Is the Marshall Heston 120 Soundbar the Rock Star of Home Audio?
With the global soundbar market projected to reach \$7.4 billion by 2027, consumers are clearly looking for ways to enhance their home audio experience. Iconic UK-based guitar amp company Marshall has long been a powerhouse in the music industry. Known for their high-quality headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers, they’ve taken their first plunge into television audio with the Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. This Dolby Atmos and DTS-X enabled soundbar aims to bring Marshall’s signature sound to your living room. But with a price tag that puts it head-to-head with established brands like Sony, Bose, and Sonos, does the Heston 120 deliver a powerful enough home theater experience to warrant its place among the best soundbars? Let’s dive in and find out.
Marshall Heston 120 Soundbar: A Detailed Review
The Marshall Heston 120 is more than just a soundbar; it’s a statement piece. From its guitar amp heritage to its impressive list of features, this soundbar promises to deliver a premium audio experience for both movies and music.
Design and Aesthetics: A Nod to Marshall’s Heritage
Marshall’s audio products are instantly recognizable, and the Heston 120 is no exception. The design is a clear tribute to the company’s guitar amp legacy. The black cabinet, wrapped in faux-leather, sports the iconic Marshall logo and a “salt ‘n’ pepper” fabric grille (which Marshall calls a ‘fret’). These design choices certainly make it stand out.
The 43-inch width makes it suitable for most TVs, and its three-inch height ensures it won’t block the screen. For those who prefer a wall-mounted setup, Marshall sells optional brackets. The top-mounted controls, with their gold-tone accents and red LED ring indicators, further enhance the amp-like aesthetic.
- Pros: Authentic Marshall design, premium materials, wall-mountable.
- Cons: The unique design may not appeal to everyone, LED indicators are not visible from all viewing angles.
While the look might be a point of contention for some, its unique appearance and the quality of materials used make it a conversation starter. The replaceable fret, end caps, drivers and even circuit boards suggest a product designed for longevity.
Simple Setup and User-Friendly App
Setting up the Heston 120 is straightforward. Simply connect it to your TV via HDMI cable and plug it into a power outlet. After that, downloading the Marshall app (available for both iOS and Android) opens up a world of possibilities. The app guides you through connecting the soundbar to your Wi-Fi network, unlocking features like Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and a built-in room correction process.
The app also serves as a remote control, allowing you to switch between sources (TV/HDMI/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/Aux-in) and sound modes (music/movies/night/voice). Since the Heston 120 doesn’t ship with a physical remote, the app is essential for controlling these features.
Connectivity and Controls: Ports Galore!
The Heston 120 boasts an impressive array of ports, exceeding what you typically find on soundbars in its price range. It includes:
- HDMI-eARC port
- HDMI input (HDMI 2.1 with Dolby Vision and 4K/120Hz passthrough)
- Analog RCA inputs
- Mono subwoofer output
- USB-C port (for power only)
- Ethernet port
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.3
The inclusion of an HDMI input is a welcome addition, as it effectively replaces the HDMI port on your TV used by the soundbar. However, the subwoofer output and stereo inputs are the real standouts. Unlike brands like Sony, Bose, Sonos, Samsung, and LG, which limit you to their own wireless subwoofers, the Heston 120 lets you connect any subwoofer with a wired input.
The analog inputs are also a rarity, offering flexibility for connecting digital devices or even a turntable with a preamp. The USB-C port can power a streaming stick like an Amazon Fire TV Stick, creating a clean and clutter-free setup.
The physical controls on top of the soundbar are aesthetically pleasing and provide tactile feedback. The three main knobs (volume/tone/source) are accompanied by three preset buttons and a sound mode button. While there’s no dedicated mute button, the source knob doubles as a playback control.
Audio Performance: Power and Emotion
The Heston 120 packs 11 discrete drivers and amps, including two built-in subwoofers. While it has fewer drivers than the Sonos Arc Ultra, it rivals it in raw power and emotion. The soundbar’s ability to reach down to 40Hz allows for a deep low-end that benefits both movies and music.
