Marshall - Milton A.N.C. Wireless On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones with Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Microphone for Calls - Black

Marshall is an iconic audio brand. These are my first Marshall headphones. As a classic audio brand, I was expecting great sound out of these. And as expected, Marshall did deliver. These do sound great, and the sound can be customized to your liking by using the Marshall Bluetooth app. But they do have some minor flaws that I will cover in this review. This is my review of the Marshall - Milton A.N.C. Wireless On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones. *TLDR at the bottom ================= IN THE BOX/SET-UP: I didn’t realize how compact the Marshall Milton ANC headphones were until I saw the box. The box these come in is surprisingly tiny. But no complaints there, everything that is needed for headphones is included. In the box, you get a USB-C to USB-C cable, an AUX to USB-C cable, a soft Marshall-branded carrying pouch, and some documentation. Set up is straightforward. These work right out of the box. No app is required, but I highly recommend the app if you would like to fully customize the sound to your liking. Also, I haven’t seen this in any headphones I’ve used before, but I absolutely love the guitar start-up sound and shutdown sound when turning the headphones on/off. ================= DESIGN/COMFORT: In terms of design, the Marshall Milton ANC headphones are both lightweight and compact. There isn’t much flexibility with the earcups themselves (no swivel), but height is adjustable by simply pulling up or down on the earcups. Many headphones include numbered labels(or lines) showing how much you have adjusted the headphones, but these lack the labels. As a result, every time I go to put them away and then later go take them out, I must go through trial and error to find the perfect setting. These headphones keep the number of buttons to a minimum, which I like. There is an M button on the left ear cup and a joystick on the right ear cup. I will go into more detail about the M button later, but it is customizable. The joystick is used for all your media controls. It can play/pause, adjust volume, play the next track, go back a track, etc. I enjoy this joystick over having 3 different buttons that do these things. In terms of comfort, the headphones are comfortable until they hit about the one-hour mark. At around this time, my ears start to feel some discomfort. I do have a big head, so that may be a factor, but typically when this happens, I take these off for about 10 minutes and take a break. I don’t have this issue with some other headphones. I think it may be an issue with the way the ear cushions sit on my ears. Luckily, this only happens with the ears. The headstrap is comfortable, and I’ve never felt any discomfort there. ================= SOUND/MICROPHONE QUALITY: Audio is balanced out of the box. If you are someone who doesn’t delve into EQ settings and all that audio stuff that can be configured, you would probably be fine with the sound outside the box. It's all crisp and clear. Highs sound great, lows are perfect and not overwhelming. But if you are looking to fine-tune your sound, the Marshall Bluetooth app has plenty of customization options for you. I found that increasing the lows too much can be a little too overwhelming. At some point, the audio starts to become mushy. I mostly listened to music on these, and all music sounded great. From Rock, Latin, Pop. Hip-Hop, etc. I was also able to watch a film and some videos, and these headphones certainly provide an immersive experience. For example, the lows of the rumbling vehicles moving in Transformers sounded amazing. As for the ANC and Transparency modes, both modes are great. The Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling on these is not the best I’ve used, but it does a good job at blocking out a lot of the quieter sounds, like my PC fan’s noise and the AC unit. Other items, like keyboard clicks and mouse clicks, the ANC does not block out. In Transparency mode, the mics do an excellent job of picking up external sound, and they all sound clear. I was able to test out the mic in calls and in work meetings. The audio in calls and meetings was clear, and no one complained about my mic sound quality, which is, of course, always great! ================= FEATURES/OTHER NOTES: Below are some key features and notes about the Marshall Milton ANC Headphones: - The M button has limited customization options (some custom options are switching noise control modes, EQ modes, and activating the phone’s voice assistant) - The headphones can integrate with Apple My Find and Android Find Hub in case you misplace them and need to locate them - Firmware updates are downloaded and installed via the Marshall Bluetooth app - Soundstage mode simulates an environment where you are listening to live music in a room (room size is adjustable) o Changes are subtle but noticeable after carefully listening o Instruments and vocals are more distinguishable and feel more immersive when this mode is turned on - Battery life is amazing. I’ve used the headset for a couple of days now and have yet to charge the device(Marshall says the device can get 50+ hours of playtime) - One feature I wish these headphones had is the ability for audio to stop playing when it detects that the headphones were removed from your head - There isn’t a whole lot of marketing for this feature, but these do support Bluetooth Multipoint connection with up to two devices (although audio source switching could be tweaked to work better) ================= CONCLUSION/TLDR: Overall, the Marshall Milton ANC Headphones are great. They sound terrific and have plenty of audio customization options through the app. One of my favorite features is Soundstage Mode, which simulates a live music environment. Instrumentals and vocals are distinguishable in this mode and seriously feel more immersive. AANC (Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation) wasn’t the best I’ve used compared to other headphones, but it is sufficiently good. One item I felt that I wish could’ve been better is comfort. I did feel ear discomfort after about an hour of use, which may be due to how these “hug” your head. But if you are willing to try these out for the audio, I certainly recommend them. They do sound amazing, and you will not be disappointed.

