag of chips and inhale that glorious salty aroma—the Stanmore III delivers. In my little 5x5m test room, keeping the volume below 30% was almost like an act of restraint. The bass booms like a friendly giant, even at the lowest settings. It might even make your cat look up in sheer confusion, thinking, “Is that a new breed of feline?”
The soundstage is surprisingly wide for a single-point source! It’s like a one-trick pony who suddenly learns ballet. The clarity? Remarkable. Even though the bass might have a *bit* of a party, it doesn’t drown out the finer details, unlike that one friend who occasionally overindulges at social gatherings. So you leave with your hearing intact—kudos, Marshall!
Conclusion
In summary, the Marshall Stanmore III is a nod to nostalgia, a blast of quality sound, and an absolute stunner of a design. Priced around IDR 6 million, it’s like inviting a rock star to your living room. If you’re looking for a speaker that says, “I have taste,” while simultaneously shattering glass at full volume, this is the one for you. Just remember, it’s not just a speaker; it’s an architectural statement!
Jakarta –
A few months ago, Marshall expanded its popular Homeline speaker series by introducing three new models, one of which is the Stanmore III, a sophisticated Bluetooth speaker designed specifically for home use.
The most striking difference among the three speakers — Acton, Stanmore, and Woburn — lies in their size and maximum output power. Positioned in the middle range, the Stanmore III boasts a significant 50W of power…
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Design
The Stanmore III maintains a boxy body with a retro aesthetic, just like its siblings. It is adorned with synthetic leather on its top, edges, and bottom, which imparts an air of luxury. This iconic design draws inspiration from Marshall’s classic guitar amplifiers, which have been their hallmark product since the 1960s. The model I tested was black, radiating elegance with its combination of deep black and brass accents, prominently featuring the Marshall logo.
The brass-colored metal accents beautifully decorate the control panel atop the Stanmore III, which houses buttons for power, volume, treble, bass, and additional controls, along with a convenient 3.5mm auxiliary port.
This speaker is undeniably crafted for home use, given its lack of a battery, substantial size, and weight. Weighing approximately 4 kg and measuring 350 x 203 x 188 mm, relocating it poses a challenge. The absence of a handle further complicates the task, making this speaker less portable.
Features and Specifications
The Stanmore III features a robust 5-inch woofer powered by a class-D 50W amplifier, complemented by two 0.75-inch tweeters that receive signals from a class-D amplifier rated at 15W.
It supports Bluetooth version 5.2 along with LE Audio featuring the LC3 codec, a significant upgrade from the SBC codec found in the Homeline II series. Additionally, it offers input options via a 3.5mm aux port (on the top of the speaker) and an RCA port (on the back).
However, it’s worth noting that this speaker falls short compared to the Woburn III, which includes an HDMI ARC port that allows for direct connection to a TV and offers an experience similar to that of a soundbar. Priced at IDR 6.5 million, potential users may feel that including AirPlay or WiFi connectivity would have been a beneficial addition, both features sadly absent in this model.
Regarding features, the Homeline III series offers a mobile application available on both Android and iOS platforms. However, users may find this app lacking as it is quite basic, with limited controls. The only feature available through the app is “Placement Compensation.”
This feature is designed to help adjust the speaker’s output based on placement, especially in less-than-optimal locations. However, in my usage, the impact of this adjustment was minimal.
Sound quality
In terms of features and specifications, the Stanmore III may not excel dramatically. Nevertheless, it impresses with satisfying sound quality. The soundstage, for a Bluetooth speaker that sources audio from a single point, feels notably expansive.
The resultant audio is both booming and powerful; in a 5x5m room, a volume level of just 30% is often ample. However, while the bass resonates with vigor, it may come across as overly pronounced for some users, especially at lower settings, which may not align with all preferences.
Fortunately, the clarity and detail of the audio are preserved despite the bass’s prominence, ensuring that the overall sound remains relatively well-balanced.
Conclusion
In summary, the Marshall Stanmore III is a speaker that delivers quality sound with an elegant design that is sure to elevate the aesthetic of any living room. With a price tag around Rp. 6 million, its performance and luxurious appearance seem justifiable and harmonious.
(asj/rns)
What are the key features that distinguish the sound quality of the Stanmore III from a traditional soundbar?
To that of a soundbar. Despite this limitation, the Stanmore III still manages to deliver a powerful audio experience, especially aimed at those looking for a stylish home speaker.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Stanmore III is certainly one of its standout features. During testing, it was impressive how the speaker filled my modest 5x5m room. At only 30% volume, the clarity and presence of sound were captivating, with the bass hitting hard without overshadowing the mids and highs. The speaker’s soundstage was wider than expected, creating an immersive listening experience despite its single-point source design.
However, the bass could be too prominent for some listeners, particularly at low volume settings, which may not align with everyone’s taste. Nevertheless, the overall balance was commendable—delivering crisp vocals and clear instrumentals against the back of booming low-end frequencies. It’s clear that Marshall has engineered this speaker to cater to a range of musical preferences, delivering an engaging audio performance.
Conclusion
The Marshall Stanmore III is more than just a functional speaker; it’s a statement piece that combines nostalgic design with modern performance. With a price tag around IDR 6 million, it sits in a competitive market, yet it stands out for its rich sound quality and striking aesthetics. If you want a stylish guide through your playlist that echoes rock ‘n’ roll while providing ample power and clarity, the Stanmore III is undoubtedly worth considering for your home audio needs. Just prepare for a workout when it comes time to move it!