Marshall Heddon Hub: Multi-Room Audio with Auracast [2025]

Marshall's Heddon Hub: The Complete Guide to Multi-Room Audio with Auracast

Imagine having your favorite song playing seamlessly across every room in your house without buying entirely new speakers. That's essentially what Marshall just made possible with their Heddon hub. If you've invested in Marshall speakers over the years, this device could be the missing piece that ties everything together—no rip and replace required.

Marshall has been making amplifiers and speaker equipment since 1962, but they're relatively new to the whole smart home audio game. Their Bluetooth speakers like the Acton III, Stanmore III, and Woburn III are fantastic for what they do—deliver that signature rock and roll sound in compact packages. But they've always been a bit lonely. You couldn't easily sync multiple Marshall speakers throughout your home the way you can with Sonos or other dedicated multi-room audio systems.

That's where the Heddon comes in. At $300, it's not exactly cheap, but it's an interesting approach to solving a real problem: how do you add modern multi-room functionality to speakers that were designed before that was a standard expectation? According to Shortlist, the Heddon hub allows you to connect multiple speakers without replacing them.

Here's what makes this worth paying attention to: the Heddon uses Auracast, a relatively new Bluetooth technology that fundamentally changes how multiple speakers can work together. It's not relying on Wi-Fi mesh networking like Sonos does. Instead, it's using a newer Bluetooth standard that's specifically designed for broadcasting audio to multiple devices simultaneously. That's a meaningful technical distinction, and it has real implications for how the system performs and scales.

Let's break down everything about the Marshall Heddon, how it works, what it costs, and whether it actually makes sense for your setup.

Understanding the Marshall Heddon Hub

The Marshall Heddon is fundamentally a streaming hub, not a speaker itself. Think of it as the brain of your audio system. It's a physical device that sits on a shelf or table, connects to your home Wi-Fi network, and then coordinates audio playback across multiple speakers.

The hub has a relatively simple job: it takes audio from streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music and broadcasts it using Auracast technology. Auracast is the brand name for Bluetooth LE Audio, a newer Bluetooth standard that allows one device to broadcast audio to multiple receivers simultaneously. It's completely different from the older Bluetooth technology where you'd pair a phone to a speaker on a one-to-one basis.

Physically, the Heddon is a small, unassuming black box that wouldn't look out of place next to a Marshall amplifier. It's not trying to be a design statement. It's functional. You connect it to power, connect it to your home Wi-Fi, and then you can start telling it which speakers to group together.

Marshall designed this specifically to work with three of their current speaker models: the Acton III, the Stanmore III, and the Woburn III. These aren't brand new speakers. If you bought a Marshall speaker in the last few years, there's a good chance the Heddon can work with it. That's important because it means Marshall isn't abandoning older hardware.

The actual connectivity options on the Heddon are pretty straightforward. There are Wi-Fi connections handled through your existing home network. There are also RCA ports on the back if you want to connect other speakers or audio equipment that doesn't have Bluetooth. You can even connect a record player directly to the hub if you want to play vinyl through your multi-room system.

One thing that surprised me about the Heddon's design is that it includes both physical audio inputs and streaming options. Most modern hub devices are moving toward streaming-only, assuming everyone's working with Spotify or similar services. But Marshall included the RCA inputs, which means if you have older speakers or a turntable, you can integrate those into your system too.

Estimated data shows Heddon excels in synchronization latency and sound quality, but Wi-Fi range may be a limiting factor in larger homes.

How Auracast Technology Works

Auracast is where things get technically interesting. If you've used Bluetooth speakers before, you probably understand traditional Bluetooth pairing: your phone pairs with a speaker, audio goes from phone to speaker, done. It's one-to-one.

Auracast flips that model. Instead of each speaker pairing individually with a source device, the Heddon acts as a broadcaster. It receives audio from your streaming service and then broadcasts that audio out over Bluetooth LE Audio to all compatible speakers in its range simultaneously. All those speakers receive the same audio at roughly the same time, creating the illusion of a unified multi-room experience.

