Marshall Heston 60 Review: A Real Threat to Sonos with Stunning Sound

Explore how the Marshall Heston 60 redefines compact soundbars with powerful audio and stylish design that challenges Sonos and Bose.

Hey there, fellow sound lovers and design enthusiasts! Have you ever thought that truly powerful, immersive sound requires a bulky, boring black box hogging your living room? I used to think the same—until the Marshall Heston 60 soundbar landed on my desk for a test drive. At first glance, it looks like a chic piece of interior decoration. But trust me, once you hit power on this beauty, you’ll realize why it seriously threatens the reign of market giants like Sonos and why your expectations for compact speakers will never be the same again.

Small Size, Huge Potential

Size isn’t everything—don’t underestimate the hidden potential of compact soundbars. The Marshall Heston 60, the second generation of this British brand’s TV audio lineup, boasts not only luxurious visuals but also outstanding sound quality. Supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, it creates a dense surround sound experience that envelopes you. And get this—even without a separate subwoofer, the bass packs a surprisingly spine-tingling punch.

This model comes loaded with connectivity options and a slick mobile app. In my opinion, the Heston 60 sets a new standard for compact speakers. It boldly challenges heavyweights like Sonos and Bose—and frankly, it emerges as the clear winner. Sure, no remote is included, and the price might make you pause, but trust me—the device is worth every cent.

Specifications at a Glance

Price and Availability

The Heston 60 is the stylish mid-tier sibling to the more robust Marshall Heston 120 soundbar priced around $999. This model costs $699 and comes in classic black or a soft cream tone. If you crave earth-shaking bass, you can grab the matching Heston Sub 200 subwoofer separately for $599.

In the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X segment, it competes with Sony’s HT-S2000 soundbar ($499), though Sony lags behind in sleek design and compactness. The main rivals are Sonos Beam Gen 2 ($449) and Bose Smart Soundbar ($499). Both solid contenders, but I honestly believe the Heston 60 offers better bang for the buck compared to Bose and is neck-and-neck with Sonos.

Design and Features

• Fits perfectly on the wall, complementing TVs of all sizes
• Wide range of connectivity options
• Full Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for immersive sound

Marshall really knows how to craft beautiful gear. From the Middleton II speakers to the Monitor III headphones and Bromley 750 speakers systems, they nail that perfect mix of style and substance. The Heston 60 is no different—its restrained yet insanely stylish design features iconic gold details and analog controls reminiscent of guitar amps.

At 73 cm wide and about 2.8 kg light, it’s perfect for cozy living rooms and easy to move around if you want to rearrange your space.

Every button clicks satisfyingly under your fingers, making it both a joy to use and a premium piece in hand. My favorite design touch? The magnetic Marshall logo that you can stick anywhere on the case—super handy if you wall-mount the bar and want the logo perfectly centered.

Connectivity and Setup

The back houses a tidy port bay: HDMI eARC, 3.5mm AUX, mono RCA for subwoofer, and USB-C. Setup is a breeze—plug the cable into your TV, and you’re ready to binge your favorite shows.

Wireless fans rejoice! The Heston 60 offers Bluetooth 5.3 and speedy Wi-Fi 6, plus AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect support. This beats Sony HT-S2000, which doesn’t have Wi-Fi music streaming at all.

Heads up: like the Sonos Beam Gen 2, the Heston 60 doesn’t come with a physical remote. Instead, you’ll need the Marshall app on your phone to unlock all the features.

The app is thoughtfully designed—syncing is instant, and you can tweak the equalizer, switch inputs, and calibrate sound for your room. If you already own Marshall headphones or speakers, this interface will feel second nature. Sure, some might miss a physical remote, but honestly—do you really want another plastic thing getting lost between couch cushions?

Features

The soundbar decodes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, delivering a fantastic surround soundstage. The latter, absent in Sonos Beam Gen 2, makes the Marshall a sweet treat for movie buffs craving that cinematic feel.

Inside this compact unit hides serious power: a 5.1 system driven by two 25-watt and five 5-watt Class-D amplifiers totaling 56 watts—14 watts more than the larger Sony HT-S2000. Frequency coverage ranges from 45 Hz to 20 kHz. If you want earth-shaking bass below 45 Hz, consider the Heston Sub 200 subwoofer. But even solo, this bar delivers bass that hits hard.

One thing missing: a built-in voice assistant. Unlike Bose Smart Soundbar and Sonos Beam, you can’t chat with the Marshall. For me, that’s no big deal—but if voice control is your jam, heads up.

Performance That Impresses

• Crystal-clear, intelligible dialogue
• Consistent and deep Dolby Atmos immersion
• Rich bass even without a subwoofer

My personal test marathon spanned movies, TV shows, and music, and the Heston 60 blew past my expectations every time.