In movie mode, dialogue is clear and easily understood, and the dedicated Voice sound mode further enhances clarity. Dolby Atmos test clips showcased the Heston 120’s ability to create a spatial audio experience with good width, depth, and height.
- Dolby Atmos: A surround sound technology that expands upon existing surround sound systems by adding height channels, allowing sounds to be interpreted as three-dimensional objects.
- DTS:X: A competing surround sound format to Dolby Atmos that provides a more flexible and immersive audio experience.
However, achieving optimal Dolby Atmos performance requires higher volume levels. At lower volumes, the virtual surround channels and height effects may lack impact. Adding a wired subwoofer significantly enhances the low-end performance and overall listening experience.
The Heston 120 also supports DTS-X, but its decoding capabilities are more limited compared to Dolby Atmos.
Music Performance: A Pleasant Surprise
One of the most impressive aspects of the Heston 120 is its music performance. Unlike many soundbars that excel in movie playback but fall short with music, the Heston 120 delivers a warm and engaging listening experience.
The built-in subwoofers contribute to a full and rich sound, and the soundbar can reach high volumes without noticeable distortion. While Marshall doesn’t explicitly state it, the Heston 120 appears to upmix two-channel stereo to take advantage of its multiple drivers, creating a more expansive soundstage.
For the best audio quality, Marshall recommends using lossless, Wi-Fi-based Google Cast protocol from apps like Amazon Music or Qobuz. Tidal users can also take advantage of the Tidal Connect system. Apple AirPlay and Bluetooth are also available, albeit with a lossier connection.
Dolby Atmos Music is a revelation on the Heston 120. The immersive sound quality of tracks like M.I.A.’s Marigold, or the excellent Atmos version of The Doors’ classic, Riders On The Storm, create a truly captivating listening experience.
However, the volume levels for Dolby Atmos content can be inconsistent compared to two-channel mixes. This can be annoying when switching between different types of content, as it necessitates constant volume adjustments.
Sound Adjustments and Customization Options
The Heston 120 offers several ways to fine-tune the sound to your liking. It features built-in room calibration, which can help reduce bass muddiness and improve high-frequency definition.
The soundbar also offers four distinct sound modes:
- Movie: Boosts lows and highs for a more cinematic experience.
- Music: Provides a balanced and neutral presentation.
- Night: Reduces dynamic range for quieter listening.
- Voice: De-emphasizes lows and lower-mids while boosting dialogue frequencies.
Each sound mode can be further customized using the bass/treble knob. For more granular control, the Marshall app offers a five-band equalizer. While these changes can be saved per mode, they cannot be saved as custom presets for different combinations.
Future Expandability
Currently, the Heston 120 operates as a standalone soundbar. However, Marshall has plans to expand its capabilities in the future with a dedicated wireless subwoofer and the ability to use its third-gen Homeline portable Bluetooth speakers as surround speakers.
Marshall plans to use Bluetooth Auracast as the wireless protocol for these add-on speakers, making it an industry first for a soundbar.
Final Verdict: Is the Marshall Heston 120 Worth the Investment?
The Marshall Heston 120 soundbar offers a compelling combination of distinctive design, comprehensive features, and impressive audio performance. While its price point puts it in direct competition with established brands, its unique aesthetic, versatile connectivity options, and excellent music playback capabilities set it apart from the competition.
Key Takeaways:
- The Heston 120 excels in both movie and music playback.
- Its design is a bold statement that pays homage to Marshall’s guitar amp heritage.
- Its comprehensive connectivity options make it a versatile choice for various audio sources.
- The potential for future expandability with wireless surround speakers and a subwoofer adds to its long-term value.
While the lack of a physical remote and limited DTS-X decoding may be drawbacks for some, the Marshall Heston 120 is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a high-performance, single-speaker home theater sound system with a unique and stylish design.
What do you think about the Marshall Heston 120? Would you consider adding it to your home theater setup? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
Sources & Further Reading:
Original article at mashable.com
