Diving into the comparison between the audio powerhouses: The Marshall Heston 120 and Sonos Arc Ultra - Delving into their distinct Dolby Atmos soundbar capabilities.
Launching soon, the Marshall Heston 120 soundbar emerges as a formidable competitor to the Sonos Arc Ultra, both in sound quality and design. With a similar price point, it promises to bring Marshall's 60 years of rock heritage to the TV sound market.
The Heston 120 boasts a unique design that stands out from the usual soundbar aesthetics. Measuring 110 x 14.5 x 7.6cm and weighing 7.04kg, its bold, rock 'n' roll flair features brass knobs for physical controls, PU leather trims, and brushed metal panels. The design is divisive, with its atypical look appealing to some while appearing slightly gaudy to others.
Marshall has made a point to focus on repairability, with replaceable parts including the fret, end caps, drivers, and circuit boards.
In terms of sound, the Sonos Arc Ultra has impressed critics with its clean, precise, spacious, and three-dimensional audio, boasting impressive bass handling thanks to its sound motion driver. While we have yet to thoroughly test the Marshall Heston 120, the Sonos Arc Ultra has earned a well-deserved five-star reputation for its audio performance.
The Heston 120 offers comprehensive connectivity options, featuring HDMI eARC and HDMI pass-through that supports 4K/120Hz with Dolby Vision HDR, Wi-Fi 6 with Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE-audio, Auracast, analogue RCA input, ethernet connectivity, and USB-C. This extensive connectivity makes it a potentially more versatile choice for users with additional devices in their setup, like turntables.
In comparison, the Sonos Arc Ultra supports HDMI eARC but lacks additional HDMI inputs. It does offer Bluetooth, as well as support for all major music streaming services.
Both soundbars are priced identically, with the Heston 120 launching at $999.99 / £899.99 / AU$1799 and the Sonos Arc Ultra at $999 / £999 / AU$1799 (on sale in the UK for £899 at the time of writing). The Heston 120 is available for pre-order now, with wider retail release coming September 16th. The Sonos Arc Ultra has been available since October 2024.
Ultimately, both soundbars offer unique advantages, with the Heston 120's bold design and more comprehensive connectivity options appealing to some, while the Sonos Arc Ultra's refined design and proven five-star performance may be more attractive to others. A definitive verdict will have to wait until the Heston 120 is thoroughly tested by reviewers.
- The upcoming Marshall Heston 120 soundbar promises to bring a competitive edge to the TV sound market, offering a unique design and extensive connectivity options.
- The Heston 120's aesthetic stands out with its brass knobs, PU leather trims, and brushed metal panels, although opinions on its design are somewhat divided.
- For those with vinyl record collections, the Heston 120's analogue RCA input makes it a potential gadget for pairing with turntables.
- In contrast, the Sonos Arc Ultra, available since October 2024, has earned admiration for its refined design and five-star performance, though it lacks additional HDMI inputs compared to the Heston 120.
- Both soundbars are priced identically, offering a deal for music enthusiasts who seek hi-fi audio quality from their streaming, gadgets, and technology.
- As both soundbars are yet to be thoroughly reviewed, audio aficionados will have to eagerly wait for the pre-order period ending on September 16th for the Heston 120, and the Sonos Arc Ultra's proven reputation and performance will remain a point for consideration.
