Ignacy Giżyński
If you were to ask guitarists about the Marshall brand, they would undoubtedly point to the amplifiers with the legendary logo that have ruled 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 Bite, or What Heston 120 Looks Like
If you are looking for a black rectangle that will disappear under the television, then... not here. The Heston 120 looks like equipment for someone who not only listens to music but also feels it. Three distinctive, golden knobs (yes, physical ones!) and a textured casing immediately reveal its Marshall heritage. The equipment is also meant to be repairable – the manufacturer announces the possibility of parts replacement, which in these disposable times sounds like music to the ears.
Cinema and concert in one?
There’s quite a lot going on inside: 11 transducers, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, speakers facing upwards and sideways. Additionally, HDMI eARC, as well as a fully-fledged HDMI 2.1 input that will pass through a 4K signal at 120 Hz – a treat for gamers and fans of smooth visuals. We will carry out the calibration from the app, and we can serve the sound from any source: Spotify, Apple, Google Cast, Tidal... There’s even support for the new Bluetooth Auracast standard, which allows audio to be transmitted to several headphones simultaneously.
This is just the beginning
Heston 120 is the first step. Later this year, we will see a smaller model – Heston 60 – as well as 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 full-fledged home cinema system. And they do not intend to do this quietly. The soundbar will be available for purchase on Marshall's website in June at a price of around 1000 euros, and it will hit the shops in September.
