[Gadget Review] Marshall's Ultimate Noise Cancelling Headphones Monitor III ANC

Marshall "MONITOR III ANC"
Editor NAO wearing the "Monitor III ANC"

Product Offerings:Kanjitsu Electric Co., Ltd.

EveryoneMarshallWhat comes to mind when you hear this?
The first thing that comes to mind is guitar amps. Marshall guitar amps must have been something young musicians aspired to have in their bands.

However, Marshall first released headphones around 2010. The first"Marshall Major"This model of headphones attracted attention with its design that incorporated the same brand world view as the guitar amplifiers, and its sound that was perfect for rock music.

And on October 2024, 10, Marshall's third flagship wireless noise-canceling headphones will be released, the first in four years."Monitor III ANC"has been released.

This time, we were approached by Kanjitsu Denki Co., Ltd., the domestic distributor of Marshall and a company that handles many audio brands, and they asked us to review these headphones, so as always, we would like to review their functionality and sound quality without any reservations.

Monitor III ANC brand promotional video

Video: Marshall Headphones
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Specifications of Marshall's noise-canceling headphones "Monitor III ANC"

形式Dynamic Type
Communication methodBluetooth®5.3
Compatible codecSBC, AAC, LC3
Continuous playback timeApproximately 70 hours (ANC on)
Approximately 100 hours (ANC off)
フル充電時間2.5 hours
Playback Frequency Band20Hz - 20,000Hz
weightAbout XNUM X g
Impedance35Ω
感 度91.7 dB SPL (100 mV @ 1 kHz)
AccessoriesHeadphone case, USB Type-C to Type-C charging cable (approx. 22 cm)
USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable (approx. 1.23m)

Incredible continuous playback time

The first thing that catches your eye about the product specs is the continuous playback time. With ANC (anti-noise canceling) on, it lasts for about 70 hours, and with it off, it lasts for about 100 hours... I can play continuously for about three days with ANC on... That's a spec that really appeals to me, a lazy person like me. With noise canceling off, it lasts for four days. It's amazing.

Bluetooth5.3

It is equipped with the version of Bluetooth that is one generation behind the latest generation.
It ensures sufficient speed when needed, eliminating issues such as audio dropouts.

Overwhelmingly light

In fact, as far as I know, there are no other noise-canceling headphones from other manufacturers that achieve this continuous playback time figure.
You would think that such a battery-powered monster would be heavy, but it weighs only 250g. It's extremely light.

Not high-res compatible, but good enough

One thing that bothers me a little is that it doesn't support high-resolution audio sources using Bluetooth codecs such as LDAC and aptx HD. However, since the main music app I use is AppleMusic, AAC is sufficient in terms of sound quality.

If you want to listen to high-resolution audio (ALAC) on Apple Music, all you need to do is connect a USB-DAC to open-ear wired headphones and sit comfortably to listen...that's all you need to do.

It seems that the main target of these headphones is Spotify, but Spotify does not have a high-resolution audio source and uses AAC, so I wonder if high-resolution is just a compromise and has been cut off. I would like to hear what their policy is.

However, it currently supports LE Audio's LC3, the successor codec to SBC, and"Auracast" is the next generation Bluetooth technologyIt is suggested that the headphones will be compatible with this version, so they look like they will be able to be used for a long time.

Marshall's wireless noise-canceling headphones, the Monitor III ANC, are a flagship model and the champion of wireless headphones, with performance that leaves other companies in the dust. And the concept of sound quality is told in the numerical value of the playback frequency band. Rather than forcibly stretching the audible range, they set the peak at 20,000Hz and pursue high-level sound quality within that range.
When you actually listen to it, you can tell that the sound is spacious, with sharp bass tones and a wide high range, and I felt that the sound quality was tuned to be very natural yet powerful, with a sound design that was very powerful.

Full charge time is only 2.5 hours

I usually go camping as a hobby, and I use various LED lanterns and mobile batteries, but it takes quite a long time to charge them. The charging time for the Monitor III ANC is only 2.5 hours. Even if you forget to charge it on a busy morning, it will last for 15 hours if you charge it for about 12 minutes. This is also a useful specification for me, who is lazy.

