Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. review: Rock stars in your ears

Few names carry the weight of six decades of rock and roll legacy quite like the Marshall. From Jimi Hendrix's searing solos to Prince's purple reign, Marshall's signature sound has shaped the soundtrack of generations through their iconic guitar amplifiers. That same DNA now flows through their personal audio range, and what could be a better example of it than its Monitor line — its top-of-the-line headphones, now in their third iteration with the Monitor III ANCs.
These new cans bring meaningful upgrades where it counts — the drivers have been redesigned, and Marshall says these have a richer soundstage than the ones that have come before. The ear cushions are more plushy, and just so you can test their comfort yourself, Marshall says you can listen to them for 70 hours, yes, 70 long hours.
The promises are big, and so is the price. For Rs 29,999, the Monitor III's land up in the comfort zone of Sony, Bose, and even for that matter. So, the question is can Marshall's rock and roll pedigree translate into an experience that'll make you think twice, and get a Monitor III instead. Well, that's what I am here to tell you, but let me go with the usual once … I used the Monitor III's for two weeks and here's what I think of them.

The Monitor IIIs look unmistakably Marshall and Monitor IIs – from the iconic script logo in gold on each earcup to the textured leather finish throughout — these practically look like a companion to their amps. The brass control knob that you would have seen on their amps and even the modern-day speakers finds its space on the right earcup — it is omnidirectional and can be used for the usuals like play, pause, skip tracks, and volume control. Then, there are also noise cancellation and an M button (this can be customised for Spotify Tap) hidden away on the headbands — take a peek on the sides.
Now, that’s exactly how the last Monitor’s looked like, and that’s not a bad thing, because this is how people identify Marshall’s as. While the aesthetics remain the same, there are some functional changes being done in this one.

The change that possibly matters the most is the larger (still on the smaller side), plusher ear cups. These are among the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn. Marshall says they are using a combination of different foams for the ear cups that makes them them soft. Not only does this composite material have better comfort, it also creates a more enclosed fit, which in turn means you should listen a little less to outside chatter around you, even if the algorithmic noise cancellation isn’t kicked in.
Another change, structurally, is an added silicone strap onto the headband. Now, how does this help? Well, this will not let the faux leather wrap on the headband wear down, and that silicone strap is replaceable, so if or when that wears out, you can simply change that, but that isn’t possible with the headband.

The leather is just the outer layer; beneath it is a recycled aluminum construction, which is too… for words light. These headphones can include weighing just 250 grams, that’s 70 grams lighter than the last ones, and the difference is almost similar to other headphones of its price.
Headband is bendable in nature, so you can twist it anyhow, left, right, or complete 360 degrees, and it just doesn’t break. Although this will stand true only to an extent, so do not try this at home, and if you are doing it, it’s at your own risk).

Marshall III’s also have this collapsible design, and they curl up to be quite small, small enough to fit into their egg-like case, which unapologetically also has the same faux leather finish on the outside with a layer of red velveton the inside. While I am not really the biggest fan of the case’s weird choice of shape, it is one of the smallest cases for a headphone I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been testing headphones for a living.
One minor gripe with the Monitor IIIs have been that these don’t have an 3.5mm audio jack. Although, there is an USB-C to 3.5mm audio cord is included in the box, a miss is a miss.

Sound is where Marshall's mastery lies, and the Monitor IIIs hold their own here with an authority that befits the brand's rock 'n' roll heritage. Each ear cup houses a newly engineered 32mm dynamic driver, which at first might seem like a downgrade from the 40mm drivers on its predecessors, on a contrary, they are instead an upgrade. The new drivers have an improved impedance and sensitivity, delivering a sound that's both technically accomplished and emotionally engaging.
Diving into Pink Floyd's "Time," the opening cacophony of chiming clocks spreads across an impressively wide soundstage, each tick and chime precisely placed in space. When that iconic heartbeat drum pattern kicks in, the Monitor IIIs demonstrate their dynamic prowess – there's weight and impact to the drums, but they never overshadow the delicate guitar work that follows. This balanced presentation is a recurring theme across genres.
A.R. Rahman's "Kun Faya Kun" from Rockstar showcases the Monitor IIIs' capability to handle intricate layered compositions. The headphones masterfully separate the ethereal Sufi vocals from the underlying instrumental tapestry, allowing each qawwali clap to resonate with clarity while the santoor's delicate notes shimmer in the background. The gradual build-up of percussion and chorus vocals demonstrates these cans' ability to maintain composure even as the arrangement grows more complex.

