To pair a Marshall Acton III, power it on, select Bluetooth with the Source button, hold Source until the Bluetooth light pulses red, then choose ACTON III in your phone’s Bluetooth settings. The Marshall Bluetooth app is optional for basic listening, but it adds guided setup, controls and firmware updates.
What you need before pairing
Set the Acton III on a stable surface with ventilation around it. Have the speaker’s mains lead, your phone and, if you want wired playback, a compatible 3.5 mm stereo cable. The Acton III was released in 2022 and supports Bluetooth 5.2, but the phone’s operating-system version and Bluetooth settings still affect discovery.
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- Connect the supplied mains lead to the speaker and a wall socket.
- Turn the speaker on.
- Keep the phone within a few metres of the speaker during first pairing.
- Install the Marshall Bluetooth app only if you want its setup, control and update features.
The speaker works without the app. Bluetooth pairing in the phone’s own settings is enough for music, calls routed through the speaker and other ordinary playback.
Pair the Acton III directly from your phone
Use this sequence for the first wireless connection. The key indicator is a slow red pulse from the Bluetooth LED; a steady or differently coloured light means the speaker is not currently advertising itself for a new pairing.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
- Power the speaker. Plug in the mains lead, switch on the Acton III and wait for it to finish starting.
- Select Bluetooth as the source. Press the physical Source button until Bluetooth is selected.
- Enter pairing mode. Press and hold Source until the Bluetooth LED begins pulsing red.
- Open phone Bluetooth settings. On iPhone, go to Settings → Bluetooth. On Android, open Settings → Connected devices (the exact wording can vary by manufacturer), then Bluetooth.
- Choose the speaker. Tap ACTON III in the list of available devices. Do not choose a similarly named entry from another nearby speaker.
- Wait for confirmation. The phone should show ACTON III as connected. Start audio from the desired app and raise the phone or speaker volume as needed.
If ACTON III does not appear, leave the Bluetooth settings screen open while repeating the Source-button hold. Discovery only occurs while the speaker is in pairing mode.
Use the Marshall Bluetooth app after basic pairing
The app is an additional Bluetooth Low Energy connection used for setup and management; it is not a replacement for the normal audio pairing. Pair the speaker in the phone’s Bluetooth menu first, then complete these steps:
- Open the Marshall Bluetooth app.
- Tap the + sign to add a speaker.
- When the request Acton III [LE] appears, accept it.
- Open the app’s About section to view the installed firmware and whether an update is available.
Seeing both ACTON III and Acton III [LE] is normal. The first entry carries regular Bluetooth audio; the [LE] request lets the app communicate with the speaker for configuration and updates. If you declined the [LE] request, reopen the app and run the add-speaker process again.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Marshall recommends using the app for the best user experience, but the Acton III remains fully usable without it. Keep the phone connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data when checking for firmware, and do not switch off the speaker during an update.
Check firmware before diagnosing a stubborn connection
Firmware changes can affect phone detection and app-pairing reliability. Marshall’s current firmware page lists version 8.2.2; availability can change, so treat that number as a point-in-time reference rather than a permanent requirement. In the Marshall Bluetooth app, open About and compare the displayed version with the latest version shown there.
Rank #2
- 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.
If the app offers an update, keep the Acton III powered from the mains, leave the phone nearby and wait for the process to finish. If the app says the speaker is current, pairing problems are more likely to be caused by a stale phone entry, another active connection or the speaker not being in pairing mode.
Understand connections to two phones
The Acton III can remain connected to two Bluetooth devices at once. This is useful when two people want to control playback without repeatedly pairing, but it does not mix two audio streams. When one connected device is playing, the second device cannot start playback until the first device pauses or stops.
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- Pause music, video or a call on the first phone.
- Wait a moment for the Acton III to release the active audio stream.
- Start playback on the second phone and confirm that its media output is set to ACTON III.
If you want only one phone to have access, disconnect or forget the other phone in that phone’s Bluetooth settings. This avoids unexpected automatic reconnection when both devices are nearby.
Fix “ACTON III” missing from the phone’s Bluetooth list
Work through these checks in order. Stop when the speaker appears and pairs successfully.
1. Confirm the physical state
- Make sure the mains lead is firmly seated and the speaker is switched on.
- Press Source to select Bluetooth.
- Hold Source until the Bluetooth LED pulses red slowly.
- Move the phone close to the speaker and temporarily turn off Bluetooth on other nearby phones that may already be connected.
2. Refresh the phone’s Bluetooth service
- Open the phone’s Bluetooth settings and remove or forget any existing ACTON III entry.
- Turn Bluetooth off, wait several seconds, then turn it on again.
- Restart the phone.
- Put the speaker back into pairing mode and search again.
Forgetting the old entry matters because a phone can retain an incomplete key from a failed pairing attempt. A fresh discovery and authentication exchange often resolves a speaker that was previously visible but now refuses to connect.
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.
3. Clear Bluetooth cache on Android
Menu names differ by Android manufacturer, and clearing cache does not erase your personal media. Marshall’s support path is:
- Open Settings → Apps.
- Choose the option to show system apps.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Open Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache.
Restart the phone after clearing the cache, then repeat the Source-button pairing sequence. If your Android build does not expose a Bluetooth system-app entry, use its built-in Settings search for “Bluetooth” or skip this step and continue with forgetting the device.
4. Refresh a connection on iPhone
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
- Tap the information icon beside ACTON III.
- Choose Forget This Device and confirm.
- Toggle Bluetooth off and on.
- Restart the iPhone, then place the speaker in pairing mode again.
5. Reconcile the app connection
If ordinary Bluetooth pairing succeeds but the app cannot find the speaker, close and reopen the Marshall Bluetooth app. Tap +, select the speaker and accept Acton III [LE] when prompted. The audio entry and the app’s [LE] entry are separate, so completing one does not automatically complete the other.
