Review Marshall Stanmore II Voice Google Assistant

Concert from the bookshelf

Marshall Stanmore II plays much louder sound than the competition, without compromising the balance. It crushes them, quite simply.

Geir Nordby

Published

2020-09-08 - 12:10 pm

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Marshall Stanmore II Voice Google Assistant

No other smart speakers we have heard deliver this sound pressure. It just gets even heavier because it also sounds balanced and good enough for calm tones.

The sound can be experienced as a bit rough at the edges, and the appearance of the Marshall speakers does not appeal to everyone.

Type: Wireless smart speaker
Management system: Google Home
Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast
Connection: 3.5 mm, RCA
Speaker element: 5.5 ”bass, 2 x 3/4” treble
Dimensions: 35 x 19.5 x 18.5 cm
Colors: Black
Web: zoundindustries.com

399 Official site

Marshall Stanmore II Voice looks like a guitar amp of the same brand. This can quickly become a love / hate object, but in the right home environment it will definitely find its place. It has just arrived in the Google Assistant version, which works with the Google Home system. There is also an Alexa version, so be sure to choose the right speaker from the store shelf!

Stanmore II Voice is among the largest in its class, and definitely the largest in this test. Then you have also got room for a roughly five inch large bass, and two treble elements. Because it plays in stereo. With 80 watts of amplification and a maximum sound pressure of 107 dB (imagine that you start a fairly powerful outboard motor).

The sound of Marshall is really loud. Whether it is AC / DC or Ariana Grande that is on the menu, the speaker draws with much more authority and power than anyone else in its field. It does not have as deep bass as the Apple HomePod, and does not get the same undertones in a bass guitar or a voice. The Apple speaker is also finer in the treble. But Marshall’s midfielder is in a completely different league. When the sound is also balanced enough to work with acoustic music, the extra power in Stanmore II becomes extra intense. This is the first smart speaker we have tested that is close to being able to replace the stereo system. At least in a smaller living room.

Conclusion

It looks like a guitar amplifier, and is then also the most powerful smart speaker in its field. There is no one else we have heard who plays better than Marshall Stanmore II Voice. If you choose the Google Assistant version (there is also one with Alexa), you also get the best user-friendliness in this country, as it speaks Norwegian. The sound is a bit coarse-grained, but still rock hard! And balanced enough to work with all music. This is entertainment!

Also in this test

Libratone Zipp Mini 2

Looks like a thermos

Libratone goes against the flow, and the Alexa speaker Libratone Zipp Mini 2 looks like a thermos. It is portable, plays music well, and two can be connected in stereo.

12 hours of battery life makes the speaker very flexible. Clear sound on speech and approved sound on music.

There is a lack of bass, and the speaker falls short when you want to gobble up. As is well known, Alexa does not speak Norwegian.

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Harman Kardon Citation 100

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Does not play as big and powerful as the size gives hope for.

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Apple HomePod

Approved from Apple

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Impressive deep bass combined with clear, airy sound. In addition, the HomeKit system is very stable.

It's not just about adding products to control. As there are currently quite a few of. Does not speak Norwegian

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Hama Sirium 1400ABT

Bigger does not mean bigger sound

Hamas' smallest Alexa speaker Sirium 1400ABT is a bit larger than the Amazon Echo, but still fails to give us any greater sound.

Clear enough sound, and the speaker enjoys the functionality of the Alexa system.

Larger cabinets still do not produce louder sound than the smaller competitors. Cannot currently pair in stereo. Alexa does not speak Norwegian.

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Google Home

Enormous potential

The Google Home system has enormous potential, but as a speaker this is not the best.

Perhaps the market's most successful voice control and merging of smart products.

Even if the bass is full enough, it murmurs upwards in the voice range, and destroys the sound from both the voice assistant and the newscaster. We miss routine commands in Norway.

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Sonos One

A smarter Sonos

Sonos One will one day give us both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa in one and the same smart speaker. But Google is waiting.

Sonos One withstands moisture and sounds good. With upcoming updates, it will be among the most versatile on the market.

Until further notice, it is Alexa who applies, who does not speak Norwegian. There are speakers with heavier bass.

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Amazon Echo (2nd Generation)

Clear voice

With ready-made sound on the voice assistant, only the language barrier stands between us and the automated work tasks.

A compact and appealing appearance, clear speech sound and also a stable and good control system compared to other devices. Two can be paired in stereo.

The sound is tame on music, you have to take some detours to get the speaker connected in Norway, and Alexa does not understand Norwegian.

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Kygo B9/800

Smart speaker that can swim

Kygo B9/800 is the only smart speaker we know of that you can take with you to the swimming pool.

Withstands water up to a meter depth for 30 minutes. It even floats! Google Home makes the Kygo B9 / 800 an exciting portable speaker.

The sound can be experienced a little strained over time. For desktop use, the USB connector on top is not very nice, with a cable sticking up and hanging down.

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