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Sonos Arc Ultra vs Marshall Heston 120

The Sonos Arc Ultra is the stronger pick for most shoppers: it has more channels (9.1.4 vs 5.1.2), a dedicated center channel for dialogue, and a mature app ecosystem. The Marshall Heston 120 wins on looks and bass hardware, with dual rear-facing subwoofers and heritage knobs, but it lacks a dedicated center channel. Latest prices are close: $989.10 at Bear Security Shop as of November 3 for the Arc Ultra, versus $1,020.00 at HBX as of October 29 for the Heston 120.

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Sonos
Sonos Arc Ultra

Sonos Arc Ultra

5(2 ratings)

Choose the Sonos Arc Ultra if you want the most convincing Dolby Atmos for movies, clear dialogue from a dedicated center channel, and the Sonos multi-room and headphone-swap ecosystem.

Pros
9.1.4 spatial audio with up-firing drivers for real overhead effects
  • Dedicated center channel keeps dialogue clear
  • Alexa and Sonos Voice Control built in
  • Mature Sonos app, multi-room, and Audio Swap with Ace headphones
    • Cons
    • Requires the Sonos app for full control
    • Sub and rear speakers cost extra
    • Large and heavy
    • Some owners report the upgrade over the original Arc is modest
    Marshall
    Marshall Heston 120

    Marshall Heston 120

    Choose the Marshall Heston 120 if you want a statement piece with amp-style knobs and built-in rear subwoofers, and you care more about design and bass than pinpoint dialogue.

    Pros
    • Dual rear-facing subwoofers give strong bass without a separate sub
    • Heritage amp-inspired knobs stand out in a living room
    • 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos at a price close to the Arc Ultra
    • SUB OUT port for adding an external subwoofer
    Cons
    • No dedicated center channel, so dialogue is less anchored
    • Fewer channels than the Arc Ultra
    • No built-in voice assistant listed
    • Limited input options beyond SUB OUT

    What separates them

    Sonos Arc UltraMarshall Heston 120
    Channel configuration9.1.45.1.2
    Dedicated center channelYes, tuned for dialogueNo
    Up-firing driversYes, for overhead Atmos effectsNot specified
    SubwooferSold separately (Sub)Dual rear-facing subwoofers built in
    Voice assistantsAmazon Alexa and Sonos Voice ControlNot specified
    DesignCurved matte bar, wall-mountableHeritage amp-inspired knobs
    WeightLarge and heavy7,040 g
    Latest price$989.10 at Bear Security Shop as of November 3$1,020.00 at HBX as of October 29

    Price history

    $1,224.38$989.10
    Oct 28Nov 5
    • Sonos Arc Ultra: lowest $989.10 on Nov 3 at eBay; $1,099.00 on Nov 5.
    • Marshall Heston 120: lowest $1,020.00 on Oct 29; $1,099.99 on Nov 4.

    Prices at every store

    Sonos Arc Ultra

    • AdoramaCheck price at Adorama
    • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
    • Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
    Prices and history →

    Marshall Heston 120

    • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
    • BelkCheck price at Belk
    • Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
    Prices and history →

    Specs compared

    SpecSonos Arc UltraMarshall Heston 120
    Frequency ResponseDoesn't provide a full frequency rangeFull low-frequency spectrum (powerful bass)
    BluetoothYesYes
    Connectivity TechnologyWireless, Bluetooth, Wi-FiWireless, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
    Ports And InterfacesHDMI eARC, Ethernet port, HDMI eARC portSUB OUT port
    Wi-FiYesYes
    Audio HighlightsDolby Atmos EnabledDolby Atmos
    Audio Channels9.1.4-channel5.1.2-Channel
    Design HighlightsWall Mountable, Touch controlsHeritage amp-inspired knobs
    StyleMatte finishHeritage amp-inspired knobs
    Driver ConfigurationUp-FiringSide-firing, Front
    Driver TypeTweeters, MidwoofersSide-firing drivers, Front drivers, Midwoofers,…
    Number Of DriversSeven tweeters, Six midwoofersDual rear-facing subwoofers
    Show all 34 specsShow fewer specs
    SpecSonos Arc UltraMarshall Heston 120
    Width46.4 in wide43.3 in
    OutdoorNo—
    Crossover Frequency70 Hz (for Arc Ultra and Sub)—
    Power SourcePlug in the power cable—
    Assistant SupportAmazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control—
    Smart FunctionsVoice control—
    Speaker PlacementWall Mountable—
    Audio Configuration9.1.4 system—
    MaterialMetal—
    Driver Size

    What reviewers say

    Sonos Arc Ultra

    Reviewers describe clear, detailed sound with convincing bass and immersive Atmos effects, and several praise the smoother app setup. Some owners who moved up from the original Arc were not blown away by the difference.

