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The Marshall Woburn III is a large, mains-powered Bluetooth home speaker built for high-output music playback and direct connection to a TV through HDMI ARC. RTINGS describes its music performance as very good, citing extended low bass and high maximum output; it rates movie and video use as fair. The trade-off is a fixed-location speaker with no battery, Wi-Fi, voice assistant, or graphic EQ.
What the Woburn III is—and who it suits
This is a stereo home speaker, not a soundbar or portable Bluetooth speaker. Bluetooth is one way to play audio, but the Woburn III must be connected to mains power. Its other inputs are HDMI ARC, RCA, and 3.5 mm AUX, so it can serve as a music system, connect directly to a compatible TV, or take audio from a wired source.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Marshall Woburn III Bluetooth Home Speaker - Black | $449.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Marshall Woburn III Bluetooth Home Speaker - Cream | $449.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Marshall Stanmore III Bluetooth Home Speaker - Black | $249.18 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Marshall Stanmore III Bluetooth Home Speaker - Cream | $249.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Home Speaker - Black | $189.99 | Buy on Amazon |
It makes the most sense if you want emphatic music playback from one prominent speaker and value HDMI ARC for TV audio. It is less suitable if you need a battery-powered speaker, built-in network streaming, voice control, or a small unit that is easy to move between rooms.
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RTINGS describes music playback as very good, reporting extended low bass, high maximum output, and adjustment through the bass and treble controls. It also identifies the lack of a graphic EQ as a limitation. These are RTINGS review findings, not results from an independent test conducted for this article.
#1 Best Overall
- HOME-SHAKING SOUND: Woburn III has an even wider soundstage than its predecessor, filling any space with immersive, home-shaking Marshall signature sound.
- PAIR, PLAY AND TURN IT UP: Woburn III is straight to business, so you can just pair and play without the hassle of a complex set-up.
- NEXT-GENERATION BLUETOOTH: Woburn III is ready for the future of Bluetooth technology and has been built to deliver next-generation Bluetooth features the moment they are available.
- ICONIC DESIGN THAT STANDS APART: Marshall has taken its signature rock ’n’ roll home speaker line-up and given it a stripped-back look that makes a loud statement
- A MORE SUSTAINABLE APPROACH: While staying true to the iconic design that speaks to the brand’s heritage, Woburn III has a PVC-free build that comprises 70% recycled plastic and only vegan materials.
For movies and videos, RTINGS rates it fair. The review notes clear dialogue, bass extension, a night mode, and the convenience of HDMI ARC, but says the speaker’s large design can make placement in front of a TV difficult. For podcasts, RTINGS says voices are clear; the speaker’s size and wired, mains-powered design make it less convenient to move from room to room.
Marshall’s specifications list a 35–20,000 Hz frequency range and a maximum sound pressure level of 100.5 dB at 1 m. Those are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements. The cabinet uses a bass-reflex design. Amplification is specified as one 90 W Class D amplifier for the woofer, two 15 W Class D amplifiers for the midrange drivers, and two 15 W Class D amplifiers for the tweeters.
Rank #2
- HOME-SHAKING SOUND: Woburn III has an even wider soundstage than its predecessor, filling any space with immersive, home-shaking Marshall signature sound.
- PAIR, PLAY AND TURN IT UP: Woburn III is straight to business, so you can just pair and play without the hassle of a complex set-up.
- NEXT-GENERATION BLUETOOTH: Woburn III is ready for the future of Bluetooth technology and has been built to deliver next-generation Bluetooth features the moment they are available.
- ICONIC DESIGN THAT STANDS APART: Marshall has taken its signature rock ’n’ roll home speaker line-up and given it a stripped-back look that makes a loud statement
- A MORE SUSTAINABLE APPROACH: While staying true to the iconic design that speaks to the brand’s heritage, Woburn III has a PVC-free build that comprises 70% recycled plastic and only vegan materials.
Inputs and everyday controls
Bluetooth 5.2 handles wireless playback from nearby devices. Marshall’s manual says two Bluetooth devices can be connected at once, but a second device cannot begin playback while the first is already playing. The wired options are HDMI ARC, RCA, and a 3.5 mm AUX input.
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The top control panel has source selection, volume, bass and treble knobs, play/pause, a skip control, and a power switch. The Marshall Bluetooth app offers additional settings and over-the-air updates. Marshall recommends the app, but says the speaker works without it.
Rank #3
- HOME-FILLING SOUND: Stanmore III has an even wider soundstage than its predecessor, delivering immersive, home-filling Marshall signature sound.
- PAIR, PLAY AND TURN IT UP: Stanmore III is straight to business, so you can just pair and play without the hassle of a complex set-up.
- NEXT-GENERATION BLUETOOTH: Stanmore III is ready for the future of Bluetooth technology and has been built to deliver next-generation Bluetooth features the moment they are available.
- ICONIC DESIGN THAT STANDS APART: Marshall has taken its signature rock ’n’ roll home speaker line-up and given it a stripped-back look that makes a loud statement
- A MORE SUSTAINABLE APPROACH: While staying true to the iconic design that speaks to the brand’s heritage, Stanmore III has a PVC-free build that comprises 70% recycled plastic and only vegan materials.
