Delay in Sonos Beam Gen 3 release heightens anticipation for Marshall's upcoming Dolby Atmos competitor
In the realm of home audio, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) has been a dominant force since its launch four years ago, offering year-on-year improvements in audio quality. However, for those with 48-inch or smaller TVs who are short on space or prefer a less dominant setup in their living room, a smaller soundbar has been a much-desired option.
Until now, there have been no credible rivals to the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) in the past two years. But that could be about to change with the introduction of Marshall's Heston 60 soundbar.
Marshall, known for its iconic amplifiers, has launched its second Dolby Atmos soundbar, called the Heston 60. This new device, smaller in size compared to other soundbars, makes it suitable for smaller TVs and less dominant setups.
The Heston 60 is a successor to Marshall's first soundbar, the Heston 120. It's designed to neatly sit on smaller stands, below smaller TVs, providing a more harmonious integration into the living room environment.
Placing a full-sized soundbar too low can lead to unwanted vibrations and a comically large appearance. On the other hand, the Heston 60, with its compact size, promises to deliver high-quality audio without dominating the space.
In recent years, there have been notable improvements in audio quality among newer soundbars. The Sonos Arc Ultra and Sony HT-A7000, for instance, have shown palpable improvements compared to their older counterparts.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) has been a key recommendation in the best Dolby Atmos soundbars buying guide for multiple years. However, its size, which is larger than smaller TVs and can block screen real estate due to its height, has been a point of contention for some users.
With the arrival of the Heston 60, it would be beneficial to see more companies take a step to create smaller, good-sounding soundbars to challenge the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). This could open up a new market for those seeking high-quality audio without compromising on space.
The last Beam-sized rival from JBL that was tested is the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam, which came out in 2021. JBL's 2025 lineup of soundbars are all full-width, leaving a gap in the market for a smaller, high-quality soundbar.
As we wait to see how the Heston 60 performs in real-world tests, it's clear that Marshall has made a bold move in the soundbar market. Whether it can dethrone the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the market for smaller, high-quality audio devices is about to heat up.
