In the golden era of wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, our eyes run wild with abundance. You can choose for a long time, testing and listening to pairs of headphones from different manufacturers. We made news about the spring new Marshall Monitor II ANC, but now the headphones are on sale:
Marshall Monitor II ANC introduced
Kostya Baranov
19 February 2020
You immediately notice them: the original design of full-size headphones cannot be confused with any other. I immediately want to pick up the headphones, try them on and listen to them.
Description
The headphones are sold in a high-quality cardboard box with a traditional Marshall design.
On the front side there is an image of the headphones in profile, the company logo and the name of the headset itself. On the back:
- digital designation of the joystick button and connectors on the cups;
- control and cable connection diagram;
- audio frequency response;
- image of headphones in women's palms.
Inside the box is standard equipment, which includes a fabric case for carrying and storage.
The included cables are durable and elegant. The connection points between the USB and microUSB plugs and the charging cable are protected by plastic springs.
A Marshall audio cable consists of three sections, one of which is twisted and the other two are flat. On one of the flat areas there is a cylindrical remote control with a built-in microphone. At the ends of the audio cable there are 2 brass 3.5 mm jack plugs (straight and L-shaped).
The audio cable can be used to connect to the device when the battery in the headset is low. They can also connect another pair of headphones to listen to music together, while the main headset receives an audio signal via Bluetooth.
The Monitor Bluetooth headphones themselves, although designed in the classic Marshall style, have some differences in shape and design. The headboard remains the same.
The outer side is covered with vinyl artificial leather, and the parietal side is made of delicate eco-leather. Blackened metal plates extend from the headboard to adjust the headphones to a specific head shape.
They are fixed with brass rectangular plates secured with two screws. These latches also serve as indicators which of the bowls under them is located - left (L) or right (R).
The Marshall Monitor Bluetooth bowls are connected through metal arcs to the plates using 3D hinges, the axes of which are also made of brass. Thanks to these hinges, the design of the headphones becomes foldable.
Since the Monitor Bluetooth headphones are full-size, the designers had to abandon the square shape of the case. Both wired and wireless Monitor models have oval bowls.
The outer plastic part of the case is made of vinyl artificial leather, on which the logo stands out with a white insert, and the removable ear pads are made of soft eco-leather. The visible part of the wire connecting the bowls to each other is twisted, which prevents it from abrading and breaking.
To distinguish the original from the fake, you need to remove the ear pad. For branded headphones, a text message from Marshall will be printed on the plastic at the top of the output speaker hole in white font.
On the left cup of the Monitor Bluetooth, the developers placed only a multifunctional joystick button. On the right are:
- 3.5 mm socket recessed into a special niche on the case;
- microUSB charging port;
- three-color LED indicator;
- hole for microphone.
Design and appearance
The Monitor II ANC features Marshall's signature guitar amp design that has long been recognizable. It fits these wireless headphones perfectly.
The plastic cups are made of black plastic and have a pleasant texture, each with a large company logo. The headphones exude a rock vibe that no other model has.
The classic and slightly old-fashioned style does not affect functionality in any way. The cups fold inward, making the Marshall Monitor II ANC compact and easy to carry. It's hard to find more suitable over-ear headphones for travel.
Many models include a carrying case, however, it is not needed here. An ordinary fabric bag is enough, which is light and looks great.
Sound
The name Monitor for this line of headphones is purely conditional, and they are not intended for use in recording studios.
However, this does not prevent the headphones from reproducing high-quality sound that corresponds to the amplitude-frequency characteristic shown on the packaging box.
Marshall Monitor Bass. Midbass is confident and bright, while detailed and accurate. Of course, velvety and enveloping lows are not suitable for rock, but blues and jazz compositions sound delightful.
The mids are very smooth, neat and not protruding. Instruments are distinguishable, but the headphone form factor itself cannot fully recreate the full depth and width of the stage.
Therefore, compositions for an orchestra with a significant number of instruments are not listened to well enough.
The Marshall Monitor Bluetooth treble is confident and tight. However, their elevation above the lows and mids does not interfere with detail and makes the sound more “alive” and energetic.
Monitor Bluetooth also uses FTF technology. Its essence lies in the fact that after removing the ear pads, special thin felt plates are installed on the speaker output holes, which soften and blur the sound.
These felt inserts are not included in the kit, but they can be ordered in online stores. New sounding headphones will cost about $10.
Most users believe that high-quality sound can only be obtained by connecting a Marshall Monitor Bluetooth. Audio cable to the sound source with excellent characteristics.
Such cool little things
The cups are made of rigid vinyl material with a leather-like texture. Together with the branded logo made of rubber insert, it looks authentic. The cups are connected to each other by a spiral wire - this looks especially lamp-like.
The ear pads are voluminous and very soft, and therefore fit as tightly as possible to the head. This is good for passive noise isolation, but bad for your ears - they can get a little sweaty. True, this is typical for absolutely any monitor models. If anything, the ear pads are firmly glued, you won’t be able to remove them.
When folded, the headphones take up critically little space, easily fitting into the included case. The latter is made of denim - another plus in the basket of positive impressions.