    What people mention
    • Sound qualityPraisedReviewers call it clear and detailed across music and film soundtracks.
    • BassPraisedThe Sound Motion woofer is said to give real punch without adding a Sub.
    • Atmos effectsPraisedOwners describe height and surround effects that fill the room from one bar.
    • DialoguePraisedSpeech comes through clearly, and Speech Enhancement in the app helps further.

    Marshall Heston 120

    The missing center channel is the main functional criticism.

    What people mention
    • DesignPraisedOwners like the heritage amp look and the top-panel knobs that set it apart from plain black bars.
    • BassPraisedThe dual rear-facing subwoofers and passive radiators are said to deliver deep low end without a separate sub.
    • DialogueCriticisedWithout a dedicated center channel, some say voices are less firmly placed than on bars that have one.
    • SizeMixedThe 43.3-inch width and 7 kg weight suit big TVs but limit placement in smaller rooms.
    Reviews
    • The Best Soundbars for 2026
    • Best Soundbars 2026: Options to suit your home cinema needs
    • We tested four premium Dolby Atmos soundbars: can JBL, LG or Sony defeat Sonos?
    • The Best Soundbars for 2026 - PCMag editors select and review products independently
    • What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026: we tested more than 20 soundbars to find these 7 Dolby Atmos winners
    • The Best Soundbars for 2026

    Questions and answers

    Which is better for movies?
    The Sonos Arc Ultra. Its 9.1.4 layout and up-firing drivers produce more convincing overhead effects, and the dedicated center channel keeps dialogue clear.
    Which has better bass?
    The Marshall Heston 120 out of the box, because its dual rear-facing subwoofers are built in. The Arc Ultra needs a separate Sonos Sub to match that low end.
    Is the Arc Ultra worth the extra over the Heston 120?
    At $989.10 versus $1,020.00, the Arc Ultra is actually cheaper right now, so the question flips: it is the better value unless you want the Marshall's design and built-in bass.
    Which is better for dialogue?
    The Arc Ultra. It has a dedicated center channel and a Speech Enhancement setting in the app. The Heston 120 has no dedicated center channel.
    Can I add rear speakers to either?
    Yes to the Arc Ultra, which pairs with Sonos Era 300 speakers as rears. The Heston 120 lists multi-room support but no matching rear speakers.
    Which is easier to set up?
    Both use HDMI eARC and a phone app. The Arc Ultra's setup is widely praised as smooth, and it includes an HDMI cable in the box.

    More comparisons

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    • Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4 Channel Soundbar vs Sonos Arc Ultra
    • Sonos Arc Ultra vs Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini
    • Samsung HW-Q990F vs Sonos Arc Ultra
    • Yamaha True X Bar 50A 280W 2.1.2-Channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar System vs Sonos Arc Ultra
    • Sonos Arc Ultra vs JBL Bar 300MK2
    • Sonos Arc Ultra vs Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-Q930H/ZA 9.1.4 ch Subwoofer

    Buying guides that pick them

    • Best soundbars
    • Best soundbars for gaming
    • Best wireless surround sound speakers with Dolby Atmos
    Multiple sizes of mid-range drivers and tweeters
    —
    Nominal Output PowerFifteen amps—
    Max Wattage150 W (Peak audio power handling)—
    Output Level (SPL)Volume hovering around 30 (out of 50)—
    WirelessYes—
    ColorWhite—
    Special PurposeSoundbar—
    Dolby Atmos EnabledYes—
    ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Ethernet, Optical Audio—
    Weight—7040 g
    Depth—76 mm
    Height—5.7 in
    System Components—Soundbar