For over 60 years, the Marshall logo has been one of the most iconic images in rock ‘n’ roll.
The sight of a Marshall stack looming behind guitar greats like Jimi Hendrix is burned into our collective memory, as is the thunderous sound they produce.
In more recent years, Marshall has expanded its catalogue to include a series of top-of-the-line audio products, and the latest additions are their brand new Monitor III A.N.C Bluetooth headphones.
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Founded in England in 1962 by Jim Marshall, Marshall Amplification quickly became beloved by the British rock acts of the day for their extremely loud 100w amps, catering for rapidly increasing venue and audience sizes.
Immensely influential artists like Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton were early adopters and the rest is history. The aggressive yet warm sound of a Marshall remains a benchmark for guitar amplifiers to this day and their iconic look remains as cool as ever.
With the Monitor III A.N.C Headphones, Marshall has successfully recaptured the essence of their singular aesthetic as well as producing one of the finest pairs of Bluetooth headphones on the market. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong is the ambassador for the campaign, honouring the product’s classic punk rock character.
Featuring Marshall’s classic textured black finish, just like on their amplifiers, the Monitor III headphones have a simple, classy and timeless design The black finish really allows the star of the show, Marshall’s famous logo, to pop in all its golden glory.
Arriving in a quality case with a velvety red lining, these headphones carry with them a distinct feeling of quality and prestige. The headband and headphone cushions are extremely plush and comfortable, which is crucial for long listening sessions. There’s nothing worse than that headache you get from a cheap, uncomfortable pair of cans.
The Monitor IIIs feature a simple gold control knob that has multiple functions. When held down for a couple of seconds, the LED indicator glows blue, indicating that the headphones are ready to pair with your device of choice.
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This multidirectional knob can also be used to control music and phone calls and when held down again for one second, switches the headphones off. The Monitor IIIs can be charged via a USB-C cable, the port for which doubles as an audio input, meaning these headphones are not limited to usage with Bluetooth-enabled devices.
A.N.C refers to ‘Active Noise Cancellation’, a fantastic feature that really elevates these headphones to another level. Active Noise Cancelation is a technology that analyses surrounding noise from the world around you and eliminates it. This is a great feature for both work and play, helping you to focus on what you’re listening to in busy, loud environments like bustling offices or crowded public transportation.
The Monitor IIIs are also compatible with Marshall’s Bluetooth App, which enables several features that work in conjunction with the subtle ‘M’ button on the headphones (that being the ‘M’ in the Marshall logo). The app features an equaliser that enables users to fine-tune the
sound of their headphones to taste and also allows users to change the function of the ‘M’ button. Depending on what selection you make, the ‘M’ button can either engage EQ settings, voice assistant or work as a ‘Spotify Tap’ feature, which instantly starts playing music tailored to your taste at the press of a button.
As one would expect from a company that has built a 60-year legacy on sound quality, the Monitor IIIs sound absolutely fantastic. Featuring a thick, lush sound with plenty of detailed sonic texture, these headphones have a generous but controlled amount of bottom end and a warm, natural tonality. Slightly rolled-off highs give them a subtle vintage quality while still maintaining plenty of clarity, which also helps with combating ear fatigue during extended listening sessions.
All in all, Marshall’s Monitor III A.N.C Headphones are not only a great product but also a great way to own a piece of Marshall’s incredible legacy. For those who enjoy the aesthetic and iconography of rock ‘n’ roll, the Marshall name and design are simply irresistible. As well as looking the part, these headphones are incredibly comfortable and the minimal controls are exceptionally easy to use.
Most importantly, they sound absolutely fantastic, exhibiting the warmth one associates with the Marshall name without colouring the sound too much. The noise cancelling is extremely effective and truly a lifesaver in certain situations and features like app connectivity place these headphones firmly in the present, despite their retro appeal. So, if you’re in the market for a pair of over-ear wireless headphones, these are a fantastic choice.
For more information and to get your hard on a set, head here.