Review Starts: Unpacking Marshall's Flagship Camera

Marshall "MONITOR III ANC" packaging
The box is sturdy and the design is nice.

My heart leapt with excitement at first sight.
As expected from Marshall, the packaging evokes a sense of UK rock.
However, the box doesn't feel cheap and is well-made, conveying the pride of being a flagship product.

This promising packaging is enough to create anticipation among buyers.

Accessories

Marshall "MONITOR III ANC" accessories

The accessories look like this.
The headphones themselves, a multilingual instruction manual and safety information booklet, and a converter terminal for using them as wired headphones. And a short USB charging cable in the headphone case. Simple and nice.

The case in which the headphones are stored has a very luxurious feel, with a velvet-like red lining on the inside, which sets it apart from other companies' products. The textured feel is luxurious, but also very sturdy. Now let's meet Marshall's wireless noise-canceling headphones, the Monitor III ANC.

Inside the Marshall MONITOR III ANC headphone case
The case is filled with crimson velvet

Product texture

Photo of the Marshall MONITOR III ANC folded up

Noise-canceling headphones that fold up very compactly.
When you pick it up, it feels very smooth and has a cool metallic feel. There's no plastic feel to it at all. The joints of each part and the texture of the ear pads all have a very high quality feel.

The housing in particular is textured, which is very cool. It looks and feels very mature. There's nothing shoddy about it at all.

As Marshall's flagship model, the build quality shows great attention to detail.
The build quality of these headphones cannot be faked, so I give them 100 out of XNUMX.

Marshall "MONITOR III ANC" housing
The texture of this material is indescribable.
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Various buttons and operation

Marshall "MONITOR III ANC" button explanation

The various buttons are concentrated on the left and right housing parts, with the ANC button and M button being mounted with a moderate presence. It also allows you to control hands-free calls, music, equalizer, Google Assistant, etc.

①Control knob
Use the control knob on the right ear cup to adjust the volume for music, calls, and more.

②LED lamp
The LED cycles through red, orange, and green (0-100%) to indicate battery charge. It flashes blue when in Bluetooth® pairing mode and white when discovering a device. Once connected, the LED is solid white.

③USB-C port
USB-C – Charge your headphones by plugging into a USB power source via the USB-C cable.
The USB-C port can also be used as audio input: power on the headphones and connect them to the 3.5mm output jack of your sound device via the included audio cable.

④ANC button
Press the ANC button to activate noise cancellation and transparency.
The noise control is Marshall Bluetooth
You can adjust it in the app.

⑤Customizable M button
To enjoy music with Spotify Tap, press the M button.
can be customized through the Marshall Bluetooth app.

It's easy to link with Spotify...but what about Apple Music?

Marshall "MONITOR III ANC" M button
M button

Marshall's noise-canceling headphones "Monitor III ANC" are equipped with an "M" button for easy connection to Spotify. This is very convenient, and you can listen to Spotify songs without opening your smartphone. This is nice.

This button can be customized.Marshall Bluetooth App" can be assigned by installing the app. I usually use AppleMusic, so unfortunately I can't enjoy the greatness of this function.

However, once you register the headphones to your iPhone's Bluetooth, you can automatically connect them to your smartphone by turning the control knob on the headphones on and off, so this isn't actually such a big issue.

Various settings are possible with the dedicated app

The dedicated app "Marshall Bluetooth" allows you to adjust the strength of ANC (noise canceling) and use the equalizer to create the sound you like. Personally, I like the equalizer function. It's a 10-band equalizer, but you can have plenty of fun with it. *I actually wish it was a XNUMX-band equalizer.

Another interesting feature is the "Sound Stage Spatial Audio" function. This is also a type of equalizer, but it allows you to set the size of the listening space using the app. It looked interesting, so I tried it, but it only slightly increased the reverberation, which was a rather modest effect.

