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The Marshall Heston 60 is a compact 5.1 soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but it is sold as a single bar: neither a subwoofer nor rear speakers are included. It suits a smaller TV setup where music playback, clear dialogue, and a tidy footprint matter. Add the wireless Marshall Heston Sub 200 for deeper bass, or connect a compatible active subwoofer through the bar’s RCA sub out. The trade-offs are premium launch pricing, no HDMI passthrough, and no included rear-channel system.
What you get with the Marshall Heston 60
Marshall announced the Heston 60 and Heston Sub 200 on September 2, 2025; both went on sale September 23, 2025. The Heston 60 launched at $699.99 in the US, £499.99 in the UK, and AU$999 in Australia, according to TechRadar. Prices and availability can change, so check current local listings before buying.
The Heston 60 is specified as a 5.1 soundbar with seven active drivers, powered by two 25-watt and five 5-watt Class D amplifiers. Marshall lists peak output at 56 watts, a 45 Hz–20 kHz frequency range, and maximum sound-pressure level of 89 dB. These manufacturer specifications describe the bar itself; they do not mean it includes separate rear speakers or a subwoofer.
- Formats: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
- Connections: HDMI 2.1 eARC, RCA mono sub out, USB-C, and 3.5 mm AUX.
- Wireless: Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6.
- Modes: Music, Movie, Night, and Voice, alongside room calibration.
- Size and weight: 730 × 124 × 68 mm (28.74 × 4.88 × 2.68 inches) and 2.76 kg (6.08 lb).
- Finish and mounting: black or cream; wall mounting is supported.
Marshall’s stated minimum software-support period is two years from the date it last distributed or sold the product. The company identifies the fret, end-caps, drivers, and PCBAs as repairable parts.
#1 Best Overall
- IMMERSIVE SOUND FOR MOVIES & MUSIC: Features Dolby Atmos for clear and detailed three-dimensional audio you can feel.
- MULTI WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: Connect through Bluetooth or WiFi with AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect or TIDAL Connect.
- INTEGRATED MUSIC SERVICES: Program the preset button in the Marshall app to get instant access to Spotify or internet radio.
- SOUND MODES: Choose from Movie, Voice, Music, or Night Mode. Movie Mode raises the volume on drama and intensifies effects. Music Mode brings playlists to life with rich sound. Voice Mode keeps dialogue front and center. Night Mode reduces loud effects and keeps speech clear.
- MOUNTS DIRECTLY TO THE WALL: Specially designed with angled front drivers and magnetic Marshall logo so you'll always get the most optimal sound and look either way its positioned.
Does the Heston 60 include a subwoofer?
No. The Heston 60 is a single-bar purchase, and rear speakers are not included either. It has an RCA mono subwoofer output for a wired active third-party subwoofer, and it can pair wirelessly with Marshall’s Marshall Heston Sub 200.
What the Sub 200 adds
The Sub 200 is intended to extend low-frequency impact rather than add rear-channel speakers. Marshall describes it as adding deep bass to a TV setup. Its wireless pairing avoids running an audio cable between the bar and subwoofer, while the bar’s RCA output gives buyers another route if they already own a compatible active sub.
Rank #2
- IMMERSIVE SOUND FOR MOVIES & MUSIC: Features Dolby Atmos for clear and detailed three-dimensional audio you can feel.
- MULTI WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: Connect through Bluetooth or WiFi with AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect or TIDAL Connect.
- INTEGRATED MUSIC SERVICES: Program the preset button in the Marshall app to get instant access to Spotify or internet radio.
- SOUND MODES: Choose from Movie, Voice, Music, or Night Mode. Movie Mode raises the volume on drama and intensifies effects. Music Mode brings playlists to life with rich sound. Voice Mode keeps dialogue front and center. Night Mode reduces loud effects and keeps speech clear.
- MOUNTS DIRECTLY TO THE WALL: Specially designed with angled front drivers and magnetic Marshall logo so you'll always get the most optimal sound and look either way its positioned.
Consider the Sub 200 if you want stronger bass for films, games, or music and are comfortable paying for a separate component. If you primarily watch dialogue-heavy shows at moderate volume, try the bar on its own first; the independent review below found its bass impressive for its size, though that is not a substitute for the deeper extension of a dedicated sub.
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In a week-long test, TechRadar connected the Heston 60 over HDMI eARC to a TCL C6K mini-LED TV and used Netflix Premium, a Panasonic DP-UB820 4K UHD Blu-ray player, and Tidal Connect for Dolby Atmos and stereo listening. The reviewer reported clear dialogue, impressive bass for the bar’s size, and a fairly expansive soundstage. These are that reviewer’s observations under those conditions, not manufacturer measurements or a guarantee for every room.
Rank #3
- IMMERSIVE SOUND FOR MOVIES & MUSIC: Heston 60 Soundbar features Dolby Atmos for clear and detailed three-dimensional audio you can feel.
- WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: Connect Heston 60 Soundbar through Bluetooth or WiFi with AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect or TIDAL Connect. Heston Sub 200 effortlessly pairs wirelessly to Heston 60 through the latest Bluetooth LE Audio wireless technology.
- INTEGRATED MUSIC SERVICES: Program the preset button on the Heston 60 Soundbar in the Marshall app to get instant access to Spotify or internet radio.
