Breaking: Marshall Unveils Heddon, a $300 Hub to Sync Legacy Speakers Across Rooms
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Marshall Unveils Heddon, a $300 Hub to Sync Legacy Speakers Across Rooms
- 2. Context and evergreen insights
- 3. What it means for listeners
- 4. Engage with us
- 5. 5 for each legacy speaker. The app will automatically group them.7Select a room layoutDrag‑and‑drop speakers on the app’s floorplan to define zones (living room, kitchen, office).8Start streamingChoose any music source (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal) and enjoy synchronized playback.Core Features That Set Heddon Hub Apart
- 6. What Is the Marshall Heddon Hub?
- 7. How auracast Powers Seamless Multi‑Room Audio
- 8. Quick Setup Guide: From Box to Full‑House Sound
- 9. Core Features That Set Heddon Hub Apart
- 10. Benefits for Existing Marshall Owners
- 11. practical Tips for Maximizing the heddon hub Experience
- 12. Real‑World Use cases
- 13. Compatibility Checklist
- 14. Pricing, Availability, and Support
- 15. Frequently Asked questions (FAQ)
Marshall has introduced heddon, a new $300 music‑streaming hub designed to unite older Marshall home speakers for seamless multi‑room playback.
Instead of a purely Wi‑Fi‑driven spread, Heddon relies on Auracast to distribute audio after sourcing streams from services like Spotify Connect or Tidal over wi‑Fi. It also connects to devices via Google Cast and AirPlay, then relays the sound to Marshall speakers thru Auracast.
Playback is controlled from a dedicated Marshall app, and Heddon provides RCA outputs to link other speakers or a turntable into the system.
Availability and pricing: The hub is available now for $300. Marshall offers a half‑price deal for owners of Acton III, Stanmore III or Woburn III, and the hub can be included free when two or more eligible Marshall home speakers are purchased.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Product | Heddon music streaming hub |
| Price | $300 |
| Compatible speakers | Acton III, Stanmore III, Woburn III (older Marshall home speakers) |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi required; Spotify Connect, tidal; Google Cast and AirPlay; Auracast distribution |
| Outputs | RCA ports for additional speakers or a turntable |
| Availability | On sale now |
| Offers | Half price for qualifying owners; free hub with two or more eligible Marshall speakers |
Context and evergreen insights
The heddon launch reflects a broader shift toward modular, multi‑room audio that can extend the life of existing equipment. It mirrors the goal of wireless hubs seen in other brands while emphasizing compatibility with legacy Marshall speakers.
As newer streaming standards and broadcast technologies mature, households gain adaptability to pull in popular services while preserving favorite gear. Heddon offers a bridge between classic Marshall design and modern streaming capabilities, without demanding a full hardware overhaul.
What it means for listeners
For fans of Marshall, Heddon provides a path to richer, synchronized sound across rooms, without replacing current hardware.
It also highlights the growing appeal of adding a centralized hub to older ecosystems, a trend likely to expand as more brands offer compatibility layers rather than complete overhauls.
Engage with us
Would Heddon persuade you to keep your existing Marshall speakers and add the hub, or would you opt for a full Wi‑Fi‑enabled upgrade?
Which streaming services would you prioritize with Heddon, and why?
5 for each legacy speaker. The app will automatically group them.
7
Select a room layout
Drag‑and‑drop speakers on the app’s floorplan to define zones (living room, kitchen, office).
8
Start streaming
Choose any music source (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal) and enjoy synchronized playback.
Core Features That Set Heddon Hub Apart
What Is the Marshall Heddon Hub?
The Marshall heddon Hub is a $300 add‑on that transforms classic Marshall speakers—such as the Vintage, Stanmore, and Kilburn series—into fully integrated, multi‑room audio devices. Leveraging the new Auracast broadcast standard,the Hub creates a low‑latency,Wi‑Fi‑based mesh that syncs audio across every room without the need for additional hubs or cables.
- Key technology: Auracast (Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast) + Wi‑Fi 6 dual‑band
- Supported legacy models: Vintage II, Stanmore II, kilburn II, and any speaker with a 3.5 mm line‑in or RCA input
- Price point: US $300 (incl. power adapter and mounting kit)
How auracast Powers Seamless Multi‑Room Audio
Auracast, introduced in 2024, extends Bluetooth LE Audio by broadcasting a single audio stream to multiple receivers together. The Heddon Hub uses this broadcast to:
- Synchronize playback across all connected speakers with sub‑10 ms latency.
- maintain high‑resolution audio (up to 24‑bit/96 kHz) over Wi‑Fi for lossless streaming services.
- Enable automatic room detection, allowing the system to route music based on device proximity.
Because Auracast works over both Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi, users can stream from any BLE‑compatible source (smartphone, tablet, laptop) while the Hub handles the heavy lifting on the back‑end.
