The Marshall Heston 60 is a 5.1-channel soundbar from Marshall, listed at $700. The bass comes from the bar alone unless you add the optional subwoofer.
Marshall Heston 60 Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Decodes both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- ✓A dedicated centre channel for dialogue
- ✓Can add a matching wireless subwoofer later
- ✓HDMI eARC carries lossless Dolby TrueHD and Atmos from the TV
- ✓HDMI input - a spare port for a console or player
- ✓Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect
- ✓Room correction tunes the sound to where it is placed
- ✓Dialogue enhancement and a night mode
- ✓Compact at 28.75 in wide - fits small TVs and tight spaces
- ✗Decodes Dolby Atmos but has no height channels, so overhead effects are simulated
- ✗No rear speaker option, so surround stays virtual
Channels and Surround Sound
The 5.1 badge means 5 ear-level channels (left, centre, right and 2 for width or surround), 1 subwoofer channel. It decodes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but with no height channels the overhead layer is created by processing rather than by drivers aimed at the ceiling. Virtual surround: Movie Mode.
Subwoofer, Rear Speakers and Mounting
A subwoofer is optional - the bar connects to one wirelessly but does not come with it. It cannot add rear speakers. Wall-mountable: Yes (no bracket supplied).
Connections
The Marshall Heston 60 has HDMI eARC to the TV - the connection that carries lossless Dolby TrueHD and Atmos from the TV's own apps and inputs; 1 HDMI input (HDMI 2.1); 3.5mm analogue input.
Streaming, Control and Sound Modes
Wi-Fi (2.4, 5.0 GHz), with AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn, YouTube Music; Bluetooth; voice control: Google Assistant optional; app control (Apple iOS, Android); a remote in the box. Sound features: dialogue enhancement, night mode, room correction.
Size and Which TV It Suits
The bar measures 28.75 x 2.63 x 4.88 in (W x H x D), or 730 x 67 x 124 mm, and weighs 6.08 lbs. It is no wider than the screen of a 40-inch TV (34.9 in wide) or larger, which is where a soundbar looks in proportion. At 2.63 in tall it should clear the bottom of most TVs sitting on their own feet.
Open the soundbar size simulator to try another TV or compare two bars.
Marshall Heston 60 Specifications
| Sound |
|---|
| Channels | 5.1 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes |
| Drivers | Tweeters: 1.25" Dome (5); Woofers: Cone (2); Enclosure: Ported |
| Power (bar, total) | 75 watts |
| Frequency response | 45-20k Hz |
| Subwoofer | Optional |
| Rear speakers | None |
| Virtual surround | Movie Mode |
| Dialogue enhancement | Yes |
| Night mode | Yes |
| Room correction | Yes |
| Connections |
|---|
| HDMI to TV | eARC |
| HDMI inputs | 1 |
| HDMI version | 2.1 |
| Optical inputs | No |
| Analogue input | 3.5mm |
| USB | No |
| Subwoofer output | Mono-RCA, Wireless |
| HDMI CEC | Yes |
| Streaming and Control |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ax |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Streaming | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn, YouTube Music |
| Voice control | Google Assistant optional |
| App | Apple iOS, Android |
| Remote included | Yes |
| Learns TV remote | No |
| Physical |
|---|
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 28.75 x 2.63 x 4.88 in / 730 x 67 x 124 mm |
| Weight | 6.08 lbs / 2.76 kg |
| Wall mounting | Yes (no bracket supplied) |
| Warranty | 1 Year parts, 1 Year labour |
| List price | $700 |
Power is the maker's total across all drivers and is not comparable to an amplifier's per-channel rating.