Customer Ratings & Reviews

The Marshall Monitor III packs quality, convenience, and aesthetic all into these ready-for-travel sound-rich headphones. Unboxing Opening up the package is an experience all its own. The box opens up to reveal a beautiful shell case, soft, textured, yet sturdy, and encased within, surrounded by a red, velvety fabric, are the headphones neatly folded. A magnetic pocket reveals the included cables, one for charging, the other a USB-C to audio jack converter. Construction The headphones themselves are extremely lightweight, made with high quality plastic and ultrasoft ear cushions. Despite their lack of weight and remarkable flexibility, they feel sturdy and rugged. The cushions feel like clouds, they are so soft that I forget I am wearing them, and they create such a good seal around the ear that they play a strong role in the noise-cancelling factor, as well as the spatial soundstage effect. They also work to keep the noise contained –when the headphones are on the ear those around me could not hear what I was listening to, but upon removing them, everyone could hear it quite loudly. One thing I will note about the cushions is that they cause me to sweat in the area that they sit when I wear them for extended periods on warm days. Buttons There are three buttons on the headphones, two of which Marshalls cleverly disguised to blend into the design. The main button is the gold control knob, which functions to turn them on/off, pause/play, answer calls, and more, plus moves directionally to control the volume and skip songs. It is strategically placed on the right back side where the thumb can easily find it. The other two buttons are also in the back, one is the ANC toggle and the other is the customizable M-button. Automatic Pause/Play The headphones come with a feature that allows them to sense when you remove them and when you put them back on. They will pause within a few seconds of them coming off and restart once they’re back on your head. I do wish the pause had less delay, it takes several seconds before the sound stops, but most headphones I have had don’t have this feature, so I am still grateful for it. Battery Life The battery life lives up to its promise of 70 hours. I have not come close to draining it yet and it would take me weeks at my current rate before my next charge. It also charges incredibly fast for that amount of longevity. Bluetooth The Bluetooth LE connects in a snap and features a 30-foot range that lives up to that promise and somewhat surpasses it. The low energy advanced Bluetooth technology is part of what helps the Monitor III have such a long battery life. The Sound The sound is absolutely phenomenal! I listen to a variety of genres and these headphones blew me away with each and every genre. It has been a while since I have had headphones with such richness and depth coupled with clarity and crispness. Each note comes through beautifully and undiluted presenting the original intended harmony. It is truly the euphonious experience that audiophiles look for. *ANC* The active noise cancellation mode does a great job at reducing ambient noise. The three levels actually do what is expected, with the lowest ANC level still allowing ambient sound at a reduced volume and the highest level almost completely removing it. Sometimes I wore the headphones without playing anything on them just to concentrate on my work with my kids around. I could still hear them faintly, which helped keep me from worrying what they were up to. When music is playing though, I could not hear any ambient sound with ANC on at 100%. *Transparency* The transparency mode, which also comes in three levels, is just as effective. It allows ambient sound in, and I can clearly hear everything going on around me. It works well with podcasts and streaming, but with music it is not always effective. It depends on the song as some just overshadow any ambient sound and I cannot hear my surroundings whatsoever. *Soundstage* I found the Soundstage feature delightful. It gives the option to choose a room size and a percentage. It accurately gives a spatial experience as if sound were bouncing off walls and creating an echo-like reverberation. It also adds depth to the sound and helps when with podcasts as it brings the voice out more clearly. Mic The microphone works perfectly well. I tested it during a phone call and recipient said they heard me loud and crystal clear. I also tried voice recording, and it was also good as long as I did not talk too low. When I spoke in a low volume the sound cut in and out. The Marshall App The app by Marshall is sweet and simple. It has everything necessary in an intuitive layout. The EQ has the option to have the second preset set to one of 5 options or a personally customized one. Besides that, there is the soundstage, noise control, and a few customizations one can choose, including battery conservation customization. Storing It Storing it back in the case neatly took me some practice, but I finally got it down. I was initially extra careful because I was afraid to bend them the wrong way, but they can really take the maneuvering without issue. The best thing to do is to take a photo of the way they came initially to avoid unnecessary fumbling (I had a picture and did not think to try this until days of struggling). I will advise to be wary around the joints as I have pinched my finger and skin on several occasions, both while storing and opening, and it is quite painful. Overall I am thoroughly impressed with Marshalls Monitor III. I can get lost immersed in my music for days with these. The construction, the quality, the features all serve to elevate the experience and besides the pinching and slow pause, I really have found nothing to detract for these headphones. I highly recommend it for the music lovers and audiophiles out there.

The Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones are the most comfortable, most sophisticated, most gorgeous - the absolute best headphones I have ever had the pleasure of having sit over my ears! To add to the luxury feel, they come in (what looks/feels like) a hard-leather velvet-lined zippered case. The headphones fold up to fit in the case. In addition to the carrying case, they come with a USB-C to 3.5 mm (removable) audio cord and a very short USB-C charging cable. Note that there is no 3.5 mm port on these headphones. However, the USB-C charging port can also be used as an audio input port. The wireless way to connect to your source is via bluetooth, and I have experienced no issues with the bluetooth connection at all. These Marshall headphones sit comfortably over, not on, my ears which allows me to wear them for several hours at a time without any discomfort to my ears which I usually get with other headphones. I don't know how much these weigh, but they feel extremely lightweight, which adds to the comfort no matter what I'm doing when I wear them. I wear these quite often when doing my household "chores" - and I set them to ANC (active noise cancelling) mode so I don't have to hear all of the noises and sounds of the household. No, I don't have kids :). I do the same when at the gym. When I wear these outside for my walks and such, I know I can switch to transparency mode to allow some of the outside sounds in. For me, this always feels safer when I am in the outside world - - I want to hear horns, etc. And I can make this change with just the tap of a button on the headphones. Using the ANC mode will use battery power more quickly than on transparency mode. Marshall states you can get 100 hours of listening on a charge when not using ANC, but 70 hours when using ANC. The controls on these are fairly simple to remember - there is a multidirectional control button to turn the headphones on and off, answer/end phone calls, adjust the volume, skip songs, etc. There is what they call the "M" button which is customizable from within their app. I have mine set to control Spotify - to open Spotify and then skip tracks. There are numerous other settings you can choose for that button. Speaking of the Marshall app, with this, you can adjust and set your own custom setting for the equalizer, adjust settings to extend the life of your battery as well as a few other settings to personalize your use of these headphones. These Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones fill my head, my chest, my entire body with pure, crystal clear sound. The bass is incredible and the treble is perfect with the mids filling in the spaces with glorious full sound. I love these and I would 100% recommend these to anyone looking for absolutely incredible headphones. These are my find of a lifetime!

As a musician and guitar player for decades, I have come to respect and appreciate the Marshall brand and what they have offered musicians to craft their sound. Dating all the way back to the early sixties, Marshall's impact on music history is undeniable, having played a pivotal role in shaping the sound and style of countless artists. From Woodstock, all the way to Lollapalooza, Ozzfest, and beyond, Marshall has been there and continues to inspire artists every step of the way. I have personally owned Marshall amplifiers and consumer products in the past and I still own several today, some of which you will see in my review images. In the past, I never considered that a brand like Marshall would dive into the consumer electronics market. With that being said, I am glad they did. Here are some reasons why. SOUND CHECK In a sea of consumer Bluetooth headphones, the Marshall Monitor III headphones are an excellent choice for anyone that loves the music of any genre. The voicing is very consistent when listening to all types of music. They aren't overly colored and bass heavy. These remind me of my studio monitor headphones and to me, that is a good thing. I personally want to hear music as the artists intended, not to rattle my head with overly embellished bass, or add unnecessary effects. When listening to the music I have personally recorded, it sounds how it is supposed to sound, and that is exactly what I am looking for in any type of speaker. For my personal taste, this makes these headphones the perfect choice for everyday listening. THE CLASSIC MARSHALL AESTHETIC The sound and aesthetic is legendary. When I see the Marshall logo and the gold and black colors, I instantly feel the nostalgia of my youth. During the electrifying era of the eighties, being a teenager immersed in the world of music and attending live concerts was an unforgettable experience. Watching bands like AC/DC, Metallica, Van Halen, and Slayer in their heyday (all who used Marshall amplifiers and cabinets) is a big reason why I can easily describe Marshall, their look, and their sound, as legendary. The new Marshall consumer electronics line of headphones and Bluetooth speakers capture the very same legendary aesthetic. They not only look the part, but they also deliver the same Marshall attitude I have come to love and respect over the years. While a pair of headphones, or a Bluetooth speaker simply cannot capture the ear blistering levels of a cranked tube amplifier, they can definitely capture the essence of them through their countless recordings and bring those iconic sounds and mixes into your ears at a reasonable level. BUILD QUALITY Utilizing premium materials throughout, every aspect of these headphones feels and looks premium. From the textured ear cups adorning the classic gold Marshall logo, to the buttons, the top crown, and the extremely plush ear pads, these headphones ooze quality. The hinges feel solid and like they can easily handle years of use. EXTRAS Marshall generously includes an equally well made clam-shell case for travel. The outside of the case showcases the very same texture that is used on the ear cups and even has the gold logo imprinted on it as well. The zipper is sturdy and the red plush interior is soft and just the right size to house the folded headphones with no wiggle room. There is also a small pocket for the USB-C charging cable inside. The USB-C cable even has the classic Marshall “M” stamped on each side, letting users know that they truly didn’t cut any corners with the presentation. NOTABLE MENTIONS Marshall claims 70 hours of playtime while using ANC, which is really impressive. I don’t think there will ever be a time that I actually need that long in-between charges, but it is nice to know that if you leave the house without a charger, you should be set for a few very long days of listening at minimum. The ANC works really well when in noisy environments. I have worn these while shopping for groceries and running errands and the outside chatter is filtered out effectively. If you prefer turning off the ANC feature, it is very easy to do by pressing the ANC button. As a bonus, this button can be customized in the app to cycle through the three available ANC setting levels. There is also an EQ section in the app with various presets and a custom preset function, letting you pump up that bass if that’s your thing. The “M” button on the other side can be customized to perform various actions in the app as well. I have attached screenshots of the app with my review showing these features in more detail. :: PROS :: The sound quality is on par with my high end corded studio monitor headphones. The visual look and feel of these rival any other Bluetooth headphones I have ever owned. Classic Marshall design philosophy. Very comfortable ear pads. No crown fatigue after long use. Extremely long battery life. Premium hard clam-shell travel case included. :: CONS :: Most companies realize consumers will likely have a USB-C wall charger block, but I still would have preferred a Marshall branded charger to round out the whole package experience. IN CONCLUSION There are many companies making Bluetooth headphones these days so the options are plentiful. When choosing headphones that I personally want to use and take with me everywhere, I demand several things. Most importantly, I want them to sound great. I also want them to be stylish and comfortable. The Marshall Monitor III’s tick all of the boxes and are the entire package for me. They sound excellent, they are reliable, they are very comfortable, and they look really cool too. I highly recommend visiting your local Best Buy to see them and try them in-person if you get the chance. Thank you Marshall!

Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Headphones: Premium Sound, Worth Every Penny -Introduction- Alright, I’ll admit it—I’m a bit of a headphone junkie, so I couldn’t resist trying out the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. headphones. With Marshall’s legacy of killer sound and cool vintage looks, I had high expectations. After a solid week of testing these out, I’ve got to say: these headphones totally deliver. Here’s my full breakdown. --Design & Comfort-- First off, the design! These look every bit like a premium Marshall product with that classic black-on-black finish and gold accents. The build quality feels sturdy, and the materials feel high-end. But the real win here is the comfort—these things feel like pillows on my ears! The ear pads are super plush, creating a tight seal that keeps the sound in and the noise out. Even after hours of wear, I didn’t feel any discomfort or fatigue, which is saying something because I can be pretty picky about headphone comfort. The headband has just the right amount of flexibility and tension, so they don’t slide around even when I’m moving a lot—like, say, when I’m doing a workout or running around the house. --Controls & Pairing-- Marshall nailed the controls. There’s a cool little golden joystick button (and yeah, it looks exactly as it sounds) that makes pairing super easy. Just press it to turn on, and hold to pair. Simple, and it actually feels great in the hand, unlike those mushy buttons some other brands have. I had no issues quickly jumping between my phone, laptop, and iPad—it’s as smooth as advertised. There are three customizable buttons, and I nearly missed two of them since they’re cleverly hidden in the hinges. Once I found them in the Marshall app, I could set up features like transparency mode, which made these headphones feel even more adaptable. --Noise Cancellation-- Okay, so let’s talk noise-canceling. It’s legit! It’s close to what I get with my Sony XM5s, which says a lot. It creates a solid bubble of silence around you, perfect for noisy coffee shops or airplane hum. Honestly, I don’t use noise-canceling a ton, but it’s awesome to have on those days when I’m looking for total focus or just want to drown out distractions. --Sound Quality-- If there’s one thing you can expect from Marshall, it’s fantastic audio quality. These headphones are no exception. Crisp highs, solid bass, and a balanced midrange make these great for everything from bass-heavy tunes to softer acoustic stuff. They’re right on par with the Sony XM5s in terms of sound, which is impressive. I noticed a bit of latency when I connected them to my gaming setup, though, so if you’re gaming, the included 3.5mm audio cable is probably the way to go. The microphone quality is also solid. My wife said she could barely tell the difference between these and my XM5s when we were on a call, which is a win for me. --Battery Life-- Battery life is another area where these excel. With my volume set at around 70%, I got through a full week (8+ hours a day) before needing to charge. And that’s with noise-canceling on most of the time! For most people, these would easily last a full day of heavy use, if not more. Marshall definitely did well here—no battery anxiety with these guys! --Final Thoughts-- So, any cons? Well, after a week of pretty heavy use, I honestly haven’t found any. I know they’re not cheap, but if you’re looking for premium wireless over-ear headphones with great sound, comfort, and quality noise-canceling, the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. headphones are totally worth it.

