Marshall Stanmore IV vs. Sonos Period 300: I examined each to seek out the final word house speaker

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In case you are out there for a brand new house speaker, you have got a number of wonderful choices. Two of one of the best, most balanced decisions embrace Marshall’s Stanmore IV and the Sonos Period 300. Each provide room-filling sound, thumping bass, and a wealthy characteristic set. Each audio system have their very own deserves, however you have to know what you need. One is strictly a Bluetooth speaker, whereas the opposite has the smarts you’d count on from each fashionable speaker. 

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I put them in opposition to one another to seek out the one which deserves a spot in each lounge. After spending two weeks with the most recent Marshall Stanmore IV, this is the way it stacks up in opposition to the Sonos Period 300 (and whether or not you need to think about shopping for it).

Specs

You can purchase the Marshall Stanmore IV if…

1. You desire a Bluetooth-only speaker 

The Marshall Stanmore IV does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, which powers options equivalent to Apple AirPlay, Google Solid, and superior voice assistant queries. This speaker additionally lacks built-in microphones, so there is no voice assistant assist. As a substitute, the Stanmore IV is a devoted Bluetooth speaker that does one factor and does it brilliantly.

Bluetooth often will get a foul rap for sound high quality, however Marshall’s tuning does the heavy lifting. For a Bluetooth speaker, the Stanmore IV delivers deep, managed bass and clear mids for an satisfying listening expertise. I like Marshall’s sound greater than Sonos’s as a result of it does not trigger me ear fatigue, regardless of its bass-heavy tuning.

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The Stanmore IV helps Bluetooth Auracast, permitting you to wirelessly pair it with an Acton IV or one other Stanmore IV speaker wirelessly. Nevertheless, the Stanmore IV’s Auracast assist is proscribed to appropriate audio system throughout the Marshall ecosystem; to connect with previous-gen Motion, Stanmore, and Woburn audio system, in addition to the Heston soundbars, you will want the Marshall Heddon streaming hub.

2. You need bodily controls

In case you are like me and like tech with bodily controls, equivalent to buttons and knobs, versus capacitive contact strips, you will love the Stanmore IV speaker.

Whereas the Period 300 has dependable and helpful contact controls, the Stanmore IV options three bodily knobs (to regulate the quantity, treble, and bass), an influence change, a multifunction M-button, one other button to change between sources (RCA, Bluetooth, and Aux), and a playback management button for observe controls. They provide pleasing haptic suggestions and a extra conventional, analog expertise.

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Marshall’s bodily controls enable for extra machine administration with out pulling out your telephone. The Sonos Period 300’s contact strip gives minimal controls that reply solely with beeps. As compared, the Stanmore IV’s knobs, change, and button really feel like the right mixture of analog in an more and more digital world.

3. You need an attention grabbing design

The Stanmore IV is undoubtedly the better-looking speaker of the 2. It’s outfitted with lovely design parts that may attraction to anybody shopping for a brand new speaker for his or her lounge. It matches interiors higher than the Period 300’s tech-first, rounded, nondescript design.

The Stanmore IV incorporates a faux-leather-clad exterior, a brass speaker grille, and golden accents. The dearth of shiny RGB lights and the restricted illumination of the pink LED indicator gentle give it an aesthetic, timeless look. Marshall has additionally moved the Stanmore’s bodily connectivity choices from the again of the speaker to the underside for cleaner aesthetics.

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The picket cupboard can also be simpler to restore than earlier than. Marshall says you’ll be able to swap out the entrance grille, knobs, toes, and the long-lasting brand ought to they get broken. You do not get the identical possibility for Sonos’ Period 300.

You can purchase the Sonos Period 300 if…

1. You need a greater spatial audio expertise

The Sonos Period 300 is constructed to place you proper in the midst of your music. Its hourglass housing has two woofers angled left and proper for a stereo expertise and balanced bass. They’re paired with 4 tweeters to fireside off excessive and midrange frequencies in several instructions, alongside an upward-firing tweeter to bounce hold forth the ceiling. This design creates a greater spatial audio expertise than the Stanmore IV’s forward-facing sound.

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The Period 300’s bass is pronounced, vocals stay clear, and the upper frequencies do not distort at excessive volumes, the place the Stanmore IV struggles. Whereas I desire Marshall’s sound, the Period 300 delivers higher spatial audio. If you need a extra immersive sound, the Period 300 could be a greater match on your wants.

2. You need sensible options

The Sonos Period 300 is a wiser speaker than the Stanmore IV, due to its Wi-Fi connectivity, which delivers lossless audio streaming, Apple AirPlay, Google Solid, and superior voice assistant queries.

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The Period 300 helps these options, and you’ll join it to your present Alexa-enabled units by way of Alexa+. Thus, you need to use your voice to activate sensible lights, stream music, or obtain visitors updates. For those who’re not an Alexa fan, the Period 300 helps Sonos Voice Management, which helps you to play audio, set timers, and transfer music between audio system with voice instructions.

3. You’ve different Sonos audio system

If you have already got a Sonos soundbar or different Sonos audio system, the Period 300 is a good addition. It’s simple to connect with different Sonos audio system, and it may be step one towards constructing your private home theater system.

Two Period 300 audio system can function rear encompass audio system when paired with the Sonos Beam, Arc, or Arc Extremely soundbars. With Dolby Atmos baked in, you will get precise top channels from the again of the room. It is a helpful characteristic in the event you’re piecing collectively a house theater with out desirous to cope with speaker wire.

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Conversely, Marshall’s house audio system usually are not able to performing as house theater audio system when paired with the corporate’s Heston 120 or 60 soundbars. Nevertheless, in contrast to the Period 300, Marshall’s Stanmore IV options an RCA port for connecting to analog units.

Author’s alternative

If I had been to improve from my Stanmore II, I might purchase the Marshall Stanmore IV over the Sonos Period 300 for 2 causes. First, I really like how the Stanmore IV blends with my lounge’s inside. I positioned it on the shelf, and it appears to be like luxurious. I am offered on the analog, timeless look. Second, most bass-heavy audio system and headphones give me ear fatigue, however the Stanmore IV does not. I can hearken to all of it day and benefit from the beats with out feeling drained.

I might choose the Sonos Period 300 if I had been to increase my house theater system from my Arc soundbar, however I haven’t got area for rear audio system. So, the Stanmore IV will get my vote right here.