The Marshall Milton ANC on ear headphones are feature packed and provide great ANC and sound processing options that really set this build apart. This review is based off of a week of use for both streaming and voice calling. TL:DR - These headphones are very obviously Marshall, with a sleek high quality appearance that still feels sturdy enough to last. The ear cups sit on the ear, allowing for immersive sound and quality ANC with very little sound leakage at moderate to loud volumes. The downside of this design is that the ear cup pads get warm and I'm not a huge fan due to the pressure on my ears after wearing them for an hour or more. The sound quality and app control options exceed expectations of the price point, and the included headphone adaptor yields high fidelity sound through my guitar amp. Pros: ANC is really really good The sound experience is on point, both with depth and clarity, with additional soundstage enhancements via the app settings App customization allows for ANC / pass through controls Lightweight Great battery life, fast charging Cons: The ear cups get warm after wearing for a while The on ear design isn't comfortable for long duration wear, about 2 hours is my max In the box are the headphones, short usb-c charging cable, usb-c to 3.5mm jack adaptor cord, and paperwork. Setup is straight forward, on Android it paired via bluetooth after power up. On Apple there was a popup recommending to install the companion app. Once installing the app you then have the ability to set ANC and or passthrough levels, customize the eq settings, customize the "m-button" which is a Marshall feature toggle, located on the right earcup, set soundstage parameters, turn on battery and power off time, as well as "find my device", which may be specific to Apple, I didn't install the app on my Android due to the easy capability within the Apple platform. A few features that really stand out include the adaptive loudness. I can set the volume and if I go into a louder environment the volume will automatically raise so you perceive it at the same level. I have a few headphones that attempt this, but these Milton's do a really good job of it feeling natural and not over driven or getting too loud. They also adjust rapidly, which helps it feel very natural. The soundstage option is another nice feature which controls the spatial audio via digital signal processing so it gives a bit more separation between vocal and instruments, to allow for a music hall style experience. If you have tried other Marshall products, you'll agree they have a very specific sound warmth that is also prominent with these headphones. Last thing to note, when taking calls I found that the ANC made me want to speak up, but the other person could hear me fine at quiet speaking levels, such as you would with someone sitting next to you in a quiet room. The headphones do pick up background noise if nearby, such as if I took a drink they could hear the ice on the cup, however for general environmental noise, the other person can hear you clearly. Bottom line is that these aren't for everyone, if you are prone to having ear discomfort with on ear headphones, these are no different and not something I'd recommend. On the flip side, I let my teenager try them, and he had no complaints on comfort or heat buildup, so your mileage may vary. If you are looking for the portability and light weight of on ear headphones, then these will absolutely impress you, the sound quality and immersive listening experience is one of the best I've had with on ear headphones, the adaptive volume and adjustable ANC are the best I've experienced with on ear, and the overall build and features can't be beat at this price point. I had to go with 4 stars for the comfort, the build and features are top notch, but I don't enjoy wearing them for long periods of time.

