Marshall Headphones has produced some stunning headphones and earphones over the past few years and all of them have a big and gutsy sound that rock music lovers adore. It’s a loud and solid sound that suits rock music down to the ground and the sound signature is based on the design and sound of the iconic Marshall guitar amplifiers, a brand that appeals to people who love their music loud, proud, and bold.
This month Marshall is launching two new pairs of true wireless earbuds to join the brand’s portfolio of products. The first is the Marshall Motif A.N.C. while the second is a lower-priced pair of earbuds called the Marshall Minor III. The new Motif A.N.C. earbuds offer full control over sound with active noise-canceling technology for cutting out unwanted sounds. Marshall Minor III are a beautiful no-nonsense pair of earbuds that provide a solid sound with a minimum of fuss at a sensible price.
The Marshall Motif A.N.C. enables the user to carry the concert stage in their pocket thanks to a total of 20 hours of wireless playtime with active noise cancellation turned on. The earbuds are housed in a smart charging case echoing the look of a Marshall guitar amplifier and with enough power for a whole day’s listening. The Minor III earbuds also deliver Marshall’s signature sound without any clutter.
Boasting the biggest of sounds in the smallest of packages, the Motif A.N.C. pack a real punch. They offer as little or as much control as the user wants, including EQ settings that can be adjusted using Marshall’s dedicated smartphone app. The earphones are also IPX5-rated for water resistance.
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The standout feature of the Motif A.N.C. is their active noise canceling function that enables the user to cut out unwanted sound, leaving the listener to lose themselves in the music without distractions. The app enables users to set their preferred level of active noise cancellation as well as a transparency for a more personal listening experience. The sealed-fit earbuds have silicone ear tips that provide a higher level of passive noise cancellation for more distraction-free listening, even when the active noise canceling is turned off.
The Motif A.N.C. can play for up to 4.5 hours on a single charge with ANC engaged. There’s a total of 20 total hours of playtime available from a single charge of the earbud storage case, plus support for wireless charging makes them easier to leave on charge, ready to go at any time.
The smart design of the Marshall Motif A.N.C. includes intuitive touch-sensitive controls that make it easier to interact with the music and take or make phone calls. There are two built-in dual microphones for picking up the user’s voice when making phone calls or chatting on a video link.
The Marshall Minor III are small earbuds that have a similar stick design to Apple’s original AirPods. Fitted with large 12mm drivers, the earbuds have been custom tuned to produce an enhanced bass, smooth midrange and the clearer treble needed to do rock music full justice.
The Minor III sports the usual Marshall signature sound without any extra clutter or extras These earbuds are a grab-and-go pair that are ideal for picking up on the way out of the house ready for a morning commute or a jog in the park. The volume levels are satisfyingly loud with that classic Marshall grunt.
With up to 25 total hours of wireless playtime, the Minor III have enough juice for a week of commuting. The earbuds can play for up to five hours on a single charge and the portable charging case includes four more complete charges in reserve. Every time the earbuds are slipped back into the case, they start recharging. The case can be topped up using a Qi-compatible wireless charging mat or the USB-C cable supplied in the box
I’ve had a chance to listen to the Marshall Minor III true wireless earbuds and I can tell you they have a big sound with a defined soundstage that grooves the music along. I spent a couple of happy hours listening to some classic 1970s tracks, including the Climax Blues Band’s “Couldn’t Get It Right”, and the sound was dynamic and rhythmic with volume to spare. The earbuds don’t use silicone ear tips as they are an open-fit design like Apple’s original AirPods.
The earpieces are small and stylish with a single Marshall M monogrammed on each earbud. The touch controls are sensitive and the comfort of the open fit is good, especially for people who don’t like ear tips. The call quality using the Minor III is good too, although possibly not up to the level of some earbuds that are fitted with multiple beamforming microphones in each earbud. For people who enjoy singing in the rain, there’s an IPX4 water-resistance rating which means drizzle and small splashes won’t stop the music.
I haven’t had a chance to listen to the Marshall Motif A.N.C earbuds yet, but as soon as I do, I’ll be sure to let you know how they sound.
Pricing and Availability: The Marshall MOTIF A.N.C. can be pre-ordered now and will be available at the end of September at a price of $199 / £179.99 / €199. The Marshal Minor III are available immediately and sell for $129 / £119 / €129.
More info: www.marshallheadphones.com
Tech Specs:
Marshall Motif ANC
Drivers: 6 mm
Type: Dynamic
Driver sensitivity: 106±2 dB @ 1 mW (0.126Vrms) 1 KHz
Driver impedance: 16 Ω
frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Weight: 43.75 g (1.54 oz)
Marshall Minor III
Drivers: 12 mm
Type: Dynamic
driver sensitivity: 93 dB SPL (179 mV @ 1 kHz)
Driver impedance: 32 Ω
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Weight: 44 g (1.55 oz)