Ignacy Giżyński
If you were to ask guitarists about the Marshall brand, they would unhesitatingly point to the amplifiers with the legendary logo that have dominated concert stages for decades. However, today Marshall is turning its gaze... towards your televisions. The British manufacturer has just announced its first soundbar – Heston 120, marking the start of a new chapter in the company’s history: home audio.
Retro with a Twist, or How the Heston 120 Looks
If you're looking for a black rectangle that will disappear under your TV, then... not here. The Heston 120 looks like equipment for someone who not only listens to music but also feels it. Three distinctive, gold knobs (yes, physical!) and a textured casing immediately reveal Marshall's genes. The equipment is also meant to be repairable – the manufacturer announces the possibility of replacing parts, which in these days of disposables sounds like music to the ears.
Is there a cinema and concert in one?
There's plenty happening inside: 11 transducers, support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, speakers directed upwards and sideways. Plus HDMI eARC, as well as a full HDMI 2.1 input that can pass through a 4K signal at 120 Hz – a treat for gamers and fans of smooth visuals. We'll handle the calibration from the app, and we can serve sound from any source: Spotify, Apple, Google Cast, Tidal... There's even support for the new Bluetooth Auracast standard, which allows audio streaming to multiple headphones simultaneously.
This is just the beginning
Heston 120 is the first step. Later this year, we will see a smaller model – Heston 60 – and the external subwoofer Heston Sub 200. Will there also be rear speakers? For now, it's quiet, but everything suggests that Marshall is planning a fully-fledged home theatre system. And they don't intend to do this quietly. The soundbar will be available for sale on Marshall's website in June at a price of around 1000 euros, and will hit stores in September.