First of all, I like how these headphones look and feel. The look is distinctive. After using another model from Marshall from a few years back, this improved in about every aspect, while preserving its distinctive look and it's more sensibly priced than other brands. These headphones are 'above the ears' so they sit above your ears, not around them like in larger models, so they are smaller. They feel very comfortable, I can wear them most of the day. The padding on the earcups is very comfortable as well as on the band. Height adjustment is very straightforward without much friction and they stay in place. The pieces between the headband and earcups are metal, with solid folding hinges, it's built nicely and to last. There are two buttons: On the left there is the distinctive 'joystick' that's truly fantastic. I used many headphones, and this is among the best. It's intuitive and reliable. Moving the button up or down is volume, back and forward for tracks. Single press is play/pause. Long press for power, and for pairing, either double press or keep holding it while turning on for pairing. On the left earcup, there is a single button that's configurable and by default controls the ANC/Transparency. These headphones are perhaps the most intuitive of all the headphones I used. It has microphones to handle voice calls, assistant and to detect noise level. Nothing too special about it, works as it should. Can take calls with these headphones at home no problem. Didn't use it outside for calls though. The noise cancellation works, is has three pre-set levels and an adaptive mode that senses the amount of noise to auto-adjust. Because it's an on-ear design it doesn't isolate noise as much as models that completely cover the ears, but works for the most part, and it's very comfortable. At home or while working, when the noise levels are not too high, I prefer using the transparency mode instead, which keeps me aware of the environment while still sounding great. The audio quality is very good. I generally tweak the sound using the equalized, which is part of the Marshall app, however the pre-set 'Marshall sound' produces a rich sound, with excellent mids, with very clear voices, good highs and decent bass, so end up leaving it as-is. From podcasts to an eclectic selection of music, all sounded very good. When setting up the headphones, the phone recommends installing the Marshall app for Bluetooth, which I did. About everything on the headphones is customizable, from button functions, equalizer, noise cancellation levels, soundstage, manage paired devices, how it powers off, etc. For example, one can choose to leave the headphone on if music is not playing or no phone connected, like when traveling, or turn it off quickly to preserve battery. For wired connectivity, it has an USB-C port that's for charging, but also for USB audio, so could connect it directly to a phone, tablet or computer, and it provides microphone over USB-C as well. It also comes with a coiled cable for USB to audio jack, so it would work on a plane that provides audio jack, computer or tablet. It comes with a short USB-C cable and the long, coiled USB-C to audio. Bluetooth supports the latest BT 6.0 with Auracast (which I currently have no use for but it, but through the app, supports joining a 'Bluetooth Broadcast' like in a venue without having to stay connected to the phone, once set up), or share audio from some phones to multiple headsets. This is something that's planned for concerts, theaters or stadiums, mostly. For audio codecs, it supports the standard SBC that works on any phone, AAC that's mostly for Apple and some Android, and supports LDAC, which is an alternative to APT-X and it's intended for Hi-Res audio. Besides high end phones, some Sony turntables and receivers support it as well. This was a pleasant surprise. The headphone can connect to two devices at a time of a total of 8 connections, and the connections can be edited from within the app. While I personally use an iPhone, I also use a Pixel phone and connected both at the same time. When either device starts playing, it switches seamlessly. I was pleasantly surprised how well this works. A pleasant surprise is that it supports either Android or Apple's find my. When in pairing mode, Android will prompt to add it to its network, and on Apple, open the Find My app and it recognizes it. Lastly, it also supports a 'Soundstage' mode which can optionally adjust the audio to make it sound more like being in a stadium or similar stage where the audio sound more spread-out, with customizable settings. Battery is excellent, like expected on headphones, there is space for the battery and after using it for good part of a week since last charged it, it has many hours left. While the ANC could be better, it's good in most cases and the sound is excellent. I like how easy it is to control it with the button.

Marshall does disappoint when it comes to their products and these headphones are no exception. The Marshall Milton headphones are their newest addition and deliver exceptional sound, comfort, and portability in their signature retro style. *What’s included?* The headphones come packaged with a carry bag, USB-C to USB-C charging cable, and USB-C to audio jack extendable cable. *Construction Quality* The headphones are retractable, small, and lightweight with on-the-ear cushions. The headband is sturdy yet pliable, lined with light padding covered in soft plastic. The ear cushions are lined with the same plastic but are far more cushioned. There are two multi-purpose buttons, one which is customizable, and they are ergonomically placed so the thumbs can easily find them. I was initially wary of how the retractable portions to protrude significantly. When it comes to transportation, this made me nervous about possibly damaging them, but they appear to be made from a plastic-coated thick metal. They feel incredibly solid and robust, which brings me some peace of mind that I won’t knock them on something and chip them off. When it comes to comfort, it depends on the wearer and the length of usage. They are highly