Compare JBL Bar 1300MK2 vs Marshall Heston 60

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Rear-speaker versatility is arguably the signature feature: they can serve as surrounds, docked front extensions, Bluetooth speakers, broadcast speakers and a quiet Night Listening pair.

17 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Rear-speaker expansion is a clear weakness: there are no matching rear channels, so owners cannot build the same kind of wraparound system available from Sonos and some other rivals.

4 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

As a home-theater package, the system earns very high marks for delivering real surround, strong bass and a clean install without a receiver or permanently wired rears.

7 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

The Heston 60 works well as a compact one-box TV solution, but its home-theater ecosystem is less expandable than rivals because rear channels are not supported.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The system is physically substantial, with the subwoofer in particular described as big and heavy, reducing placement convenience.

2 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

At roughly six pounds, the Heston 60 is light enough to reposition or mount without much hassle.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The optional wireless TV connection is described as operating with no perceptible latency, supporting convincing lip sync and clean installation.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

A/V sync is adjustable in the app, but one tester had to correct the delay manually at the start of a movie.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The pre-paired rear speakers integrate smoothly with the main bar, making changes between docked and surround layouts unusually painless.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

Wireless subwoofer linking can be easy and stable once established, but some setups experienced initial pairing friction. Marshall’s broader speakers also do not integrate with the soundbar as a unified ecosystem.

4 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The included remote is responsive and unusually useful, giving fast access to volume, bass, rear and height adjustments without depending on the app.

5 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Remote-free control divides opinion. TV-remote and app control are convenient for many users, but several testers still wanted a dedicated physical remote.

6 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Dolby Atmos is a standout strength, with convincing overhead motion, broad immersion and strong object placement. Height performance still depends on ceiling and room geometry.

15 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Atmos height performance is the most divisive part of the sound. Some tests heard convincing overhead motion and surprising vertical reach, while others found height effects limited and short of truly enveloping.

11 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Room calibration is usually a major win: several testers heard tighter, better-balanced surround after running it. The main complaint is software presentation, especially the lack of an easy calibration on/off comparison.

11 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Room calibration is inconsistent: it made the soundstage more immediate in one room and produced a clear improvement in another, but made no audible difference in a third.

3 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Detail retrieval is generally strong and helps sell spatial effects, though one reviewer found very subtle soundtrack cues less resolved than on a full separates system.

5 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

Marshall Heston 60

Fine details come through clearly, helping subtle effects, textures and small soundtrack cues remain audible in busy scenes.

2 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The redesigned subwoofer is a core strength, delivering deep, hard-hitting bass and substantial headroom. Some reviewers still trim its default level for a more neutral balance.

8 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

The Heston 60 has enough bass to work well alone, while the optional Heston Sub 200 adds deeper cinematic impact. The matching sub is useful but expensive, and a few testers wanted even more power.

9 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

AirPlay playback was handled cleanly for stereo music, making the bar useful beyond movies.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

AirPlay playback is straightforward and, where directly tested, reliable and good-sounding.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The system stays clean at very high output overall, but the small detachable speakers can introduce some distortion when pushed hard on their own.

2 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

The Heston 60 generally stays controlled at high volume, but one Bluetooth music test produced audible distortion and muddiness.

3 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Gaming passthrough is the biggest repeated weakness: the HDMI inputs stop at 4K/60, forcing 4K/120 console users to connect directly to a capable TV.

4 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

There is no HDMI passthrough for consoles or other HDMI-reliant devices, so gaming setups may lose a convenient connection path.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Despite its huge output, one reviewer found it worked very well in a small bedroom, while the adjustable levels help keep scale manageable.

2 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

This is particularly well suited to small and medium rooms, where its compact footprint still produces surprisingly full, powerful sound.

12 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The system usually blends bar, sub and rears into a convincing whole, especially after calibration or at moderate volume. Some music mixes can sound less unified at lower levels.

8 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Complex soundtracks stay impressively unified, with effects and voices presented as parts of one coherent performance rather than disconnected elements.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Dynamics are a major asset, giving action scenes sudden impact and games a strong sense of scale without routinely collapsing into distortion.

4 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Dynamic range is strong, with smooth transitions from quiet dialogue to loud action and plenty of headroom for big moments.

2 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Overall product quality is rated very highly across most sources, with repeated praise for the combination of sound, modularity and easy home-theater deployment.

17 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

The Heston 60 earns strong overall praise as a stylish, compact and capable soundbar. Its premium price, software quirks and limited expansion keep it from being an automatic choice for everyone.

12 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The tonal balance is broadly strong, with clear mids and highs and powerful bass. Some listeners trim bass or EQ slightly recessed vocals for their preferred balance.

5 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Tonal balance is generally strong, with clear mids and detailed highs, but some listening exposed a bass-to-midrange gap or sharper, more sibilant treble in Atmos music.

6 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Maximum volume is enormous, easily filling large rooms and sometimes becoming excessive in smaller spaces. Reviewers consistently agree there is far more output than most users need.

13 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

For its size, the bar gets impressively loud and can fill small or medium rooms with substantial output.