Headphones are a very subjective device. Everyone has different preferences for comfort, sound quality, performance, and then the simple matter is no two people have the same head shape, ear shape, and perceive things differently as well. However, I feel like the Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones are genuinely some of the best I’ve ever used. I was shocked at how compact they were when first opening the small hard case they came in, then followed that feeling with awe about how lightweight they are, and how comfortable they feel. I have worn them for many several hours long listening sessions now and each time I have felt zero fatigue or discomfort afterward even with my large head. They advertise an astonishing 70-100 hour battery life on a full charge, and that is absolutely true. I have yet to charge them once since pulling them out of the box the first time, and they started with 75% and still have 65% left after about 9 total hours of listening. Then, to top all of that off, they also produce a rich, full sound that makes you feel like you are at a concert. They are not the strongest with bass but still have enough to complete the soundstage, but everything is clear and precise and for much of the music I have listened to I feel like they add a complexity to the songs that make them sound better than ever. They do have built in microphones for phone calls which I am told sound clean and clear, and the A.N.C. is extremely good blocking out the vast majority of outside noise. Even the physical controls are well placed and intuitive, with one button just behind each ear cup, and a multi-toggle switch on the right side that is easy to use and understand. You press the toggle to play/pause, or answer a call, and push the toggle up or down for volume and forward or back to skip tracks. Then the button on the right can be customized for various shortcuts such as access to your virtual assistant on your phone, launching Spotify, or changing EQ settings on the fly. The button on the left toggles between the A.N.C. and transparency mode. They then have a single USB-C port on the bottom right for charging. They look and feel premium with a unique leather-like covering and gold Marshall badges on both sides resembling the classic designs on their guitar amps, and even the hard case is lined with a dark red felt reminiscent of a guitar case. The on/off and Bluetooth connection sound effects also have a guitar theme to them, completing the design language that pulls from Marshall’s rich heritage. I love how comfortable, easy to use, and light they are, and they sound amazing to my ears and the battery lasts an incredibly long time between charges. They are fantastic and I look forward to listening to as much music as I possibly can now that I have them around.

Everyone knows the Marshalls brand and what it means in the audio world. I'm a big fan ANC headphones and earbuds and must have that feature on everything I buy. I have also been through so many brands looking for the best fit and functions of headphones and earbuds because each style has their purpose. So for me there is big 3 criteria, fit, sound and anc. Fit is relative because everyone is different and so is sound in some sense. Anc is anc, does it block out the ambient sounds from the outside. The Marshalls does all 3 very very good for me . The fit is fantastic, the cushions on the earcups are soft and comfortable. The headband has a good tension so that earcups are snug to get a good seal but not tight to make it uncomfortable over long durations. The sound is a 10/10 that's all I can say. I listen to edm and hip hop at the gym, to jazz and watching movies. Everything sounded amazing at any volume. The one gripe though was phone calls. Conversations was great, but people on the other line said they could hear everything in the background. Noise cancellations was on par with the best out there but the transparency mode could have been better, but it did do the job. One of the things I really love about these headphones though is the look. Obviously you got the big Marshalls logo on the side, the earcups has this textured look which is very different imo. Most headphones has a smooth finish. There is a visible cable that goes into the earcups and it gives me a feeling a high end professional audio equipment. There is 3 buttons which if you didn't read the instructions, you wouldn't know they were buttons. This gives the headphones a very clean look imo. I really like it. 1 button joggles through the anc and hear through mode and here is my other gripe. I would like an distinct audio word or tone to let me know which mode I'm in. 2nd button is programable to different function like Spotify, eq and soundstage. I set mine to go to voice assistance. In the app, you can change the eq and it has presets or custom. Speaking of the app, I like how straight forward with options that are very functional. The ability to set the charging rate is the 1st I've ever seen on any headphones or earbuds. You can quick charge or slow charge to save the life of the battery. So darn cool. I'm going to say this flat out. These have been one of the best if not the best headphones I've ever used or owned. It is worth every penny and I don't think anyone would regret spending their hard earned dollars on these headphones.

