British amp giant Marshall is crashing the premium soundbar party with a $999.99 statement piece that’s as bold as the guitarist who cranks their amp to max volume. The Heston 120 isn’t just Marshall’s first soundbar, it’s a declaration that your TV’s built-in speakers are pathetic, like trying to enjoy a concert through a phone call. It’s a bold contender in what’s quickly becoming a new home audio era, sparked by innovations like Sonos’ Arc Ultra.
“This is our most expensive product. And honestly, that’s a little bit scary,” admits Gustaf Rosell, Marshall’s chief product and innovation officer, in a May 2025 interview with WIRED. According to acoustic engineer Ed Camphor, the development took about three years total — “To bring it [the Heston 120] to the end of concept was almost two years. Then we had a year of actually testing stuff – that quite heavily changing the design.”
Premium Design Hits the Right Notes
The Heston 120 flaunts Marshall’s guitar amp DNA with textured black fabric, gold accents, and those signature knobs that beg to be touched. But it knows when to dial back the rockstar aesthetics like a metal band doing an acoustic set.
“Many products in this area look pretty much the same. We are not trying to hide,” explains Rosell in his WIRED interview. The soundbar features physical controls with illuminated red rings — a refreshing shift from the app-only world we’re drowning in.
Priced to Compete
At $999.99, it sits in premium territory alongside Sonos Arc Ultra and Sennheiser competitors. Some might question whether another high-end soundbar justifies its price tag when cheaper options flood the market.
Rosell told WIRED in May 2025: “We benchmarked against the Sonos Arc Ultra, against Sennheiser, against Sony, even against Devialet—I mean it’s a lot more expensive, but we really wanted to match it, and I think we are doing in most areas, despite the price difference.” The company claims its focus on music performance sets it apart, but only ears-on testing will verify if it’s worth the investment.
Tech Specs That Actually Matter
Packed with 11 drivers in a 5.1.2 channel configuration, the Heston 120 delivers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X through a single box. Marshall reportedly recruited PhDs and automotive audio experts to nail the spatial audio experience, though whether that makes you hear a pin drop in a movie remains to be tested.
Anders Olsson, Senior Product Manager at Marshall, explained their focus on ecoustics in May 2025: “Most soundbars compromise between TV and music. We aimed to break that Mold and deliver something true to Marshall’s legacy.”
Beyond the Single Box
Marshall has bigger plans brewing. The Heston 60 (smaller soundbar) and Heston Sub 200 (wireless subwoofer) will launch later this year, creating what industry insiders call an “ecosystem” but normal humans call “ways to spend more money” — about as subtle as a crypto enthusiast explaining blockchain at dinner.
More interesting is Marshall’s embrace of Bluetooth LE and Auracast. According to Anders Olsson, Senior Product Manager at Marshall, in a May 2025 interview with T3: “But we have a strong vision to be open and build on open standards. With that said, there might be some parts that work better if you are in a Marshall ecosystem.” This potentially allows users to mix and match speakers from different brands — a departure from some competitors’ closed-system approaches.
The Heston 120 stands out for user-replaceable parts, including drivers, end caps, and circuit boards, a nod to sustainability and right-to-repair concerns.
Final Note
The Marshall Heston 120 starts shipping June 3, but pre-orders open today on Marshall.com. The soundbar will hit third-party retailers on September 16, 2025. Available only in black at launch, the Heston 120 includes multiple sound modes (Music, Movie, Night, Voice) and room calibration via the Marshall app.
