GoKawiilMarshall's Stanmore line of speakers has been my reliable music partner for six years now. I like playing songs on my mains-powered Stanmore II more than any other speaker. It runs in the background when I'm working, chilling, or just existing at home. So, I was more than excited to see if the latest model, the new Stanmore IV, was worth the upgrade.
Also: Marshall Stanmore IV vs. Sonos Era 300: I tested both to find the ultimate home speaker
The fourth-gen speaker promised a more immersive experience with deeper bass and a wider soundstage, along with a more repairable design. I have now been testing it for a month, and am glad to report that it stands true to most of those promises.
The Marshall Stanmore IV is still a Bluetooth-only speaker, lacking Wi-Fi or voice assistant support, unlike other smart speakers in its price range. However, it is the signature Marshall design, sound, and overall experience that'll sway you away from the smart options and toward an analog-first approach. But is it really worth the $430 price tag? Allow me to answer.
A luxurious, timeless design
The Stanmore IV features Marshall's signature look, packed in a more repairable wooden cabinet measuring 13.78 x 7.99 x 7.28 inches and weighing 8.81lbs. As a mains-powered speaker, it is meant to be kept in a single place, plugged into an outlet. It is big, but unlike other home speakers, the Stanmore blends into your room's interior. It doesn't look like an odd gadget sitting on a shelf.
Like its predecessor, the Stanmore IV has a faux-leather-clad exterior, a brass speaker grille, and golden accents, along with a large Marshall logo at the front. These design elements give it a classy, timeless look, which would complement any living space.
Marshall's physical controls offer satisfying, analog feedback that I miss on the Sonos Era 300. Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
On top, you get three physical knobs to adjust the volume, treble, and bass. They are paired with a power switch, Source button (to toggle between RCA, Bluetooth, and Aux), a playback control button (to play/pause or go to previous/next track), and an all-new M button. The multifunction M button can be customized through the Marshall app, where you'll find options to switch between your saved EQ presets or open a Spotify playlist with Spotify Tap. Plus, the red LED indicators are now brighter and more legible than before.
Also: I tested Sonos' new beta features on iOS and Android - how to opt in and what to expect
... continue reading