Marshall Headphones’ Monitor II A.N.C headphones have arrived, as the brand best associated with guitar amps and rock ‘n’ roll continues its foray into the headphone hemisphere. The latest in Marshall’s lineup, the Monitor II A.N.C., are also the brand’s first over-ear active noise-canceling headphones.
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Marshall unveiled the new headphones on Tuesday, hailing the Monitor II A.N.C. as the premium product of Marshall’s family. With a retail price of $319, the Monitor II A.N.C. come with several intriguing features, headlined by noise-canceling abilities and built-in support for Google Assistant.
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For its own active noise cancellation, Marshall says it is utilizing technology that “continuously pinpoints and measures ambient noise” in order to block outside interferences. The headphones feature an ANC button, allowing listeners to toggle between active noise canceling, “Monitoring Mode,” or off.
The headphones also boast up to 30 hours of wireless playtime when using active noise canceling, and up to 45 hours without it. The Monitor II A.N.C. also boast quick charging for up to five hours of playtime on a 15-minute charge.
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As with the previous Marshall Monitors, the new Marshall headphones will rely on 40mm dynamic drivers. The previous edition had powerful bass and a detailed upper register, albeit some occasional balance issues among the frequencies. We’ll have to wait until we get these over-ear headphones, well, over the ears before we can comment on what Marshall calls a “superior sound” with “bright and crisp highs, punchy mids and deep bass.”
Integrated into the Monitor II A.N.C. is Google Assistant, activated by pressing the M-Button on the headphones. Pulling up Google Assistant will let you access playlists, read text messages, or get directions without having to navigate to your phone.
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Another physical feature of the headphones is a familiar one in the form of the company’s Multi-Directional Control Knob, which provides easy control over music playback and calling functions. Aside from the buttons and knobs, Marshall maintains the Rock ’n Roll aesthetic that’s not only featured prominently in the original Monitors but has been a longtime calling card of the brand itself.
The headphones also have a collapsible design, and come with a USB-C charging cable, a detachable 3.5mm cable, and a canvas carrying bag for storage. We’ll be bringing in the headphones soon, so we’ll let you know how they fare against top challengers in the ultra-competitive travel-headphone space like Sony’s WH-1000XM3 and the Bose 700.
Monoprice is adding another set of wireless noise-canceling headphones to its arsenal, but this time, it's leveraging Swedish audio company Dirac to give thes cans a bit of extra firepower. The $130 Monolith M1000ANC use Dirac's Virtuo technology to give listeners the ability to upscale their audio into a virtualized spatial presentation that mimics real speakers. You can buy them starting March 17.
The M1000ANC look like a cross between Sony's flagship WH-1000XM4 and Shure's Aonic 40, and feature a fold-up design that help make them ideal for traveling. Inside the memory foam-cushioned earcups are a set of 40mm drivers with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. "Our Monolith headphones have an excellent reputation for superb performance at unbeatable prices," said Hobie Sechrest, Monolith business unit manager for Monoprice, in a press release. "These headphones are no exception."
Should you buy Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 on Black Friday 2021?
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Marshall’s latest earbuds take direct aim at Apple AirPods, AirPods Pro
Whether you're an Apple fan or not, it remains the most influential company when it comes to true wireless earbuds, and Marshall is using that to its advantage with the launch of two new models that are designed to compete directly with the AirPods and AirPods Pro: The $129 Marshall Minor III and $199 Marshall Motif ANC. You can pre-order the Motif ANC today from Marshall, with sales starting on September 30. The Minor III can be purchased starting today.
Apple's earbuds are incredibly popular, but the company has remained content to only offer them in white. That preserves the instantly recognizable look of Apple's products, but it doesn't do much for people who would prefer something a little more stylish. And style has always been Marshall's strong suit. Leveraging the classic guitar amp heritage of the Marshall brand, the Minor III and Motif ANC are the stylistic equivalent of giving Apple's earbuds a rock 'n' roll bad boy makeover.