I got a pair of Monitor II ANC headphones a few years ago and was impressed with the quality, comfort, and masterful sound reproduction. I recently changed the cushions as they were flaking and now the left side adjustment tab is not holding position. Thankfully, Marshall released the Monitor III updated model that enhances all the features and added a few more, so I quickly snapped it up. These headphones never cease to amaze; and the Monitor III with Active Noise Cancelling are no different. For starters, rather than the denim pouch that came with my previous pair, these come in a black leather-look hardshell with Marshall emblazoned in that signature gold lettering. Inside, the headphones are treated to a soft red velvet lining, similar to those found in instrument cases. Comparing these to the previous model, I notice they look almost identical, with the only difference being thicker cushions. The Marshall app found them right away, though I was hoping for some spoken feedback to identify the features rather than the usual little tune. The app is invaluable for manipulating settings and programming the M button, and there are many settings! In addition to EQ settings and m-button, you get to adjust the level of spatial sound in Soundstage. It can be set to feel like you're in a small room with sound dampened walls, to a large room with cavernous reverberation. The level of noise cancelling can be set, though it doesn't completely isolate you like the previous version. You can also adjust the level of transparency of the open ear pass thru. There's now a battery preservation feature with 3 levels of safety; maximum charge to 90%, charging speed limits how fast it charges, and temperature adjusts charging if it senses the battery getting hot. The new grip strap on the arch is comfortable and keeps them from sliding off. The sound is just really great, which is what I've become accustomed to with Marshall products. The battery truly could last over 70 hours, as I've used it for 6 hours so far and the battery went from 82% to 75% at above normal sound levels. Why mess with a good design? The Monitor III may look like the II, but they are newer and better and worth the upgrade. If these are an audiophile's go-to brand, they should be yours too.

I had the original monitors several years back, so I was excited to try the Monitor 3's coming from the venerable Sony XM5. I'm not a huge Audiophile, but for me the sound quality on the Marshall's are just as good as my XM5's were. I love the quality feel of the hinges and the studio look, though I wished they folded up like the originals did. The ANC is not as good as the Sony's, but its still manages to block out a good amount of noise and the microphones are good when on phone calls. The ear cups feel a little smaller than they did on my original, but the materials feel great, the cushions very comfy, more so than my XM5's. The carrying case is definitely an improvement over the original's bag and better quality than the case that came with my XM5's. That case was a bit big to pack away and the zipper broke on mine less than a year in. I don't miss the haptic touch on my XM5 as it was a little annoying to use, particularly in winter and welcome the use of physical buttons again. I've had these just over a month and I'm only having to charge them now, so battery life was a huge surprise to me. The app and the dual connection can use improving however, a little basic but it works. The Sony app and dual connection was better in this regard. Overall very happy with having Marshall's again. I'll be holding onto these for awhile unless the Monitor IV or XM6's take that much of a step forward, but I don't see that happening.

Marathon battery life, vintage design, excellent sound quality. The only downside is that the headphone cups trap heat and sweat.

