Marshall’s Bold Entry into Home Theater: The Heston 120 Soundbar
Marshall. The name itself conjures images of roaring amplifiers, iconic rock bands, and a sound that’s as powerful as it is legendary. For years, this brand has translated that sonic heritage into headphones and portable speakers that not only look the part but deliver a sound that makes you want to crank it up. Now, Marshall is taking its signature style and audio prowess into the heart of your living room with their first foray into Dolby Atmos soundbars: the Heston 120.
This isn’t just another black rectangle to tuck under your TV. The Heston 120 is an ambitious statement piece, aiming to marry Marshall’s unmistakable aesthetic with the immersive, three-dimensional audio experience that Dolby Atmos promises. But in the competitive world of home theater audio, looking good is only half the battle. Does the Heston 120 deliver the sonic knockout punch its heritage suggests, or does it fall flat when the action heats up?
Unboxing the Legend: A Feast for the Eyes and Hands
From the moment you unbox the Heston 120, it’s clear this is a product designed with passion and a deep understanding of the Marshall brand. Forget sterile, utilitarian packaging; this is an experience. Even those who typically endure soundbar unboxings with a sigh will likely be impressed. The tactile touches are what immediately set it apart. Think long strips of that classic vinyl finish, the signature coarse amplifier threading adorning the grille, and gleaming gold control knobs that feel substantial and satisfying to the touch. It’s a seamless translation of Marshall’s iconic amplifier and speaker designs into a home theater component.
This attention to detail extends beyond just aesthetics. Underneath that striking exterior lies a sophisticated 5.1.2-channel system, boasting 11 individually powered speakers. This includes a pair of robust five-inch woofers for deep bass, two dedicated midrange drivers for clear vocals, two tweeters for crisp highs, and five versatile “full-range” drivers. The magic of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X is achieved through a clever arrangement of side-firing and upfiring drivers, designed to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling, creating an enveloping soundscape.
Connectivity and Setup: Built for the Modern Home Theater
Marshall hasn’t skimped on connectivity either. The Heston 120 is well-equipped for today’s connected living room. You’ll find HDMI eARC/ARC for a simple, high-bandwidth connection to your TV, along with an HDMI passthrough port – perfect for keeping your streaming devices or gaming consoles directly connected. For those with older, beloved gear, there’s an RCA analog input, making it easy to connect a turntable or other legacy audio sources. And for those who want even more bass, a dedicated subwoofer output allows you to bypass Marshall’s optional wireless sub and connect your own preferred model.
Notably absent is an optical audio port. While this might raise an eyebrow for some, it’s a sensible omission considering optical doesn’t support the advanced Dolby Atmos or DTS:X spatial audio formats that are central to the Heston 120’s appeal. If you’re investing in this soundbar, you’re likely prioritizing modern, immersive audio.
Setup is generally straightforward, but the bar’s substantial size can present a minor challenge. Measuring three inches tall, it might struggle to fit neatly beneath some TVs without obstructing the screen. The sturdy rubber feet that support its 43-inch width also offer very little side clearance, which can be problematic with many modern TV stands that are increasingly narrow. Unlike some competitors, there’s no option to extend the bar’s footprint. This means that for many users, wall-mounting their TV might be the most practical solution to ensure proper placement.
The Marshall App: Your Digital Command Center
One of the key ways you’ll interact with the Heston 120 is through the Marshall app. Similar to systems like the Sonos Arc Ultra, there isn’t a physical remote included. While the app is generally stable, my experience saw it freeze briefly during a firmware update, and it can sometimes take a moment to connect upon opening. However, for day-to-day adjustments, your TV remote will likely handle power and volume, and the app offers a wealth of control.
When connected via Wi-Fi, the Heston 120 becomes a hub for music streaming, supporting Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, alongside internet radio. Bluetooth 5.3 provides a reliable wireless backup. The app also handles the automated room calibration, which is a neat touch, even incorporating playful guitar tones during the process. For those who like to fine-tune their audio, the app offers more in-depth controls than the physical knobs, including a multi-band EQ.
A Premium Touch for Dialogue and Detail
Let’s talk sound. The Heston 120 truly shines when it comes to clarity and detail. From the very first moments of testing, even with something as seemingly simple as an episode of Bob’s Burgers, the soundbar showcased an exceptional sense of openness and definition. This is a level of clarity that rivals some of the best in the business.
As I used the soundbar in the background during other reviews, I found myself repeatedly pausing to appreciate subtle audio cues. The spatial relationship of dialogue to its environment, the distinct crunch of horse hooves on gravel as I navigated the world of Ghost of Tsushima, or the nuanced instrumentation in various TV shows – the Heston 120 handles these with remarkable grace. There’s a tactful, refined touch to how it renders instruments and environmental sounds.
