Marshall has refined the timeless retro aesthetic, yet its noise-cancelling headphones, the Marshall Monitor III, still remain somewhat of a hidden treasure. Even though they face competition from larger brands like Sony, Bose, and Apple, and are positioned in the mid-range price category, the Monitor III headphones deliver remarkable performance. With a price tag of $379.99, or $279.99 when discounted, they present an excellent alternative to pricier models. At first, I believed their design would be their standout feature, but after trying them out, I discovered they offer much more.

The Monitor III headphones boast the finest on-ear controls I have encountered, including a multidirectional control knob, an M button, and an ANC button. The M button is customizable for different functions, while the ANC button toggles between noise cancellation and transparency modes. The control knob is multifunctional, acting as the power switch, volume adjustment, and music navigation tool.

The Marshall companion app provides a wealth of customization options, such as equalizer adjustments, auto-play settings, standby timeout configurations, battery-saving features, adjustable ANC, and spatial audio tweaks. The app is intuitive and visually aligns with the headphone design.

The sound balance of the Monitor III leans towards a mid-heavy mix rather than being overly bass-dominant. The Marshall preset performs admirably across a variety of musical styles, from rock to softer string arrangements. While they may not be ideal for house music or EDM, they deliver solid sound quality within their price range.

The Monitor III’s design is both fashionable and comfortable, featuring textured ear cups, gold details, and visible wiring. They offer an impressive 70 hours of battery life with ANC functionality, surpassing many rivals. Although not without flaws, the Monitor III headphones shine in their design, controls, and customization, making them a deserving mid-range choice, particularly when offered at a discount.