----- SUMMARY ----- Verdict: The Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones deliver a winning combination of iconic style, exceptional comfort, and impressive audio performance. While the bold design may not appeal to everyone, the intuitive controls, long-lasting battery life, and effective noise cancellation make these headphones a fantastic choice for music lovers and frequent travelers alike. The rich, detailed sound quality truly shines across all genres, making the Monitor IIIs a worthy investment for those seeking a premium listening experience. Pros: - Sleek black leatherette, iconic logo, and subtle gold accents - Intuitive physical control knob - Comfortable earcups and headband - Surprisingly lightweight - Compact and portable - Adaptive Loudness feature - Soundstage feature - Clean and simple app interface - Rich, detailed sound with powerful bass response - Excellent noise cancellation - Transparency mode - Impressive 70-hour battery life with ANC enabled Cons: - Bold look might not be for everyone - Soundstage feature is not as immersive as some other spatial audio implementations ----- DETAILS ----- Design & Comfort: The Monitor III ANC headphones immediately capture your attention with Marshall's classic aesthetic: sleek black leatherette, the iconic cursive logo, and subtle gold accents. I love how Marshall has incorporated elements of their iconic amplifier design into these headphones. It's definitely a statement piece. One of my friends loved the vintage vibe, while another thought they looked a bit too 'rockstar' for her everyday style. It's definitely a bold look that might not be for everyone, but I appreciate its unique character. What I think is undeniable is the practicality of the design and the outstanding comfort. The physical control knob is a joy to use. Much like a joystick, it moves up, down, left, and right to adjust volume and skip songs, and you can press it to pause or hang up calls. It's incredibly intuitive. Other physical buttons, like the customizable "M" button (which I primarily use for Spotify Tap or activating my voice assistant, but it can also control Equalizer and Soundstage), and the ANC button, are cleverly integrated into the design. They’re subtle yet easy to find and use. Speaking of comfort, these headphones practically disappear on my head, a remarkable feat for over-ear headphones. The earcups are incredibly plush, almost like memory foam, and the headband has just the right amount of padding. They're also surprisingly lightweight. All these factors combine to deliver outstanding comfort, even during long listening sessions. The Monitor IIIs twist and fold neatly into a compact form, making them surprisingly portable for over-ear headphones. They come with a sturdy hard case that's perfect for travel. The case itself is a thing of beauty, with a matching black leatherette exterior and a luxurious red velvet lining that evokes the inside of a classic guitar case. Features & App: The Monitor III ANC headphones offer some cool features that enhance the listening experience. One is Adaptive Loudness, which automatically adjusts the volume based on the surrounding noise. I found this especially useful when transitioning from a noisy street to a quiet cafe. The music volume subtly lowered as I stepped inside, ensuring it never became too loud. Another interesting feature is Soundstage, Marshall's version of spatial audio. While not as immersive as some other spatial audio implementations, it adds a subtle sense of spaciousness to the music, which I find enjoyable for certain tracks, especially orchestral pieces. The "Marshall Bluetooth" app is essential for getting the most out of these headphones. Within the app, you can customize the "M" button, adjust the EQ, and manage other settings. I easily customized the EQ to my preferences and found the controls intuitive. The app also provides firmware updates and allows you to fine-tune settings like auto-play/pause and audio prompts. I appreciate the clean and simple app interface, which makes it quick and easy to make adjustments. Sound Quality & ANC: I've been consistently impressed by the design and features of the Monitor III headphones, and the sound quality certainly lives up to the same high standard. These headphones deliver a rich, detailed sound with a powerful bass response that I really enjoy. While Marshall might be known for their rock 'n' roll heritage, I've found that every genre sounds fantastic on these headphones. I was particularly impressed by how clearly I could hear the subtle nuances of the acoustic guitar and tambourine in Wonderwall from Oasis. Compared to my old headphones, which sounded muffled and lacked clarity, listening to my favorite music on the Monitor IIIs is a completely new experience. Noise cancellation is also excellent. In a bustling coffee shop, the ANC effectively minimized the distracting chatter and allowed me to focus on my work. When walking down the street, the lower-frequency noises like distant traffic seemed to vanish. Louder sounds, like car horns, were still audible but significantly muted. I haven't had a chance to test the Monitor IIIs on a flight yet, but based on my experience so far, I'm confident they'll handle the drone of a jet engine with ease. On the other hand, when I want to be more aware of my surroundings, the transparency mode does a great job of letting outside noise in. This is handy when crossing the street or chatting with someone while still wearing the headphones. While it doesn't amplify sounds, it creates a natural listening experience, almost as if I'm not wearing headphones at all. Battery Life: The battery life on the Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones is definitely a highlight. I consistently get around 70 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, and nearly 100 hours when it's turned off. This easily surpasses many other popular ANC headphones on the market, some of which only offer half the listening time. In the past, I've had headphones that needed frequent charging, which was always a hassle. But with the Monitor IIIs, I rarely find myself reaching for the charger. Marshall emphasizes the impressive 70-hour battery life right on the box, and it's clear they're proud of this feature. It's a major convenience that I've really come to appreciate. ----- WHAT’S IN THE BOX ----- 1 x Monitor III ANC Wireless Headphones 1 x Carrying Case 1 x USB-C to 3.5mm Removable Audio Cord 1 x USB-C Charging Cable 1 x Quick Start Guide 1 x Legal and Safety Information

The Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. headphones are a premium choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike, blending iconic Marshall design with high-performance sound and long-lasting battery life. The textured black finish and brass accents pay homage to the brand’s classic look, while the updated carrying case makes these headphones easy to transport safely. In terms of sound, the Monitor III delivers an immersive 3-dimensional soundscape with balanced mids, crisp highs, and deep bass. While the driver size is slightly smaller than in previous generations, this allows for dual batteries in each earcup, giving these headphones a truly impressive 70+ hours of battery life a feature that sets them apart from most other headphones in this category. A standout feature is the seamless integration with the Marshall app, which allows you to customize the sound profile to your preference. The app provides an equalizer with various presets and manual options, so you can adjust the sound signature to suit different genres or your personal taste. This flexibility adds to the overall value of the Monitor III, as you can easily switch between customized sound profiles. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is effective for daily use, canceling out background noise like office chatter or traffic. However, it falls slightly short of the powerful ANC seen in other flagship headphones within this price range, and may struggle with very low, persistent sounds, like airplane engines. Connectivity is robust with Bluetooth 5.3, offering a stable and smooth connection with minimal latency for uninterrupted listening. One downside, however, is the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, which may disappoint users who prefer the simplicity of a traditional wired option. While Marshall includes a USB-C to 3.5mm cable, it requires the headphones to be powered on, which is a slight inconvenience for those wanting a quick wired connection when battery levels are low. On-ear controls include a convenient multi-directional knob for adjusting volume, skipping tracks, and managing calls, and the built-in microphones provide clear call quality. Overall, the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. headphones are a fantastic choice for listeners who value customization, iconic design, and an exceptional battery life. Despite the minor limitations in ANC strength and the lack of a 3.5mm jack, these headphones deliver superb sound, flexible audio customization through the Marshall app, and outstanding playtime, making them a standout in the over-ear wireless category.