↓Download the app here

Marshall Bluetooth

Marshall Bluetooth

Freeposted withApply

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Folds compactly for travel

Compact photo of Marshall "MONITOR III ANC"
Easy to fold and compact.

When I go traveling or camping, packing is always a struggle.
However, Marshall's wireless noise-canceling headphones "Monitor III ANC" are foldable, so they can be folded up very compactly. They also come with a protective case, so you can carry them safely and securely when traveling.

If you look at flagship models from other companies, you'll find that quite a few are foldable.

Usually, when you make a folding bike, the number of parts increases and it seems like it will be heavy, but the Marshall is practical and lightweight at the same time. I think this is amazing.

Comfort and fit to the ears

Photo of Marshall "MONITOR III ANC" installed
Editor NAO is also pleased

And the light weight of 250g also affects the comfort of wearing them. I tried wearing them for about 2 hours and was able to wear them comfortably without any pain in my ears or head. The side pressure is gentle and they are very comfortable to wear. Also, the headband material is hard, so I thought the top of my head might start to hurt, but this was no problem. I was able to enjoy a very stress-free listening time.

Also, my ears didn't get steamy even after long hours of use. Faux leather ear pads tend to get steamy, but these have good breathability, so that didn't happen.
Maybe the results would be different if I used it outdoors in summer.

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ANC quality

Marshall "MONITOR III ANC" ANC button
ANC button

Marshall's wireless noise-canceling headphones, the Monitor III ANC, have two modes: an ambient sound capture mode (transparency mode) that allows you to hear outside sounds naturally, and a noise cancelling (ANC) mode that allows you to enjoy a quiet listening experience. The ANC mode can be adjusted to three different strengths using the dedicated app.

Noise cancellation is easy. Just press the "ANC" button shown in the image.

When I actually tried it, the ambient sound capture mode was very clear and natural.
It does have a slight mechanical feel to it, but I don't think it will be a problem in practical use.
This is quite an advancement considering that only a few years ago there were products with sound quality similar to that of hearing aids.

On the other hand, I tried the noise canceling (ANC) at the highest of the three settings, and the sound disappeared in an instant, and there was just silence.
You can jump into your own space without feeling like your ears are clogged. *You can hear the sound of the TV from a distance, though.
What surprised me was that there was no white noise at all.

I say "as if" because early headphones had a lot of white noise, which was quite noticeable when listening in a quiet place. Technology has made great advances.

It feels like noise cancelling has come a long way in the last decade. It's amazing.

Actual sound quality check

Marshall's wireless noise-canceling headphones, the Monitor III ANC, are dynamic type with 40mm drivers, so they seem like they would be good for upbeat EDM and rock.

The headphones also feature Dynamic Loudness, which is designed to adjust the highs, mids, and lows for an optimal balance at any volume. The driver placement ensures that there is enough space for your ears inside the cushions, allowing you to enjoy deep, rich sound.

Now, let's check the sound quality. Before listening, I played EDM for about 15 hours to let the drivers settle in. The equalizer settings were default.

  • EDM: Deep Forest/Sweet Lullaby
    At first, considering that these are dynamic headphones with a high frequency range, I assumed they would be bass-heavy. However, the bass is tight and not at all boomy. The bass is rich and full of information, which is very pleasant. The mid- and high-range sounds have a good sound penetration similar to that of open-back headphones, and the sound field feels very wide. I felt that the sound quality was extremely well-rounded. What is particularly excellent is the sense of positioning, with the sound being played with a precise sense of position. It feels three-dimensional, making music enjoyable to listen to. The sound quality is crisp, has a sense of speed, and is not at all sluggish.
  • JAZZ: Bill Evans/My Foolish Heat
    From the very start, the nuances of the Hyatt and the richness of the bass resonate. I believe that the sense of positioning is the key to jazz, and the superb sound positioning and separation clearly express the sense of distance between the piano, Hyatt, and bass. Particularly noteworthy is the resolution, allowing you to clearly hear even the finer details of the Hyatt. And the rich sound quality brings out the bass. It's wonderful music, and I felt like I'd rediscovered its appeal through the sound quality check.
  • JPOP: Miki Imai/Sleep My Dear
    It's a ballad, but I chose it because it has a surprisingly rich bass. As intended, the volume of the bass is conveyed with a booming sound. The vocals sound a little muffled, but the sense of positioning and separation is still excellent. Combined with the wide sound field, it creates the illusion of listening at a concert hall. The final fading sound also has a beautiful lingering sound, coupled with the high resolution. The sound quality is excellent.
  • Spatial Audio: Mariah Carey/ALL I Want for Christmas Is You
    Finally, I tried Apple's spatial audio. It is said that the sense of spatial positioning has greatly evolved with Marshall's new technology. Is the good sense of positioning based on that? If so, I decided to try spatial audio. The result was an amazing sense of positioning. It's a strange feeling that sounds come from all over the place. It depends on the sound source, but it seems to work very well with spatial audio. Mariah Carey's voice resonates very lustrously. The evaluation was different from Miki Imai's vocals. Is it a mastering problem?
Side view of Marshall MONITOR III ANC
Beautiful golden metal Marshall logo

