Marshall Heston 120 vs Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: Ultimate Soundbar Comparison

Explore how the Marshall Heston 120 stacks up against Sony's Bravia Theatre Bar 9 in design, features, and sound performance.

Introducing the New Contender: Marshall Heston 120

In the world of soundbars, a fresh contender is emerging—Marshall's first-ever soundbar, the Heston 120. While we haven't had the chance to put it through our full testing yet, it promises to shake things up. Once it lands in our testing room, we'll dive deep to see how it performs alongside the excellent Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9, a five-star winner that recently took over from the three-time champ Sony HT-A7000.

Our current comparison is based on firsthand experience with the Sony model and the specifications Marshall has provided for the Heston 120. We'll update this with final verdicts after full evaluations, but meanwhile, let's get into the details.

Price Comparison: Marshall Heston 120 vs Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

• Marshall Heston 120: $999.99
• Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: Approximately $1,500 USD (estimated retail)

Availability-wise, the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 enjoys widespread retail presence, while the Marshall Heston 120 is currently available for pre-order. Official sales start June 3 directly from Marshall’s website, with broader retail availability beginning September 16.

Design and Build: Classic Rock Meets Minimalism

Marshall’s Heston 120 measures 110 × 14.5 × 7.6 cm and weighs a sturdy 7.04 kg. Sony’s Theatre Bar 9 is longer at 130 cm but more compact in height and depth, weighing just 5.5 kg. While weight rarely makes or breaks a buyer's decision, the design contrast here certainly stands out.

Marshall has boldly stamped its rock ‘n’ roll heritage on the Heston 120, sporting:

• Ribbed metal control knobs on top for bass, treble, volume, and source selection
• Polyurethane leather finish
• Paper fiber fabric grille with matte metal accents

This isn’t your typical “blend-into-the-room” soundbar. The distinctive Marshall logo and vintage amplifier vibe demand attention, making it a centerpiece rather than just a background device. Fans of Marshall’s iconic look or those wanting something bold will appreciate this statement piece.

On the flip side, Sony’s Theatre Bar 9 follows a more traditional, minimalist path with a fabric covering shrouding 90% of the device. Its soft rounded corners and almost invisible design make it easy to integrate discreetly into most home setups. Controls are limited to a single power button on the right metal frame, complemented by thoughtful accessories like TV stand risers and a wall bracket.

Your taste will definitely decide the winner here: bold and vintage or subtle and modern.

Features and Connectivity: Power-Packed vs Refined Options

Both soundbars are feature-rich, but they cater to slightly different needs:

Marshall Heston 120 Features:

• HDMI eARC and passthrough HDMI supporting 4K/120Hz & Dolby Vision HDR (ideal for gamers)
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 with Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and Auracast
• Additional ports: Analog RCA (great for vinyl players), Ethernet, USB-C
• Audio support includes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
• Speaker setup: 11 drivers arranged as 5 full-range, 2 tweeters, 2 mid-woofers, 2 subwoofers
• Amplification: Eleven Class D amps (two 50W, nine 30W) for 150W peak output
• Marshall app for EQ and room calibration via dual mics
• Four sound modes: Music, Cinema, Night, Voice

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 Features:

• More complex speaker system: 13 drivers plus 4 passive radiators
• Speaker types: 4 woofers, 3 standard tweeters, 2 beam tweeters, side-firing drivers, upward-firing drivers
• Sony 360 Spatial Sound Mapping for virtual speaker placement
• Sound Field Optimization via smartphone room measurements
• Connectivity: HDMI eARC, one extra HDMI 2.1 input (4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM)
• Wireless: Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 5.2 (no Tidal Connect)
• No analog RCA input

Sound Quality: Sony’s Proven Excellence vs Marshall’s Promise

Sony’s Theatre Bar 9 earned a five-star rating for a reason. Our tests revealed:

• Clear, crisp sound with an airy yet direct delivery
• Exceptional rhythmic and spatial precision
• Wide dynamic range, from subtle details to powerful volume shifts
• Immersive Dolby Atmos performance, creating soundscapes that fill the room and reach the ceiling
• In music mode, instruments and vocals each had clear space, maintaining a strong connection to the whole
• Slightly clinical sound that favors clarity over warmth, but that doesn't detract from its high-quality output

Marshall’s Heston 120 sound quality remains to be fully judged. According to the company, it balances TV and music playback, leveraging six decades of audio expertise. The specs look promising, but our ears will be the ultimate judge once testing is complete.

Preliminary Verdict: Two Great Choices for Different Audiences

The Marshall Heston 120 could be an exciting pick if you want a soundbar that stands out visually and offers versatile connectivity—especially with its RCA input and repairable design. Tidal streaming and customizable sound modes add extra appeal.

Meanwhile, the Sony Theatre Bar 9 boasts a proven, award-winning audio performance paired with a minimalist design that’ll suit purists and those who want their soundbar to stay in the background. Sony’s legacy in soundbars speaks volumes.

Stay tuned for a full review of the Marshall Heston 120 as soon as it’s tested!

“Theatre Bar 9 delivers possibly the most atmospheric sound we've heard from a standalone soundbar.” – Industry Expert

Conclusion

Are you drawn to bold, vintage style with flexible connectivity, or do you prefer understated elegance with proven sound performance? The Marshall Heston 120 and Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 each offer unique strengths, making your choice all about what matters most to you in design, features, and audio experience.

FAQs

• Which soundbar offers better connectivity options?
  The Marshall Heston 120 provides broader connectivity with HDMI eARC, analog RCA, Ethernet, USB-C, and advanced wireless features including Bluetooth 5.3 and Tidal Connect.
• Does Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 support Dolby Atmos?
  Yes, the Sony Theatre Bar 9 features Dolby Atmos support with advanced spatial sound mapping for immersive audio.
• Can the Marshall Heston 120 be wall-mounted?
  Information on mounting options for the Heston 120 is not yet confirmed, but Sony Theatre Bar 9 includes a wall bracket for flexible placement.
• How do the speaker setups compare?
  Marshall uses 11 drivers including subwoofers, while Sony boasts 13 drivers plus passive radiators, incorporating upward and side-firing speakers for 3D sound.
• Is the Marshall Heston 120 available for purchase now?
  The Heston 120 is currently on pre-order with sales starting June 3 on Marshall’s site, and wider availability from mid-September.

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