The bow with metal guides is packed in soft leatherette, which is stitched with coarse threads and this is not an imitation, but a real stitch. I bet the threads will fray over time. So much the better, because just like skin aging, such things only become age-appropriate.
And also the smell of new equipment - it did not dissipate even after a week and a half of use. It seems that new Apple equipment once smelled like this, but now Marshall delivers.
Characteristics table
| Model | Marshall Monitor Bluetooth |
| Manufacturer country | China |
| Design | Full size |
| Acoustic design | Closed |
| Mounting method | Headband |
| Design Features | Folding (retractable metal plates, swivel hinges) |
| Colors | Black |
| Emitter type/quantity | Dynamic/2 pcs. |
| Emitter membrane diameter | 40 mm |
| Frequencies | 10-20000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB |
| Power | 113 mW |
| Impedance (internal resistance) | 28 Ohm |
| Bluetooth version/profiles | V4.0/AVRCP, A2DP, HFP, HSP |
| Audio codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Wireless reception range | 10 m |
| Charging port type | MicroUSB |
| Autonomous operating time | 30 h |
| Full battery charging time | 3 hours |
| Availability of fast charging | Absent |
| Peculiarities | Connection with an audio cable via 3.5 mm jack |
| Weight | 271 g |
Profile and codec support
In any Bluetooth devices, multimedia functions are transmitted through profiles, and the compression of the audio stream and its subsequent decoding on the headset occurs thanks to codecs, the type of which determines the sound quality.
Marshall Monitor Bluetooth headphones support a standard set of profiles:
- HSP - responsible for basic performance and limited remote control of the headset;
- HFP is a more advanced version than the previous one, providing for answering calls without using the phone and supporting the status of the LED indicator of the headphone battery charge;
- AVRCP - responsible for remote control of multimedia functions;
- A2DP - is responsible for transmitting stereo audio, the quality of which is better than that of HSP and HFP, and multimedia in conjunction with AVRCP.
Marshall Monitor Bluetooth also supports codecs:
- SBC is considered the simplest, but it is required for all Bluetooth devices that support A2DP;
- apttX - has greater bandwidth, and therefore better sound quality.
Working as a headset
Using Monitor Bluetooth headphones without a wire to make or receive calls is quite problematic: the microphone located in the cups has a directional effect, which adds a metallic note to the voice during a conversation. The interlocutor will hear not entirely clear phrases even in calm weather. If the wind also blows, you will have to strain your voice a lot.
There are no these problems with wires: the microphone located on it works the same way as the button intended for answering.
Another problem with Monitor Bluetooth is Bluetooth version 4 (the developer has been selling its models for years, so there is an outdated version), due to which the battery power is consumed faster than in new versions.
Autonomy
In order to ensure autonomous operation of Monitor Bluetooth for thirty hours, the headphones are equipped with a lithium polymer battery with the following characteristics:
- voltage - 3.7 V;
- capacity - 800 mAh.
When the battery capacity is reduced to the minimum limit, the LED indicator starts flashing red.
To recharge, which lasts about three hours, the Marshall Monitor Bluetooth headphones are connected to any powerful device or AC adapter using the included USB cable.
The indicator will begin to glow red evenly, and after the battery capacity is fully restored, its glow will turn white.
Autonomous operation for 30 hours is possible only when playing music at a volume of no more than 50%.
How to connect and control
All multimedia functions are controlled using the joystick button (KNOB).
Connecting Monitor Bluetooth headphones to the device occurs in the following order:
- Turn on the headphones by pressing and holding KNOB for 4 seconds (the indicator lights up white).
- To pair, tap the joystick button twice (the indicator flashes blue).
- Turn on bluetooth in the device settings.
- Find the name Monitor in “Connected devices” and give permission to connect (if pairing has occurred, the indicator goes out).
- Turn off the headphones by pressing and holding the joystick button for 4 seconds (the indicator lights up red).
Upon subsequent connections to the same device, pairing occurs automatically.
Marshall Monitor Bluetooth controls are easy to remember:
- playing a track, pausing it and answering an incoming call - single tap on the joystick button;
- reject an incoming call and end the conversation - double tap on the joystick button;
- transition to the next track - KNOB is shifted to the right;
- transition to the previous one - KNOB is shifted to the left;
- increasing the volume - KNOB is moved up;
- Decrease volume - KNOB is moved down.
Microphone quality for calls
Marshall Monitor II ANC is good for making calls and conversations. Almost all unnecessary noise during outdoor conversations is eliminated while your voice remains loud and clear.
While the Monitor II ANC does a good job here, the Bose Noise Canceling 700 performs better in this regard.
For some reason, when you turn on Transparency mode, you can't choose how much you can hear yourself. The headphones themselves set a certain average value, you will hear your voice, but not as clearly as sometimes necessary.