Using the Woburn III with a TV
The TV connection is HDMI ARC—not HDMI eARC. The television must have an HDMI ARC port, and its digital audio output must be set to PCM, two-channel audio. The HDMI cable is not included. TV port labels and support vary, so consult the television’s manual if you cannot identify its ARC port or audio-output settings.
- Connect an HDMI cable from the TV’s HDMI ARC port to the Woburn III’s HDMI ARC input.
- Select HDMI as the source on the Woburn III.
- In the TV’s sound or audio settings, set digital audio output to PCM, two-channel audio.
- Play TV audio and adjust volume on the speaker and television as needed.
The setup information establishes direct TV audio over ARC; it does not establish surround decoding or make the Woburn III a surround system.
Rank #4
- HOME-FILLING SOUND: Stanmore III has an even wider soundstage than its predecessor, delivering immersive, home-filling Marshall signature sound.
- PAIR, PLAY AND TURN IT UP: Stanmore III is straight to business, so you can just pair and play without the hassle of a complex set-up.
- NEXT-GENERATION BLUETOOTH: Stanmore III is ready for the future of Bluetooth technology and has been built to deliver next-generation Bluetooth features the moment they are available.
- ICONIC DESIGN THAT STANDS APART: Marshall has taken its signature rock ’n’ roll home speaker line-up and given it a stripped-back look that makes a loud statement
- A MORE SUSTAINABLE APPROACH: While staying true to the iconic design that speaks to the brand’s heritage, Stanmore III has a PVC-free build that comprises 70% recycled plastic and only vegan materials.
Connecting a turntable or other wired source
Turntable through RCA
Connect a turntable to the Woburn III’s RCA input only if the turntable has a built-in RIAA (phono) amplifier. If it does not, connect a separate phono preamplifier between the turntable and speaker. Marshall says neither an RCA lead nor an RIAA amplifier is included.
3.5 mm AUX source
A device with a suitable analog output can connect to the top-panel AUX input using a 3.5 mm stereo lead. Marshall says the lead is not included.
Best Value
- ROOM-FILLING SOUND: Acton III has an even wider soundstage than its predecessor, delivering immersive, room-filling Marshall signature sound.
- PAIR, PLAY AND TURN IT UP: Acton III is straight to business, so you can just pair and play without the hassle of a complex set-up
- NEXT-GENERATION BLUETOOTH: Acton III is ready for the future of Bluetooth technology and has been built to deliver next-generation Bluetooth features the moment they are available
- ICONIC DESIGN THAT STANDS APART: Marshall has taken its signature rock ’n’ roll home speaker line-up and given it a stripped-back look that makes a loud statement
- A MORE SUSTAINABLE APPROACH: While staying true to the iconic design that speaks to the brand’s heritage, Acton III has a PVC-free build that comprises 70% recycled plastic and only vegan materials.
Size, placement, and finish
Marshall lists the Woburn III at 400 × 317 × 203 mm (15.75 × 12.48 × 7.99 in) and 7.45 kg (16.42 lb). That is a substantial footprint for a speaker intended to stay in one place; measure the shelf, cabinet, or TV area before choosing a location. RTINGS also notes that its size may make it awkward to place in front of a television.
The official product listing includes Black, Cream, and Brown, but color availability depends on the market. Marshall lists Bluetooth range as 10 m (30 ft). It lists no Wi-Fi, microphone, voice commands, or water resistance, and RTINGS says the speaker is not meant for outdoor use.
Woburn III compared with other speaker types
The right alternative depends on which capability matters most. RTINGS compares the Woburn III with the Sonos Five and Bose Home Speaker 500, pointing to network or Wi-Fi features and voice-assistant support as differences buyers may care about. Its comparison does not establish one model as universally better.
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Quick Recap
| Choice | What it offers for this decision | Trade-off to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Woburn III | HDMI ARC for a compatible TV, Bluetooth and wired inputs, and RTINGS-reported extended low bass and high output. | Large, mains-powered design; no Wi-Fi, voice assistant, or graphic EQ. (Marshall specifications; RTINGS review) |
| Sonos Five or Bose Home Speaker 500 | RTINGS identifies network/Wi-Fi and voice-assistant features as comparison points buyers may value. | The cited comparison does not establish that either is better for every listener; check each model’s current connectivity and TV compatibility. (RTINGS review) |
| Marshall Tufton or Kilburn III | RTINGS identifies these as portable, battery-powered Marshall alternatives. | They are a different category from the mains-powered Woburn III; choose based on whether portability or a fixed home setup matters more. (RTINGS review) |
What to check before buying
- Confirm that your TV has HDMI ARC and can output PCM, two-channel audio if you plan to use the speaker for television sound.
- Check the available space against Marshall’s listed dimensions and consider whether the speaker will obstruct the TV.
- If you plan to use a turntable, confirm it has a built-in phono stage or budget for a separate preamplifier; the required audio leads are not included.
- Decide whether Bluetooth and wired playback are enough, since the Woburn III has no Wi-Fi streaming or voice assistant.
- Check local color, price, and stock before ordering; availability varies by market.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
