Marshall's Bluetooth speakers have proven become popular so now the British manufacturer is expanding into TV audio. The first product is a 5.1.2-channel soundbar, the Heston 120.
Guitarists will recognize Marshall from guitar amplifiers but with the expansion into music systems Marshall has managed to establish itself as a consumer electronics brand with a unique design language that draws inspiration from its roots.
The company’s first soundbar, the Heston 120, features the same visual traits, including three retro-style gold metal knobs. The rest of the soundbar's surface has a visible texture. Marshall calls it rock ’n’ roll flair and adds that the soundbar is repairable over time with replaceable parts.
Marshall Heston 120 has retro-style knobs. Photo: Marshall
First of several TV audio products
Marshall said that Heston 120 is the first product in its new venture into TV audio.
A Heston 60 is coming later, which sounds like a more affordable soundbar, as well as an external subwoofer called Heston Sub 200 that can be connected to the soundbars. The model number suggests that it will not be the only subwoofer from Marshall. Rear speakers were not mentioned.
This puts Marshall in competition with brands ranging from LG and Samsung to Sonos and Sony. Heston 120 will compete with products like the Sonos Arc Ultra.
Atmos, DTS:X and Auracast
Marshall's Heston 120 features 11 built-in drivers that deliver 5.1.2 channels, including both side- and up-firing units. These are used for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, both of which are supported.
The soundbar connects to the TV via HDMI eARC, but it is also possible to connect an external player directly to the HDMI input on the soundbar, which can pass through 4K 120Hz Dolby Vision signals, i.e. HDMI 2.1.
Room calibration can be done via a smartphone app.
Built for music – really?
The company claims that the Heston 120 is built equally for TV and music. FlatpanelsHD has not yet listened to the Heston 120, but we remain skeptical regarding its musical performance.
We are sure it plays music, but in our testing we have yet to find a soundbar that delivers praiseworthy performance in music – mainly due to the soundbar form factor. This became the start of our search for soundbar alternatives in recent years.
Also see: FlatpanelsHD reviews of TV audio products
- "We know that soundbar owners use their soundbar to listen to music, yet most soundbars are not built for both music and TV. This gave us a reason to exist and an opportunity to really shine with our legacy in music and audio," said Anders Olsson, Senior Product Manager at Marshall. "We spent hundreds of hours fine tuning Heston 120. It was important to us that we spent equal time and effort on both TV and music, not one over the other."
For music use, Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect are supported, and for the first time Bluetooth Auracast, which can broadcast audio almost an unlimited number of headphones simultaneously.
Heston will go on sale on the company’s own website in early June for 900 UK pounds and 1000 Euro. It will become available from other retailers starting in mid-September.
Marshall Heston 120 – specifications
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