Marshall Heston 120 vs Klipsch Flexus Core 300: Which Soundbar Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Mar 26, 2026 06:04 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Mar 13, 2026 07:54 PM

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Picture

Marshall Heston 120 Picture

Channels 5.1.2

Channels 5.1.2

Recommended in 2 articles:
Subwoofer
All-In-One

Our Verdict

Klipsch Flexus Core 300

Marshall Heston 120

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 and Marshall Heston 120 are similar standalone bars that trade blows. They both have a SUB OUT that works with third-party subwoofers and a similar 5.1.2-channel count with dual integrated subs. The Marshall comes out ahead in audio latency performance, but it doesn't support Optical inputs like the Klipsch. However, the Klipsch is better for video passthrough since it can handle 4k @ 120Hz HDR signals while the Marshall cannot. If you're planning on expanding your setup, the Marshall only offers a branded sub, while the Klipsch can be upgraded with satellites, too.

Variants

Flexus Core 300 (Black)

Heston 120 (Black)

Review

See Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Review

See Marshall Heston 120 Review

Check Price

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Dialogue/TV Shows

0.0

0.0

Music

0.0

0.0

Movies

0.0

0.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Show Text

Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

N/A

Height

N/A

N/A

Depth

N/A

N/A

Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

N/A

Height

N/A

N/A

Depth

N/A

N/A

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Mountable Bar

Locked

Locked

Bar Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Mountable Satellites

Locked

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build quality photo

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

In The Box

In The Box photo

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

N/A

N/A

Stereo Setup

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Channels

Locked

Locked

Tested Preset

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Standard Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Show Text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Suggested Preset

Locked

Locked

Suggested Bass Setting

Lock

Lock

Suggested Treble Setting

Lock

Lock

Slope

Lock

Lock

Standard Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Show Text

Stereo Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Crosstalk

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Stereo Dynamics

N/A

N/A

Dynamic Range Compression

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB

Lock dB

Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Center

N/A

N/A

Center Setup

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Surround 5.1

N/A

N/A

Surround Setup

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

7.1 Rears

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Height (Atmos)

N/A

N/A

Height Setup

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Sound Enhancement Features

N/A

N/A

Room Correction

Locked

Locked

Dialogue Enhancement

Locked

Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Locked

Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Bass Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Treble Adjustment

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

Surround Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Rear Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Height Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Optical Audio In

Locked

Locked

HDMI Out

Locked

Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Locked

Locked

Full HDMI In

Locked

Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

Locked

Locked

RCA In

Locked

Locked

USB for Files

Locked

Locked

Ethernet

Locked

Locked

Subwoofer Output

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

N/A

N/A

Dolby Atmos

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital Plus

Locked

Locked

Dolby TrueHD

Locked

Locked

DTS

Locked

Locked

DTS:X

Locked

Locked

DTS-HD MA

Locked

Locked

PCM Channels

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In

N/A

N/A

Dolby Atmos

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital Plus

Locked

Locked

Dolby TrueHD

Locked

Locked

DTS

Locked

Locked

DTS:X

Locked

Locked

DTS-HD MA

Locked

Locked

PCM Channels

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Audio Format Support: Optical

N/A

N/A

Dolby Digital

Locked

N/A

DTS

Locked

N/A

PCM Channels

Locked

N/A

Show Text

Audio Latency: ARC

N/A

N/A

ARC Latency Video

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Marshall Heston 120 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Audio Latency: HDMI In

N/A

N/A

HDMI Latency Video

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Marshall Heston 120 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Audio Latency: Optical

N/A

N/A

Optical Latency Video

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

N/A

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

N/A

Show Text

Video Passthrough To TV

N/A

N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit

Locked

Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

HDR10 Passthrough

Locked

Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough

Locked

Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough

Locked

Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

Locked

Locked

FreeSync Passthrough

Locked

Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough

Locked

Locked

ALLM Passthrough

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Wireless Playback

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth

Locked

Locked

Wi-Fi Playback

Locked

Locked

Chromecast built-in

Locked

Locked

Apple AirPlay

Locked

Locked

Spotify Connect

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Display

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Remote

Remote photo

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Marshall Heston 120 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Locked

Locked

Google Assistant

Locked

Locked

Apple Siri

Locked

Locked

Microphone Mute

Locked

Locked

Check Price

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Black

Flexus Core 300

Black

Heston 120

Klipsch Flexus Core 300

Marshall Heston 120

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 1 month ago

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 vs Marshall Heston 120: Main Discussion

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