Marshall vs. Sonos Beam: Which Soundbar Wins?

“`html

Sonos beam (Gen 2) vs. Marshall Heston 60: Which Soundbar Reigns Supreme?

The competitive soundbar market just got a new contender,and it’s a battle between an established leader and a bold newcomer. Marshall, known for its iconic amplifiers, has entered the fray with the Heston 60, directly challenging Sonos’ popular Beam (Gen 2). After extensive testing, a clear winner emerges, though the choice isn’t without nuance.

A Tale of Two Approaches

marshall’s foray into soundbars began with the Heston 120, but it was the heston 60 that signaled a direct challenge to Sonos’ dominance. Priced at £449, €499, $449, and AU$699, the Sonos Beam (gen 2) has held its own for several years, lauded for its size and seamless integration into existing Sonos multi-room systems. Meanwhile, the Marshall Heston 60, available for £499, €599.99, $699, and AU$999, aims to disrupt with a striking design and powerful sound.

Design and Features: Aesthetics and Ecosystems Collide

The two soundbars represent vastly different design philosophies.Sonos refined its original Beam, opting for a modern aesthetic, especially in white. The Beam (Gen 2) is constructed from durable plastic, features touch controls, and boasts a compact form factor ideal for smaller spaces. Marshall, in contrast, evokes the spirit of its classic amps with a fabric finish and brass control buttons. The Heston 60 offers adaptability in placement, accommodating both wall-mounting and surface use.

Both soundbars offer multiple sound modes, including night modes for reduced bass and voice modes for enhanced dialog. Marshall allows users to customize the intensity of these effects, while Sonos uniquely allows simultaneous activation of both modes. Though, Sonos truly distinguishes itself with its modularity. Users can expand their setup with wireless Sonos speakers for a true surround sound experience, a feature currently unavailable with the Heston 60. The Beam also offers greater flexibility within the broader sonos multi-room ecosystem.

Did you know? – Dolby Atmos creates a more immersive sound experience by adding height channels, simulating a three-dimensional soundscape. Both the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and Marshall Heston 60 support this technology.

Sound Quality and User experience: A Matter of Taste and Reliability

When used independently for TV audio, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and Marshall Heston 60 deliver remarkably similar sound quality. Both support Dolby Atmos for immersive surround sound. Though, the Heston 60’s upfiring drivers provide a slight advantage in soundstage verticality. The difference is subtle, and for many listeners, the primary distinction lies in the Sonos’ precise sound versus the Marshall’s warmer tone – a matter of personal preference.

Both soundbars allow for EQ adjustments to tailor the sound to individual tastes. However, the user experience is where Sonos pulls ahead.The Sonos app is described as “more responsive and slick,” even after a challenging initial launch. Finding settings is quicker and easier, and controlling multiple Sonos speakers simultaneously adds critically important value. Crucially,the Sonos app is free of audio drop-outs during settings adjustments,a frustrating issue experienced with the Marshall app while watching dialogue-heavy shows like The Wire. Furthermore, the Heston 60 lacks auto-input switching, a convenience that Sonos handles seamlessly.

Pro tip: – Consider your existing audio setup. If you already use Sonos products, the Beam (Gen 2) offers seamless integration and expandability.

The Verdict: Sonos Takes the Crown

While both the Heston 60 and the Beam (Gen 2) represent significant upgrades over standard TV audio, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) emerges as the superior choice. Its polished user experience,expandability,and seamless integration into the Sonos ecosystem demonstrate the benefits of experience in the market. Price is