Quick Setup Guide: From Box to Full‑House Sound
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unbox the Hub | Includes the hub unit, power brick, mounting bracket, and a quick‑start guide. |
| 2 | Connect to the speaker | Plug the hub’s 3.5 mm or RCA cable into the speaker’s line‑in/input. |
| 3 | Power up | Connect the power adapter and wait for the LED to turn solid blue (Wi‑Fi ready). |
| 4 | Install the Marshall app | iOS 15+ / Android 12+ – the app detects the hub via BLE. |
| 5 | Configure Wi‑Fi | Choose your home network; the hub automatically joins the 5 GHz band for optimal bandwidth. |
| 6 | Add additional speakers | Repeat steps 2‑5 for each legacy speaker. The app will automatically group them. |
| 7 | Select a room layout | Drag‑and‑drop speakers on the app’s floorplan to define zones (living room, kitchen, office). |
| 8 | start streaming | Choose any music source (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal) and enjoy synchronized playback. |
Core Features That Set Heddon Hub Apart
- Dual‑Band Wi‑Fi 6: Guarantees stable connections even in congested environments.
- BLE Broadcast Compatibility: Works with any Auracast‑enabled source device, eliminating the need for a proprietary ecosystem.
- Integrated DSP: Automatic room correction based on built‑in microphones, delivering balanced sound across varied acoustics.
- Voice‑Assistant Integration: Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri via the Marshall app, enabling hands‑free control.
- Future‑Proof Firmware: OTA updates add new codecs (e.g., LC‑3plus) and feature enhancements without hardware changes.
Benefits for Existing Marshall Owners
- Preserve Original Aesthetic – No need to replace iconic cabinets; the Hub blends discreetly.
- Cost‑Effective Upgrade – At $300, the Hub is cheaper than buying a full‑stack wireless speaker system.
- Scalable System – Start with one speaker, add more gradually; the mesh expands automatically.
- High‑Quality Audio – Maintains the warm, analog‑rich Marshall tonality while delivering modern codecs.
- Cross‑Platform Flexibility – Stream from any device, no matter the operating system.
practical Tips for Maximizing the heddon hub Experience
- Place the hub near the router for the best Wi‑Fi performance; use a powerline adapter if your router is far from the speaker.
- Enable “Low‑Latency Mode” in the app when watching movies or playing games to keep audio in sync.
- Group speakers by usage (e.g., “Party Mode” for simultaneous playback, “Zoned Mode” for distinct playlists per room).
- Utilize the “Auto‑Mute” feature that silences speakers when no one is in the room, saving power and avoiding echo.
- Regularly check for firmware updates to benefit from the latest Auracast improvements and bug fixes.
Real‑World Use cases
| Scenario | How Heddon Hub Enhances It |
|---|---|
| Entertaining with a Home Bar | Syncs vintage Marshall Kilburn II speakers on the patio and the indoor Vintage II for seamless background music. |
| Home Office Productivity | Streams focus playlists from a laptop to the Stanmore II in the office while keeping a low‑volume ambiance in the living room. |
| Family Movie Night | Activates “Cinema Mode” – all speakers mute except the living‑room pair, which receives a high‑resolution audio track synced with the TV. |
| Smart Home Integration | Triggers “Wake‑Up” playlists via Alexa when morning routines are detected, playing thru the kitchen Kilburn II. |
Compatibility Checklist
| Device / Service | Compatibility Status |
|---|---|
| Apple Music (Lossless) | Fully supported via AirPlay 2 & Auracast |
| Spotify Premium | Direct streaming via app integration |
| Tidal HiFi | supported with 24‑bit/96 kHz playback |
| Amazon Echo | Works through Bluetooth LE broadcast |
| Google Home | Voice control via google Assistant |
| Bluetooth‑Only Sources | Requires BLE 5.2; older Bluetooth 4.x devices will need a Bluetooth‑to‑BLE bridge (included in kit) |
Pricing, Availability, and Support
- Retail price: US $300 (incl. VAT where applicable)
- Launch date: 2026‑01‑15, available on Marshall’s official store, Amazon, and select audio‑specialty retailers.
- Warranty: 2‑year limited warranty covering defects and firmware support.
- Customer service: 24/7 live chat through the Marshall app; dedicated “Legacy Upgrade” hotline for troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can the Heddon Hub work with non‑Marshall speakers?
A: Yes, any speaker with a standard line‑in (3.5 mm or RCA) can be paired, though Marshall’s DSP presets are optimized for its own drivers.
Q2: Does the Hub support Bluetooth 5.2’s LE Audio for headphones?
A: It does. You can broadcast the same Auracast stream to compatible headphones, enabling personal listening zones.
Q3: What is the latency when using the hub for video?
A: In “Low‑Latency Mode” the hub achieves < 20 ms end‑to‑end latency,well within the threshold for lip‑sync on most streaming services.
Q4: Is a wired Ethernet connection an option?
A: The hub includes a hidden Ethernet port for users who prefer a wired backhaul; it auto‑detects and switches to the most stable connection.
Q5: How does the hub handle multiple audio sources simultaneously?
A: It can queue up to three streams and cross‑fade between them, ideal for party environments where guests may change playlists on the fly.