- SOUND MODES: The Heston 60 Soundbar offers you to choose from Movie, Voice, Music, or Night Mode. Movie Mode raises the volume on drama and intensifies effects. Music Mode brings playlists to life with rich sound. Voice Mode keeps dialogue front and center. Night Mode reduces loud effects and keeps speech clear.
- MOUNTS DIRECTLY TO THE WALL: Specially designed with angled front drivers and magnetic Marshall logo so you'll always get the most optimal sound and look either way the Heston 60 Soundbar is positioned.
Its four listening modes address common needs: Music and Movie for their respective content, Voice to emphasize speech, and Night for more restrained late listening. Room calibration can help adapt playback to the space, although a compact bar still cannot place separate speakers behind the listener. The 5.1 designation and support for Atmos and DTS:X should therefore not be read as equivalent to a package with physical rear channels.
Heston 60 versus Sonos Beam and other soundbar options
The most useful comparison is not just a format checklist: it is what hardware is included, what connections are available, and how much the complete system will cost. The supplied verified material does not establish a like-for-like Sonos Beam price, configuration, or feature comparison, so avoid treating the table as a product ranking.
Rank #4
- IMMERSIVE SOUND FOR MOVIES & MUSIC: Features Dolby Atmos for clear and detailed three-dimensional audio you can feel.
- POWERFUL BASS: Two built-in subwoofers produce lifelike audio, and special effects with an even bigger impact.
- MULTI WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: Connect through Bluetooth or WiFi with AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect or TIDAL Connect.
- INTEGRATED MUSIC SERVICES: Program the preset button in the Marshall app to get instant access to Spotify, Tidal, or internet radio.
- SOUND MODES: Choose from Movie, Voice, Music, or Night Mode. Movie Mode raises the volume on drama and intensifies effects. Music Mode brings playlists to life with rich sound. Voice Mode keeps dialogue front and center. Night Mode reduces loud effects and keeps speech clear.
| Consideration | Marshall Heston 60 | What to check in alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Included hardware | Single soundbar; subwoofer and rear speakers sold separately. | Whether a subwoofer or rear speakers are bundled at the quoted price. |
| Immersive audio | Dolby Atmos and DTS:X supported. | Which formats the exact model supports, not just the product family. |
| TV connection | HDMI 2.1 eARC; TechRadar notes there is no HDMI passthrough. | Whether passthrough is available if you need to route video sources through the bar. |
| Expansion | Wireless pairing with Heston Sub 200 or wired connection to an active sub via RCA mono out. | Whether expansion is supported, and whether extra speakers are included or cost extra. |
| Footprint | 730 × 124 × 68 mm; 2.76 kg. | Measure the TV stand or wall space against the exact model’s dimensions. |
| Room and listening tools | Music, Movie, Night, and Voice modes plus room calibration. | Whether calibration and speech/night controls are provided in the model’s app or settings. |
| Repairability and support | Marshall lists the fret, end-caps, drivers, and PCBAs as repairable; minimum software support is two years from last distribution or sale. | Check the maker’s published repair and support terms for the specific product. |
| Total system cost | Subwoofer and rear speakers are not included; current add-on prices vary by retailer and region. | Compare the final cost of the desired bundle, not only the bar’s standalone price. |
For a direct Sonos Beam decision, verify the exact Beam generation and current regional bundle before comparing: the available facts here do not establish those details. The Heston 60’s clear differentiators are its support for both Atmos and DTS:X, RCA subwoofer output, small-bar dimensions, and Marshall’s repairable-parts statement.
Is the Marshall Heston 60 worth it?
It is a plausible premium choice if you want a compact, design-led bar for a smaller room, value music as well as TV listening, and want Atmos and DTS:X without starting with a multi-speaker kit. The TechRadar reviewer scored features 4.5/5, sound quality 4.5/5, design 5/5, setup/usability 3.5/5, and value 4/5 after the week-long test described above; those are the reviewer’s assessments, not a universal rating.
Best Value
- HEAR YOUR TV BETTER: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is an all-in-one soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound
- WIDE, NATURAL SOUND: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar
- ENHANCED DIALOGUE: This sound bar for smart tv is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation
- BLUETOOTH TV SPEAKER: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Connect up to 3 devices through the inputs (HDMI, Optical in, and AUX in); the first powered on device will automatically connect
- SIMPLE SETUP: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes
Look elsewhere if your priority is the most immersive surround effect for the money, included deep bass, or HDMI passthrough. The Heston 60’s convenience comes from being a compact all-in-one bar, not from replacing a system with separate rear speakers. Budget for the Sub 200 only if you specifically want more bass, and compare the finished system cost with bundles that include additional hardware.
Quick Recap
Setup checks before you buy
- Confirm that your TV has an HDMI eARC connection if you plan to use the bar’s eARC link.
- Check that the 730 mm width and 68 mm height work with your TV stand or wall placement.
- Decide whether the bar’s own bass is enough or whether to budget for a subwoofer.
- If using a wired subwoofer, confirm it is an active model compatible with the RCA mono sub output.
- If your source devices need video routed through the soundbar, account for the lack of HDMI passthrough.
- Compare the current price of the bar and any add-ons in your region; the launch prices are historical reference points, not a claim about today’s retail price.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
