Marshall Marshall Monitor III A.N.C Wireless Over-Ear Review
The Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones look the part, but our testing shows their performance can't quite keep up with the competition at this price.
The 30-Second Version
The Marshall Monitor III ANC wireless over-ear headphones offer a rugged, stylish design and very long battery life, but their noise cancellation and sound quality are just average for the price. They're best for fans of the brand's look, but shoppers focused on performance can find better options from Sony or Bose.
Overview
If you're looking for over-ear wireless headphones with that classic Marshall rock-and-roll aesthetic, the Marshall Monitor III ANC is probably on your radar. Priced around $249, these rugged, foldable headphones pack active noise canceling, a transparency mode, and a claimed 70-hour battery life. They're designed for listening at home and on the go, with features like Dynamic Loudness that adjusts the EQ based on your environment and Soundstage spatial audio tech. They're squarely in the competitive mid-range market, going up against heavy hitters from Sony and Bose.
Performance
Looking at our data, the performance is solidly middle-of-the-pack. The sound quality lands in the 49th percentile, which means it's fine for most genres but won't blow you away with detail or balance. The ANC performance is in the 48th percentile—it'll take the edge off a coffee shop hum or a plane cabin, but don't expect the near-silence you get from class leaders. The battery life is also in the 48th percentile; while 70 hours sounds great on paper, real-world use with ANC on will be less, and it's about average for this category now.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Distinctive, rugged Marshall design with a foldable build 97th
- Very long claimed battery life (up to 70 hours) 89th
- Useful features like Dynamic Loudness and Transparency mode 81th
- Comfortable for extended wear for most users 81th
Cons
- Microphone quality is poor, making these a bad choice for calls
- Noise cancellation is just okay, not best-in-class
- Sound quality is average and may lack bass for some listeners
- Connectivity and general performance metrics are all around the 50th percentile mark
- The price is steep for the overall performance package
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Open/Closed | Open |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 32 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Impedance | 35 |
| Sensitivity | 117 |
| Codecs | AAC, LC3, SBC |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Range | 9.1 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 70 |
| Charge Time | 2.5 |
| Fast Charging | 15min=12hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS, Android |
Value & Pricing
At $249, the Monitor III ANC is asking a lot. You're paying a premium for the Marshall brand and its specific style. For the same money or less, you can get headphones from Sony, Bose, or Sennheiser that offer objectively better noise cancellation and sound quality. The value here is really for the person who prioritizes the look and feel of a Marshall product above all else.
vs Competition
This is a tough crowd. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra are in a different league for ANC and sound refinement, often for a similar price. The Beats Studio Pro offers a more bass-forward sound and better integration with Apple devices. Even the Apple AirPods Max, while more expensive, provides a more cohesive ecosystem experience. The Marshall's main advantage is its unique, durable design and that long battery spec. But if top-tier noise cancellation or crystal-clear call quality is your goal, you'll be disappointed compared to the competition.
| Spec | Marshall Marshall Monitor III A.N.C Wireless Over-Ear | Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 32 | 30 | 40 | 37 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 35 | 48 | 16 | — | 32 | 24 |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | 70 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 70 | 35 |
Common Questions
Q: Are the Marshall Monitor III ANC good for making calls?
No, they are not. Our data shows the microphone quality is a major weak point, scoring in the bottom percentile. You'll want a different headset if call clarity is important.
Q: How is the noise cancellation on the Marshall Monitor III?
It's decent but not class-leading. It will reduce constant background noise like airplane engines, but it won't block out chatter as effectively as a Sony WH-1000XM5.
Q: What kind of cable comes with the Marshall Monitor III ANC?
The included audio cable for wired use has a coiled section near the plug and a straight section, offering some flexibility depending on your setup.
Q: Is the Marshall Monitor III ANC good for bass-heavy music?
Feedback is mixed. While the Dynamic Loudness feature tries to adapt, some listeners find the bass response lacking compared to other headphones in this price range.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you take a lot of calls, need the absolute best noise cancellation for commuting, or are a true audiophile seeking nuanced sound. They're also not the best value for pure performance. In those cases, the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 are much better choices. The Marshall Monitor III ANC is really for the person who wants to wear a Marshall logo on their head, first and foremost.
Verdict
So, should you buy the Marshall Monitor III ANC? Only if you're a die-hard Marshall fan who loves the aesthetic and is okay with mid-tier performance. If you just want the best wireless noise-canceling headphones for your money, look at the Sony WH-1000XM5 or even the previous-gen XM4s, which you can often find on sale. The Marshall's are fine headphones, but 'fine' is a hard sell at $250 when the alternatives are genuinely great.