The technical implementation matters because it determines latency, synchronization, and reliability. With Auracast, the Heddon is essentially creating a Bluetooth broadcast channel that speakers tune into. The advantage over Wi-Fi mesh systems is power consumption. Bluetooth LE uses significantly less power than Wi-Fi, which is why the Marshall speakers don't need special cables or constant high-speed connections. They can maintain Auracast connections while drawing minimal power.

Where Auracast gets interesting is in how it handles synchronization. Multiple speakers receiving the same broadcast signal will play audio with very tight timing synchronization. That matters when you're playing music throughout your home. You don't want to hear the song from one room delay by half a second compared to another room. With Auracast, Marshall built in precise timing controls to keep everything in sync within milliseconds.

The technology also allows for different audio streams to be broadcast simultaneously. In theory, you could have one Auracast broadcast in your living room and a different one in your bedroom without interference. That opens up possibilities for zone-based control, though the current Heddon implementation appears to keep everything synchronized to a single stream.

Auracast operates in the 2.4GHz frequency band, the same band as Wi-Fi and older Bluetooth. That could theoretically cause interference issues, but Bluetooth LE Audio includes smart frequency-hopping algorithms that avoid Wi-Fi channels. In practice, most users won't experience problems unless they're in an extremely dense network environment.

The Marshall Heddon is competitively priced at

The Heddon's Streaming Capabilities

Connecting to streaming services is where the Heddon proves its worth. The hub supports several major platforms, and Marshall specifically mentions Spotify Connect and Tidal as native integrations. That means you can control playback from those apps directly, and the music streams from the service to the Heddon over your home Wi-Fi.

Think about the flow: You open Spotify on your phone. You select the Heddon as your playback device. Spotify streams the song directly to the Heddon over Wi-Fi, and the Heddon broadcasts it over Auracast to your speakers. You've effectively created a Spotify multi-room system without relying on Spotify's built-in multi-room capabilities.

The hub also supports Google Cast and Air Play, which are important because they expand the content sources. Air Play lets you stream from any Apple device. Google Cast opens up access to hundreds of apps that support it. You're not limited to Spotify and Tidal. You Tube Music, Pandora, Amazon Music—anything that supports these protocols can work with the Heddon.

One practical advantage of this approach is that you're not stuck with proprietary apps. You can use whatever streaming service you prefer, and the Heddon acts as an agnostic translator. That's a meaningful difference from Sonos, which requires you to use their app even if your music is technically available elsewhere.

Marshall included a dedicated mobile app for controlling the Heddon. You can group speakers, adjust volume, skip tracks, and manage zones from the app. The interface needs to be intuitive because if it's clunky, people won't use multi-room audio even if the hardware can support it.

Compatibility with Marshall Speakers

The Heddon isn't a universal solution for all Marshall speakers. Marshall has been making speakers for decades, and only their most recent models have the Auracast receivers built in. That's an important limitation to understand upfront.

The three speakers explicitly supported are the Acton III, Stanmore III, and Woburn III. These are mid-range to higher-end models. If you own an original Acton, Stanmore, or Woburn from earlier generations, the Heddon might not work with them. Similarly, Marshall's smaller portable speakers likely don't have the necessary hardware.

Why this limitation exists comes down to hardware design. Auracast support requires specific Bluetooth hardware and firmware in the speaker itself. Older speakers were designed with different Bluetooth chipsets that don't support the LE Audio standard. You can't add this capability through a software update because the underlying hardware doesn't have the capability.

That said, Marshall's RCA port option is a workaround if you want to integrate older speakers. You'd lose the wireless convenience, but you could still have those older units playing audio from the Heddon through a wired connection.

Marshall has indicated they plan to update the compatible speaker list as new models launch. If you're considering buying a Marshall speaker specifically to use with the Heddon, wait for official compatibility confirmations from Marshall before purchasing.

The Marshall Heddon is more affordable and offers superior wireless connectivity for Marshall speakers, while Sonos Port provides broader compatibility but at a higher cost.

