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Marshall Monitor II Review

The Marshall Monitor II is a wireless over-ear noise cancelling headphone aimed at listeners who want strong sound quality, long battery life, and a distinctive design. It performs best as a music-first Bluetooth headphone for commuting, travel, and everyday listening. Its main limitation is comfort consistency, with mixed feedback around clamp force and long-session wear.
Expert reviewed
80
Overall score
Data-driven scoring Expert reviewed Updated analysis

Why we ranked it highly

The Marshall Monitor II is a battery-powered over-ear Bluetooth headphone with active noise cancelling, a foldable travel-friendly design, and the option to listen wirelessly or through a 3.5 mm cable. Based on the supplied data, it is positioned as a style-conscious wireless headphone for adults who care about sound quality, useful controls, and strong everyday portability. Its scoring profile is strongest in audio quality, design, battery life, and connectivity, which fits well with the product details and review feedback. Customers regularly praise its sound, appearance, and battery endurance, while also highlighting stable Bluetooth and practical physical controls. The biggest caveats are less consistent comfort and a weaker reliability score, with some users reporting tight fit or units failing over time. Overall, it looks best suited to buyers who want a music-focused ANC headphone with broad device compatibility and a recognisable design identity.
90-day review Expert reviewed User feedback Data scoring

Key specs

Item details

Brand Name
Marshall
Model Number
1005228
Model Name
Marshall Monitor II Active Noise Canceling Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphone
Built-In Media
Headphone,Removable 3.5mm Cable,User Manual with Legal and Safety Information, USB-C Charging Cable, Canvas carrying bag
Age Range Description
Adult
Customer Package Type
Standard
Number of Items
1
Series Number
2
Global Trade Identification Number
07340055366410
Manufacturer
Zound Industries
Item Type Name
headphone
Is Autographed
No

Connectivity

Headphone Jack
3.5 mm Jack
Connectivity Technology
Bluetooth
Wireless Technology
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Range
32 Feet
Bluetooth Version
5.0

Controls

Control Type
App Control
Control Method
App
Controller Type
App, Button

Measurements

Item Weight
11.3 Ounces
Carrying Case Length
75 Millimeters

Case Battery

Carrying Case Battery Average Life
30 Hours

Audio

Impedance
32 Ohms
Noise Control
Active Noise Cancellation
Frequency Response
20 Hz
Sensitivity
96.6 dB
Audio Driver Type
Dynamic Driver
Audio Driver Size
40 Millimeters
Frequency Range
20 Hz - 20,000 Hz

Additional details

Enclosure Material
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Metal, Polycarbonate (PC), Rubber
Specific Uses For Product
Entertainment
Antenna Location
Exercising, For computers, For smartphones or tablets, Running
Compatible Devices
Cellphones, Smart Speakers, Tablets, Laptops, Desktops
Cable Features
Tangle Free
Water Resistance Level
Not Water Resistant
Carrying Case Material
Canvas
Additional Features
Foldable, Microphone Included, Noise Cancellation, Universal Phone Control, Volume Control
Number of Power Levels
1

Design

Headphones Ear Placement
Over Ear
Headphone Folding Features
Over Ear
Earpiece Shape
Rounded or angular over-ear shape

Style

Color
Black
Style Name
Contemporary
Carrying Case Color
Black
Theme
Noise Cancellation
Subject Character
no character

Battery

Battery Charge Time
3 Hours
Battery Average Life
30 Hours

Scores breakdown

84 /100

Performance

82 /100

Features

81 /100

Usability

88 /100

Design

79 /100

App experience

87 /100

Audio quality

84 /100

Connectivity

86 /100

Battery life

Strengths

  • Strong audio quality score backed by repeated customer praise for clear mids, detailed sound, and an engaging tuning.
  • Effective active noise cancelling for everyday travel, work, and busy environments, based on product details and review feedback.
  • Long battery life, with listed use up to 30 hours with ANC and 45 hours without, plus broadly positive battery feedback.
  • Distinctive foldable over-ear design that is compact enough for travel and storage.
  • Useful physical control knob and button layout, with several reviews highlighting easy, intuitive operation.
  • Good connectivity profile with Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5 mm wired option, and positive comments on connection stability.
  • Includes practical accessories such as a USB-C charging cable, 3.5 mm cable, and carrying bag.

