TechAudioHeadphonesMarshall Monitor III ANC review: ready to rock all week long70 hours of battery life and almost indestructible, can Marshall’s premium headphones refresh hit the right notes?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)T3 VerdictMarshall is really carving itself a name in the world of personal audio, having already done so in music amplifiers for decades. And its Monitor III ANC headphones sees the brand move several steps forward when it comes to taking on more established tech firms. Not only are they almost indestructible, with a design that can bend and twist without breaking, they come with extraordinary battery life – up to 70 hours with ANC enabled. And while they look the business – styled after Marshall amps – they sound great too, especially when it comes to rock music of the past and present.Reasons to buy+Traditional Marshall tuning that’s great for rock+Mammoth 70 hours of battery life with ANC on+Extremely malleable and hard to break+Travel case is one of the smallest we’ve ever seen+Spatial audio is supportedReasons to avoid-No Qualcomm aptX or other lossless codec support-ANC isn’t adaptiveWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechAudioHeadphonesMarshall Monitor III ANC review: ready to rock all week long70 hours of battery life and almost indestructible, can Marshall’s premium headphones refresh hit the right notes?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)T3 VerdictMarshall is really carving itself a name in the world of personal audio, having already done so in music amplifiers for decades. And its Monitor III ANC headphones sees the brand move several steps forward when it comes to taking on more established tech firms. Not only are they almost indestructible, with a design that can bend and twist without breaking, they come with extraordinary battery life – up to 70 hours with ANC enabled. And while they look the business – styled after Marshall amps – they sound great too, especially when it comes to rock music of the past and present.Reasons to buy+Traditional Marshall tuning that’s great for rock+Mammoth 70 hours of battery life with ANC on+Extremely malleable and hard to break+Travel case is one of the smallest we’ve ever seen+Spatial audio is supportedReasons to avoid-No Qualcomm aptX or other lossless codec support-ANC isn’t adaptiveWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
70 hours of battery life and almost indestructible, can Marshall’s premium headphones refresh hit the right notes?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)T3 VerdictMarshall is really carving itself a name in the world of personal audio, having already done so in music amplifiers for decades. And its Monitor III ANC headphones sees the brand move several steps forward when it comes to taking on more established tech firms. Not only are they almost indestructible, with a design that can bend and twist without breaking, they come with extraordinary battery life – up to 70 hours with ANC enabled. And while they look the business – styled after Marshall amps – they sound great too, especially when it comes to rock music of the past and present.Reasons to buy+Traditional Marshall tuning that’s great for rock+Mammoth 70 hours of battery life with ANC on+Extremely malleable and hard to break+Travel case is one of the smallest we’ve ever seen+Spatial audio is supportedReasons to avoid-No Qualcomm aptX or other lossless codec support-ANC isn’t adaptive
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
T3 VerdictMarshall is really carving itself a name in the world of personal audio, having already done so in music amplifiers for decades. And its Monitor III ANC headphones sees the brand move several steps forward when it comes to taking on more established tech firms. Not only are they almost indestructible, with a design that can bend and twist without breaking, they come with extraordinary battery life – up to 70 hours with ANC enabled. And while they look the business – styled after Marshall amps – they sound great too, especially when it comes to rock music of the past and present.Reasons to buy+Traditional Marshall tuning that’s great for rock+Mammoth 70 hours of battery life with ANC on+Extremely malleable and hard to break+Travel case is one of the smallest we’ve ever seen+Spatial audio is supportedReasons to avoid-No Qualcomm aptX or other lossless codec support-ANC isn’t adaptive
T3 VerdictMarshall is really carving itself a name in the world of personal audio, having already done so in music amplifiers for decades. And its Monitor III ANC headphones sees the brand move several steps forward when it comes to taking on more established tech firms. Not only are they almost indestructible, with a design that can bend and twist without breaking, they come with extraordinary battery life – up to 70 hours with ANC enabled. And while they look the business – styled after Marshall amps – they sound great too, especially when it comes to rock music of the past and present.
