Marshall's foray into the premium soundbar market with its Dolby Atmos-enabled Heston 120 has left us wondering: does a big, beautiful soundbar have to be loud and in-your-face? The answer is a resounding maybe.
This stunning system boasts an impressive 5.1.2-channel setup, complete with side-firing and up-firing drivers that work together to create a sense of immersion and spatial audio. The Marshall app provides comprehensive control over settings, including automated calibration, EQ options, and integration with popular music services via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
During my testing, I found the Heston 120's soundstage to be expansive and clear, even in Dolby Atmos mixes like Mad Max: Fury Road. However, when it comes to cinematic punch and impact, something is missing. Even during explosive action scenes, the bar held back, lacking the kind of dynamic expression that truly sets your heart racing.
It's not all bad news, though - this system excels with music. The Marshall Heston 120 brings a pleasant touch to guitar and mandolin tones, and its nuanced handling of piano keys is particularly noteworthy. While it may suffer from occasional stereo compression, the overall sound remains impressive for its size and complexity.
At $1,300, however, the question remains: is there enough here to justify the cost? Pairing this bar with a separate subwoofer could help boost its bass response, but that would put it firmly into competition with other premium options like Samsung's HW-Q990F.
For those seeking a soundbar that embodies Marshall's signature flair while still delivering on the Dolby Atmos front, there are better bets available - such as the Sonos Arc Ultra or Klipsch Flexus Core 200. Both of these models offer more competitive pricing and performance without sacrificing too much in terms of design charm.
Ultimately, the Heston 120 is a solid, if not spectacular, addition to Marshall's lineup. Its strengths lie in its music capabilities and stylish design, but when it comes to delivering raw, cinematic power, it falls short.
This stunning system boasts an impressive 5.1.2-channel setup, complete with side-firing and up-firing drivers that work together to create a sense of immersion and spatial audio. The Marshall app provides comprehensive control over settings, including automated calibration, EQ options, and integration with popular music services via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
During my testing, I found the Heston 120's soundstage to be expansive and clear, even in Dolby Atmos mixes like Mad Max: Fury Road. However, when it comes to cinematic punch and impact, something is missing. Even during explosive action scenes, the bar held back, lacking the kind of dynamic expression that truly sets your heart racing.
It's not all bad news, though - this system excels with music. The Marshall Heston 120 brings a pleasant touch to guitar and mandolin tones, and its nuanced handling of piano keys is particularly noteworthy. While it may suffer from occasional stereo compression, the overall sound remains impressive for its size and complexity.
At $1,300, however, the question remains: is there enough here to justify the cost? Pairing this bar with a separate subwoofer could help boost its bass response, but that would put it firmly into competition with other premium options like Samsung's HW-Q990F.
For those seeking a soundbar that embodies Marshall's signature flair while still delivering on the Dolby Atmos front, there are better bets available - such as the Sonos Arc Ultra or Klipsch Flexus Core 200. Both of these models offer more competitive pricing and performance without sacrificing too much in terms of design charm.
Ultimately, the Heston 120 is a solid, if not spectacular, addition to Marshall's lineup. Its strengths lie in its music capabilities and stylish design, but when it comes to delivering raw, cinematic power, it falls short.
, but for cinematic stuff? idk man... maybe marshall just wants to create a vibe or something 
... if you're all about that dolby atmos life though? there r other options out there that might give you the same bang for your buck 
. Seriously though, I've had the Marshall Heston 120 in my home office and it's been a game changer for music nights with friends. The guitar tones are insane 
. That being said, it's a solid investment if you want something stylish that still delivers on sound quality... but at $1,300? Maybe not worth the extra cash for me 
and we saw the most stunning sunsets on our way to the beach... like, literally had tears in our eyes because they were so breathtaking 
. Anyway, I was thinking about how soundbars can make you feel all emotional and stuff during movies or music, and it got me thinking - have you ever noticed how some songs just take you back to a specific moment in your life? Like, for me, whenever I hear that one song from my favorite childhood movie, I instantly think of summer days spent at the pool 
. It's weird how music can be so connected to our memories...
. I mean, remember those? You had to use a separate subwoofer just to get any decent bass out of 'em... and now look at this thing! It's got Dolby Atmos and everything. But, yeah, it still feels kinda lacking when it comes to making you feel like you're right in the middle of all that action on screen. I mean, my old DVD player could make a explosion sound more exciting than this thing can 
. Still, it does sound nice with music, especially if you're into guitar and mandolin... just wish it was a bit cheaper, you know? $1,300 is a pretty penny to pay for something that's not quite the best in its class 
and the piano handling is spot on. I can see why it's a solid addition to Marshall's lineup - it's got that signature flair and style that fans will love.
I'm still reeling from the latest climate change news 
... scientists just told us that the Arctic is now warming at a rate 2x faster than previously thought 
! It's like, we've been given a ticking clock to figure out how to save ourselves before it's too late 
.
... plus that price tag is just too steep for me. $1300 for a decent soundbar? no thanks... if they wanna make it more cinematic, they should add some actual power not just fancy drivers 
, but after testing it out, I'm like "meh" 
. It's got all the bells and whistles, including Dolby Atmos, but for cinematic scenes, it's just not punchy enough 
. The music aspect is where it really shines, though! The guitar tones are on point 
. But at $1,300, I'm not sure if it's worth the splurge 
. Still, as a music lover, I can appreciate its strengths, but for movie nights? I'd pass on this one 
this soundbar is so cool but I'm not sure if the price is worth it 
I mean, the guitar tones are on point, and piano sounds so smooth! 
But for that price tag, I'd rather go with one of those other options like Sonos or Klipsch 
. They might not have the exact same design flair, but they're just more bang for your buck in my opinion 
the only thing is @ $1300 is it worth it? idk 
...
, especially with their awesome guitar and piano handling in music mode 
...I mean, I've seen those Samsung HW-Q990F models give me chills 
! The question is, is $1,300 worth it? 
. Maybe they'll release an update or something that gives it that extra oomph 
I gotta say, I was kinda excited to try out the Marshall Heston 120 soundbar, but honestly, it's a bit of a mixed bag for me. The soundstage is pretty great and I loved how immersive it felt, especially with music 
It's like the bar is trying to play it safe instead of going all out for those epic action scenes.
.
. So if you're looking for a soundbar that checks all those boxes, the Heston 120 might still be worth checking out... but don't expect to get blown away by its audio capabilities