Marshall Monitor III ANC first impressions

The moment you unbox the Marshall Monitor III ANC, it’s hard not to feel like you’re holding a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history. Draped in leather-textured vinyl with the signature gold accents and the iconic Marshall script, the headphones channel the gritty cool of a backstage amp. But aesthetics aside, how do these new cans stack up in a world dominated by tech titans like Sony and Bose?

Let’s just say: the Marshall Monitor III ANC isn’t trying to be your typical noise-canceling headphone. It’s trying to be something more. A sonic lifestyle statement with substance.

Fit for the streets, the studio, and the commute

Wearing the Marshall Monitor III feels like slipping into a worn-in leather jacket. The lightweight design (just 317g) and plush ear cushions offer a surprisingly comfortable experience, even during longer listening sessions. I wore them during a cross-town train commute, and the adaptive noise canceling did an admirable job at muffling train clatter and city noise. It doesn’t completely shut out the world like Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra, but it creates a cocoon just quiet enough to let your playlist breathe.

Where the Marshall Monitor III shines is in how seamlessly it fits into everyday life. When in office, the ambient mode kicked in when my colleague called out my name. These headphones come with just enough awareness to keep me connected without pulling off the headphones.

Rock roots, refined sound

Marshall’s legacy is built on roaring guitar amps, but with the Marshall Monitor III, the sound signature leans toward refinement rather than raw power. The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a warm, rich sound. Thumpy bass without bloating, crisp highs that sparkle without slicing. Streaming a live Linkin Park set was a blast; the Marshall Monitor III caught the crowd energy, Emily Armstrong’s strong voice, and the cymbal shimmer without missing a beat.

It’s also surprisingly versatile. Switching to lo-fi beats while working in my office space, the Marshall Monitor III’s balanced tuning kept fatigue at bay. No aggressive treble pokes, no muddy mids. Just clean, well-rounded sound.

Smarter than it looks

The Marshall Monitor III supports Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio on the horizon, meaning you’re set for future audio improvements and better battery performance. Multipoint connectivity is also here, and yes, it works flawlessly. I took a Zoom call on my laptop, then switched to my phone to queue up a podcast without even touching the settings. The app (Marshall Bluetooth) is where customisation happens – EQ tweaks, ANC adjustments, even the “M” button remapping. It’s minimalist but functional.

ALSO READ: MWC 2025: Realme Buds Air 7 first impressions

Battery life and everyday reliability

With 30 hours of ANC playtime (or 100+ without), the Marshall Monitor III feels like it was built for the nomad. On a recent weekend trip, I charged once before leaving and didn’t reach for the cable until I was back home. USB-C fast charging adds peace of mind. A 15-minute top-up gives you a few solid hours of playback.

Not just for the aesthetic

The Marshall Monitor III ANC may not cancel noise with surgical precision like Bose, or offer every bell and whistle of the Sony WH-1000XM5. But it nails something else entirely: character. It’s the headphone you wear because it says something about your style, without compromising on sound quality, comfort, or core functionality.

For audiophiles with a soul, style-conscious commuters, and fans of brands with a story, the Marshall Monitor III is a surprisingly compelling choice. A little bit rebel, a little bit refined, and unmistakably Marshall.