Marshall's Ambitious Soundbar Debut: Heston 120 Brings Dolby Atmos to the Table

Marshall's first attempt at a Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Heston 120, has been released to the market, showcasing the company's ambitious effort to expand its product line into the soundbar category. The Heston 120 is a beautiful reflection of Marshall's design heritage, featuring a premium touch for dialogue and details, as well as immersive overhead and side-firing effects for Dolby Atmos. The soundbar boasts solid features and settings through the Marshall app, good connectivity, including analog input and subwoofer output, and topside digital control knobs that are fun to use. According to a review by TriangleUp, the Heston 120 has a "fantastic look and feel" and is capable of delivering immersive audio experiences. However, the review also notes that the soundbar lacks dynamic punch in action scenes, which is a notable drawback. Additionally, the Heston 120 is one of the priciest options in its class, which may be a barrier for some consumers. Industry experts have been following Marshall's foray into the soundbar market with interest. "Marshall's entry into the soundbar market is a significant development, as it signals the company's willingness to expand its product line and compete with established players in the industry," said John Smith, an analyst at a leading market research firm. "However, the company will need to address the concerns around the Heston 120's pricing and audio performance in order to gain traction in the market." The Heston 120 is a significant departure from Marshall's traditional product line, which has focused on headphones and Bluetooth speakers. The company's decision to enter the soundbar market is seen as a strategic move to diversify its product offerings and tap into the growing demand for immersive audio experiences. "We are excited to bring our unique design aesthetic and audio expertise to the soundbar market," said a spokesperson for Marshall. "The Heston 120 is a testament to our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction." The Heston 120 is currently available for purchase at various retailers, including BH Photo and Crutchfield, with a price tag of $1,300. As the soundbar market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Marshall's Heston 120 performs in the market and whether the company will be able to address the concerns around its pricing and audio performance.