Limitations

  • Comfort is inconsistent, with multiple reviews saying the clamp force can feel tight or become uncomfortable during longer sessions.
  • Reliability score is one of the weaker areas, and some buyers report units developing faults after several months.
  • Volume is a mixed point in customer feedback, with some users wanting higher maximum loudness.
  • Not water resistant, which limits use for workouts, outdoor exposure, or rough travel conditions.
  • Smart features are present but not especially advanced relative to top-tier app-heavy wireless headphones.
  • The included case is a soft canvas bag rather than a more protective hard shell case.
  • Warranty and support information is limited in the available data.

Ideal user profiles

  • Listeners who want wireless over-ear headphones with strong sound quality and active noise cancelling.
  • Commuters and travellers who value foldability, long battery life, and wired backup via 3.5 mm.
  • Buyers drawn to distinctive retro-inspired design and physical controls rather than touch-heavy interfaces.
  • Users who switch between phones, tablets, and laptops and want broad Bluetooth compatibility.

Use cases

  • Listening to music at home with active noise cancelling enabled.
  • Commuting or travelling where foldability and long battery life matter.
  • Working in shared or moderately noisy environments that benefit from ANC.
  • Wireless playback from phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.
  • Wired listening through the included 3.5 mm cable when Bluetooth is not convenient.
  • General entertainment use including music, calls, and everyday media playback.

Fit and positioning

Who this works for

Category positioning

Within the wireless ANC over-ear category, the Marshall Monitor II sits as a mid-range to upper-mid-range option that leans more toward sound, styling, and everyday portability than cutting-edge smart features. Its score pattern suggests a product that competes well on audio quality, battery life, design, and connectivity, while giving up some ground on reliability confidence and comfort consistency. It appears best positioned for buyers who want an alternative to more mainstream travel headphones without sacrificing core wireless and noise cancelling functionality.

Best for

This model is best for listeners who want a wireless over-ear headphone with strong musical performance, practical ANC, and long battery life. Its 87 audio quality score, 88 design score, and 86 battery life score make it especially appealing for music-heavy everyday use, commuting, and travel. Buyers who prefer physical controls, foldable construction, and the flexibility of both Bluetooth and 3.5 mm wired listening are the clearest fit.

Not best for

It is less suitable for buyers who are very sensitive to clamping pressure or who need consistently proven long-term reliability. The interpretation data and customer feedback both point to mixed comfort over longer sessions and some reports of failure after several months. It is also not ideal if you want water resistance, a hard carrying case, or especially advanced smart features beyond the basics.

Performance analysis

How it performs in practice

Each scoring dimension is separated into a compact card so the strengths and tradeoffs are easier to compare without reading one long block.

Performance analysis

The Marshall Monitor II performs well in its main job as a wireless ANC headphone, reflected in its 84 performance score. Audio is a standout area, and customer feedback repeatedly describes the sound as detailed, punchy, and engaging rather than flat or clinical. The ANC also appears effective for typical real-world use such as work, commuting, and reducing background distractions. Bluetooth performance is generally positive, with users noting stable connections and easy everyday listening across devices. The main performance compromises are not about core sound quality, but about comfort over time and some inconsistency in long-term reliability.

Feature analysis

The feature set is competitive for a wireless over-ear ANC headphone, earning a score of 82. Key features include active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.0, app control, foldable construction, a built-in microphone, a 3.5 mm wired option, and included travel accessories. Battery claims are strong on paper, and the control knob is a distinctive practical touch. However, the smart feature set does not appear especially deep compared with more software-led premium alternatives.

Usability analysis

Daily usability is one of the product’s better-balanced areas, with a usability score of 81. Physical controls appear to be a genuine strength, especially the multi-directional knob for playback, volume, and call handling. The foldable design and included cable and bag also help with routine use. The main usability drawback is fit consistency, since comfort feedback is divided between users who find it easy to wear and those who experience pressure during longer sessions.

Design

Design is one of the clearest strengths here, shown by an 88 score. The Marshall styling is repeatedly praised in reviews, and the over-ear, foldable format adds practical value as well as visual identity. Buyers who want headphones that look distinctive without becoming bulky may appreciate the slim profile and compact storage options. The layout of the physical controls also contributes to the design success by making the product easier to use day to day.

How it compares

Compared with the wider wireless ANC over-ear category, this model stands out more for its sound character, design identity, and practical controls than for leading-edge smart functionality. Its audio, battery, and connectivity scores are strong enough to keep it competitive with many mainstream options, especially for buyers who value a more tactile control scheme and wired backup. Where it is less convincing is long-session comfort consistency and long-term reliability confidence, both of which matter in this category because many buyers use ANC headphones for travel and work. Overall, it compares well as a music-focused, style-led alternative, but not as the safest pick for every user profile.

