Jada Jones/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
If you have $1,000 to spend on a soundbar, there are compelling options to choose from. Since its late 2024 release, the Sonos Arc Ultra has been at the top of the heap in this price range, but there are new competitors that give Sonos a run for its money. The Marshall Heston 120, for example, offers a unique design, cool features, and comes at the exact same price as the Sonos Arc Ultra.
Also: 5 ways to instantly boost your soundbar audio quality (without spending a dime)
While Sonos sticks to the design status quo with sleek, modern elements, Marshall challenges the norm with bold, distinct design language. Sonos offers options for the tech-savvy, digital ecosystem fan, while Marshall keeps its focus on providing a long list of wired, analog choices for music fans.
However, despite their striking differences, both soundbars deliver an exceptional audio experience. So, is one better than the other? I’ve extensively used both the Marshall Heston 120 and the Sonos Arc Ultra and outlined their pros and cons to help you decide.
Specifications
Marshall Heston 120
Sonos Arc Ultra
Dimensions
43.3 x 5.7 x 3.0 inches
46.4 x 4.4 x 3.0 inches
Colors
Black
Black, Cream
Channels
5.1.2
9.1.4
Drivers
Two 2 x 5-inch subwoofers, two 3-inch mid-woofers, two 0.8-inch tweeters, five 2-inch full-range drivers
One woofer, six mid drivers, seven tweeters
Ports
HDMI 2.1 eARC, HDMI input, USB-C (power only), Ethernet, RCA L/R, sub out
HDMI eARC, Ethernet
Wireless connectivity
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3
Wireless compatibility
AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect
AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
Expandability
Wired subwoofer only
Sonos speakers, sonos subwoofers
Price
$999
$999
You should buy the Marshall Heston 120 if…
Jada Jones/ZDNET
1. You want a design that complements your furniture
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a sleek and stylish soundbar, but if you want a design that’s cool, then the Marshall Heston 120 is the way to go. A great design is actually kind of important in a soundbar – it’s something that’s going to live out in the open, in your living room, for all to see. Sure, I care more about audio quality than design, but I want something that’s going to make a statement without being over the top.
Also: Marshall’s first soundbar rocks as a mainstream alternative – Here’s my take
The Heston 120 walks that line perfectly. It leans on Marshall’s signature aesthetic, with a great-looking faux leather on its sides, and a textile mesh covering on the front and top. It’s adorned with the Marshall logo and knobs on the top for its controls. It looks awesome and unique without looking silly.
2. You like physical controls
Physical controls probably aren’t the most important controls for a soundbar, as you’ll use your remote more. But if you like using physical controls when you’re listening to music on your soundbar, then the Heston 120 is the way to go. It has knobs on the top, like its amplifiers, and they look and feel great. To be clear, the Sonos Arc Ultra has physical controls too, and they work perfectly fine. But they’re not as satisfying to use as those on the Heston 120.
3. You want lots of wireless features
Sonos is known for integrating with smart homes, and it does so well — but it doesn’t connect to as many audio ecosystems as the Marshall Heston 120. Both have Apple AirPlay 2 support and Spotify Connect support, so if you’re in those ecosystems, you’ll get what you need with both. However, the Heston 120 builds on that with additional services.
With the Heston 120, you’ll get support for Google Cast, which helps if you’re in the Google ecosystem. You’ll also get Tidal Connect, so if you’re a Tidal user, you’ll be able to listen to music easily.
You should buy the Sonos Arc Ultra if…
Christian de Looper/ZDNET
1. You want better spatial audio
Both soundbars offer excellent audio and can deliver deep and powerful bass with solid response in the high end. But the Sonos Arc Ultra definitely has the edge. Its audio response is a little more detailed, and its bass gets slightly deeper than Marshall’s.
In addition to the slightly better frequency response, the Sonos Arc Ultra offers a more immersive audio experience. Both soundbars can deliver solid immersion with drivers that use reflections to simulate surround sound. But Sonos has more experience with that kind of smart audio technology, and it shows in the Arc Ultra, which, on its own, can get relatively immersive when playing content that supports Dolby Atmos and surround sound.
2. You want to expand your system
Maybe you don’t want to use your soundbar alone — in which case, the Sonos Arc Ultra is easily the better choice. The Marshall Heston 120 supports wired subwoofers, and Marshall offers one in-house-made sub, but that’s it.
The Sonos Arc Ultra can connect to other Sonos speakers wirelessly, and you have more options. There are two Sonos subwoofers you can choose from, along with a number of different speakers you could use as surround speakers — like the Sonos Era 100 or Sonos Era 300. Sonos even sells bundles with these speakers, allowing you to get a full surround sound system right out of the box.
Also: Here’s why Sonos’ TV Audio Swap is my all-time favorite headphone feature
The Sonos Ace headphones have a private listening feature built for Sonos soundbars, further expanding the Sonos device ecosystem. I have used a Sonos Arc Ultra with two Sonos Era 300 speakers and a Sonos Sub 4 for some time, and I have to say, it’s a pretty awesome setup.
3. You have other Sonos speakers
Even if you don’t plan on directly connecting other Sonos speakers to your Sonos Arc Ultra, the ecosystem effect can still play a role if you have other Sonos speakers. Being able to manage all of your wireless speakers in one ecosystem makes it easier to stream audio across them, especially if you use the Sonos app to do so. It also means that you can connect them together down the line if you so choose.
For example, you could use two Sonos Era 100 speakers in different rooms but then link them together to form a stereo pair for more immersive audio. Or, in the case of the Arc Ultra, you could move to a larger home and decide that you want to use those speakers as surround speakers in your living room.