Stylish, powerful, and built to last. The sound is rich with great bass, and the vintage design is a standout. Perfect for music lovers who want both looks and quality. Very expensive.

Marshall’s latest update to the Monitor headset is a great refinement on a great series. While the previous series boasted great battery life, great sound quality, in a portable and quality design, Marshall has appeared to improve on each of those points incrementally. First of all, I didn’t have the Monitor II, but I did have the original monitor. A couple things stand out between the two that need to be addressed. First of all, you’re giving up the 3.5mm phono jack and out of the box wired connectivity. However, if you check the specs (and the bottom of the box), you do get wired connectivity via the USB-C port’s capability to do analog audio over the cable. That cable is hiding in the bottom of the box and is a nice inclusion. However most of the time you’ll want to use the wireless. The included case is quite nice, with a soft red interior and a pouch to keep the cables. It’s about as small as it possibly could be. The fact that you can fit a pair of over the ear headphones into a case this small is insane. My only critique of it would be that it’s oddly shaped due to how the headphones fold in. Physical design of these cans is quite nice. The padding is quite comfortable in the ear pads, and the head clamping force was even and not overwhelming. I felt good wearing these hours on end. The hinges are made from metal and feel solid. The headband has a TPU liner that I know exactly what it’s for. My original Monitor recently started having their bonded leatherlike material start to flake away. This is oils and other things absorbing into the headband material and causing it to delaminate. This flexible rubber like band keeps that material safe and hopefully from flaking off 5 years into its life. The earcups are a classic Marshall design, and feel quite durable. The brass Marshall logo is iconic and looks really nice. The right earcup has the brass control button, which can be depressed to turn on the headset, pressed quickly for play/pause, and control track with left/right and volume with up/down. There are two other hidden buttons where the headband connects to the housing of the earcups. These buttons are customizable in the app, and are pretty nifty places to hide buttons. An aside on the bluetooth is 5.3. You get great optimizations on power consumption, range, and stability of connection. In my usage, Marshall’s implementation in this case seems on point. Battery life promises up to 70 hours, but realistically if you’re using this during your work day, you should get a week between charges. Range was excellent as well, able to cover my entire house easily without experiencing any drops. The Marshall app does a great job. I have had funky apps for headphones in the past, but the execution from Marshall is flawless. There’s a lot in here that lets you adjust the sound to your personal tastes. The first major setting is the noise control which lets you turn on active noise cancelation (ANC), or enable transparency mode. You get a 3 setting slider to adjust either effects power as well. ANC did a good, but not great job of blocking out outside noise. WIth over the ear headphones you have limits based on the pads. That said, they do a great job with normal noise blockage. Transparency mode is quite nice, and let me easily switch into listening to my TV then swap back to music with ANC. If I’m cleaning the house, it’s nice to be able to hear the kids, which transparency mode enables. Further in the app is the equalizer, which provides 5 bands of adjustments. There are preset ones, and the first ‘slot’ (which can be swapped using the button if you so choose) is always ‘Marshall’ sound. I setup a custom equalizer with a power V curve and it definitely let these shine. The implementation didn’t cause any clipping or any negative audio effects. Beyond that, the app also exposes other features, like button customizations, Spotify Tap (auto launch spotify and play, but I don’t have spotify, so I can’t comment on this). Enabling auto play (taking the headphones off your head stops the music, and putting them on causes music to play), battery preservation settings (charging speed, limiting how much charge, and temperature aware charging), and timeout. The other big setting to talk about is soundstage, which simulates a wider soundstage with room size and effect amount. Overall I found this setting makes very little difference, but it does have a subtle effect. Now, of course, sound wise, what do you expect? It’s Marshall, and they definitely have a warm flavor to them. This is definitely not a reference headphone - as the sound is already following a decent v curve. Bass is emphasized, but not muddy. I overall loved the out of the box and even my exaggerated custom curve. Volume can go all the way up with minimal distortion and they definitely get loud enough to be uncomfortable. The bass has presence, and the mids are distinct. Highs are crisp, and overall I feel like most people would be impressed by the quality, as was I. Overall the excellent build quality, battery life, and just wonderful audio quality make these a great product. The price is a bit higher than I would have preferred, but compared to other products in its price category, they’re very strong. Coupled with a great app, with great features, this is a winning headset.

