Marshall Heston 120 Review: A Rock 'n' Roll Icon Enters the Living Room
Marshall, a brand forged in the fires of rock 'n' roll, has made a long-awaited entrance into home audio with its first soundbar, the Heston 120. This debut feels like a natural evolution for a company whose amplifiers have defined the sound of generations, from stadium stages to garage rehearsals.The Heston 120 is an immediate stunner, a masterclass in brand-centric design. Wrapped in textured vinyl and fronted by a solid metal grille bearing the iconic script logo, it looks less like a soundbar and more like a piece of musical heritage.The physical knobs for volume, bass, and treble provide a satisfyingly tactile control that modern remotes lack, making the act of adjusting the sound a visceral pleasure. It is, without question, a premium object designed to be seen.However, the sonic performance tells a more reserved story. The sound signature is clean, articulate, and remarkably polite.Dialogue in movies is exceptionally clear, and acoustic music is reproduced with a warm, inviting richness. Yet, when confronted with the explosive dynamics of a blockbuster film or a powerful rock track, the Heston 120 holds back.It lacks the punch and room-filling authority its rock 'n' roll pedigree suggests. The core of this restraint lies in the absence of a dedicated subwoofer.The integrated low-end provides a subtle rumble but fails to deliver the foundational, chest-thumping bass that is essential for a truly immersive home theater or concert-like experience. This is a significant compromise in a market where competitors like Sonos and Samsung have built their reputations on powerful, wireless subwoofers that users can tailor to their space.Marshall's choice to prioritize a minimalist, all-in-one form factor ultimately comes at the cost of sonic impact. The Marshall Heston 120 is a compelling but conflicted debut.It is a beautifully designed artifact that will deeply appeal to style purists and brand loyalists. But for those seeking the full-throated, cinematic power its appearance promises, the sound remains frustratingly restrained—a classic rock anthem played at a respectful volume.
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