Proof that smart speakers don't have to blend into the background, Marshall's £350 Stanmore II Voice is big, brash and bound to be noticed – especially when you crank up the volume dial. Its styling might be "old-skool", but what's inside is anything but.

Big; meaty sound; Excellent bass performance; Great build quality; Iconic design; Decent connectivity

App is a bit basic; Doesn't support AirPlay

So I have to admit that I've always wanted a Marshall JCM800 with a nice 1960AV Half Stack under it. I've just never been able to buy one. So when the company reached out to ask if I'd like to take the Marshall Stanmore II Bluetooth speaker for a spin.

This speaker is phenomenal!! It has crisp highs and good bass. I really love that it has separate bass, treble, and volume knobs. It sounds incredible; from classic rock to r&b, even to classical music. This speaker delivers life-like sound! I am very pleased with this speaker!!

Separate volume; bass; and treble Long distance Bluetooth connection

None that I have found yet

Sounds and looks great, easy to set up, I'm not usually very good at things like this but even I found it easy, never had anything with Alexa on but got it working straight away. Works well with my iPhone and husbands android phones, connected easily to my turntable.

I feel the sound quality is outstanding. It is well built and has the look and feel of quality.

Rock 'n' roll looks ; Great app interface ; Great detail (sound) ; Snappy bass notes;

That aesthetic might not be for everyone ;

Rock ‘n’ roll looks ; Great app interface ; Great detail (sound) ; Snappy bass notes;

That aesthetic might not be for everyone ;

The Marshall Stanmore II Voice speaker sounds terrific and incorporates Marshall's iconic guitar amp styling. With its multiple amplifiers and three speakers, it expresses itself with a loud, assured voice.

You are no longer stuck with a few Google-branded speaker options if you want to invite Assistant into your home. There are speakers from JBL, Sony, and many others-including Marshall.

Audio Powerful, crisp sound with above average bass for a smart speaker; Manual adjustments with knobs, Design Looks like a Marshall amp, and the adjustment knobs on the top are fantastic, Input Supports WiFi, Bluetooth, aux, and RCA

Audio again The audio is good, but not as good as the Home Max, Design again The back of the speaker is pretty ugly, Price $400 is a lot to pay for a smart speaker, no matter how good it looks; The Home Max is also the same price

The Marshall Stanmore II Voice is one of the smartest, hardest-hitting smart speakers we've tested this year. Just like Marshall's other products, the Stanmore II Voice look and sound great, and has enough tech in it to satisfy most audiophiles looking for a handsome and hi-tech speaker to add to...