If you’ve ever cranked a Marshall amp at a rock show, you know the brand stands for power and clarity. Now, Marshall is making its first move into the TV soundbar market with the Heston 120. After 60 years of pioneering portable speakers, amps, and headphones, the company wants a slice of your living room. And let’s be honest—when it comes to audio pedigree, Marshall is hard to beat.
The Heston 120 isn’t just a branding exercise. This bar is packed with 11 drivers in a 5.1.2 layout and fully supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. That’s premium territory, where spatial audio should feel like it’s wrapping around you, whether you’re binging the latest blockbuster or streaming your favorite playlist. Marshall promises immersive performance straight out of the box, leaning on its acoustic heritage to deliver dynamic soundscapes.
Immersive Audio for Movies and Music
Marshall knows most folks use soundbars for music about 65% of the time, so they tuned the Heston 120 to play both blockbuster scores and bass-heavy tracks with equal gusto. With built-in dual subwoofers hitting from 40 Hz up to 20 kHz, you’ll feel every explosion and bass drop in your chest. And if you want more thump, Marshall’s rolling out a dedicated subwoofer—Sub 200—later this year.
Beyond raw power, the Heston 120 offers four sound modes—Movie, Music, Night, and Voice—that you can switch with the classic Marshall knobs or via the new mobile app. That app also lets you calibrate the sound to your room using two built-in microphones. In practice, you’ll get a fine-tuned audio profile that adjusts to your couch, walls, and even that comfy rug.
For connectivity, Marshall didn’t hold back. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 (with LE Audio and Auracast) cover your wireless bases, while Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, and Google Cast handle your streaming needs. On the wired side, you’ve got HDMI eARC, pass-through HDMI, RCA stereo, Ethernet, USB-C, and a dedicated subwoofer output. In short, this bar plays well with any setup.
Iconic Design Meets Repair-Friendly Durability
From the vintage-style leather wrap to the brushed metal faceplate and the signature knurled knobs, the Heston 120 screams Marshall. It’s like having a stage-ready amp on your entertainment center—complete with a cloth grille that feels as tactile as any guitar cab. This rock-inspired aesthetic fits right alongside your 65-inch TV or larger.
Marshall also put care into making the Heston 120 repairable. Key components—like the grille, end caps, drivers, and even circuit boards—are replaceable. In an era of disposable tech, that commitment to durability sets this bar apart. If you ever need a part swapped out, you won’t have to toss the whole unit.
Rival Rundown: How Heston 120 Compares
On paper, the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus are formidable opponents. The Sonos Arc Ultra rocks a 9.1.4 layout with 14 drivers, ceiling-firing tweeters, and Sonos’ Sound Motion tech for deep bass and precise spatial cues. Plus, you can expand it with surround speakers or a subwoofer for a full-fledged home theater setup.
The Ambeo Soundbar Plus goes 7.1.4 with nine drivers and dual 10 cm woofers, pumping out 400 watts. Its automatic acoustic calibration and support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, MPEG-H, and 360 Reality Audio give it serious flexibility. It’s not as upgradeable as the Sonos, but its pure sonic performance is stellar.
In contrast, Marshall’s Heston 120 stands out with its unique rock ‘n’ roll vibe and emphasis on repairability. Sonos leans into a full ecosystem, while Sennheiser focuses on calibration smarts. Marshall blends robust audio specs with tactile controls and a no-compromise design philosophy—ideal if you want a one-and-done setup that looks great.
When, Where, and How Much?
The Marshall Heston 120 is available for pre-order at $999 and officially ships June 3 on Marshall’s website. Brick-and-mortar retailers will start stocking it around September 16. And remember, the Heston 120 is just the start. Later this year, you’ll see the more compact Heston 60 and the Sub 200 subwoofer joining the lineup.
Whether you’re a cinephile craving immersive Atmos action or a music lover chasing rich, thumping lows, the Heston 120 aims to deliver. With its classic Marshall DNA, versatile features, and repair-friendly build, it might just dethrone your current speakers. Ready to rock your living room?
