Marshall, best known for its rock-inspired portable speakers and headphone lineup, is entering the home theater category with the Heston 120—a $1,000 soundbar that delivers on performance while taking a different approach to wireless audio. Visually, it stays true to the brand’s aesthetic: retro knobs, bold grille, and guitar amp cues. But beyond the surface, the Heston 120 introduces a notable shift in how multi-speaker soundbar systems can be built—by leaning into Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi, for expansion.
The Heston 120 sits in the same price range as premium models like the Sonos Arc Ultra and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, and it comes equipped with comparable specs: a 5.1.2-channel setup powered by 11 drivers, support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and dual subwoofers built in. You’ll also find modern features like room calibration via onboard mics, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and an HDMI passthrough capable of handling 4K/120Hz with Dolby Vision. Analog RCA inputs and a dedicated subwoofer out add flexibility that’s uncommon in most soundbars today.
Marshall has also overhauled its mobile app to serve as a central control hub for not only the Heston 120 but also its broader ecosystem of headphones, earbuds, and speakers. Yet, where the soundbar stands out is how it integrates with external speakers—specifically through Auracast, a new Bluetooth technology designed to overcome the usual constraints of latency and channel limitations.
Auracast, part of the Bluetooth 5.3 spec, dramatically reduces latency to around 30 milliseconds, addressing a long-standing issue that made Bluetooth less viable for multi-channel audio setups. Unlike typical Bluetooth, which struggles with synchronized playback across multiple devices, Auracast allows a single transmitter to send multiple independent audio streams—potentially handling surround channels, bass effects, and even private listening on headphones simultaneously.
At launch, the Heston 120 will support a single wireless subwoofer built by Marshall, with surround speaker support arriving later in the year. When that update lands, users will be able to pair any of Marshall’s third-generation Homeline Bluetooth speakers—such as the compact Emberton III or the larger Woburn III—as surround channels. All of these will require a firmware update, but once enabled, they offer something rare in home theater: true wire-free listening.
This flexibility could appeal to those who want a surround system without being locked into proprietary hardware or having to wire up their living space. Most existing wireless surround setups, even those branded as wireless, still rely on AC power and Wi-Fi, making them less convenient and more demanding in terms of setup. Auracast opens the door to battery-powered, portable speakers doubling as home theater components—without needing to plug into a router or an outlet.
It’s worth noting that Auracast, while an open standard, doesn’t guarantee full interoperability across brands. For example, JBL’s Auracast-capable speakers can only communicate within the JBL ecosystem, meaning they won’t work with the Heston. Marshall’s system is currently designed to work only with its own hardware, which could limit compatibility but still represents a shift in direction for how these systems are designed.
The Heston 120 doesn’t reinvent the soundbar, but it nudges the category toward a more modular and mobile future. Whether that’s enough to sway home theater buyers accustomed to Wi-Fi-based solutions remains to be seen, but for those already invested in Marshall’s ecosystem—or anyone looking for a Bluetooth-driven alternative—the Heston offers an intriguing new path.
