Marshall Enters the Soundbar Arena: Will the Heston 120 Dethrone the Sonos Arc Ultra?

Marshall, a name synonymous with rock 'n' roll amplifiers, is making a bold entry into the competitive soundbar market with its first offering, the Heston 120. Priced similarly to the industry-leading Sonos Arc Ultra, the Heston 120 promises to bring Marshall's iconic design and audio expertise to your home theater. But, can it truly compete with the established dominance of Sonos? This article dives into a comparison based on available information, design, features, and potential sound quality, before our full review.

Design and Build: A Clash of Styles

One of the most striking differences between the two soundbars is their design philosophy. The Sonos Arc Ultra opts for a minimalist, understated aesthetic, blending seamlessly into any living room. Its subtle curves and perforated metal chassis exude sophistication. In contrast, the Marshall Heston 120 embraces its heritage with a design reminiscent of classic guitar amplifiers. It features tactile knurled metal knobs for adjusting bass, treble, volume, and source selection, wrapped in PU leather trims and brushed metal panels. This bold design choice may appeal to those seeking a statement piece, but it may not be for everyone.

Adding to its appeal, the Heston 120 is designed with repairability in mind, featuring replaceable parts like the fret, end caps, drivers, and circuit boards. This contrasts with many soundbars on the market, which often end up in landfills when a single component fails, highlighting Marshall's commitment to sustainability and longevity.

Features and Connectivity: Marshall Offers More Flexibility

When it comes to connectivity, the Marshall Heston 120 appears to have an edge. It boasts HDMI eARC and HDMI pass-through with 4K/120Hz and Dolby Vision HDR support. Wireless options are plentiful, including Wi-Fi 6 with Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Bluetooth 5.3 with LE-audio. An analog RCA input, ethernet connectivity, and USB-C port further expand its versatility. It also supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats.

The Sonos Arc Ultra offers HDMI eARC and Bluetooth but lacks additional HDMI inputs and DTS:X support. It compensates with seamless integration into the Sonos ecosystem and Trueplay room calibration. If you're already invested in Sonos, this might be a decisive factor. However, for those looking for maximum connectivity and format support, the Marshall Heston 120 seems to be the better choice, especially if you plan to connect legacy devices like turntables.

Sound Quality: The Ultimate Test

The ultimate determinant of a soundbar's worth is, of course, its sound quality. While a full review of the Marshall Heston 120 is still pending, the Sonos Arc Ultra has already proven its mettle, earning a five-star rating for its clean, precise, spacious, and three-dimensional sound. Its bass handling is particularly impressive, delivering tight, tuneful, and expressive low frequencies.

Marshall claims its engineers have dedicated equal attention to both TV and music performance, employing 11 drivers oriented in different positions to create an immersive listening experience. Indeed, Marshall's chief product and innovation officer goes bold to say Music Playback surpasses all their competitors.

Early Verdict: A Promising Contender

The Marshall Heston 120 presents a compelling alternative to the Sonos Arc Ultra. Its bold design, comprehensive connectivity options, and focus on repairability make it an attractive proposition. However, the Sonos Arc Ultra's proven sound quality and seamless ecosystem integration cannot be ignored. The Heston 120's modular build, with easily replaceable parts, is a feature we hope to see adopted more widely in the industry.

Ultimately, the choice between these two premium soundbars will depend on individual preferences and priorities. Do you value a statement design and maximum connectivity? Or are you more concerned with proven sound quality and seamless ecosystem integration?

What are your thoughts on the Marshall Heston 120? Will you be switching from Sonos? Let us know in the comments below!

• Heston 120
• Marshall
• Sonos