4 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The system offers a strong selection of wired inputs, and reviewers appreciate having multiple HDMI connections alongside optical and other options.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

The analog input and sub output make the Heston 60 unusually flexible for a compact bar, including turntable use and third-party subwoofers.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

USB-C power is a practical escape hatch for anyone who does not want to keep docking the battery-powered rears, and they can remain powered while in use.

2 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

The USB-C port is of limited appeal in this compact setup; one tester was unsure what practical use it offered.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The low-profile bar fits beneath many TVs, but its width and the sizable sub demand real space. Several reviewers recommend pairing it with larger screens and measuring the furniture first.

8 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

The 73cm-wide chassis works especially well with smaller TVs and narrow stands, while remaining easy to wall mount. It can look undersized beneath very large screens.

7 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The styling is intentionally understated and some reviewers find it premium and clean, while others think the long black-bar look is too ordinary for the price.

6 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

Marshall Heston 60

Design is a major selling point. The amp-inspired grille, gold accents, cream option and magnetic details make this one of the most distinctive compact soundbars around.

19 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Build quality earns strong marks for solid construction, durable finishes, secure modular parts and premium-feeling hardware.

10 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Build quality matches the premium styling, with solid construction, tight finish and a durable feel that several testers ranked among the best in the compact class.

6 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The soundstage is consistently described as wide and tall, with convincing off-center balance and strong overhead dimension once the room and levels cooperate.

8 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

The Heston 60 can create useful vertical scale, but height is less consistent and less expansive than its impressive horizontal width.

2 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Surround performance is highly convincing because real rear speakers create genuine wraparound effects; upmixing can also add useful ambience to stereo TV.

6 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Horizontal width and motion are often excellent, but full wraparound immersion is inconsistent. Without rear speakers or dedicated height channels, some listeners still hear the action as coming mainly from the front.

12 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Stereo imaging is strong, with explicit praise for separation and a broad, well-organized presentation on music.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

Spatial positioning and imaging are precise, with movement across the screen and individual elements placed clearly within the soundstage.

2 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Overall sound quality is a major strength: powerful, expansive and cinematic, with enough refinement for both movies and music despite some low-volume and tonal caveats.

9 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Overall sound quality is consistently strong, especially for a compact bar, with punchy bass, clear mids and convincing scale for movies and music.

14 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

DTS:X support is treated as a meaningful advantage alongside Dolby Atmos, giving disc and movie fans broad immersive-format coverage.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

Support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X is a meaningful strength, especially against compact rivals that omit DTS:X.

4 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Bass is one of the defining strengths: deep, physical and room-shaking, yet often controlled enough to preserve dialogue. A few reviewers found default bass too dominant or heard artifacts when heavily boosted.

15 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Bass is one of the Heston 60’s biggest surprises, with unusually strong punch and weight for such a small bar. Deep sub-bass still benefits from an added subwoofer.

13 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Sound elevation is convincing, with effects audibly traveling overhead and around the listener, though some tests found height stronger at the front than the rear.

2 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Sound elevation can be remarkably convincing for a compact bar, with several tests hearing clear overhead movement, though the effect varies by room and content.

3 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Low-volume performance is mixed: bass can remain surprisingly impactful and Night mode is excellent, but subtle detail often improves noticeably once the system is played louder.

4 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

Marshall Heston 60

Voice mode helps keep speech intelligible at lower listening levels or in tricky rooms without requiring high overall volume.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Dialogue is consistently clear through action and heavy bass, with PureVoice usually helping without sounding harsh. One long-term test found its benefit more scene-dependent.

17 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Dialogue is usually crisp, well separated and easy to follow, even in dense action. A few tests found speech could become muddied when background activity became especially busy.

10 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Video passthrough is useful for multiple sources and Dolby Vision, but its 4K/60 ceiling is a meaningful limitation for modern gaming.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

The lack of HDMI passthrough is a recurring practical limitation for owners who want to connect source devices through the soundbar.

2 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Value depends heavily on price. Many reviewers think the complete performance and flexibility justify the premium, while a few recommend waiting for discounts or object to the flagship MSRP.

13 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Value is the toughest tradeoff. The Heston 60 feels premium and some testers think it earns the price, but many note that cheaper compact rivals or full soundbar-and-sub packages can cost less.

14 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Spotify Connect music playback was handled smoothly and musically in stereo during hands-on use.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

Spotify Connect is a reliable, great-sounding direct streaming option and avoids some of the quirks seen with other casting paths.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Wall-mount support is excellent: brackets and screws for the bar and rears are included, something several reviewers note rivals often charge extra for.

3 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Wall mounting is unusually thoughtful, with reversible magnetic branding and controls plus compact proportions that keep the installation neat.

5 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Setup is consistently praised as fast and simple for such a complex surround package, with pre-paired speakers and guided calibration doing most of the work.

11 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Basic setup is one of the easiest parts of ownership: HDMI hookup is quick, and most testers were up and running with little effort.

6 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

App impressions are split. Several reviewers found JBL One clean, responsive and easy, while others encountered confusing calibration screens or repeated connection drops.