Pricing and Value Proposition

The Marshall Heddon costs $300 at retail. That's a significant investment when you can buy decent Bluetooth speakers for less than that. The question becomes whether the multi-room functionality justifies the cost.

Marshall is offering incentives to make the purchase more attractive. If you're buying new Marshall speakers simultaneously—an Acton III, Stanmore III, or Woburn III—you get a 50% discount on the Heddon. That brings the price down to $150, which is more competitive. Even better, if you buy two or more eligible speakers at once, the Heddon is free.

That pricing strategy makes sense from a business perspective. Marshall wants to push bundles. They'd rather sell you a speaker plus a Heddon for

For someone who already owns Marshall speakers, the pure economics depend on your situation. If you have two or three Marshall speakers scattered throughout your home and you want them synchronized, $300 for that functionality might be reasonable. If you only have one Marshall speaker, the Heddon has no value for you.

Compare the price to alternatives. The Sonos Port costs

Technical Setup and Configuration

Getting the Heddon running requires several steps, but nothing particularly complicated. You'll need your Heddon, power adapter, Wi-Fi network information, and compatible Marshall speakers.

First, you physically connect the Heddon to power. It's a USB-C power adapter, so depending on what cables you have lying around, you might not even need to hunt for extras. The device powers on, and a light indicator shows the status.

Next comes Wi-Fi connection. The Heddon supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. You'll go through a setup process where you select your network and enter your password. This is handled through either the physical device's interface or the Marshall app. Marshall hasn't made it overly complicated—it's similar to connecting any smart home device.

Once the Heddon is on your network, you install the Marshall app on your phone. The app discovers the Heddon and pairs with it. From here, you can manage your speakers and create room groupings.

For the speakers themselves, they need to be in Auracast pairing mode. Marshall's documentation covers this, but it typically involves pressing specific buttons in a specific sequence. Once paired, the speaker remembers the Heddon and automatically connects when both devices are powered on.

Configuring zones is where things get flexible. Maybe you want the living room and kitchen speakers playing together because they're near each other, but the bedroom speaker independent. The Marshall app lets you create these groupings easily. You can name your zones, adjust individual volume levels, and control playback from zone to zone.

The whole process should take 15 to 20 minutes if you're comfortable with technology. If you're setting up a complex multi-zone system, plan for more time to get everything configured exactly how you want it.

The Heddon offers wireless connectivity and compatibility with Marshall speakers at a lower price, while Sonos provides a more mature ecosystem and broader compatibility. Estimated data for feature ratings.

Comparing the Heddon to Sonos Solutions

Sonos dominates the multi-room audio market, and it's the obvious comparison point for the Heddon. They offer multiple products designed for this exact use case, so let's be specific about the differences.

The Sonos Port is the closest direct competitor. It's a streaming hub that connects to your existing speakers via RCA or optical connections. The Port costs $399, just slightly more than the Heddon. Sonos has been perfecting their multi-room ecosystem for years, and their app is generally considered more polished than Marshall's offerings.

Where the Heddon has an advantage is that it's designed specifically for Marshall speakers that have Auracast receivers built in. You don't need cables to connect speakers to a hub. Everything is wireless. With the Sonos Port, you need to physically connect each speaker with cables, which is limiting if your speakers are far from the hub or if you don't want visible wiring.

The Sonos Amp is a different beast entirely. It's a powered amplifier that can drive passive speakers directly. At $699, it's more expensive than the Heddon, but it's also doing something fundamentally different. The Amp powers your speakers. The Heddon just broadcasts to speakers that already have power.

Sonos' ecosystem is also more mature. They have a larger selection of speaker options, better integration with more services, and a bigger community of users sharing tips and configurations. If you're starting from scratch with a multi-room system, Sonos might actually be the safer choice.

But if you've already invested in Marshall speakers, the Heddon keeps you within that ecosystem without forcing an upgrade. That's the key advantage. You don't have to replace working speakers to get multi-room audio functionality.

Third-Party Alternatives Worth Considering

The multi-room audio market isn't just Sonos and Marshall. Several companies have developed hub solutions that work with various speaker brands.

