Debut of Marshall's First Dolby Atmos Soundbar Announced: Will it Usurp Sonos Arc Ultra's Throne?
The Marshall Heston 120, their first foray into the soundbar market, is making a big splash with its promised "immersive and spacious sound" and "powerful, deep and rich bass". But the question on everyone's mind is: can it dethrone the powerhouses we've previously tested? With its impressive hardware and features, it certainly seems like it might be a contender.
This soundbar boasts a 5.1.2 speaker configuration, housing an impressive collection of 11 drivers — five full-range drivers, two tweeters, two mid-woofers, and two subwoofer units. These drivers are strategically positioned to "throw sound out to the places that have the best impact on your experience". To drive these drivers, 11 Class D amplifiers power up, including two 50W amps for the subwoofers and nine 15W amps for the remaining speakers. This setup adds up to a total peak power output of 150W.
The Heston 120 doesn't skimp on the modern features, either. It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, giving it an edge over its Sonos rival. This focus on immersive audio formats demonstrates Marshall's commitment to delivering a top-notch audio experience.
Ed Camphor, audio technology and tuning lead at Marshall Group, emphasizes the balance between TV and music performance: "It was important to us that we spent equal time and effort on both, not one over the other."
When it comes to connectivity, this soundbar doesn't disappoint. It integrates with TVs via HDMI eARC and also features HDMI pass-through for devices like Blu-ray players and gaming consoles. The HDMI pass-through socket supports up to 4K/120Hz signals with Dolby Vision HDR, which is a handy feature for those with limited HDMI sockets.
Furthermore, wireless connectivity options include Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify, Tidal, or even Auracast via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The soundbar also has an Ethernet connection for wired network connectivity.
The Heston 120's design is decidedly rock 'n' roll, consistent with the Marshall brand's aesthetic. Retro knobs adorn the top of the soundbar, allowing users to adjust audio, save presets, and personalize the audio experience with the Marshall app. The app also provides the ability to adjust channels, volume, and EQ settings, as well as access different sound modes like Music, Movie, Night, and Voice.
Built-in microphones enable an on-board room calibration system, ensuring that the sound is tailored to your unique listening space.
Priced at £900 / $1000 (approximately AU$1875), the Heston 120 faces some formidable competition. Notably, the Sonos Arc Ultra is slightly more expensive but currently tops our list of best Dolby Atmos soundbars, praised for its "clean, precise, spacious, and three-dimensional sound"[1][2].
Additionally, the Sony Theatre Bar 9 earned a five-star rating from us and a spot in our annual awards[3]. Though it launched at a higher price, regular price drops bring it down closer to the Heston 120's price point.
With these two heavyweights contending at a similar price point, the Heston 120 has some serious competition. We will continue to monitor its performance and keep you updated.
Impressively, this soundbar appears to be the first of a full range of Marshall home cinema audio lineup, with the Heston 60 and Heston Sub 200 also on the horizon, potentially targeting competitors like the Sonos Beam Gen 2 or Sonos Ray and the Sonos Sub, respectively.
The Heston 120 is now available for pre-order on Marshall's official online store and will hit shelves on June 3rd. It will also be available at select retailers starting on September 16th.
For more information, check out our review of the Sonos Arc Ultra[1] and the best soundbars[2] currently on the market, as well as the best soundbar deals[3].
[1] https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sonos-arc-ultra[2] https://www.techradar.com/best/soundbar[3] https://www.techradar.com/news/soundbar-deals
- The Marshall Heston 120, with its promised "immersive and spacious sound" and "powerful, deep and rich bass," is posing a challenge to established soundbar powerhouses.
- Featuring a 5.1.2 speaker configuration, the Heston 120 houses 11 drivers and 11 Class D amplifiers, promising an immersive audio experience.
- The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, setting it apart from its Sonos rival and demonstrating Marshall's commitment to delivering top-notch audio.
- With a price tag of £900 / $1000 (approximately AU$1875), the Heston 120 faces competition from the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sony Theatre Bar 9, both of which have received high praise.
- The Heston 120's retro design, complete with control knobs and room calibration, offers a personalized audio experience through the Marshall app.
- Set to be available for pre-order on Marshall's official online store on June 3rd and at select retailers on September 16th, the Heston 120 marks the beginning of a potential full range of Marshall home cinema audio products.