T3 Verdict
Marshall is really carving itself a name in the world of personal audio, having already done so in music amplifiers for decades. And its Monitor III ANC headphones sees the brand move several steps forward when it comes to taking on more established tech firms. Not only are they almost indestructible, with a design that can bend and twist without breaking, they come with extraordinary battery life – up to 70 hours with ANC enabled. And while they look the business – styled after Marshall amps – they sound great too, especially when it comes to rock music of the past and present.
Reasons to buy+Traditional Marshall tuning that’s great for rock+Mammoth 70 hours of battery life with ANC on+Extremely malleable and hard to break+Travel case is one of the smallest we’ve ever seen+Spatial audio is supportedReasons to avoid-No Qualcomm aptX or other lossless codec support-ANC isn’t adaptive
Reasons to buy+Traditional Marshall tuning that’s great for rock+Mammoth 70 hours of battery life with ANC on+Extremely malleable and hard to break+Travel case is one of the smallest we’ve ever seen+Spatial audio is supported
Traditional Marshall tuning that’s great for rock
Mammoth 70 hours of battery life with ANC on
Extremely malleable and hard to break
Travel case is one of the smallest we’ve ever seen
Spatial audio is supported
Reasons to avoid-No Qualcomm aptX or other lossless codec support-ANC isn’t adaptive
No Qualcomm aptX or other lossless codec support
ANC isn’t adaptive
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Marshall is a well-respected brand when it comes to music, having established itself since the early 60s as pretty much the go-to amplifier manufacturer for some of the biggest artists and bands in the world. From Jimi Hendrix and The Who to the likes of Kasabian and Paul Weller, the list of Marshall amp users is as impressive as it is long.
The firm has also recently made significant inroads in personal audio too, with Bluetooth speakers, earbuds and over-ear headphones, and while it is relatively new in the field, it’s already on third-generation products. That includes such as the all-new Marshall Monitor III ANC.
Designed to cut it with thebest headphonesaround, the latest update to its flagshipactive noise cancelling cansare reassuringly Marshall in style and talents. With the company’s signature audio tuning, they are almost the anti-Beats – offering an alternative for those who prefer, well, alternative music. And on top of that, they have a trick or two up their tattooed sleeves.
I’ve been testing the headphones for a good few days, in a number of scenarios to give you my opinion. So here you go.
Marshall Monitor III ANC review: price and availability
Today’s best Marshall Monitor III ANC deals$349.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Marshall Monitor III ANC deals$349.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Marshall Monitor III ANC deals
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$349.99View
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$349.99
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
As a premium pair of noise-cancelling wireless over-ears, the Marshall Monitor III ANC are reasonably priced – less expensive than the likes of theApple AirPods MaxandSonos Ace, while hitting around the same sweet spot asSony’s WH-1000XM5andBeats Studio Prodo today.
Available to purchase from numerous retailers now, includingMarshall’s own online store, they carry a retail price of £299 in the UK, $349 in the US and €349 in Europe. We’re still awaiting Australian release information and pricing.
Although that price is affordable at the premium end, it also puts them in the category of a considered purchase, so its good that you get a whole lot for your money.
Marshall Monitor III ANC review: design and setup
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
In terms of look, the Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones are very similar to their predecessors. The fake leather exterior is still a pleasing touch, with the effect aping the coating on classic Marshall amps, while the golden flourishes on the logo and physical control knob help them stand out.
It’s how I imagine Slash’s bathroom looks – all gold and pleather.
There are some very neat features in the design that are real treats though, including the softest ear cups I think I’ve ever experienced.
Thanks to a combination of different types of foam, the cushions are like pillows for your ears. Not only does that improve comfort levels for long listening sessions but creates a more enclosed fit for better noise isolation – and better noise isolation allows for more effective noise cancellation.