Analogs
Comparative table of characteristics of Marshall Monitor Bluetooth headphones with Marshall Mid ANC, Audio-Tehnica ATN-AR3BT, Marshall Major IV:
| Comparable characteristics | Marshall Monitor Bluetooth | Marshall Mid ANC | Audio-Tehnica ATN-AR3BT | Marshall Major IV |
| Bluetooth version | V4.0 | V4.0 | V4.1 | V5.0 |
| Speaker diameter | 40 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Frequency range | 10-20000 Hz | 20-20000 Hz | 5-35000 Hz | 20-20000 Hz |
| Construction type | Full size | Invoices | Invoices | Invoices |
| Impedance (internal resistance) | 28 Ohm | 32 Ohm | 41 Ohm | 32 Ohm |
| Autonomous operating time | 30 h | 30 h (20 h with ANC) | 30 h | 80 h |
| Battery charging time | 3 hours | 3 hours | 5 hours | 3 hours |
| Availability of fast charging | No | No | No | Eat |
| Charging port type | MicroUSB | MicroUSB | MicroUSB | USB Type-C |
| Availability of wired connection | Eat | Eat | Eat | Eat |
| Wireless charging capability | No | No | No | Eat |
| Availability of active noise cancellation | No | Eat | No | No |
| Voice assistant | No | No | No | No |
| Microphone | Eat | Eat | Eat | Eat |
| Weight | 271 g | 208 g | 190 g | 165 g |
| Price | 9990 RUR | 10990 RUR | 7990 RUR | 11990 RUR |
What to buy instead of Monitor Bluetooth
Instead of Marshall Monitor Bluetooth, you can buy headphones, the characteristics of which are indicated in the table. However, you should take into account which parameters the user prefers.
Headphones Marshall Mid ANC The presence of active noise cancellation completely compensates for the full-size “Monitors”, but at the same time the battery life is reduced. Therefore, the high cost can be justified by two advantages:
- better performance in headset mode;
- less weight.
- Audio-Tehnica ATN-AR3BT. Compared to Monitor Bluetooth, the headset has 2 disadvantages:
- poor passive noise reduction;
- long battery charging time.
But the advantages of headphones are much greater:
- less weight;
- presence of an NFC module;
- larger frequency range;
- the ability to simultaneously connect to eight devices;
- lower cost.
Marshall Major IV. These headphones have only one drawback - weak passive noise reduction. But since this is the most modern among the headsets reviewed, it has the following advantages:
- the smallest weight;
- USB Type-C charging port;
- possibility of fast and wireless charging;
- longest battery life (80 hours).
Even though the Monitor Bluetooth headphones are full-size headphones, their elongated earcups may not be suitable for those with larger ears. Therefore, you should definitely try them on before purchasing.
Communication and Connection
The Bluetooth range of the Monitor II ANC is up to 10 meters, which is enough for most situations. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to connect headphones to several devices at the same time. Unfortunately, the model is not very suitable for those who are used to switching between a smartphone and a laptop.
There is also no removal detector, so when you remove them from your ears, the music will not automatically stop, but will continue to sound.
Equipment
The Monitor Bluetooth headphones come standard with:
- Packing box - 1 pc.
- Marshall Monitor Bluetooth headset - 1 pc.
- USB Type-A/microUSB charging cable - 1 pc.
- Audio cable with microphone and remote control — 1 pc.
- Fabric cover - 1 pc.
- User manual - 1 pc.
Joystick
The multifunction joystick, found on most over-ear headphones, allows you to conveniently control Monitor Bluetooth. During any action there is a slight delay, but they get used to it quickly, so it does not bring much discomfort.
Advantages of Monitor Bluetooth
- Unique design from Marshall.
- Easy to operate thanks to one joystick button.
- Possibility to connect to a smartphone via an audio cable in the event of a low battery.
- Stable wireless connection.
- Excellent passive noise insulation.
- Share function, which involves connecting another headphone or speaker using an audio cable.
- Good autonomy.
- High-quality sound via Bluetooth due to the presence of the aptX codec.
- The ability to soften the sound using felt earbuds.
- Reliable assembly.
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Disadvantages of Monitor Bluetooth
- Long earcups that may not fit some ear shapes.
- The headband is tight, which causes fatigue in some users after 2-3 hours of listening to music.
- A mediocre microphone built into the headphones.
- Ability to connect to only one device.
- Only one color.
- Lack of AAC codec and proprietary application.
Despite the high competition in this price niche, Marshall Monitor Bluetooth has been in constant demand among customers for four years now. And this is due to both the company’s signature design and high-quality sound, which attract users of all ages.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Some active noise-canceling headphones try to drown out as much external and background noise as possible, for example, the Bose Noise Canceling 700. The Marshall Monitor II ANC is not so aggressive in this regard - you will not feel like you are in a vacuum.
When ANC is activated, almost all excess noise is instantly eliminated. Noise reduction is most useful when listening to podcasts, when it is difficult to understand what the participants are saying due to loud external sounds. Alas, you won’t be able to completely drown out all the noise and sit in silence - you will hear a quiet hiss, from which you quickly get tired.
The Monitor II's transparency mode is almost perfect; press the left cup button and the world around you suddenly comes to life. Transparency and noise reduction levels are easily adjusted in the Marshall Bluetooth app. But there is no need to change anything; with standard values everything works very well.
