How the Marshall Heston 120 Upgrades Your TV Sound Experience
Modern TVs have become impossibly thin, delivering stunning visuals—but tiny speakers. If you've been struggling to hear dialogue or feel action scenes lack impact, the Marshall Heston 120 paired with the Heston Sub 200 transforms that experience. After a month of testing, the difference is dramatic.
The TV Audio Problem Nobody Talks About
Your TV likely has tiny speakers optimized for size, not sound. Common problems include: dialogue buried in the mix, thin action sequences, weak music, constant volume adjustments, and no immersion. The Heston 120 + Sub 200 combo addresses all of these.
Marshall Heston 120: The Soundbar Foundation
The Heston 120 soundbar is a 49.2-inch Dolby Atmos soundbar with multiple precisely positioned drivers including dedicated height channels. It produces immersive sound that places you inside the action rather than just making things louder.
Dolby Atmos: Sound That Surrounds You
Dolby Atmos adds height to the soundstage. The upward-firing drivers on the Heston 120 bounce sound off the ceiling to create a three-dimensional audio bubble—helicopters fly overhead, rain falls from above, and spatial effects feel real.
Marshall Heston Sub 200: The Bass Revolution
The Heston Sub 200 is essential. With a 10-inch driver tuned down to ~20Hz, it delivers deep, controlled bass that adds visceral impact to movies, music, and games—without the one-note boom of cheap subwoofers.
Wireless Subwoofer Design & Placement
The Sub 200 pairs wirelessly with the soundbar—no long cable runs. Place it where bass performs best (corner placement often works well). The cabinet design is premium and the wireless pairing via the Marshall app is straightforward.
Marshall Heston Sub 200: Deep Bass Experience
The Sub 200 provides articulate low end that enhances movies (explosions, engine roars), music (sub-bass drops, kick drums), and gaming (impactful effects). The sub integrates seamlessly so you notice it only when it’s turned off.
App Control & Calibration
Use the Marshall app to pair devices, run room configuration (small/medium/large), and tune listening position. The app offers:
- Subwoofer level control
- EQ presets (Movie, Music, News/Sports, Night)
- Dialogue enhancement
- HDMI and firmware settings
Bluetooth LE Audio & Modern Connectivity
Bluetooth LE Audio support provides improved wireless fidelity, lower latency (great for gaming/video), and more stable connections—making phone-to-system streaming better than older Bluetooth standards.
Setup & Integration
Physical installation is simple: place the soundbar below or wall-mounted under the TV, plug in the wireless Sub 200, run the Marshall app calibration, and connect TV → soundbar via HDMI eARC. Most modern TVs (2018+) support eARC for full Atmos passthrough and remote control integration.
TV & Content Experience
The Heston system dramatically improves movies, streaming, gaming, and music:
- Movies: Atmos content gains height, bass, and theatrical presence.
- Gaming: Low latency and immersive effects make gameplay more tactile.
- Music: Rock and electronic tracks get punch and depth; orchestral music gains weight and detail.
- Streaming: Netflix, Disney+, and Blu-ray Atmos content showcase the system’s strengths.
Comparison: Heston Sub 200 vs Sonos Sub
Both subwoofers deliver excellent bass—Sonos is slightly more refined and supports a mature ecosystem, while Marshall offers aggressive impact, Marshall styling, and Bluetooth LE Audio. Choice depends on whether you prioritize ecosystem or performance/aesthetics.
Practical Tips & Best Use Cases
- Use HDMI eARC for best Atmos performance.
- Position the subwoofer near a wall or corner for stronger bass.
- Run app calibration and try different sub levels for movies vs music.
- Use Night mode or Dialogue Enhancement when needed for neighbors or subtitles.
Where to Buy
For genuine products and warranty support, buy from authorized retailers like 8mm.in. Product page: Marshall Heston 120 on 8mm.in.
Who Should Upgrade to the Heston System?
- Perfect for: movie enthusiasts, gamers, music lovers who want deep bass and Atmos immersion, and anyone frustrated by thin TV sound.
- Maybe reconsider if: you live in a very small apartment with strict neighbor/noise limits, have an older TV without eARC, or already own a full separates-based home theatre.
Final Verdict
The Marshall Heston 120 with the Heston Sub 200 delivers a dramatic, user-friendly upgrade to TV audio—bringing Dolby Atmos immersion, articulate sub-bass, and Marshall’s signature sonic character to your living room. If you want your films, games, and music to feel cinematic, this combo is a compelling, plug-and-play solution.