The headband has been tweaked too, with comfort at the forefront of the new thinking. There is a separate silicon strap that rests on your head which softens the contact and also stops the main band from wearing down.
It is also super bendy and can be twisted back and forth without any sign of breaking. This will allow the headset to last for years, adding extra value for the price point. Although durability doesn’t end there.
The headphones can be curled into a super small shape to rest in, what I believe to be, the smallest travel case for this level of product. And I particularly like that the case interior is coated in red velvet – echoing a guitar case in style.
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Going back to the physical control knob for a moment, I particularly like that it performs all manner of different functions, as it moves up, down, left and right. It can also can be pressed – much like a thumbstick on a game controller.
This makes setup a doddle too, as you just press in the knob for a bit until the headset goes into Bluetooth mode to pair with your device.
There are another two tiny buttons to be found on the arms, with a customisable “M” button that can be set to perform a function of your choice, such as activate a voice assistant. And there is an ANC button to switch the feature on or off, or the headset into transparency mode.
Marshall Monitor III ANC review: sound quality
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
While the outside of the Monitor III ANC pair looks familiar, the inner workings have been largely rebuilt from the ground up. There are significant performance upgrades over the Monitor II ANC, for instance.
Each ear sports a new 32mm dynamic driver with a claimed frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz. This, in practice, delivers a decent, balanced approach to tracks with a fairly neutral approach.
The ear cups are a tad smaller than some rivals in the same category, keeping the headset lighter, but not at a loss of clarity and precision. Marshall has revised the entire acoustic design in order to more accurately work with ANC functionality and even voice calling, which became apparent during my listening bouts.
Linking them to myiPhone 15 Pro Maxand using Apple Music, I gave the headphones a good workout across a wide variety of musical genres. They picked out the background resonance of each guitar string plucked during the opening bars ofSonneton Richard Ashcroft’sAcoustic Hymns, Vol. 1while also capably spacing the rest of the instruments as they hit after the intro.
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Indeed, while boosted, you still get clear, crisp vocals allowing to pick out the genre-defining bars from Method Man, GZA and the crew. So while capable with rap and dance, the Monitor III ANC over-ears retain the stamp of the musical heritage to which they belong.
The only caveat of sorts is that unlike some models in the price category, the Monitor III ANC headphones do not support any form of Qualcomm aptX. That will mean little to iPhone owners, as the handsets themselves are equally incompatible with the format, but it might irk some Android users who’s phones support it.
Instead, you get Bluetooth LE on-board, which allows for quality transmission while reducing power usage (which is of great benefit to the battery life), but you shouldn’t expect to receive lossless audio wirelessly.
Marshall Monitor III ANC review: ANC and app
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Active noise cancellation is a must on a pair of wireless headphones for me and it’s good to see (hear) that Marshall has made efforts to improve its technology.
Managing to drown out external noise while retaining musicality is no mean feat and few brands outside the biggest (Sony and Bose) manage to get it spot on. But while this particular manufacturer still has a way to go to catch up with those behemoths, the Monitor III ANC provides a very decent noise cancelling experience.
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Still, at least they don’t shift and change at odd times like some alternatives and you always know what you’re getting.
There is an adaptive loudness setting too, which will alter the sound balance and dynamics depending on your surroundings, so maybe that’s good enough.
That can be found in the dedicated Marshall app for Android and iPhone (the same app for other Marshall headphones and in-ears), and it sits alongside several other features, including the ability to assign different functions to the “M” button. Spotify Tap can be activated this way.
Marshall Monitor III ANC review: battery life
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Perhaps the biggest standout feature of the Marshall Monitor III ANC over-ears though is the battery life. While there have been plenty of other improvements made to performance and build quality, the amount of playback time available on the pair certainly provides that “wow” moment.
They are capable of playing music at a decent volume for up to 70 hours – almost three days continuously. That’s pretty staggering. It’s even more so when you realise that it hits that figure with active noise cancellation switched on.