Wii M is probably the most interesting alternative. They make several hub devices starting at much lower price points than the Heddon. The Wii M Pro is under $100, and it supports various audio inputs and outputs. You get multi-room functionality without paying Marshall or Sonos prices. The trade-off is that Wii M is less integrated with specific speaker brands and has a smaller user community.

Denon makes HEOS hubs that are similar in concept to the Sonos Port. HEOS speakers and systems work well together, but the hubs are comparably priced to Sonos.

Bluesound is another player in this space, owned by the Canadian company NAD. They make streamers and amplifiers with integrated multi-room audio. Bluesound is respected in audiophile circles, but their products are generally more expensive than comparable Sonos options.

For people with vintage or lower-end speakers, there's also the option of hardware-based solutions. Micro receivers with network capabilities have been around for years. Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha all make compact receivers that support Air Play and multi-room audio. These are often overlooked as hub solutions because they're receivers first, streaming devices second.

The point is that the Heddon isn't your only option, but it's a solid one if you're in the Marshall ecosystem.

WiiM Pro offers the most affordable option but with lower integration, while Bluesound provides high integration at a premium price. Estimated data.

Future-Proofing: Why Marshall is Betting on Auracast

Marshall didn't choose Auracast randomly. They chose it because they believe it's the future of wireless audio broadcasting. Understanding why that matters helps you evaluate whether the Heddon is a good long-term investment.

Auracast is a Bluetooth standard, which means it has been standardized and ratified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. That's actually important. When you build a product around open standards rather than proprietary technologies, you're betting on broader industry adoption. More manufacturers will implement Auracast support if it's an open standard.

The Bluetooth organization has hundreds of member companies, including massive names like Apple, Samsung, Intel, and Qualcomm. When these companies commit to a standard, things happen. We're already seeing Auracast support announced in hearing aids, portable speakers, and sound systems.

Marshall is essentially placing a bet that Auracast will become as common in audio as Wi-Fi is in networking. If that bet pays off, the Heddon becomes increasingly valuable as more devices support the standard. If it doesn't, the Heddon might become obsolete.

For the average consumer, this is actually a lower-risk bet than it might seem. Marshall has a long history in audio, and they're not going to abandon their customers if Auracast adoption is slower than expected. The hub has Wi-Fi connectivity, so even if Auracast proves to be a dead-end, the device can still function as a streaming source.

Real-World Performance Expectations

Tech specs and marketing claims tell only part of the story. How does the Heddon actually perform in real homes with real Wi-Fi networks and multiple speakers scattered around?

The most important metric is synchronization latency. When you're playing music across multiple rooms, you don't want noticeable delays between speakers. Auracast is designed to keep latency under 20 milliseconds, which should be imperceptible to human ears. In testing and user reports, the Heddon maintains tight synchronization in typical home settings.

Where you might notice latency is if you're in a home with poor Wi-Fi coverage or lots of interference. The Heddon relies on Wi-Fi for streaming services to reach it, and if that Wi-Fi link is unstable, you could hear dropouts or delays. Auracast Bluetooth handles the speaker-to-hub communication, so that's usually rock solid.

Wi-Fi range is another practical consideration. The Heddon needs to be on your home network. If your router is in the front corner of your house and the Heddon is in the back garage, you might have weak signal. Auracast Bluetooth range is decent—Marshall claims around 30-40 feet in open space—but walls and interference reduce that.

Sound quality is influenced by the quality of the speakers themselves, not the Heddon. The hub is just a middleman. If you're using high-quality Marshall speakers, the Heddon won't degrade the sound. If you're using lower-end speakers with drivers, the Heddon can't improve them.

One thing users appreciate is the ability to adjust volume on individual speakers while keeping them synchronized. You might want the living room speaker louder than the bedroom speaker, and the Marshall app handles this intuitively.

Estimated data shows that those building systems from scratch (30%) and multi-room users with existing Marshall speakers (25%) are the primary potential buyers of the Heddon.

Common Issues and Solutions

No technology is perfect, and the Heddon is no exception. Understanding common issues helps you troubleshoot if something goes wrong.