Movies

Starting with Top Gun: Maverick on 4K Blu-ray, the bass hit me right away—unbelievable for such a slim device. Kenny Loggins' Danger Zone sounded crystal clear, balancing metallic clangs and jet engine whines perfectly.

The final mission scene showcased Dolby Atmos at its best. Rocket launches rumbled through the room, and pilot breathing was so vivid I felt the tension on the flight deck. Jets zoomed overhead as if I was in the cockpit.

Four app presets—Music, Movie, Night, and Voice—help tailor sound. I switched to "Voice" for Fast & Furious, and the dialogue clarity was mind-blowing. Engine roars and rain drops came through with crystal precision.

Unlike Sony’s S-Force Pro Front Surround, Marshall avoids artificial wall reflections. The surround effect is more natural and just as immersive.

TV Shows

Streaming It’s All Agatha on Disney+, I was amazed by the voice clarity—every sibilant and explosive consonant felt natural. Even overlapping voices remained distinct, no muddiness.

The balance between dialogue, background score, and ambient noises was perfect. In tense scenes, screams intertwined with bass so effectively they gave me goosebumps, while the highs never grated.

Music

Streaming Qobuz on Wi-Fi in “Music” mode, Pink Floyd’s Echoes delivered an immersive performance. Each string pluck resonated in my chest; layered vocals were lush; mids and lows felt solid.

Twenty One Pilots’ Drag Path came alive with eerie samples moving between channels. The soundbar enveloped me in a sonic dome, perfectly capturing the claustrophobic yet vast vibe. Drums packed a punch without overpowering—just like Marshall’s newer headphones.

Verdict: A Triumph in Design and Sound

The Marshall Heston 60 is an engineering and design triumph. If you want a compact soundbar that won’t devour your space but delivers powerful, punchy sound, this one’s a bullseye. The golden toggles and iconic look make it a centerpiece, and the audio performs flawlessly across blockbusters and dialogue-heavy dramas alike.

Dolby Atmos works consistently, dialogue shines, and the frequency balance is precise. No remote? The app is so smartly crafted you’ll barely notice—especially if you’re already in the Marshall ecosystem.

Is it worth the price? If premium build, killer aesthetics, and mature sound in an elegant package matter, don’t hesitate.

Global and Market Insight

Globally, Marshall’s TV audio line marks a bold market move. Known for legendary guitar amps and festival speakers, the brand is now confidently nudging Sonos and Bose in stylish home sound. The DTS:X support is a standout feature missing in many top competitors. Marshall’s bet on customers tired of dull plastic bricks with no personality is paying off.

While official supply channels are limited, parallel imports keep the Heston 60 flowing into specialized shops and major online stores. The retail price in local markets is predictably a bit higher due to logistics, but the smart app features remain fully functional with no regional restrictions.

Should You Buy the Marshall Heston 60?

• Yes, if you love style and pure audio: Ideal for chic interiors, offering stunning rock’n’roll design and uncompromising sound that beats many rivals.
• Yes, with caveats: Great for AirPlay users but won’t seamlessly mesh into existing multi-room smart home systems like Sonos.
• No, if you prefer physical remotes: Without a dedicated remote, volume control relies on your TV remote or phone app, which could irritate some.

In Conclusion

After several evenings spent with the Marshall Heston 60 immersed in films and tunes, I found myself caught in a paradox. We usually think of soundbars as purely functional, hiding under our screens and quietly doing their job. Marshall flips that script—the Heston 60 demands attention, stands out boldly like a leather jacket over an evening dress—daring, tactile, full of character.

“Sometimes, letting yourself indulge in a beautiful, high-quality thing is the best investment in your emotions.”

The real magic? This British marvel balances form and substance perfectly. Designer sound gear usually sounds bland, but here the gorgeous exterior masks a truly grown-up heart. Yes, the price makes you sigh and app-based control takes some getting used to in a remote-happy world—but if you want a sound source with soul, capable of rekindling your love for old albums and plunging you deep into cinematic effects, this soundbar will feel like a revelation.

FAQ

• What makes Marshall Heston 60 stand out among soundbars?
  Its combination of premium design, powerful Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound, and rich connectivity options puts it ahead in the compact soundbar category.
• Does the Heston 60 require a separate subwoofer?
  No, it delivers impressive bass on its own, but adding the optional Heston Sub 200 boosts low-end performance for bass lovers.
• Is there a physical remote control included?
  No, control is handled through the Marshall smartphone app, or via TV remote using HDMI eARC.
• Can the Heston 60 integrate with other smart home systems?
  It supports AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect but doesn’t seamlessly mesh with Sonos multi-room ecosystems.
• How does the soundbar perform for music streaming?
  Exceptionally well—streaming apps via Wi-Fi deliver rich, immersive sound with detailed instrument and vocal reproduction.

Looking to bring Marshall’s iconic vibe into your living space? Shop your favorite album cover posters to complement your new soundbar at Architeg Prints. Enhance your room’s personality as much as your audio experience!