Other headphones have boasted extended battery life in the past – the Sonos Ace claims 50 hours, for example, but few manage to last that long with ANC enabled. Indeed, switch ANC off and Marshall claims the headset can last even longer – up to 100 hours.
Now, I haven’t had the headphones long enough to test the battery fully and have worn them on average an hour or two a day for the last four or five. However, the fact that the battery indicator is still in the high 80% is telling. And even if you do use them for an entire holiday and you need to charge them before heading home, it only takes two-and-a-half hours to charge them from flat to full, via USB-C. It’s impressive stuff.
Marshall Monitor III ANC review: verdict
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
So you might be able to tell that I’m impressed with the Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones. To be honest, I’m their target audience considering I favour indie and rock music. I’m still partial to old school hip-hop and these can sate that passion too, but they are primarily and unashamedly best suited to playing back tracks from the same sort of bands who use Marshall amps.
That’s actually very refreshing, considering how many over-ears on the market today opt for a bass-centric signature.
It’s a shame they don’t come with support for aptX or any other lossless codec, but when it comes to general music playback, they do so with precision and care. You’ll also benefit from the extreme comfort they afford too.
Also consider
There are plenty of rivals at the price point Marshall has attached to its Monitor III ANC ‘phones. TheSony WH-1000XM5naturally spring to mind, considering they are among the most popular ANC over-ears around. They can also be found at a decent discount these days.
The also recently releasedCambridge Audio Melomania P100headphones are a decent shout too. Like the Marshalls, they have great sound although aren’t perhaps on the same scale when it comes to comfort.
Finally, if you have a spot of extra cash, it’s worth checking out theBose QuietComfort UltraorBowers & Wilkins Px7 S2epairs. Both are superb when it comes to musicality, while Bose has almost perfected ANC over the years.
Today’s best wireless headphones dealsSony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all pricesMarshall Monitor III ANC$349.99ViewSee all pricesBeats Studio Pro$249.99ViewSee all pricesCambridge Audio Melomania P100$279$239ViewSee all pricesBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429$349ViewSee all pricesBowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399$299.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best wireless headphones dealsSony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all pricesMarshall Monitor III ANC$349.99ViewSee all pricesBeats Studio Pro$249.99ViewSee all pricesCambridge Audio Melomania P100$279$239ViewSee all pricesBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429$349ViewSee all pricesBowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399$299.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best wireless headphones dealsSony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all pricesMarshall Monitor III ANC$349.99ViewSee all pricesBeats Studio Pro$249.99ViewSee all pricesCambridge Audio Melomania P100$279$239ViewSee all pricesBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429$349ViewSee all pricesBowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399$299.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best wireless headphones deals
Sony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all pricesMarshall Monitor III ANC$349.99ViewSee all pricesBeats Studio Pro$249.99ViewSee all pricesCambridge Audio Melomania P100$279$239ViewSee all pricesBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429$349ViewSee all pricesBowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399$299.99ViewSee all prices
Sony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all prices
Sony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all prices
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony WH-1000XM5
$399.99$279.95View
$399.99$279.95
$279.95
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Marshall Monitor III ANC$349.99ViewSee all prices
Marshall Monitor III ANC$349.99ViewSee all prices
Marshall Monitor III ANC
Marshall Monitor III ANC
$349.99View
$349.99
$349.99
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Beats Studio Pro$249.99ViewSee all prices
Beats Studio Pro$249.99ViewSee all prices
Beats Studio Pro
Beats Studio Pro
$249.99View
$249.99
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Cambridge Audio Melomania P100$279$239ViewSee all prices
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100$279$239ViewSee all prices
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100
$279$239View
$279$239
$239
See all prices
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429$349ViewSee all prices
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429$349ViewSee all prices
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
$429$349View
$429$349
$349
See all prices
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399$299.99ViewSee all prices
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399$299.99ViewSee all prices
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
$399$299.99View
$399$299.99
$299.99
See all prices
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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