Marshall Heston 120 Review: Style Points High, Bass a Little Shy
Marshall. The name conjures images of roaring guitar amps, legendary rock concerts, and a distinct vintage aesthetic. Now, they’ve entered the soundbar arena with the Heston 120, their first foray into home audio beyond headphones and speakers. It promises premium sound and that signature Marshall style, but does it truly deliver? This Marshall Heston 120 review dives deep into its design, features, sound quality, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right soundbar for your home. Are you looking for a soundbar that looks as good as it sounds? Let’s find out!
We’ll be covering everything from its minimalist design and connectivity options to its sonic performance across different types of content. We’ll also explore how it stacks up against the competition and whether its premium price tag is justified. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let’s get started.
A Masterclass in Minimalist Design
Let’s face it: most soundbars are black rectangles. They’re functional, but not exactly eye-catching. The Marshall Heston 120, however, is a different beast entirely. It boasts a sleek, minimalist design that instantly elevates any entertainment setup. The textured vinyl finish, iconic Marshall logo, and brass control knobs give it a distinctly retro vibe that’s both stylish and sophisticated.
Premium Materials and Build Quality
The Heston 120 feels substantial and well-built. The use of premium materials like the textured vinyl and solid brass knobs exudes quality. It’s clear that Marshall paid attention to the details, ensuring that the soundbar not only looks good but also feels like a premium product. This attention to detail is something that sets it apart from many of its competitors.
The front of the soundbar features a metal grille that protects the drivers while maintaining the clean, minimalist aesthetic. The overall design is understated yet elegant, making it a seamless addition to any modern living room. If you are passionate about aesthetics, this might be the soundbar for you!
For more insights on creating a stylish and functional home entertainment setup, you might find our guide to home theater design principles useful.
Connectivity and Features: Keeping it Simple
The Marshall Heston 120 offers a decent range of connectivity options, including HDMI ARC, optical input, and a 3.5mm aux input. It also supports Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless streaming from your smartphone or tablet. This covers the essentials for most users, allowing you to connect your TV, gaming console, and other audio sources with ease.
HDMI ARC: A Seamless Connection
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is the preferred method for connecting the Heston 120 to your TV. It allows you to control the soundbar’s volume using your TV remote and simplifies the setup process. Plus, it supports high-quality audio formats, ensuring the best possible sound from your TV.
Bluetooth 5.1: Wireless Freedom
Bluetooth 5.1 provides a stable and reliable wireless connection for streaming music from your mobile devices. The Heston 120 supports SBC and AAC codecs, which offer decent audio quality for Bluetooth streaming. However, it lacks support for higher-resolution codecs like aptX or LDAC, which could be a drawback for audiophiles.
Missing Features
While the Heston 120 covers the basics, it’s missing some features that are becoming increasingly common in modern soundbars. There’s no built-in Wi-Fi, which means no support for streaming services like Spotify Connect or Chromecast. It also lacks support for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, immersive audio formats that deliver a more cinematic listening experience.
To learn more about optimizing your Bluetooth connection for audio devices, check out our article on bluetooth connectivity troubleshooting.
Sound Quality: Restrained Power
The most important aspect of any soundbar is its sound quality. The Marshall Heston 120 delivers a clear and detailed sound with a focus on the midrange and high frequencies. Vocals sound crisp and natural, and instruments are well-defined. However, the bass response is somewhat lacking, which can make action movies and bass-heavy music sound a bit thin.
Clear and Detailed Midrange
The Heston 120 excels at reproducing vocals and instruments in the midrange. This makes it a good choice for dialogue-driven content like TV shows and podcasts. The sound is clear and articulate, allowing you to easily understand what’s being said.
Bright and Crisp High Frequencies
The high frequencies are also well-represented, adding a sense of clarity and detail to the overall sound. Cymbals shimmer, and high-pitched instruments sound crisp and clear. However, the high frequencies can sometimes sound a bit harsh at higher volumes.
Where the Bass Falls Short
The biggest weakness of the Heston 120 is its bass response. The soundbar struggles to produce deep, impactful bass, which can make action movies and bass-heavy music sound underwhelming. While the bass is present, it lacks the punch and rumble that many users expect from a soundbar in this price range. If you are a bass-head, you might need to look elsewhere. Consider the Heston 120 a more premium sound experience that might not offer the punch you want.
This lack of bass is likely due to the soundbar’s relatively small size and the absence of a dedicated subwoofer. While the Heston 120 aims for a minimalist design, the compromise in bass performance is noticeable. For those seeking a truly immersive audio experience, a soundbar with a dedicated subwoofer is likely a better choice.
If you’re interested in learning more about soundbar technology and how it impacts audio quality, our article on soundbar technology explained can provide valuable insights.
Value and Competition
The Marshall Heston 120 is priced at the premium end of the soundbar market. While its sleek design and premium build quality justify some of the cost, its lack of features and somewhat underwhelming bass response make it a tough sell compared to the competition. Soundbars from brands like Sonos, Bose, and Sony offer similar or better sound quality with more features at a comparable price point.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a soundbar with a similar minimalist design but better sound quality, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a great option. It offers excellent sound, built-in Wi-Fi, and support for Dolby Atmos. Another alternative is the Bose Smart Soundbar 300, which delivers clear and balanced sound with a focus on dialogue clarity.
For those seeking a more immersive audio experience with powerful bass, the Sony HT-G700 is a good choice. It comes with a dedicated subwoofer and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, delivering a cinematic listening experience.
Is the Marshall Heston 120 Worth It?
The Marshall Heston 120 is a stylish and well-built soundbar that delivers clear and detailed sound. However, its lack of features and somewhat underwhelming bass response make it difficult to recommend at its premium price point. If you’re a die-hard Marshall fan and prioritize aesthetics over sound quality, the Heston 120 might be worth considering. However, for most users, there are better options available in the same price range.
Understanding how your purchasing decisions influence the market is important. Consider how consumer behavior trends affect the technology sector.
Final Verdict: Style Over Substance?
The Marshall Heston 120 is a soundbar that prioritizes style over substance. Its sleek design and premium build quality are undeniable, and it delivers clear and detailed sound in the midrange and high frequencies. However, its lack of features and underwhelming bass response hold it back from being a truly great soundbar. It’s a good option for those who value aesthetics above all else, but for most users, there are better-sounding and more feature-rich options available at a similar price. If you’re looking for a soundbar that looks as good as it sounds, the Heston 120 might be worth a look. Otherwise, explore other options before making your final decision.
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