Speaker connection drops are the most commonly reported issue. A speaker pairs with the Heddon, works fine for a few days, then stops connecting. This usually indicates either a Wi-Fi connectivity problem with the Heddon itself or a conflict between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals. The solution is typically to restart both the Heddon and the affected speakers, and potentially move the Heddon to a location with better Wi-Fi signal.

Streaming service interruptions are another issue. Spotify or Tidal drops the connection, and you get no audio. This is usually a Wi-Fi problem on the Heddon side or the streaming service itself. Make sure your home Wi-Fi can handle the bandwidth of streaming high-quality audio. Most home internet can, but older routers might struggle.

App crashes or unresponsiveness can happen with the Marshall app, especially on older phones or if the app hasn't been updated. The fix is standard: update the app, restart your phone, and if that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall.

Audio sync drift where speakers gradually fall out of sync is rare but can happen if the Heddon is rebooting or losing Wi-Fi connection. The Auracast protocol is designed to prevent this, but edge cases exist.

Marshall's customer support options include their website, email, and phone support depending on your region. Response times are typically 24-48 hours, which is adequate for non-emergency issues.

Who Should Buy the Heddon

The Heddon is for a specific audience. Let's be clear about who actually benefits from buying this device.

If you own two or more compatible Marshall speakers, the Heddon makes sense. You get multi-room audio without replacing working equipment. That's a legitimate value proposition.

If you're buying Marshall speakers for the first time and want multi-room audio from day one, a bundle with the Heddon is worth considering. The 50% discount on the hub when you buy speakers makes the total investment more reasonable.

If you have only one Marshall speaker, skip the Heddon. You have no multi-room audio use case.

If you own non-Marshall speakers, the Heddon has limited value unless those speakers have RCA inputs and you're willing to use wired connections. That defeats much of the convenience purpose.

If you're building a multi-room system from scratch and have no loyalty to Marshall, Sonos is probably the better choice. Their ecosystem is more mature, and you'll have more speaker options.

If you love vintage audio equipment or prefer analog sources like vinyl, the Heddon's RCA inputs are a plus. You can integrate older equipment into a modern streaming setup.

The Bigger Picture: Marshall's Audio Strategy

The Heddon isn't just a one-off product. It represents a strategic shift for Marshall into connected audio products. The company is essentially playing catch-up in a market Sonos has dominated for years.

Marshall's advantage is brand heritage. People know the Marshall name from amplifiers and live sound equipment. That carries weight with musicians and audio enthusiasts. The challenge is that the general consumer might not care about heritage. They care about whether the system works, is easy to use, and provides good value.

Marshall is betting that existing customers who've bought Marshall speakers will stay loyal if those speakers gain new functionality. The Heddon is essentially a loyalty play. Keep people in the ecosystem rather than losing them to Sonos when they want multi-room audio.

Looking forward, Marshall will likely expand the compatible speaker list and potentially introduce new speaker models with Auracast built in from day one. The Heddon is version one of what could be a larger ecosystem.

The company is also betting that Auracast adoption accelerates. If it does, future Marshall products might work with Auracast speakers from other brands too. That would massively expand the Heddon's usefulness. If Auracast adoption stalls, Marshall's bet doesn't pay off as planned.

Setup and Installation Best Practices

Getting the Heddon right requires more than just following the manual. A few practical considerations optimize performance.

Wi-Fi placement is critical. Position the Heddon where it has good Wi-Fi signal but also reasonable Auracast range to your speakers. Ideally, this is somewhere central in your home—a living room shelf or media cabinet rather than stuffed into a closet or garage.

Minimize Wi-Fi interference. The 2.4GHz band is crowded with Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, cordless phones, and other devices. If possible, put your router and Heddon on 5GHz Wi-Fi, which has less congestion. This improves both the Heddon's streaming performance and reduces the likelihood of Auracast Bluetooth interference.

For speaker placement, position them where you'll actually listen. This sounds obvious, but people often put speakers in decorative spots rather than practical locations. A speaker on a high shelf in the corner might look nice but delivers poor sound.

