Marshall has broken into new ground by entering the TV-sound category, with the launch of its first-ever soundbar, the Heston 120. Marshall is well known for its guitar gear, and they’ve been blazing a trail into the consumer audio segment with its Bluetooth speakers and headphones.
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It’s no secret that I absolutely love the Marshall consumer products, and I was excited to hear that the company is diving into the home theater segment. The Heston 120 is the first soundbar, and we hope that there is a subwoofer and some surrounds to come. Here’s what the press release had to say about this new home theater introduction.
Marshall Heston 120
Designed to amplify the story on screen, and then keep the music playing beyond the credits, Heston 120 delivers immersive and spacious sound for both TV and music, thanks to impressive features including Dolby Atmos and DTS-X. Fitted with 11 drivers facing in different directions, Heston 120 uses spatial audio to throw sound out to the places that have the best impact on your experience. Engineered for a powerful, deep, and rich bass, Heston 120 makes special effects sound even more lifelike, with even bigger impact.
Boasting the latest wireless technology, Heston 120 seamlessly integrates with TVs with HDMI eARC or external devices through the HDMI Pass-through and easily connects to music streaming services using Wi-Fi. Turning on Bluetooth provides access to the latest LE-audio technology, including Auracast™, and Heston 120 is also equipped with an analog RCA input for external music players.
Featuring Marshall’s signature style, Heston 120 brings rock ‘n’ roll flair to the TV-sound category through a combination of tactility and textures. From knurled metal knobs inspired by Marshall’s amp heritage right through to the wrapped leather trims and brushed metal panel, these bold elements have been added with precision, making the Heston 120 a statement in any living room. The Heston 120 is also repairable with replaceable parts, including the fret, end caps, drivers, and circuit boards.
Mixing the best of the old with the new, the analog control panel with tactile audio settings is a playful yet functional nod to Marshall’s heritage. The bass and treble can be instantly altered through the controls, and it’s easy to save presets for quick access to a favorite playlist or radio station. Heston 120 comes with a range of different sound modes to fit the moment, including Music, Movie, Night, and Voice. Alternatively, the sound can be adjusted from anywhere in the home using the new Marshall app, controlling everything from volume to EQ. New for the TV sound range, the app features room calibration to help find the perfect acoustic fit for any space.
“We know that soundbar owners use their soundbar to listen to music, yet most soundbars are not built for both music and TV. This gave us a reason to exist and an opportunity to really shine with our legacy in music and audio,” says Anders Olsson, Senior Product Manager at Marshall Group.
“We spent hundreds of hours fine-tuning Heston 120. It was important to us that we spent equal time and effort on both TV and music, not one over the other. Everything inside is tailored and engineered to have very specific roles to give you an optimal audio experience, no matter what you’re watching or listening to,” added Ed Camphor, Audio Technology and Tuning Lead at Marshall Group.
Heston 120 is the first in the TV-sound range from Marshall. Heston 60 and a subwoofer, Heston Sub 200, will launch at a later date. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
Key Features
- Immersive sound for movies & music: Dolby Atmos sound places you directly inside the action and pushes the audio out into the room. Surround yourself in Marshall signature sound and magnificent three-dimensional audio designed to blow you away. This soundbar will have you feeling every note.
- Powerful bass: Let the deep, rich, and clear sound of Heston 120 take over your senses. This soundbar has been tuned for low frequencies, producing lifelike audio, and special effects with an even bigger impact. Experience the bass rumbling from below like never before. Your soundtrack is about to reach a new level of intensity.
- Multi wireless connectivity: However you want to connect, we’ve got you covered. Use Wi-Fi with Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, or Tidal Connect. Or simply use Bluetooth, equipped with the latest LE-audio technology including Auracast™, to switch on a playlist. Once connected, all you have to do is wait for the room to fill with sound.
- Integrated Music Services: Switch your mind off and the volume up on your favorite playlist. Connecting to music when you’re not watching the screen is easy. Spotify, Tidal, and internet radio stations through Airable are all integrated, so there’s no complicated set-up when you want to get started. To get instant access to your favorite playlist or internet radio station, simply program the preset buttons with the Marshall app.
- Sound Mode: Tailor your listening experience by selecting the perfect setting. Movie Mode enhances the drama and gives a boost to the special effects. When it’s time to blast out your playlist, let Music Mode take the reins. Voice Mode makes dialogue the priority over other background noise. If you’re watching while everyone else is in bed, Night Mode minimizes special effects and ensures speech is crystal clear.
- Tactile Controls: Make space for a living room centerpiece that takes cues from the iconic design heritage of our amps. Adjust the audio for your movies and music with our signature knobs. You can also arrange bass and treble, change source, and access presets. Our one-of-a-kind controls get you straight to what you want.
- Marshall app: Effortlessly set-up and customize the sound of your Heston 120 with our dedicated app. As well as adjusting channels and volume, you can use the app to tailor EQ settings for more bass or treble. Make the most of your space by adjusting the room calibration to get the perfect musical fit.
Pricing and Availability
Heston 120 will go on sale June 3rd at Marshall.com, priced at $999.99 USD. Sign up HERE to get notified.
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