While the upper registers can sometimes exhibit a slight edge when reproducing metallic sounds, like the click of a lock or the cocking of a gun, it generally manages to balance sharpness with warmth effectively. It’s a sound signature that feels premium, offering a refined listening experience for spoken word and subtler audio elements.
Immersive Horizons: Dolbly Atmos in Action
Moving into Dolby Atmos content, the Heston 120 truly expands its horizons. Scenes from Mad Max: Fury Road proved to be a fantastic showcase for its ability to create a sense of width and height. The haunting vocal echoes of Max’s internal struggles in the opening were rendered with an unsettling closeness, while the scattered dust from a shotgun blast to the ceiling during an intense moment had me instinctively checking my hair. This is where the upfiring and side-firing drivers start to work their magic, creating an enveloping bubble of sound that pulls you into the movie.
The Unforeseen Lag: Where’s the Punch?
However, as impressive as the Heston 120 is with clarity and spatial effects, a significant caveat emerges when the action intensifies. My initial confusion about inconsistent bass response quickly evolved into a more significant realization: the Heston 120 struggles with dynamic punch. When faced with explosive action sequences, the sound seems to inexplicably pull back, lacking the visceral impact one would expect from a premium soundbar.
Take the iconic “Amaze” scene from my go-to Dolby Atmos demo disc. While the buzzing insects at the start were rendered with impressive precision and the overhead rainstorm felt convincingly atmospheric, the rolling thunder effect was surprisingly devoid of gravitas. It was a moment that highlighted a broader pattern.
The “Space Chase” and Beyond: Lacking Cinematic Roar
In the “Space Chase” scene from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the Milano’s engines typically roar with a satisfying rumble that ramps up the excitement. With the Heston 120, the ship’s response felt almost serene, and the subsequent chaos of laser blasts and explosions was notably subdued. This wasn’t an isolated incident.
Popping in my Dark Knight Blu-ray, even with standard Dolby surround sound, the dynamic range was still lacking. The guttural rumble of the Batmobile as it careens into the parking garage, or the explosive impact of its “Intimidate” maneuver – these moments were delivered with a surprising restraint. It felt like a strict school teacher holding back the goods when the excitement should be peaking.
This issue repeated itself across several high-octane test scenes. While the soundbar is certainly larger and more capable than basic TV speakers, it consistently held back from delivering the full force of cinematic action.
Turning Up the Volume vs. Finding the Balance
One might assume that simply turning up the volume could compensate for this lack of dynamic impact. However, this often leads to dialogue becoming uncomfortably loud during quieter scenes, creating an uneven listening experience. Switching to “Music” mode, which often prioritizes a more balanced output, didn’t resolve the issue. Despite weeks of testing and experimenting with various settings, the Heston 120 rarely achieved the cinematic impact that I expect from a soundbar in its price bracket.
A Stronger Showing for Music Lovers
Where the Heston 120 finds its footing again is in its performance with music. The system truly shines here, delivering a pleasant jangle to guitars and mandolins, and a sweet fluidity to strings and orchestral horns. Listening to Elton John’s “Your Song,” the piano keys were rendered with a beautifully nuanced touch.
While the stereo soundstage can occasionally feel a little compressed, the Heston 120 performs commendably for its compact, multi-channel design. It also supports Dolby Atmos music through compatible services, which can imbue an increasing number of available Atmos tracks with a bigger, wider, and more spacious feel. For parties or casual listening sessions, the Heston 120 is a very capable music companion, occasionally delivering moments of genuine audio brilliance.
The Verdict: Style and Substance, But at What Cost?
So, is the Marshall Heston 120 a worthy addition to your home theater? It’s a complex question. The Heston 120 is undeniably a beautiful piece of hardware that brings Marshall’s iconic style into the living room with exceptional fidelity. It excels at clarity, detail, and creating an immersive spatial experience for dialogue and ambient sound. For music, it’s a strong contender, offering a refined and enjoyable listening experience.
However, its significant shortcomings in dynamic punch during action sequences are hard to overlook, especially given its premium price point. At $1,300 (an increase from its initial $1,000 launch price), the value proposition becomes more challenging. While adding a subwoofer could mitigate the lack of bass impact, this would push the total cost into territory occupied by multi-component Atmos superstars.
In the fiercely competitive soundbar market, Marshall’s first swing at a Dolby Atmos all-rounder shows real promise, but it faces stiff competition. For those prioritizing pure cinematic dynamism and impact, models like the Sonos Arc Ultra might offer a more compelling, albeit less stylish, solution. For users on a tighter budget, the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 provides a more stripped-down but critically acclaimed alternative.
The Marshall Heston 120 is a testament to the brand’s design legacy and its ability to create beautiful-sounding products. It’s a soundbar that will undoubtedly impress with its aesthetics and its finesse in quieter moments. But when it comes to truly rocking your home theater with the full force of cinematic action, it seems this legend might need a bit more time to find its true roar.