The Marshall Heston 120 soundbar is a stylish and ambitious effort from the amplifier brand, but it falls short in delivering truly cinematic punch.
When it comes to music, however, this soundbar shines. It delivers a pleasant jangle on guitar and mandolin, sweet fluidity in strings and orchestral horns, and nuanced touch on piano key strikes. This is what makes it an excellent addition to home entertainment systems for music lovers, especially during parties or gatherings.
The Dolby Atmos support allows the Heston 120 to deliver immersive audio with a wide, spacious soundstage. It's great for music, but the system's lack of dynamic punch and gravitas holds it back from delivering truly epic results in action scenes or intense moments.
One issue stands out: the bass response is inconsistent, with some low-end rumbles feeling underpowered and others overpowering the rest of the mix. While pairing a subwoofer could supplement this, it would add to the overall price tag, making it comparable to other top-tier soundbars like Samsung's HW-Q990F.
The Heston 120 has its strengths but is in a highly competitive space where better options exist for both performance and price. If you're looking for a Marshall brand experience without sacrificing quality, models like Sonos Arc Ultra or Klipsch Flexus Core 200 might be more suitable choices.
When it comes to music, however, this soundbar shines. It delivers a pleasant jangle on guitar and mandolin, sweet fluidity in strings and orchestral horns, and nuanced touch on piano key strikes. This is what makes it an excellent addition to home entertainment systems for music lovers, especially during parties or gatherings.
The Dolby Atmos support allows the Heston 120 to deliver immersive audio with a wide, spacious soundstage. It's great for music, but the system's lack of dynamic punch and gravitas holds it back from delivering truly epic results in action scenes or intense moments.
One issue stands out: the bass response is inconsistent, with some low-end rumbles feeling underpowered and others overpowering the rest of the mix. While pairing a subwoofer could supplement this, it would add to the overall price tag, making it comparable to other top-tier soundbars like Samsung's HW-Q990F.
The Heston 120 has its strengths but is in a highly competitive space where better options exist for both performance and price. If you're looking for a Marshall brand experience without sacrificing quality, models like Sonos Arc Ultra or Klipsch Flexus Core 200 might be more suitable choices.