Marshall releases new soundbar and subwoofer, building out home theater category
Marshall is expanding its home theater range today with two new product launches: the Heston 60 soundbar ($699.99) and Heston Sub 200 ($599.99). In addition to standard black, they’re both available in Marshall’s unique cream color, an unusual choice when it comes to soundbars and subwoofers. They follow on the heels of the company’s first soundbar, the Heston 120 soundbar, a powerhouse TV speaker that will set you back $1,299.99.
You can buy the Heston 60 and Sub 200 starting today.
Introducing the Marshall Heston 60 soundbar
Styled identically to its larger sibling, the Heston 120, Marshall’s new Heston 60 is considerably smaller (28 inches wide vs. 43 inches), making it better suited to smaller spaces and smaller TVs. It also comes with a dual mounting option: you can place it on a cabinet surface in front of your TV or wall-mount it. When wall-mounted, the soundbar’s main grille faces upward instead of forward. To maintain the look, the Marshall logo and the control panel faceplate are both magnetic and can be moved depending on placement.
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Despite its smaller size, the Heston 60 still offers almost all of the same features as the Heston 120. It’s compatible with both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; you can stream music via Bluetooth or a variety of Wi-Fi platforms like Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect; and the speaker can perform an automatic room calibration via a set of internal microphones. You can pair it wirelessly to the Heston Sub 200, but it’s also Bluetooth Auracast compatible. This will let you connect a variety of Marshall’s latest Bluetooth speakers as surround channels, though Marshall hasn’t confirmed when this feature will be activated.
A 3.5mm analog input lets you connect a variety of external audio devices, from CD players to turntables, and a dedicated subwoofer output means you can use any wired sub you happen to already own.
The biggest differences between the Heston 60 and 120 (other than size) are:
Power: 56 watts vs. 150 watts (peak)
The Heston 60 uses a 5.1-channel layout instead of the Heston 120’s 5.1.2 channel arrangement, so any Dolby Atmos or DTS:X height effects will be virtual.
There’s no HDMI input on the Heston 60, so you won’t be able to connect external video devices like game consoles or streaming media players
No Ethernet jack on the Heston 60
The Heston 60 uses buttons for all of its top controls instead of the Heston 120’s knurled knobs
Marshall Heston Sub 200
Marshall’s first subwoofer is designed to wirelessly pair with either its Heston 120 or Heston 60 soundbars. But Marshall deserves big props for making the Heston Sub 200 fully compatible with any audio product that has a dedicated subwoofer output, like soundbars, AV receivers, integrated amps, or network music players.
On the back of the Sub 200, you’ll find a standard RCA sub input and a knurled knob (with an LED ring indicator) for adjusting the sub’s level. There’s no phase adjustment, but the Heston Sub 200 is nonetheless far more versatile than wireless subwoofers from companies like Sonos or Bose, which are only designed to work with other products from those brands.
At roughly 11 inches cubed, it’s a remarkably compact unit. Marshall achieved its small size by using a pair of 5.25-inch woofers instead of a single driver. Each is powered by a 120-watt amp, which helps the speaker generate a claimed 99 decibels of sound pressure. One thing to be mindful of is the Sub 200’s frequency range of 30-150 Hz. 30Hz isn’t especially low for a sub — human hearing can sense frequencies as low as 20Hz, and some subs go as low as 10Hz to take advantage of vibrations that are felt but not heard.
Repairability is an added bonus
Marshall is unusual in the AV space; its products are designed to be easily repaired. The Heston 60’s main board, I/O board (PCBA), drivers, logo, grille, and side caps can all be replaced. On the Heston Sub 200, the main board, I/O board, drivers, rear panel assembly, feet, and side grilles are replaceable.
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Simon is the editor-in-chief of Loudmouth.audio. He covers all things audio/video, whether it's reviewing the latest wireless earbuds, or explaining tech terms like spatial audio and PHOLED in language anyone can understand. Simon has written for The Guardian, WIRED, TechRadar, Digital Trends, and VentureBeat, and appeared as a guest expert on national news TV and radio broadcasts.