For something more modern, Billie Eilish's "bad guy" reveals the headphones' contemporary capabilities. The sub-bass maintains its composure even at higher volumes, delivering that signature rumble without bleeding into the midrange where Eilish's whispered vocals reside. The production's intricate electronic elements are laid bare, each synth texture and processed vocal layer distinct and purposeful in the mix.
Through Marshall's companion app, the listening experience becomes even more compelling. The new Soundstage feature, while not something entirely new (basically it is Marshall’s take on Spatial Audio), adds a welcome sense of space to recordings. Toggling between the various room sizes, you can find sweet spots that work particularly well with live recordings – Jeff Buckley's "Live at Sin-é" album takes on an intimate coffee house ambiance that feels remarkably authentic.
The included EQ in the app is thoughtfully crafted, offering both presets and granular control for the discerning listener. Beyond the standard Bass, Mid, and Treble boost options, Marshall has included a detailed five-band equalizer that lets you sculpt the frequency response to your preference. The Marshall signature sound preset serves as an excellent starting point, delivering the brand's characteristic rock-ready profile.
Where the EQ truly shines is in its custom mode, allowing you to craft precise frequency responses for different listening scenarios – from a subtle midrange dip that lets vocals breathe to an energetic V-shaped curve that brings electronic music to life, all while preserving the drivers' fundamental clarity.
Bass enthusiasts might find themselves wanting more, though; even in Bass Boost mode, while the low end remains punchy, it still leaves room for those craving deeper, more authoritative bass response.

So, we’ve done sound check, how about now some noise check? The Monitor III has “ANC” in its name, so one would obviously expect them to have magical noise cancellation, because why would someone just name their product straight up ANC if they don’t believe in them? Am I right? So, while I won’t call the noise cancellation on Monitor III ANC magical as much as a Sony or a Bose, it is quite impressive, no doubt.
Just like I test all the other headphones or earbuds for their noise cancellation prowess, I took them into my test labs — an auto traversing through the bustling streets of Old Delhi — and these effectively tamed the commute chaos into a manageable backdrop. Meanwhile, the transparency mode, while not the best again, offers natural-sounding ambient awareness when needed, introducing only minimal system hiss — perfect for quick conversations or staying alert in urban environments.
One could argue that the absence of adaptive noise cancellation – a feature increasingly common in this price bracket – is a missed opportunity. Instead of automatically adjusting to your environment, the Monitor IIIs offer three straightforward modes: ANC on, off, or transparency. However, this simplified approach has its merits, delivering consistent, predictable performance without the occasional misreads that can plague adaptive systems.
Marshall does include an adaptive loudness feature that adjusts audio dynamics based on your surroundings, which helps maintain optimal listening levels across different environments.


Battery life is where the Monitor III truly sets itself in the crowd, offering a 70 long hours of playback, that too with noise cancellation turned on, means it would last you nearly three full days of continuous listening. Without ANC, these numbers stretch even further to 100 hours, making these an ideal companion for extended trips or forgetful users.
The efficiency improvements don't stop at listening time – charging speeds have been optimized too, with a quick 15-minute charge delivering an impressive 12 hours of ANC-enabled playback.
For the time I tried these on, they delivered upon their promises. The first time I charged these, I hardly had to charge them before two weeks, and I used them every day for about 4-5 hours on average. Then, being the impatient person I am, I just put them on charge for about an hour, and that charge comfortably lasted me a whole week.
The companion app includes thoughtful battery management features to help maintain longevity. By default, the headphones implement charging limits and reduced charging speeds to preserve battery health, though these can be disabled if desired. Then, there’s the auto-shutdown feature, which kicks in after an hour of inactivity (adjustable in the app), ensuring you won't drain the battery accidentally.

These new Marshall cans show there's still room for personality in headphones.The signature Marshall design with its textured leather and gold accents stands out in a market full of similar-looking headphones, while practical features like comfortable ear cushions and a collapsible design make them great for daily use. The sound quality is excellent with clear, punchy audio that works well across different music genres, and the 70-hour battery life is remarkable.
Though the noise cancellation doesn't quite match up to Sony or Bose, and the missing 3.5mm jack might disappoint some users, these aren't deal-breakers. At Rs 29,999, the Monitor IIIs deliver where it matters most – great sound, comfortable fit, and impressive battery life. So, for those who value character and musicality over the sheer silence of sound, the Monitor III A.N.C.'s hit all the right notes.