Marshall has entered the soundbar market with the Heston 120, a Dolby Atmos-enabled device that emphasizes the brand's iconic design heritage. While it delivers clear and immersive sound for everyday viewing and music, it falls short in providing the dynamic punch needed for action-packed cinematic scenes. Priced at $1,300, the soundbar competes in a crowded field but may not fully satisfy enthusiasts seeking intense audio impact.
Marshall, known for its amplifiers and Bluetooth speakers, launched its first Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Heston 120, as a 5.1.2-channel system featuring 11 individually powered speakers. These include two five-inch woofers, two midrange drivers, two tweeters, and five full-range drivers, with side-firing and up-firing elements to support surround sound and formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
The design draws directly from Marshall's legacy, incorporating tactile vinyl strips, coarse amplifier-style grille threading, and gleaming gold control knobs. Reviewers noted its striking appearance, with one tester's wife immediately impressed during unboxing. However, its physical dimensions—three inches tall and 43 inches long—pose setup challenges, potentially requiring TV mounting due to limited clearance under many stands.
Connectivity options are robust, including HDMI eARC/ARC for TV integration, an HDMI passthrough for devices like streamers or consoles, Ethernet, RCA for analog sources, and a traditional subwoofer output. Absent is an optical port, which does not support spatial audio anyway. Control relies on the Marshall app rather than a remote, supporting Wi-Fi streaming via Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Bluetooth 5.3. The app enables room calibration with guitar tones and a multi-band EQ, though it occasionally freezes during updates.
In performance, the Heston 120 excels in clarity and openness, handling subtle spatial effects well in shows like Bob’s Burgers or games like Ghost of Tsushima. Dolby Atmos demos, such as Mad Max: Fury Road, produce immersive overhead and side effects, like haunting vocal echoes or shotgun blasts. Yet, it struggles with dynamic range; scenes demanding punch, including thunder in the 'Amaze' demo, the Milano’s engines in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, or the Batmobile's rumble in The Dark Knight, feel restrained and toned down. This compression persists across modes, though increasing volume can help at the cost of louder dialogue.
For music, it performs confidently, offering nuanced piano in Elton John’s “Your Song” and support for Atmos tracks, making it suitable for parties. Originally launched at $1,000, its price has risen to $1,300, positioning it against rivals like the Sonos Arc Ultra or Samsung HW-Q990F. While pairing with a subwoofer could enhance bass, alternatives like the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 may better capture the 'rock and roll' energy in high-stakes audio.