A few disappointing points about the Monitor III ANC

  • The M button and ANC button are hard to see. I have farsightedness, so it's hard for me to read the letters on the buttons... Also, it takes some getting used to if you try to operate them while wearing the headphones.
  • This isn't just a problem with Marshall headphones, but it's hard to tell L and R apart. AKG headphones make this very easy to tell, so I'd like them to improve the visibility.
  • The high frequency band is low. I have explained that there is no problem here, but to be honest, if wired connection is also possible, I would still want to connect it to a DAC. I wish it could handle up to 40,000Hz. *Whether you can hear that much is another matter... it's a world of self-satisfaction.

Media ratings and user reviews

AV Watch
"A high-performance headphone that combines a Marshall-like design with long playback times. The sound quality has also been highly praised, with noise canceling performance that is among the best in the industry."

Gizmodo Japan
"Despite its lightweight design of just 250g, it is extremely durable and has an incredible battery life. It's also a great value for the money compared to competing products in the same class."

Price.com
"Average user satisfaction score is 4.8, with many positive comments about sound quality, design, and connection stability."

Ongen Publishing
"The solid bass sound that is unique to Marshall is impressive. It is also very comfortable to wear, and the design that does not cause fatigue even when used for long periods of time has been highly praised."

Apple Music users
"It supports AAC, so it's a great match for Apple Music. It's easy to use and the sound quality is very good, especially the bass."

Spotify users
"The Spotify integration is very convenient. I love being able to easily access my favorite playlists with just the M button."

Overall: A bike that shows off the aesthetics of Marshall's flagship.

Appearance of Marshall "MONITOR III ANC"
Beautiful to look at and touch

Marshall wireless noise cancelling headphones"Monitor III ANC"It is a product that can be said to be the culmination of musical passion and technology. Carrying the history and pride of the prestigious brand, the design, durability, and sound quality that have been calculated down to the smallest detail will move listeners in a new way.

These headphones are not just headphones. They are a tool to experience music more deeply, and while they blend into your everyday life, they also have a presence that does not lose its presence. Incredible battery life that allows you to listen for long periods of time, lightweight yet highly durable, and the overwhelming silence of noise canceling. All of these combine to provide an experience that makes you feel like you are diving into the world of music.

"Monitor III ANC"The is a new generation flagship model that brings the essence of Marshall music to your everyday life. It is a must-have product for not only music lovers but all listeners. It is a gem of a headphone that allows you to fully experience Marshall's strength and musical philosophy.

We love music. These headphones quietly but powerfully speak to us of this simple fact.

Product Offerings:Kanjitsu Electric Co., Ltd.

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Tomo AribeAdvertising video designer/director
I am a transgender person with 25 years of experience in advertising design and 20 years of experience in video production, and a gadget lover. In February 2021, I started running the gadget review blog "Gadget Mania Z". I provide information on gadgets with excellent design and functionality selected from the perspective of an advertising creator.Ameba ChoiceHe also serves as a certified expert.See the article on Smart Tags here.

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