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Speaker comparison

Marshall Marshall Acton 3 vs Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5

Compare sound, battery life, durability and connections.

Compared products
01Selected
Marshall Marshall Acton 3

Marshall Marshall Acton 3

  • 2,850 g.
  • Bluetooth 5.2 connection.
  • Mains-powered product.
  • 60 W total amplification.
  • No official water-resistance rating.
KSh 41,000In Stock
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02
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5

Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5

  • Bluetooth 5.4 connection.
  • Touch controls for everyday use.
  • 190 W rated output.
  • Harman Kardon One.
  • Weighs 800 g.
KSh 49,000In Stock
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Apple HomeViewKSh 41,300
Sony HT-S40R | 600WKSh 42,000
Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5KSh 38,500
JBL Authentics 200KSh 39,000
JBL PartyBox On-The-Go EssentialKSh 39,500
Marshall Woburn III Bluetooth SpeakerKSh 49,500
Harman Kardon Go + Play 3KSh 40,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5 is the better buy: it is lighter (800 g) and has an adjustable multicolour lightshow.

Connections

Marshall Marshall Acton 3
Bluetooth 5.2 connection
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
Bluetooth 5.4 connection

Portability

Marshall Marshall Acton 3
2.85 kg
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
800 g

Output power

Marshall Marshall Acton 3
60 W total amplification
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
190 W rated output

Controls

Marshall Marshall Acton 3
Source button
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
Touch controls on right satellite base

Audio

Marshall Marshall Acton 3
Bass-reflex cabinet
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
Three-way stereo design

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Marshall Marshall Acton 3

  • Mains-powered product.
  • 60 W total amplification.
  • No official water-resistance rating.
  • Works with the Marshall Bluetooth app.

Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5

  • Lighter: 800 g (vs 2.85 kg).
  • Adjustable multicolour lightshow.
  • Newer Bluetooth 5.4 (vs 5.2).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
Portability2,850 g800 g
Output power60 W total amplification190 W rated output
Weight2.85 kg800 g
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.2Bluetooth 5.4
ControlsSource buttonTouch controls on right satellite base
SoftwareWorks with the Marshall Bluetooth appHarman Kardon One

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
BrandMarshallHarman Kardon
ModelActon 3SoundSticks 5
TypeHome SpeakerDesktop Speaker
ColorBlack, Cream, Brown, Midnight Blue or Burgundy—

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
Dimensions260 x 170 x 150 mmEach satellite 95.5 x 281.1 x 95.5 mm; subwoofer 237.5 x 283.4 x 237.5 mm
Weight2.85 kgEach satellite 0.8 kg; subwoofer 3.7 kg

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
BatteryMains-powered productN/A; AC-powered

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
BluetoothBluetooth 5.25.4
Bluetooth Range10 meters—
Bluetooth Profiles / CodecsBluetooth LE Audio-readyA2DP 1.4; AVRCP 1.6.2
Wi-FiNo—
Wired Inputs3.5 mm Aux InputHDMI ARC
Microphone / Guitar InputsNo built-in microphone or guitar input—
App SupportMarshall Bluetooth App (iOS/Android)Harman Kardon One
HDMI—One HDMI ARC; HDCP 1.4
USB—USB-C service port, 5 V / 0.5 A
Multi-Speaker / Stereo Pairing—Auracast multi-speaker connection

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
Voice AssistantNo—
LightshowNo party lightshowAdjustable multicolour lightshow
Party FeaturesNot a party-speaker productAuracast multi-speaker playback
Home Cinema FeaturesNot a home-cinema productHDMI ARC TV connection; Dolby audio
Special FeaturesRe-engineered wider stereo soundstage; Bluetooth LE Audio-ready; Marshall Bluetooth app; OTA software updatesApp-controlled EQ and lightshow; firmware updates

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
Speaker ConfigurationMains-Powered Home SpeakerTwo satellite speakers and down-firing subwoofer
Drivers1 woofer; 2 tweetersSix 40 mm midrange drivers; two 25 mm tweeters; one 5.25-inch subwoofer
Frequency Response45–20,000 Hz40 Hz–20 kHz (-6 dB)
Total Power Output60 W total amplification (30 W woofer + 2 x 15 W tweeters)190 W RMS
Maximum SPL95 dB @ 1 m—
Amplifier1x 30W (Woofer), 2x 15W (Tweeters)—
Audio ChannelsStereo2.1
Sound Modes / EQAdjustable bass and treble; Dynamic LoudnessHarman Kardon One app EQ
Audio FeaturesBass-reflex cabinet; re-engineered wider stereo soundstage; Marshall Signature Sound; Bluetooth LE Audio-readyThree-way stereo design; Dolby audio over HDMI ARC
Signal-to-Noise Ratio—80 dB A-weighted

Power & Battery

Power & Battery specifications comparison
SpecificationMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
Power Source100–240 V AC Mains (Wall-powered)100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Battery LifeMains-powered productNot applicable
Charging TimeMains-powered product—
Fast ChargingMains-powered product—
Charging PortMains-powered product—
Power ConsumptionNetwork standby power consumption: No—

Design & Controls

Design & Controls specifications comparison
SpecificationMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
ControlsSource button; volume control knob; bass control knob; treble control knob; play/pause button; skip backward/forward control knob; power switchTouch controls on right satellite base; app controls
Water & Dust ResistanceNo water-resistance rating—
Materials70% Recycled Plastic, Vegan LeatherTransparent dome; recycled plastic and recycled aluminum
Placement / MountingIndoor home speaker; placement compensation in Marshall Bluetooth appDesktop placement

What's in the Box

What's in the Box specifications comparison
SpecificationMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5
Speaker / SoundbarActon 3Two SoundSticks 5 satellite speakers
SubwooferNo subwoofer suppliedSoundSticks 5 subwoofer
Remote ControlNo remote control supplied—
Power CableMains leadAC power cable
Audio / HDMI CableNot supplied—
Mounting Accessories——
Other AccessoriesNot applicable—
DocumentationQuick Start Guide and safety documentationQuick-start guide; safety instructions and warranty card

Similarities

  • Both connect over Bluetooth.
  • Both go up to 240 V (power source).

In summary

The Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5 is the better buy for almost everyone, with a lighter build and an adjustable multicolour lightshow.

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In-stock alternatives

Marshall Kilburn II Black & BrassFor Marshall Marshall Acton 3Marshall Kilburn II Black & BrassView product ↗Sony HT-S40R | 600WFor Marshall Marshall Acton 3Sony HT-S40R | 600WView product ↗JBL PartyBox On The GoFor Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5JBL PartyBox On The GoView product ↗

Related comparisons

Marshall Marshall Acton 3Apple HomeViewSony HT-S40R | 600WMarshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5Marshall Marshall Acton 3JBL Authentics 200Marshall Marshall Acton 3JBL PartyBox On-The-Go EssentialMarshall Marshall Acton 3Marshall Woburn III Bluetooth SpeakerMarshall Marshall Acton 3Marshall Marshall Acton 3Harman Kardon Go + Play 3Marshall Marshall Acton 3Marshall Kilburn II Black & BrassMarshall Marshall Acton 3Logitech Rally Speaker
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