Introducing Marshall's Inaugural Soundbar, Fusing Classic Amplifier Design with Modern Home Entertainment
British audio icon Marshall ventures into the living room arena with its first soundbar, the Heston 120, due for launch on June 3. This debut offers both TV and music playback, maintaining the brand's signature sound quality without compromising the aesthetic of its iconic guitar amps.
In line with Marshall's visual tradition, the Heston 120 boasts a vintage-inspired design, sporting wrapped leather trim, brushed metal panels, and knurled metal control knobs that provide a tactile experience for bass, treble, and source selection.
Beneath the retro exterior, the soundbar features an 11-driver configuration, including dual rear-facing subwoofers and four passive radiators, which deliver a robust low-end response without requiring an external subwoofer. The soundbar's up-facing tweeters and angled side drivers work together to create immersive spatial audio, elevating your Dolby Atmos experience in a three-dimensional manner.
A room calibration feature accessible via the dedicated app enables customization according to listening space and room size. Dedicated sound modes for Movies, Music, Night, and Voice allow you to fine-tune audio preferences with ease.
Marshall prioritizes repairability in the Heston 120, allowing replacement of individual drivers, circuit boards, and even the fabric fret—a rarity among soundbars. This emphasis on repairability differentiates the Heston 120 from competitors like Sonos, a company that typically requires shipping for service or repairs.
Priced at $1,000, the Heston 120 enters a competitive landscape with other premium all-in-one soundbars, such as the Sonos Arc Ultra and the Bose Smart Ultra. However, it offers unique features such as analog RCA input, providing compatibility with turntables and other audio devices, in addition to supporting Bluetooth 5.3 for streaming on Spotify, Google Cast, AirPlay, and more.
According to Marshall, different tiers of the Heston, including the Heston 60 and Heston Sub 200 subwoofer, are set to launch in the near future. This expanded ecosystem will cater to various budgets and preferences without limiting consumers to the $1,000 model.
The Marshall Heston 120 soundbar, available for pre-order now, promises to be a solid choice for those seeking a unique blend of retro design and modern technology in their home audio setup.
Spec Sheet- Model: Marshall Heston 120 Soundbar- Configuration: 5.1.2 channel with 11 drivers- Amplification: 11 Class D amplifiers (2 x 50W, 9 x 30W)- Total Power: 150W peak- Connectivity: HDMI eARC, HDMI pass-through, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, RCA, USB-C- Streaming Support: AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect- Audio Formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS-X- Dimensions: 43.3'′ x 5.7'′ x 3''- Weight: 15.5lbs
The Marshall Heston 120 Soundbar, with its vintage-inspired design and premium gadgetry, not only offers a unique style influenced by the brand's fashion roots, but also includes vices such as knurled metal control knobs and wrapped leather trim, providing a tactile experience. This soundbar, alongside technological advancements like Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth 5.3, and an 11-driver configuration, aims to revolutionize home audio setups, setting it apart from competitors in the market.
