Marshall Monitor III ANC: Elevating Comfort and Sound Quality in Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Marshall stands out as one of the few brands that genuinely connects with the audio community. Renowned for its diverse range of consumer electronics, the company offers an array of products, such as Bluetooth speakers, earbuds, and over-ear headphones. Though relatively new to the industry, Marshall has already launched its third-generation products, including the newly released Marshall Monitor III ANC. These headphones are recognized as among the best in terms of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) features, with a price tag of Rs 29,999. With a premium design and several intriguing features, these headphones are poised to compete against established brands like Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser. But do they live up to the hype? Let’s explore this in our review.

Marshall Monitor III ANC Design and Features: Lightweight and Comfortable

• Dimensions — 206 x 145 x 74 mm
• Weight — 250 grams
• Water and dust resistance — NA
• Available Colors — Black

Marshall pays meticulous attention to the design of its products. Across its lineup, you can see nods to stage amplifiers and cabinet stacks, which stand out in the audio market. The brand successfully cultivates a unique identity, and the Monitor III ANC continues this tradition.

The headphones feature a premium, leather-like finish with a rubberized coating, reminiscent of an old amplifier. Each earcup bears a distinctive gold logo for added character. While the design may resemble that of the Monitor II, improvements have been made for enhanced comfort. The headband is lined with leatherette and includes a silicone band underneath to alleviate pressure on the top of the head while ensuring a secure fit. Weighing in at just 250 grams, these headphones are among the lightest available, providing comfort during extended use.

The earcups also feature soft and plush cushions. As soon as you put them on, you’ll notice two layers of foam: the first, a soft layer for a snug seal, and the second, a firmer layer that prevents contact with the internal components. This combination delivers an enjoyable and comfortable listening experience.

The headphones incorporate a folding design, allowing for easy and compact storage. Additionally, the carrying case is compact, making it convenient to transport. For connectivity, you have a joystick located on the right earcup, while the left earcup features a USB Type-C port and an LED indicator at the base. Notably, there are M and ANC buttons located at both earcup hinges.

Overall, the Marshall Monitor III ANC boasts solid build quality and utilizes high-quality fabrics, plastics, and metals that contribute to its premium appearance. However, a downside is the absence of a dedicated 3.5mm audio port, which would have appealed to audiophiles. Furthermore, the headphones lack an official IP rating, which seems unusual for their price range.

Marshall Monitor III ANC App and Specifications: User-Friendly Interface

• Driver Size — 32mm
• Companion Application — Marshall Bluetooth

The Marshall Monitor III ANC is accompanied by a companion app that allows for control over various functions. The Marshall Bluetooth app is available on both Android and iOS platforms, which is a positive. Its interface is straightforward and user-friendly. After connecting the headphones, you’ll see a battery indicator, ANC control, an equalizer, options to customize the ANC and M buttons, a soundstage feature, and additional functionalities.

The app enables you to adjust the level of ANC, as well as to activate Transparency mode or disable it. The equalizer feature allows for customization of the sound profile through a five-band equalizer. It also lets you set the M-button to perform various tasks, including Spotify Tap, change equalizer settings, toggle the soundstage feature, access a voice assistant, or remain inactive. You can also enable auto-play/pause, adjust audio prompts, set standby timeouts, and update firmware.

On the specifications side, the Marshall Monitor III ANC boasts some appealing features. The headset has a 32mm dynamic driver with active noise cancellation. It has an impedance of 35Ω and a frequency response ranging from 20 to 20,000 Hz. The driver sensitivity is rated at 117 dB, and the headphones support SBC and MPEG-2 AAC codecs, along with Bluetooth 5.3.

Marshall Monitor III ANC Performance and Battery Life: Excellent Bass and Reliable Battery

• Active Noise Cancellation — Yes
• Battery Life — Up to 70 hours (with ANC), 100 hours (without ANC)
• Charging Method — Wired (USB Type-C)
• Bluetooth Version — 5.3

Now, let’s delve into the headphone’s performance. Starting with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the Marshall Monitor III ANC delivers impressive results. The ANC effectively reduces ambient noise both indoors and outdoors, meaning you can walk down a busy street or relax in a café without being disturbed by background sounds. The Transparency Mode performs adequately; however, it lacks adaptive noise cancellation, which some competitors offer. Additionally, there is no auto-pause feature when engaging in conversation while using Transparency Mode, which would enhance its usability.

In terms of sound quality, the Marshall Monitor III ANC is undoubtedly among the top-performing over-ear headphones on the market. Despite the reduction of the driver size from 40mm to 32mm, the sound hasn’t been compromised. The audio profile remains consistent with that of the previous model, delivering a balanced sound.

These headphones also produce robust low-frequency sounds; you can truly appreciate the drumbeats in songs like «Hotel California.» The mids and highs are well-articulated, providing clear separation—meaning you can easily enjoy the vocals and other instruments in tracks like «Mama, I’m Coming Home» by Ozzy Osbourne. They are particularly suited for rock and metal enthusiasts while also accommodating genres like pop, R&B, or occasional techno tracks. Songs such as «Bad Guy» by Billie Eilish resonate well with an impressive low-end bass that doesn’t overwhelm the mids and highs.

The headphones also highlight a Soundstage feature, which represents Marshall’s version of spatial audio. This feature generally succeeds in providing a more expansive and airy listening experience, though it may not be the broadest in its category.

A standout attribute of the Marshall Monitor III ANC is its remarkable battery life. The manufacturer claims that the headphones can provide up to 70 hours of playback with ANC activated and up to 100 hours without it. During testing, I found this claim to hold true, as I enjoyed more than a week of listening on a single charge. I took them on a three-day trip without needing to recharge. Moreover, it takes about two and a half hours for a full recharge, which is quite reasonable. Additionally, a quick 12-minute charge can provide significant playtime.

Marshall Monitor III ANC Conclusion

In summary, the Marshall Monitor III ANC remains true to the brand’s legacy. The headset provides a premium feel, though it doesn’t significantly deviate from earlier models. The earcups feature improved cushioning for extended comfort during long flights. The active noise cancellation competes favorably with offerings from Sony and Bose, although adaptive ANC could have enhanced the experience. Nonetheless, the audio quality is impressive, making these headphones a joy for listening to music or watching films. Among its strongest attributes is the exceptional battery life, requiring infrequent charging. If you’re in search of dependable headphones that deliver quality sound, are travel-friendly, and feature premium aesthetics, these are definitely worth considering.