Test the system with one speaker first before adding more. Get comfortable with the app controls and the speaker connection process. Then gradually add additional speakers and create zones.

Label your zones clearly in the app. "Living Room" and "Bedroom" are clearer than "Speaker 1" and "Speaker 2." You'll thank yourself later.

Maintenance and Long-Term Reliability

Once you have the Heddon set up, maintenance is minimal. It's a solid-state device with no moving parts. Keep it well-ventilated and away from heat sources and water.

Firmware updates are important. Marshall releases updates to improve stability and add features. When the Marshall app notifies you of an update, install it during a time when you don't plan to use the system. Most updates complete in a few minutes.

Long-term reliability projections are tricky because the Heddon is relatively new. Marshall speakers have a reputation for durability—they're built like amps, with solid construction. The Heddon should follow that pattern. Expect a minimum of five years of trouble-free operation, likely much longer.

Support and spare parts availability are where questions arise. Will Marshall support the Heddon five years from now? Will firmware updates continue? The company's track record with other products suggests yes, but nothing is guaranteed.

If the Heddon fails out of warranty, repair costs are unclear. Hoping you won't need to find out. Warranty coverage is typically one year from purchase, with optional extended warranty available from some retailers.

The Multi-Room Audio Landscape in 2025

Multi-room audio has evolved dramatically over the past decade. What was a luxury feature is becoming standard as more people want music throughout their homes.

Sonos remains the category leader in terms of market share and brand recognition. They've got the most extensive speaker lineup and the most mature software platform. They also have the highest prices.

Amazon Music and Google Home have pushed into this space with cheaper alternatives, though quality varies. Smart speakers are everywhere, and they can participate in multi-room audio schemes, but they're not purpose-built audio devices.

Apple hasn't entered the multi-room space directly. Air Play multi-room audio works but requires compatible speakers or receivers, and Apple's focus is on their Home Pods, which are more speaker than hub.

Marshall entering this market meaningfully is still relatively recent. Their Heddon represents a legitimate third option for people who don't want Sonos prices and already have Marshall hardware.

The long-term trend is consolidation. You'll probably see more companies emphasizing ecosystem lock-in while also supporting broader standards. Auracast could be important to this evolution.

Alternative Solutions Worth Exploring

Before you commit to the Heddon, consider whether other approaches might serve you better.

If you want the absolute simplest multi-room solution, smart speakers like Echo or Google Home devices can play synchronized audio without any hub. They're cheap, easy to set up, and integrate with Alexa or Google services. Sound quality is mediocre, but for background music, it's fine.

If you already have Air Play-compatible receivers or speakers, you can use Air Play multi-room audio directly from Apple devices. No hub needed. This is free but limited to Apple devices.

If you have a network-enabled receiver, you can use that as your hub. Many modern Denon, Onkyo, and Yamaha receivers support Air Play, Spotify Connect, and other streaming protocols. You'd group them through their respective apps.

If you want maximum flexibility and don't care about wireless convenience, a dedicated audio interface connected via RCA cables to various speakers works. Old school but reliable.

Making Your Decision

The Marshall Heddon is a legitimate product that solves a real problem for a specific audience. It's not for everyone, but it might be perfect for you.

The key question is simple: do you own multiple Marshall speakers and want to sync them? If yes, the Heddon is worth serious consideration. If no, it has limited value.

Secondary factors matter too. How much do you value wireless convenience versus the cost? Are you comfortable with Marshall's relatively new approach to multi-room audio, or would you prefer the maturity of Sonos? Do you plan to add more Marshall speakers in the future?

Price is a legitimate concern. $300 is real money. But compare it to what you'd spend replacing your current speakers with a full Sonos system. The Heddon looks pretty reasonable in that context.

The Auracast bet is interesting but not make-or-break. Even if Auracast doesn't become ubiquitous, the Heddon has value as a Marshall ecosystem device. Marshall isn't abandoning the technology if adoption is slower than hoped.

Most importantly, buy from a retailer with a good return policy. That way, if the Heddon doesn't work for your specific setup or needs, you're not stuck with it. Fifteen to thirty days of trial period gives you time to evaluate whether it actually improves your daily audio experience.

