Marshall, famed maker of guitar amps and, more recently, cutesy Bluetooth speakers that resemble guitar amps, has announced that it's got a slew of new devices on the horizon. The lineup includes refreshes of both its Acton and Stanmore speakers that will each include support for Amazon Alexa, coming October 2 — with versions sporting the Google Assistant coming later this year.
The Acton II and Stanmore II mark Marshall's debut in the smart speaker market. The two speakers are very similar save for their size — the Stanmore is considerably heftier. Both are handsome in Marshall's signature rock-and-roll way, with vinyl coatings and gold-colored accents. For what it's worth, the company says they sound pretty nice, too, with "class D amplifiers, a bass reflex cabinet system and custom-tuned drivers engineered to provide a balanced and dynamic response."
There will be two separate models of each for different voice assistants, with the Alexa versions launching first and the Google Assistant ones at an unspecified later date. The Acton II will retail for $299; the Stanmore II will launch at $399.
It's not all smart speakers, though: Marshall also announced the Kilburn II, a good old-fashioned Bluetooth speaker that looks kind of like a car battery with its boxy design and carrying strap. The water-resistant speaker pumps sound in two directions and promises "20-plus hours" of playback on a single charge. Marshall didn't give a release date for the Kilburn II, but it'll retail for $299.
PRESS RELEASE
REVOLUTIONISE THE WAY YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC. MARSHALL VOICE COMBINES THE LEGENDARY SOUND OF MARSHALL WITH THE POWER OF VOICE TO CREATE ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST SOUNDING SMART SPEAKERS. PLAY MUSIC, SCHEDULE REMINDERS, CONTROL YOUR SMART HOME AND MORE – ALL WITH YOUR VOICE
Launching this autumn is Marshall Voice with Amazon Alexa, followed by the Google Assistant later this year. This is just the beginning, with Marshall planning to roll out even more Marshall Voice speakers with other services in the future.
Over 55 years of knowledge has been distilled into every Marshall speaker for an explosive sound that will make any room come alive with music. Each speaker combines advanced components such as class D amplifiers, a bass reflex cabinet system and custom-tuned drivers engineered to provide a balanced and dynamic response. Classic Marshall details such as a textured vinyl covering, salt & pepper fret and the iconic script logo adorn each Marshall Voice speaker.
LET ALEXA DO THE HEAVY LIFTING
Just like a roadie, Alexa is there to help while you’re busy doing other things. Can’t remember the name of a song? Say the lyrics and Alexa will find it for you. Looking for information on when your favourite band goes on tour? Just ask. You can even have Alexa remind you when tickets go on sale, help you tune your guitar, learn music theory, test your music knowledge, or catch you up on the latest news. Alexa and Marshall Voice really are a match made in music heaven.
PRODUCT INFORMATION & RELEASE
The first two Marshall Voice speakers launching are Acton II Voice with Amazon Alexa and Stanmore II Voice with Amazon Alexa. Both are perfect for any space, small or large. Stanmore II Voice with Amazon Alexa will be on sale from October 2nd, with pre-orders beginning August 30th. Acton II Voice with Amazon Alexa will be on sale from November 9th, with pre-orders beginning October 2nd. Both speakers will initially launch in the U.S. with other countries to follow.
Marshall is a true rock legend. A distinct and expressive sound combined with an iconic stage presence that has inspired music fans around the world for over five decades. This unparalleled amount of wisdom has been distilled and fused into every part of Marshall headphones and speakers. Nothing has been compromised when expanding the Marshall heritage of big stage performance to the individual enjoyment of good music.
The legacy began in a small Hanwell drum shop in 1962, where Jim Marshall sought to give a bunch of then-local guitarists the sound they wanted – a sound that was harder, crunchier and more rich. The result was the JTM45, an amp that reverberated with a sound that was much heavier than anything ever heard before. In a twist of rock and roll fate – those guitarists, much like the Marshall name, would go on to revolutionise music forever.
For more details contact your local press agency or visit marshallheadphones.com
MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
PRESS RELEASE
INTRODUCING KILBURN II, A PORTABLE SPEAKER THAT PACKS A PUNCH. NEW FOR KILBURN II IS THE MULTI-DIRECTIONAL BLUMLEIN STEREO SOUND, WHICH WILL IMMERSE YOU IN YOUR MUSIC, INDOORS OR OUT, AS WELL AS BLUETOOTH QUALCOMM® aptXTM.
FREE FROM THE CONFINES OF WIRES AND CORDS, KILBURN II OFFERS 20+ HOURS OF PORTABLE PLAYTIME ON A SINGLE CHARGE
BLUMLEIN STEREO SOUND Kilburn II is constructed with British engineer Alan Blumlein’s original idea of stereophonic sound. By separating out the spatial content of stereo recordings, Kilburn II enhances the size and reassembles the signal in a way that can be projected in all directions. The experience is completely different to other portable speakers on the market, and results in a rich, multi-directional sound that immerses the listener in their music and gives them a true 360° sound experience – indoors or outdoors.
20+ HOURS OF PORTABLE PLAYTIME Kilburn II weighs just 3kg and offers 20+ hours of portable playtime on a single charge. You can track the speaker’s battery life with the visual battery indicator located on the top panel.
BLUETOOTH 5.0 aptX Kilburn II comes equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 aptX technology for wireless music play. Play music with any Bluetooth device at a range of up to 30 feet away from the speaker.
MULTI-HOST FUNCTIONALITY Kilburn II features multi-host functionality so you can easily connect and switch between two Bluetooth devices. Now you and a friend take turns playing what you want to hear.
ACTIVE STEREO LOUDSPEAKER WITH BASS REFLEX SYSTEM
MAX SPL: 100 dB @ 1 m DIMENSIONS: 243 x 162 x 140 mm / 9.6 x 6.4 x 5.5 in
FREQUENCY RANGE: 52–20 000 Hz WEIGHT: 2.5 kg / 5.5 lb
MAINS INPUT VOLTAGE: 100–240 V CLASS D AMPLIFIERS: 1 x 25 W + 2 x 15 W
MAINS FREQUENCY: 50–60 Hz
MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
MARSHALL REINVENTS BLUMLEIN STEREO SOUND
IN THE UPDATED PORTABLE SPEAKER, KILBURN II
UPDATED LOOKS AND ROADWORTHY DESIGN
In addition to larger-than-life sound, Kilburn II offers an updated look that enhances its roadworthy design. Embodying the legacy of rock ‘n’ roll, Kilburn II has a solid metal grille that pays homage to the steel mesh grille found on many microphones and a guitar inspired carrying strap for easy portability. Its flush mounted corner caps and IPX2 water-resistant design make it supremely rugged and durable.
Kilburn II is available for purchase now at marshallheadphones.com and from local retailers around the globe.
ABOUT MARSHALL HEADPHONES
Marshall is a true rock legend. A distinct and expressive sound combined with an iconic stage presence that has inspired music fans around the world for over five decades. This unparalleled amount of wisdom has been distilled and fused into every part of Marshall headphones and speakers. Nothing has been compromised when expanding the Marshall heritage of big stage performance to the individual enjoyment of good music.
The legacy began in a small Hanwell drum shop in 1962, where Jim Marshall sought to give a bunch of then-local guitarists the sound they wanted – a sound that was harder, crunchier and more rich. The result was the JTM45, an amp that reverberated with a sound that was much heavier than anything ever heard before. In a twist of rock and roll fate – those guitarists, much like the Marshall name, would go on to revolutionise music forever.
For more details contact your local press agency or visit marshallheadphones.com
