Marshall Heston 120 Soundbar Review: High-End Design Meets Detailed Audio, With a Mounting Caveat
Los Angeles, CA – Marshall has entered the competitive soundbar market with the heston 120, a premium offering boasting a distinctive aesthetic and a focus on audio clarity. Released this month, the Heston 120 aims to deliver a cinematic experience without the complexity of conventional home theater setups, but its significant size and lack of adjustability present installation challenges for many users. Priced at $999, the soundbar targets consumers seeking a stylish, high-performance audio upgrade for their televisions.
The Heston 120 distinguishes itself with a retro-inspired design clad in Marshall’s signature textured vinyl and brass detailing. While it lacks advanced spatial audio support like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X – and thus omits an optical port - the soundbar prioritizes delivering a refined, detailed soundstage. Though, its 43-inch length and three-inch height necessitate careful consideration of TV placement, perhaps requiring wall mounting for optimal fit.
Setup is straightforward, but the Heston 120’s dimensions create practical hurdles. The soundbar’s rubber feet offer minimal side clearance,and unlike models such as the Sony bravia Theater 9 or System 6,it lacks extension capabilities. This limits compatibility with TVs featuring standard pedestal stands, increasingly common even in budget-friendly televisions.
Control is primarily managed thru the Marshall app, which offers Wi-Fi connectivity for music streaming via Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, tidal connect, and internet radio, alongside Bluetooth 5.3. While the app is generally stable, a firmware update caused a temporary freeze during testing. automated room calibration and a multi-band EQ provide further customization options.
Initial listening tests with content like Bob’s Burgers revealed a notable sense of clarity and definition, exceeding expectations compared to other soundbars in its class. The Heston 120’s sound profile emphasizes detail and openness, offering an immersive audio experience. A compatible wireless subwoofer, available separately, further enhances the low-end performance.