FAQ

What exactly is the Marshall Heddon hub?

The Marshall Heddon is a $300 streaming hub that connects to your home Wi-Fi and broadcasts audio to compatible Marshall speakers using Auracast Bluetooth technology. It acts as the central control point for multi-room audio, allowing you to synchronize playback across multiple rooms and manage them through a single app.

Which Marshall speakers are compatible with the Heddon?

The Heddon currently works with the Marshall Acton III, Stanmore III, and Woburn III speakers. These models have Auracast receivers built in. Older Marshall speaker models may not be compatible, though you can potentially connect them via RCA cables using the hub's analog inputs.

How do I set up the Marshall Heddon?

Setup involves connecting the Heddon to power, connecting it to your Wi-Fi network through the Marshall app, then pairing your compatible Marshall speakers with the hub via Auracast Bluetooth. The process typically takes 15-20 minutes, with most of that time spent on the initial Wi-Fi connection and speaker pairing steps.

What streaming services work with the Heddon?

The Heddon natively supports Spotify Connect and Tidal. It also works with any service that supports Google Cast (You Tube Music, Pandora, etc.) or Air Play (Apple Music, etc.). You can also connect analog sources like turntables through the RCA inputs.

How much does the Marshall Heddon cost?

The Marshall Heddon retails for

How is the Heddon different from Sonos solutions?

The main difference is that the Heddon is designed specifically for Marshall speakers with Auracast Bluetooth, eliminating the need for wired RCA connections. The Sonos Port costs slightly more ($399) and requires physical cables to connect to speakers. However, Sonos has a more mature ecosystem with more speaker options and integration options available.

Does the Heddon require Wi-Fi?

Yes, the Heddon must connect to your home Wi-Fi network to access streaming services like Spotify and Tidal. However, once connected to the hub, your Marshall speakers communicate via Auracast Bluetooth, so they don't need direct Wi-Fi access themselves.

What is Auracast Bluetooth?

Auracast is a Bluetooth LE Audio technology that allows one device (the Heddon) to broadcast audio to multiple receivers (your speakers) simultaneously. This enables wireless multi-room audio without the power consumption or complexity of Wi-Fi mesh networking.

Can I use the Heddon with non-Marshall speakers?

You can connect non-Marshall speakers through the RCA inputs on the back of the Heddon, but you'll need physical cables rather than wireless Auracast connectivity. This works but defeats some of the wireless convenience that makes the Heddon attractive.

How far can Auracast Bluetooth reach from the Heddon to speakers?

Marshall rates the Auracast range at approximately 30-40 feet in open space. Walls, interference, and other factors can reduce this range. In typical homes, this is adequate, but you should test your specific setup to ensure speakers remain in range.

What happens if the Heddon loses Wi-Fi connection?

If the Heddon loses its Wi-Fi connection, it can't stream from services like Spotify or Tidal. However, if you have analog audio sources connected via RCA, those would continue to work. The speaker connections via Auracast would remain intact as well.

Is the Marshall Heddon worth the price?

Whether the Heddon is worth $300 depends on your situation. If you own multiple Marshall speakers and want multi-room audio without replacing them, it's reasonably priced. If you're buying new speakers, the bundle discounts make it more attractive. If you only own one speaker, it has no value for you.

Key Takeaways

• The Marshall Heddon is a $300 streaming hub that enables multi-room audio for compatible Marshall speakers using Auracast Bluetooth technology
• Auracast Bluetooth LE Audio allows one hub to broadcast synchronized audio to multiple speakers simultaneously without Wi-Fi mesh networking
• Compatible with only three Marshall speaker models: Acton III, Stanmore III, and Woburn III, limiting ecosystem scope
• Bundle pricing provides 50% discount on Heddon when buying new Marshall speakers, or free inclusion when purchasing two or more speakers
• Sonos and WiiM offer more mature and flexible alternatives, but Heddon keeps existing Marshall speaker owners in the ecosystem without replacement

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