To briefly sum things up, I really like these headphones. Full stop. They more or less deliver in every way. The build is fantastic. Nice choice in materials, and everything feels both well built and solid. They just have a nice feel in the hands, not big and clunky, but substantial. Still, at a nice weight. Beyond that, they fold up well, and I really like their use of buttons. Placed well, placed uniquely, responsive and easy. The inclusion of the (very useful) control knob is just another nice add. Lastly, this all continues with the carrying case. Compact, solid, efficient, soft-lined. Given a lot of companies are either omitting or failing here, this is nice to see. As for looks? I think they look great. Consistent with the rest of offerings, and honestly, a little different than what most other companies are doing. Black. Clean. Nice accents. (Mostly) simple. Admittedly, the textured leather-like look is not something I would normally like (large logos either), but this is done very well, and, well, I do. Once on, they are very comfortable. The headband is soft and comfy and has just the right amount of “tightness,” and the earcups are the same. They fit my ears perfectly and are both soft and comfortable. They formed a nice seal, and I had no issues wearing them for extended periods. All while not really getting hot and sweaty. All in all, I think they have done a wonderful job on the hardware front. Setup was a breeze, and the Marshall app is helpful, intuitive and easy to use. I liked how these cans sounded out of the box, but I always think it is worth the time to dig into the settings and dial the sound in more to your liking. No exception here. You are given a nice level of control, be it sound tweaks (presets or custom), ANC, battery/charge control, etc… I really like the sound. I hit these with just about everything I listen to, which is just about everything except metal and country. Also, many podcasts. Plenty of low end, nice mids, and they handled the highs very well. All at all volume levels. The vocals were clean and distinct. I came away pretty impressed. Beyond that, I found the ANC to be quite effective. Perhaps a little better than the transparency mode. To be fair, I have never really been someone to use transparency, so take that for what you will, but I think while their ANC is on par in the space, their transparency may be a tick behind. Battery wise I could not ask for more. Rated for what seems to me a crazy 100 hours (70 with ANC), I have found that to be about right. It is going to take more time to see how that plays out over an extended period, but I don’t see this being an issue at all going forward. Charges are quick (when wanted) and as I briefly mentioned above, the ability to alter charging speeds for battery preservation is a real quality add. Especially for a product that will be heavily used and has a finite life. In the end, these are really nice pair of headphones, and I really like them. They are well-built, perform well, are comfortable, and have some real nice quality of life features (great and unique buttons, extended battery life, battery saving among them). They also just look great, differently so. There really aren’t a lot of cans that have their looks. For all of this, the value is there for me here, and I think it would be for most people as well.

These Monitor III headphones from Marshall sound great but take some getting used to. I had been using some JBL headphones that I thought sounded great, so when I first put these on, I was underwhelmed. I went back and forth between the two and tweeked the equalizer settings a lot. After getting used to the Marshall headphones, what I thought sounded rich and full on the JBL, was in fact more muddled. The Marshall's have much more clarity to them and now I prefer them more. Hopefully Marshall will update the app, as it's pretty disappointing. The equalizer only has 5 bands to adjust and very few presets. They are best for music, not tv. There are no movie modes or voice boost modes. I do really like the design of these headphones. The materials and textures are quite nice. The ear cups are so soft. They are a bit slimmer than others and extremely comfortable! (also very lightweight) The control knob is a great way to control the headphones, very easy to learn and use. I can't speak to battery life yet as they haven't needed charging yet but 80 hours is pretty outstanding. Having a case for travel is nice but I would also like a stand for them to live on at home, I'll have to look for one. After some break in time, these are some great headphones.

Marshall's latest over-ear cans are a treat! The first thing you'll notice about the Monitor III headphones is the overall build quality. Although I feel they are a touch heavy, the actual construction and attention to detail is impressive. The phones offer the now familiar, origami-like, collapsible design that allows them to fit into the included hard sided clamshell case. There is enough room for a dedicated pocket to hold the provided cables too. The earcups offer plush padded linings and are comfortable to wear. I do think that you might have a little trouble fitting them on if you have especially large ears though! Adjusting the band to fit over your head is very easy and there is a generous amount of expansion. The padding on the top of the headband is adequate although I wish it was a little bit wider. Marshall's app was a cinch to install and has a nice selection of controls and options to customize your listening experience. I was able to update the headphone's firmware with no trouble through the app as well. Blue tooth connection is quick and easy and I have experienced no dropouts even when wandering around the house. I've used the headphones to listen to a wide variety of both standard def and HD streaming music and video content. After fine tuning the equalizer I've enjoyed the experience very much. After a brief getting-acquainted period I was able to control the headphones via the mounted 4D joystick quite easily. Media playback control and calling controls all work without a hitch. Marshall has clearly spent some effort on the Noise Cancellation (A.N.C.) feature and I find it to be very effective. You can set the level for the effect in the app and then engage/disengage it with a single button press. There is also a "compromise" option called transparency that allows you to blend in some outside sound if needed. Marshall claims a 10 hour battery life. I have yet to exhaust the battery and I find that it charges relatively quickly also. Overall I enjoy these headphones and recommend that add them to your short list if your shopping!