Marshall Stanmore IV vs. Sonos Era 300: I tested both to find the ultimate home speaker

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In case you are out there for a brand new house speaker, you’ve a number of glorious choices. Two of the most effective, most balanced decisions embrace Marshall’s Stanmore IV and the Sonos Era 300. Each provide room-filling sound, thumping bass, and a wealthy characteristic set. Each audio system have their very own deserves, however it’s essential 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 towards one another to seek out the one which deserves a spot in each lounge. After spending two weeks with the newest Marshall Stanmore IV, here is the way it stacks up towards the Sonos Period 300 (and whether or not you must take into account 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 comparable to Apple AirPlay, Google Solid, and superior voice assistant queries. This speaker additionally lacks built-in microphones, so there isn’t any voice assistant help. As an alternative, the Stanmore IV is a devoted Bluetooth speaker that does one factor and does it brilliantly.

Bluetooth normally 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 gratifying 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 help is restricted to suitable audio system inside the Marshall ecosystem; to hook up 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, comparable 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 swap, a multifunction M-button, one other button to modify 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, swap, 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 stunning design components that will enchantment 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 includes a faux-leather-clad exterior, a brass speaker grille, and golden accents. The dearth of shiny RGB lights and the restricted illumination of the purple LED indicator mild give it a cultured, 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 be simpler to restore than earlier than. Marshall says you possibly can swap out the entrance grille, knobs, toes, and the long-lasting emblem ought to they get broken. You aren’t getting the identical choice 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 pontificate 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 favor 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 better 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 current Alexa-enabled gadgets through Alexa+. Thus, you should utilize your voice to activate sensible lights, stream music, or obtain visitors updates. In case you’re not an Alexa fan, the Period 300 helps Sonos Voice Control, which helps you to play audio, set timers, and transfer music between audio system with voice instructions.

3. You’ve got 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 straightforward to hook up with different Sonos audio system, and it may be step one towards constructing your own 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 peak channels from the again of the room. It is a helpful characteristic should you’re piecing collectively a house theater with out desirous to take care of 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 gadgets.

Author’s alternative

If I have been to improve from my Stanmore II, I might purchase the Marshall Stanmore IV over the Sonos Era 300 for 2 causes. First, I like how the Stanmore IV blends with my lounge’s inside. I positioned it on the shelf, and it appears luxurious. I am bought 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 take heed to all of it day and benefit from the beats with out feeling drained.

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