Ranking summary

The Marshall Monitor II ranks as a strong upper-mid-tier option in the wireless ANC headphone category based on its overall score of 80. Its strongest results come from design, audio quality, battery life, and connectivity, which align well with customer praise for sound, styling, stable Bluetooth, and long listening time. Those strengths make it easy to recommend for music-first everyday use and travel. It ranks lower than the very best all-rounders because its weaker reliability score, only moderate value score, and mixed comfort feedback create more buying risk than the top category leaders. In short, it scores highly where daily enjoyment matters most, but less strongly for long-term confidence.

Buying advice

Consider the Marshall Monitor II if you want a wireless over-ear headphone with strong sound quality, useful ANC, solid battery life, and support for both Bluetooth and 3.5 mm wired listening. It makes particular sense for music-focused buyers who value design and portability for commuting or travel. Before buying, pay close attention to comfort if you are sensitive to clamp force, and keep the mixed reliability feedback in mind. It is also worth checking whether a soft carry bag is enough protection for your use, since there is no indication of a hard case in the supplied data. If long-term support matters to you, verify current warranty details separately.
80
Overall score

Final verdict

The Marshall Monitor II is a strong option in the wireless ANC headphone category, especially for buyers who care most about sound quality, battery life, portability, and distinctive design. Its main strength is the combination of engaging audio performance with practical everyday features such as foldability, intuitive controls, and broad connectivity. Its main limitation is that comfort and long-term reliability are less consistent than the best all-round alternatives. For listeners who want a music-first over-ear Bluetooth headphone at a reasonable price, it is easy to shortlist. For buyers who prioritise maximum wearing comfort or long-term ownership certainty above all else, it is a more cautious recommendation.
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Key topics

Marshall Monitor II review, Marshall Monitor II ANC headphones, Marshall over-ear Bluetooth headphones, Marshall Monitor II noise cancelling review, best Bluetooth headphones Marshall, Marshall Monitor II comparison, wireless ANC headphone review, Marshall headphone battery life

Frequently asked questions

Is Marshall Monitor II worth it?
The available data suggests it is a solid option for buyers who prioritise sound quality, design, and battery life in a wireless ANC headphone. It holds an overall score of 80, with particularly strong scores for audio, design, and battery performance. The main trade-offs are mixed comfort reports and below-average reliability confidence.
Is Marshall Monitor II good for music listening?
Yes, music listening appears to be its strongest use case. It scores 87 for audio quality, and many reviews praise its clear mids, detailed presentation, and energetic sound. Several buyers specifically highlight how enjoyable it is for everyday listening, though sound preferences remain personal and some users wanted more volume headroom.
How good is the noise cancelling on Marshall Monitor II?
Based on the provided details and customer feedback, the active noise cancelling is effective for routine use such as work, travel, and busy spaces. Reviews describe it as good enough to reduce fans and outdoor noise, though there is not enough verified comparative test data here to place it among the absolute best ANC models.
Are Marshall Monitor II headphones comfortable?
Comfort is one of the more mixed areas. Some reviewers say the padding is soft and suitable for extended listening, including with glasses, while others report strong clamp force and discomfort after shorter sessions. If you are sensitive to fit pressure, this is one of the main points to check before buying.
Does Marshall Monitor II have good battery life?
Battery life is one of its stronger areas. The listed specification says up to 30 hours of wireless use with ANC and up to 45 hours without it, and the battery life score is 86. Customer feedback is broadly positive, although at least one review reported lower real-world endurance under heavier use.
Is Marshall Monitor II easy to set up?
Setup looks straightforward for most users. It uses Bluetooth 5.0, includes a wired 3.5 mm option, and has an app-based control system for extra adjustment. Its setup score of 80 suggests a generally accessible experience, though app-dependent features may add a little extra configuration for some buyers.
What are the main limitations of Marshall Monitor II?
The main limitations are comfort consistency, mixed reliability feedback, and limited support clarity in the available data. Some buyers also wanted higher volume output, and the included carry solution is a soft bag rather than a hard case. It is also not water resistant, which narrows outdoor and workout use.
Is Marshall Monitor II compatible with common devices?
Yes, the listed compatibility is broad. It supports Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and the supplied data names cellphones, smart speakers, tablets, laptops, and desktops as compatible devices. That makes it flexible for typical everyday electronics use, assuming your device supports standard Bluetooth audio or analogue output.

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