Marshall, a well-known manufacturer of iconic guitar amps and wireless speakers, has entered the soundbar market with its first product, the Atmos-capable Heston 120. Priced at $1,000, this ambitious first entry aims to make a statement in the competitive space.
In an interview with WIRED, Gustaf Rosell, Marshall’s chief product and innovation officer, shared that the idea of adding a soundbar to its lineup has been kicking around for five years. The result is a 5.1.2-channel Atmos and DTS X soundbar with 11 separate drivers positioned to offer a wide and high sound field from a single box.
Tuning a product for so many channels was a new challenge for Marshall, but the company brought in expertise from the automotive industry to help. Rosell emphasized that getting the balance right between sounding good for TV and music was a key focus for the sound team.
The Heston 120 features AirPlay 2, Googlecast, Bluetooth LE, Tidal, and Spotify Connect for seamless music playback. The product’s design takes a bold approach, moving away from Marshall’s signature look to find an authentic tone that stands out in a crowded market.
Rosell believes that the Heston 120 can compete with big names at its premium price point, benchmarking against Sonos Arc Ultra, Sennheiser, Sony, and Devialet. The company plans to release smaller soundbars and a wireless subwoofer later this year, as well as exploring satellite speaker options.
The Marshall Heston 120 is available for preorder on the company’s website, with an expected release date of June 3. As the first product in the Heston family, it marks a significant entry into the soundbar market and sets the stage for further innovation from the brand.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/marshall-takes-on-sonos-with-its-first-soundbar