By: Dipin Sehdev
Marshall has finally done it.
The legendary British brand—long celebrated for its iconic guitar amps and vintage-styled Bluetooth speakers—is entering the home theater fray with its very first soundbar: the Heston 120. And make no mistake, this isn’t some meek entry-level play. Marshall is aiming high. At $999, the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X-enabled Heston 120 is gunning straight for the segment’s heavyweights: the Samsung HW-Q990D, Sonos Arc Ultra, and Sennheiser Ambeo Plus.
This bold debut is not just another high-end bar to toss on the AV pile—it’s a statement. Marshall is here to compete, to disrupt, and perhaps, to win.
A New Chapter for Marshall
For a brand that has spent decades owning stages and studio walls, pivoting to home theater is a significant leap. According to Gustaf Rosell, Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Marshall, it’s a move five years in the making.
“We’ve been discussing soundbars internally for a long time,” Rosell tells us. “About three years ago we got serious about it, and the Heston 120 is the result. It’s our most ambitious product yet—and yes, it’s a little scary.”
Scary or not, the Heston 120 arrives loaded with 11 drivers in a 5.1.2 configuration, custom Class D amplification, and support for AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Bluetooth 5.3 LE with Auracast, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect.
What sets it apart isn’t just the sound—it’s the signature Marshall aesthetic: tactile knobs, a leather-grain texture, and the gold script logo. It looks like a guitar amp. It sounds like a studio monitor. And it's designed to feel like no other soundbar on the market.
Specs That Sing (and Shred)
Here’s what the Marshall Heston 120 brings to the table:
Marshall Heston 120 — Key Specs
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Audio Channels | 5.1.2 |
| Speaker Drivers | 11 total: 2 subwoofers, 2 midrange, 2 tweeters, 5 full-range |
| Amplification | 11x Class D amps (2x 50W, 9x 15W) |
| Total Power Output | 150W |
| Supported Formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, LPCM |
| Connectivity (Wireless) | Bluetooth 5.3 (LE + Auracast), Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect |
| Connectivity (Wired) | HDMI 2.1 (1x eARC, 1x passthrough), RCA |
| Control Interface | Physical knobs (Volume, Bass, Treble, Input), Remote, Marshall App |
| Smart Features | Sound modes (Music, Movie, Night, Voice), room calibration |
| Dimensions | 980mm x 90mm x 110mm (est.) |
| Weight | 7kg |
| Finish | Black leatherette with gold detailing, swappable grille |
| Price | $999 / £900 |
| Availability | Pre-orders open now; shipping starts June 3, 2025 |
Feature Comparison: Marshall vs. the Titans
To truly understand where the Heston 120 lands, let’s compare it against the reigning kings of the premium soundbar world.
Top Soundbar Comparison Chart
| Feature | Marshall Heston 120 | Samsung HW-Q990D | Sonos Arc Ultra | Sennheiser Ambeo Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 | $1,599 | $1,199 | $1,499 |
| CE Critic Score | TBD | 95% | 91% | 92% |
| Channels | 5.1.2 | 11.1.4 | 7.1.4 | 7.1.4 |
| Dolby Atmos / DTS:X | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / No | Yes / Yes |
| Subwoofer Included | No (sold separately) | Yes | No | No (optional) |
| Rear Speakers | Optional via Bluetooth LE / Auracast | Yes | Yes (optional Sonos Era) | Optional |
| AirPlay 2 / Chromecast | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 w/ Auracast | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| HDMI eARC / Passthrough | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / No | Yes / Yes |
| Tidal & Spotify Connect | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / No |
| App + Room Calibration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unique Feature | Amp-style knobs, LE + Auracast | Q-Symphony, 4-upfiring drivers | Trueplay Tuning | 360 Reality Audio, BASS Control |
| Design Aesthetic | Vintage Amp-Inspired | Minimalist, Angular | Sleek, Curved | Industrial Minimalism |
Big Sound, Bold Identity
If there’s one thing Marshall nailed on the first try, it’s identity. Most soundbars are designed to disappear under a TV. Not the Heston 120.
“It’s not about hiding,” Rosell says. “We wanted it to look like a Marshall. Bold, but not brash. A balance.”
Visually, the Heston 120 echoes the brand’s storied design DNA: leather-like texture, brass detailing, and those tactile rotary knobs for volume, bass, treble, and source. Even the metal grille is swappable—a subtle nod to the customizable spirit of Marshall’s amp cabinets.
Built for Music Lovers and Home Theater Buffs Alike
Soundbars often walk a tightrope between sounding cinematic and sounding musical. According to Rosell, that's where Marshall’s audio heritage shines.
“We’ve tuned this thing to sound just as good with vinyl as it does with Dolby Atmos TV shows. We even brought in audio engineers with automotive surround sound expertise.”
And it shows. The Heston 120 supports full multichannel playback for movies and true stereo imaging for music. It can act like a soundbar when you're watching Dune, then become a stereo rig when you're spinning Dark Side of the Moon via its RCA input or Tidal Connect.
Future-Proofing with Auracast and Modularity
Perhaps the most exciting part of the Heston 120 is what’s next.
Later in 2025, Marshall will release a Heston 60, a compact virtual Atmos soundbar likely priced around $449–$499. The Heston Sub 200, a standalone wireless subwoofer, will also arrive. Crucially, Bluetooth LE Audio with Auracast opens the door for using Marshall's existing portable speakers (like the Acton and Stanmore) as satellite speakers.
“We’re not about locking people into proprietary systems,” Rosell says. “Open standards matter. The dream is that people can mix and match—and we’re going to explore that.”
That kind of modular flexibility—especially in a world increasingly ruled by closed ecosystems—is refreshing.
Final Thoughts: A Rock Star Debut
With the Heston 120, Marshall has planted its flag in the crowded but exciting world of high-end soundbars. Is it perfect? We'll need a full review to say for sure. But as far as first efforts go, this is an aggressive, confident, and unmistakably Marshall statement.
In a sea of black boxes, the Heston 120 doesn’t just sound different—it looks and feels different too.
And in a category dominated by titans, that difference might just be Marshall’s biggest advantage.
Availability and Preorder Info
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Product: Marshall Heston 120
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Price: $999 / £900
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Preorder: Available now at marshall.com
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Ship Date: June 3, 2025
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Heston Sub 200: ETA Q4 2025 (TBA)
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Heston 60: ETA Q4 2025 (TBA)
Stay Tuned
We’ll be testing the Marshall Heston 120 in real-world environments soon, comparing it directly with the Sonos Arc Ultra, Sennheiser Ambeo Plus, and Samsung’s HW-Q990D. If Marshall delivers on its promises, this may be one of the most exciting soundbar shake-ups we’ve seen in years.
Because let’s be honest—home theater could use a little more rock ‘n roll.