11 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

Marshall Heston 60

The Marshall app is capable but inconsistent. Some testers found it stable and responsive, while others hit pairing failures, slow reconnects, loading delays, freezes, and small bugs.

7 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Bluetooth pairing and playback were described as solid when the detachable speakers were used independently.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

Bluetooth playback was reliable in direct testing, though one separate Bluetooth music test also exposed some muddiness that was scored under distortion rather than connection stability.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The seven-band EQ gives useful control over the strong bass and overall balance, although JBL One does not provide multiple saved EQ profiles.

3 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

Marshall Heston 60

The five-band EQ and mode-specific tuning give useful control over tonal balance and let owners work around some of the preset limitations.

3 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Music performance is much better than typical soundbar expectations, with strong stereo separation, engaging bass and convincing Atmos music. It tends to sound most cohesive when played moderately loud.

7 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Music performance is a standout strength, with strong energy, clear vocals and engaging instrument separation. Spatial mixes tend to fare better than plain stereo in the most critical listening.

9 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Broadcast, Night Listening and other processing features are seen as genuinely useful rather than filler, although always-on AI processing may bother purists.

3 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

A strong mix of connectivity, streaming options, room tuning and app controls gives the Heston 60 more flexibility than a basic TV-only soundbar.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Physical controls on the main bar and detachable speakers are effective and provide a useful fallback to app control.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

The top-panel controls are tactile, clearly labeled and intuitive, giving useful access to core functions without opening the app.

4 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The detachable speakers work well as portable Bluetooth units, especially as a stereo pair, adding useful value beyond home theater.

2 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

Bluetooth phone hookup is easy and adds a convenient alternative to Wi-Fi and wired playback.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Voice reproduction is crisp and easy to follow, especially with PureVoice active during busy scenes.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

Voices are clean and natural, with music vocals in particular described as smooth, detailed and highly intelligible.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

Marshall Heston 60

Day-to-day operation is mostly easy thanks to intuitive controls and a well-organized app, though app delays and bugs can interrupt the experience.

8 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The Mk2 is viewed as a meaningful improvement over the original Bar 1300, with stronger sound, updated features and more polished modular behavior.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The opposed-driver subwoofer construction is praised for its engineering and stability, supporting strong bass without making cabinet behavior the focus.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

Marshall Heston 60

Cable management is mixed: the rear cover can keep ports and wiring tidy on a stand, but one wall-mounted setup left the power and TV cables awkwardly exposed.

2 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

Marshall Heston 60

Google Cast is generally a strong high-quality streaming route, though one tester encountered a source-specific low-volume quirk.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The lack of HDMI 2.1 features such as 4K/120, VRR and ALLM is repeatedly criticized as a major omission at this price.

3 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

Marshall Heston 60

HDMI eARC makes basic TV use convenient, including volume control from the television’s existing remote.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The docking magnets are exceptionally strong and satisfying, keeping the detachable speakers secure while making charging easy.

3 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Packaging has one specific weakness: exposed driver domes can be vulnerable if the main bar is grabbed incorrectly while unpacking.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

One review judged JBL One a low privacy risk, while still noting that connected assistants and streaming services carry their own policies.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The hidden front display is widely liked because it clearly shows input, volume and Atmos status, then dims so it does not distract during viewing.

5 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

Marshall Heston 60

Repairable and replaceable parts are a genuine long-term strength, giving the Heston 60 a stronger durability and sustainability story than many sealed soundbars.

6 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The optional wireless TV/One Commander arrangement is reported to run cleanly and reliably in testing.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Core system operation is generally dependable, with pre-paired components and reports of trouble-free connections. App-specific drops remain a separate weakness.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The detachable rears generally last long enough for extended viewing, with real-world reports around 7.5–8.5 hours at louder use and roughly 10 hours viewed as ample.

5 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

USB-C charging can refill the rear speakers in a little over four hours, a reasonable recovery time for their portable use.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

Marshall Heston 60

Broad Bluetooth codec support adds flexibility and helps the Heston 60 stand out from more limited compact rivals.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

Marshall Heston 60

The physical buttons are simple, responsive and effective, even if some testers miss the larger Heston 120’s knobs.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Stereo-pairing the detachable speakers was troublesome in one detailed test, requiring repeated attempts before the connection worked.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

Marshall Heston 60

There is no built-in voice assistant. Some testers see that as a minor omission, while others simply consider it something to know before buying.

1 supporting review · Limited evidence

JBL Bar 1300MK2

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

Marshall Heston 60

Wi-Fi streaming is generally easy and dependable, especially with direct services, though individual casting paths can behave differently.

2 supporting reviews

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Gaming sounds excellent when connected appropriately, thanks to low latency, strong positional cues, Atmos effects and powerful dynamics.

2 supporting reviews

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.

JBL Bar 1300MK2

The detachable rears deliver convincing real surround and useful standalone playback. Their small size can limit bass and absolute authority compared with larger powered satellites.

9 supporting reviews · Mixed evidence

Marshall Heston 60

No review summary available for this feature. Missing evidence does not mean the feature is absent.