comfortable, especially when it comes to on-the-ear headphones. The problem arises when you wear glasses like I do. In this case, using them over an hour may cause tension aches because they press the ears to the glasses’ legs which press on your head. Still, these are by far the most comfortable on-the-ear headphones I have tried thus far and the longest I can last wearing some before the discomfort becomes evident. Additionally, they stay on the head and do not shift around when I move my head. *Sound* The sound profile is amazingly rich, smooth, crisp, and textured. The bass can get both deep and boomy or punchy depending on the music. Vocals come through with a bright unmuddied richness. They do seem slightly heavier on the bass which makes them initially sound a bit muddled, but with some eq tinkering, every genre comes through splendidly. *ANC and Transparency* The ANC is superb. External sounds have to be pretty loud to get through. Even when nothing is playing, sounds are very muted and faint. Transparency mode is also fantastic. It allows me to hear my environment almost as if I wasn’t wearing headphones and the sound that comes through is true-to-life, meaning that it doesn’t have that odd distortion that some headphones create. *Mic* Likewise, the mic is really good as it picks up sounds, even whispers, perfectly well and they sound true-to-life, making them perfect for taking phone calls. *App* These integrate with the Marshall app. The app works seamlessly, found the headphones immediately and is great for keeping their firmware updated along with customizing the sound according to preference. The Soundstage setting is phenomenal with Marshall. It adds that boost and oomph you get when experiencing live music and just adds a richness to the experience. *Battery Life* The battery life is stated to last at over 50 hours, which so far is quite accurate for me as I have used it for about 15hours and still have 74% left. So, at my rate I only need to charge it every once or twice a month. *Conclusion* Overall, these are great compact headphones. The fact that they stay unmoving on the head makes these great for workouts and anyone who is highly active. They provide comfort, unless you wear glasses, and have a long battery life. Most importantly, they deliver where it matters, in sound.

I have been a huge fan of Marshall speakers and headphones for a long time. When I first unboxed the Milton headphones, I was a bit skeptical because of their smaller size. Once I put them on, though, the ear cups were so plush and comfortable that I immediately thought, "Oh yeah, these are going to rock." Bluetooth setup was quick and easy, and syncing the headphones with the Marshall app took only a few moments. With everything connected, it was finally time to see what the Milton headphones were all about. The first song I played had a deep bass drop within the first ten seconds, and holy cow, immersive. It was the cleanest, deepest bass I have ever experienced from a pair of headphones. Not only that, but the mids and highs were perfectly balanced as well. No matter what volume level I used, the headphones handled everything I threw at them without clipping, distortion, or stuttering. I tested them with metal, rock, rap, classical, vocal, and pop music, and every genre sounded fantastic through the 32mm drivers. Songs I have listened to hundreds of times felt fresh and more detailed than I remembered. I am absolutely blown away by the audio quality. To get the most out of these headphones, I highly recommend downloading the Marshall app. It unlocks a ton of useful features, including three EQ presets, one tuned by Marshall and two customizable options. You can also choose from additional preset sound profiles or create your own custom EQ settings. The app includes control over ANC and Transparency Mode, customizable button functions, Spotify Tap setup, battery preservation settings, idle timers, Apple “Find My” support, Soundstage controls, and firmware updates. Speaking of Soundstage, I thought that feature was incredibly cool. It allows you to simulate different room sizes and adjust the amount of spatial effect applied to your music. The result is a more open and spacious listening experience that feels less like the sound is being pumped directly into your ears. I keep it enabled all the time. Beyond the outstanding audio and app features, the build quality deserves recognition as well. Like all Marshall products, the Milton headphones fit right in with the rest of the lineup. They are absolutely gorgeous. The leather-like finish, brass accents, and iconic Marshall styling make them look like a natural extension of the company's legendary amplifiers. The headband is wrapped in soft, cushioned material that remains comfortable during long listening sessions. The headphones adjust easily to fit different head sizes and fold down compactly enough to fit perfectly inside the included carrying bag. Even the bag looks premium. The button layout is simple and intuitive, with one button on each ear cup. You get a customizable "M" button and Marshall's signature brass control button for power, volume adjustments, and track skipping. The built-in microphones also performed very well during calls. Everyone I spoke with said I sounded clear and natural. It is a great convenience to be able to answer a call directly from the headphones without having to fumble for your phone or needing to take the headphones off. Included in the box is a USB-C charging cable and a USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable featuring an awesome old-school coiled design that perfectly matches the Marshall aesthetic. As for negatives, I honestly do not have any. I love everything about these headphones, from the incredible sound quality, premium build, useful features, and timeless Marshall style. If you are looking for a pair of wireless headphones that sound amazing, feel great, and look even better, the Marshall Milton A.N.C. headphones are an easy recommendation. They have completely elevated my music listening experience, and they might do the same for yours.