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Marshall For Business – Setup & Troubleshooting

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How to get started with the Dongle and the Home Line III range of Acton III, Stanmore III and Woburn III

 

Preparing the Dongle

The Dongle is connected to your playback device (computer, phone or tablet), either directly via the USB-A port or with an adapter via the USB-C port or Lightning port. Adapters are available online and in most consumer electronics stores and the most common adapters used with the Dongle are are:

  • Older PC or Mac - no adapter needed
  • Newer PC or Mac – USB-C (M) to USB-A (F)
  • iPad or iPhone – Lightning (M) to USB-A (F)
  • Android tablet or phone – USB-C (M) to USB-A (F)

Note: Check what adapter is needed for connecting the Dongle to your playback device.

 

Preparing the speakers

 

To ensure best performance and stability, it is important that the speaker has the latest firmware. When connecting the speaker to the Marshall Bluetooth app, it automatically checks firmware version and guides you through a firmware update, if required. Download the Marshall Bluetooth app, available on the App Store or Google Play on a phone.

Note: Only turn on and prepare one speaker at a time.

  1. Connect the mains lead to the mains input on your speaker, then connect the mains plug to the wall socket. Use the power switch (8) to turn the speaker on.
  2. In the Marshall Bluetooth app, add the speaker by following the in-app instructions.
  3. If you are prompted to perform an over-the-air update (OTA), agree and wait for the update to be completed.
  4. Turn off the speaker and repeat the process until all speakers are updated.

The app is only needed for the firmware update and not needed for everyday use of the Dongle and the Homeline III speakers.

 

Setting up the Dongle with your Playback device

  1. Connect your Dongle to your playback device, either directly or via an adapter
  2. Set the Dongle as your audio output.
    This is done automatically on most phones or tablets. If you’re connecting the Dongle to a PC or Mac, go to Settings and set the Dongle as the audio output.
  3. Begin playing music on your playback device at mid volume and the Dongle will show a blue light. You will not be able to hear any music until you perform the next step below.

 

Connecting your playback device with the speakers

  1. Connect the mains lead to the mains input on your speaker, then connect the mains plug to the wall socket. Use the power switch (8) to turn the speaker on.
  2. Use the source button (3) to select Bluetooth.
  3. Push and hold both the source button (3) and the media control button (7) for a minimum of 3 seconds, until the music starts playing.
  4. Push the source button once to ensure that the speaker is in Dongle mode. If the source LED changes from Bluetooth, go back to step 2.

Your Home Line III speaker is now connected to the Dongle using Bluetooth Low Energy Audio which means that the Bluetooth Classic connection is deactivated. You can return the speaker to its original settings by repeating the 3 second press on both buttons.

Important: Always read the safety instructions that are supplied with any electronic device before using it.

 

Set the correct volume

You can use the top panel audio-controls to set the speaker volume, bass, and treble. Adjusting the volume on your playback device will change the volume on all speaker volumes relative to their setting.

  1. Ensure that any equalizer in your music player is set to ‘Off’ or ‘Flat’.
  2. Set the playback device to mid volume.
  3. Set the volume, bass, and treble on each speaker. 

Use the volume setting on the playback device to adjust the overall volume during the day.

 

Use the network standby mode

Home Line III speakers will go into network standby if left unused for 10 minutes to save energy. While in network standby, the Dongle and your speaker are still connected. The speaker indicators are dimmed and the Dongle indicator is white. The speaker will wake up when music is resumed.


Note: The button on the Dongle has no function and will not wake-up the speakers or resume playback.

 

Perform a factory reset

A factory reset will return the speaker to its original settings, excluding any firmware updates.

Note: This will delete all user settings, the speaker will return to normal mode, and the speaker needs to be set up again, see Connecting your playback device with the speakers.

  1. Push and hold the media control (7) for more than 10 seconds and the speaker will reset.

 

Troubleshooting


There is no audio or audio is too low

Problem Cause Action
There is no audio or audio is too low

 		The speaker is not in Dongle mode.  Push and hold both the source button and the media control button for a minimum of 3 seconds. 
The audio device is not connected.  Ensure that the device is connected to the Dongle. 
Dongle is not set as the active audio output device. Check the settings menu and set the Dongle as the output device.
Volume is set too low on either the audio source or the speaker. Slightly increase the volume on your audio source, playback app or the speaker.

The USB-A adapter is broken (the blue indicator on the Dongle is not lit).

Replace the USB-A adapter.

There is lint collected in the port on your playback device, blocking the adapter from being fully plugged in.

Clean the port on your device. See the cleaning instructions on the support page for your device.

 

Audio is too low

Problem Cause Action
Audio is too low Volume is set too low on either the audio source or in the playback app.
 Check the playback volume on the playback device itself and in the playback app.
Volume is set too low on the speaker.  Increase the volume on the speaker. 

 

The audio is distorted

Problem Cause Action
The audio is distorted  Volume is set too high on the audio source.  Turn down the playback volume on the audio source.
The volume, bass, or treble is set too high on the speaker.  Lower the volume, bass, or treble on the speaker. 
There is a software error.

Unplug the speaker from the wall socket, wait 15 seconds and then plug it back in.

 

If the problem persists, unplug the Dongle from the playback device, wait 15 seconds and then plug it back in.

 

If the problem persists, restart the playback device.

 

The speaker is not responding

Problem Cause Action

The speaker is not responding 

A software problem has occurred. 

Unplug the mains power plug from the wall socket, wait for 15 seconds, then plug it in again.