Looking at the world’s most iconic brands, it’s important to remember that they weren’t classics from day one. They started with a strong idea that solved a specific problem so well that the company behind it has become the benchmark against which all competitors measure themselves.
However, maintaining and expanding that position requires ingenuity and innovation. All the biggest brands know this. And Marshall is no exception. There’s hardly an amp brand that, like the one with the iconic name, evokes the feeling of cool, real live sound, great music experiences, and memorable encounters with the biggest music legends. But Marshall also brings the sound of the big stages into your living room.
Jim Marshall probably never imagined that his little drum shop in Hanwell in 1960 would change rock history. But the drummers brought their guitarists along – among them future legends like Pete Townshend and Ritchie Blackmore. They needed amps – and Marshall started building them in a shed nearby. He was probably the first to take rock musicians seriously and listen to their needs. He soon became known as the ‘Father of Loud’ among rock’s greatest. ‘Nothing can beat them. Nothing in the world,’ said Jimi Hendrix about the amplifiers in 1967.
Marshall is innovation rooted in tradition. The company has also conquered a strong position in the personal audio universe. Most recently with the Bromley 750 party speaker and the Heston soundbar series, which complement a selection of portable audio solutions such as headphones, not least the portable Bluetooth speaker series Kilburn, which has now reached its third generation with Kilburn III and has itself become a mini-icon in many homes.
The Bromley 750 closely resembles the iconic design of the amplifiers – and of course it has the familiar nameplate. The sound radiates out a full 360 degrees, making the Bromley 750 the natural centrepiece of any party. With special settings for both warm-up and after-party, it can be with you every step of the way – both when you want it to be loud and when you want to quiet things down again. All with crystal-clear sound and booming bass, of course – and a battery life of up to 40 hours, which pretty much guarantees that the party will end before the music does.
But it’s not all about partying. Good sound is also part of everyday life. At Marshall, they noticed that more and more people are using their television soundbars to play music. However, not all soundbars are equally good at this. And just as Jim Marshall developed his amplifiers for the new rock sound of the time, the company that bears his name has continued to develop the way we listen to music at home today.
The Heston series – with model numbers 60 and 120 – are soundbars designed for movies, TV series and music. The passion for sound shines through – and the original vision of high usability combined with flawless sound quality is realised in the Heston soundbars, regardless of whether you choose the smaller 60 or the 120. All the leading music apps are directly connected – and if you want to watch films instead, you can easily switch between TV and music settings. If you want even more impact, take a look at the Heston 200 – a subwoofer that can make the bass vibrate right down to your spine.
Today, just like 60 years ago, Marshall makes the hearts of music lovers all over the world beat a little faster. The only difference is that today you don’t have to go to venues and festivals to enjoy Marshall’s world of sound. And taking music lovers seriously is the most important part of Marshall’s mission. Whether it’s the performing musicians, those in front of the stage, or all of us who want to enjoy music at home in our living rooms or at parties, good sound wrapped up in cool design and tangible, yet high-tech solutions have been Marshall’s ultimate goal throughout the years. In 2010, Marshall entered the home market with headphones and speakers. Since then, several new classic Bluetooth speakers have been added – and this year, the innovative talents at Marshall have conjured up both the Bromley 750 party speaker and the Heston soundbar series.
Just like the first amplifiers from Jim Marshall’s shed in the suburbs of London helped to embed rock music in the hearts of an entire generation. From the world’s biggest stages and rehearsal rooms to the living room at home, Marshall continues to turn up the volume to challenge how we experience sound – honestly, boldly and iconically.
The Father of Loud would have been proud.