When pairing connects but audio is silent
- Check that ACTON III is selected as the phone’s media-output device, not the handset speaker, earbuds or another Bluetooth product.
- Raise both the phone’s media volume and the Acton III’s volume control.
- Pause audio on the other connected phone; only one device can play at a time.
- Stop any call or navigation prompt that may be holding the Bluetooth audio channel.
- Try a different audio app to determine whether the problem is app-specific.
If the phone reports “connected” but immediately drops the link, repeat the forget, Bluetooth-toggle and phone-restart procedure before resetting the speaker.
Factory-reset the Acton III
Reset only after the normal recovery steps fail. A reset removes user settings and saved Bluetooth connections, so every phone must be paired again. Installed firmware is retained.
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Rank #4
- This Certified Refurbished product is manufacturer refurbished, shows limited or no wear, and includes all original accessories plus a 90-day limited hardware warranty.
- Marshall has taken its signature rock 'n' roll home speaker line-up and given it a stripped-back look that makes a loud statement.
- This generation of the home line-up has an even wider soundstage than before, delivering immersive Marshall signature sound.
- With next-generation Bluetooth 5.2 and the 3.5 mm input, connecting to your speaker and listening to your music has never been so effortless.
- This new generation takes a more sustainable approach with a PVC-free build that comprises 70% recycled plastic and only vegan materials.
- Ensure the speaker is powered on.
- Press and hold the media control for more than 10 seconds.
- Release it after the reset action completes.
- On each phone that previously used the speaker, remove ACTON III from the Bluetooth list.
- Restart Bluetooth on the phone, place the speaker in pairing mode with the Source button, and pair again.
- If you use the app, open it after the new audio pairing and accept the Acton III [LE] request.
Do not confuse the media-control hold with the Source-button hold. Source starts Bluetooth discovery; the longer media-control hold erases the speaker’s stored settings and connections.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use the 3.5 mm AUX input as a wired fallback
Marshall supports two connection methods: Bluetooth or an AUX cable. The Acton III has a 3.5 mm input, so connect one end of a compatible 3.5 mm stereo cable to the phone’s headphone output or USB-C/Lightning adapter and the other end to the speaker’s AUX input. Select the AUX source on the speaker, then start playback on the phone.
An audio lead is not included with the speaker. Phones without a 3.5 mm headphone jack therefore need both a suitable digital-to-analog adapter and the 3.5 mm stereo cable. Wired playback avoids Bluetooth discovery and radio interference, but the phone must stay physically tethered and cannot move freely around the room.
| Connection method | Setup effort | Phone mobility | Interference recovery | Extra purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Pair once through the phone’s Bluetooth menu; repeat pairing after a reset or when the saved entry is removed. | High within normal Bluetooth range; no cable between phone and speaker. | Refresh Bluetooth, forget ACTON III and re-enter pairing mode if discovery or reconnection fails. | None if the phone already supports Bluetooth. |
| 3.5 mm AUX | Plug in the cable, select AUX and play. | Limited by cable length. | Not affected by Bluetooth discovery, but check the plug, adapter and selected source if silent. | A compatible 3.5 mm stereo cable; phones without a headphone jack also need an adapter. |
Choose app-assisted or no-app setup
| Approach | Best for | What you get | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Bluetooth settings only | Fast listening and people who want the fewest accounts or screens. | Basic wireless audio through ACTON III. | No in-app firmware check, guided add-speaker flow or app-based controls. |
| Bluetooth plus Marshall Bluetooth app | First-time owners who want guided setup, management and firmware maintenance. | Audio through ACTON III, app pairing through Acton III [LE], About-section firmware status and available updates. | Requires an additional app connection and accepting the [LE] pairing request. |
| 3.5 mm AUX | Phones or environments where wireless discovery is unreliable. | Direct wired audio without Bluetooth pairing. | Requires a cable, and the phone remains tethered. |
A practical first-day checklist
- Confirm the speaker powers on from the mains.
- Select Bluetooth with Source and hold Source until the LED pulses red.
- Pair the phone with the exact name ACTON III.
- Play a short track and verify the phone’s output selector points to the speaker.
- Decide whether to install the Marshall Bluetooth app.
- If installing it, add the speaker with + and accept Acton III [LE].
- Check About for firmware status; version 8.2.2 is the current version listed by Marshall at the time of writing, but the app is the authority for your unit.
- If another phone will use the speaker, pair it while the first phone is paused.
- Keep a compatible 3.5 mm cable available if uninterrupted wired playback is important.
What each light and action means during recovery
A slow red Bluetooth pulse means the Acton III is advertising for a new Bluetooth pairing. The phone should discover ACTON III only in that state. The Source button controls input selection and pairing mode; it does not erase saved connections. The media-control hold of more than 10 seconds is the reset action and should be reserved for persistent failures because it removes saved settings and devices.
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- Verify mains power and select Bluetooth.
- Hold Source until the red pulse appears.
- Forget ACTON III on the phone, toggle Bluetooth, restart the phone and retry.
- On Android, clear the Bluetooth cache through the system-app path.
- On iPhone, use Forget This Device from the information icon.
- Reopen the Marshall app and accept Acton III [LE] if only app setup is failing.
- Install any firmware update offered in the app’s About section.
- Use the AUX input to confirm the speaker can reproduce audio independently of Bluetooth.
- Perform the more-than-10-second media-control factory reset only after the preceding steps, then remove the old phone entry and pair from scratch.
This sequence separates source selection, phone-side Bluetooth errors, app-only errors and stored-speaker configuration. It also preserves the installed firmware while clearing the connection data most likely to be corrupted.
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