On February 19th, Marshall launched Monitor II ANC, the first wireless wireless headset with active noise reduction technology, in the Monitor series.
To some extent, this Monitor II ANC can actually be regarded as an upgrade of the wireless version of Monitor, an alternative upgrade with noise reduction.
In addition to the newly added active noise reduction technology, Monitor II ANC also improves battery life by 45 hours, and also inherits the elements of the wireless version of Monitor, 40mm moving coil unit, aptX encoding support, etc. These are Monitor II ANC’s core selling point.
Next, let’s take a look at this hard-core noise-cancelling headset from Marshall, which weighs 320g.
320g body with 45 hours battery life
When it comes to the body of the Monitor II ANC, I immediately thought of its weight. Monitor II ANC beyond 300g may cause stress on wearing.
You know,Most of the wireless noise-cancelling headphones are basically concentrated around 255g. Like our common Bose 700, which weighs 250g, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is also lowered from the second-generation 279g to 255g. The purpose of this is to reduce the wearing burden and make users more comfortable to wear.
However, the weight of the Monitor II ANC this time has reached 320g, which is almost as heavy as a Sony Micro One α6000 with a battery (285g body and 40g battery). In the newly released noise-cancelling headphones, Monitor II ANC is also very prominent. After all, it is 10g heavier than the PX7, which is also over 300g.
So when Monitor II ANC was released, I was also more worried about the impact of this long wearing band. After all, the 320g number looks like this to someone I ’ve been using for a long time, and it ’s like:
Hang a α6000 on your head with a thicker shoulder strap. (Laughs)
However, the monitor II ANC’s wearing sensation still gives me a good feeling when I actually use it, and it also blurs the subjective impression brought by the 320g figure.
In order to reduce the impact of weight and pressure on wearing, Marshall filled the leather part of the metal head beam with elastic material and made the pad thicker. In this way, when the user wears it, there is enough space and flexibility to ease the pressure from the top.
In addition, Marshall also adopts the traditional head beam design. It does not narrow down quickly, so that the wearing pressure will not be concentrated on the two points on the top of the head, which can reduce the impact of pressure while facing the head size comparison. Large people (such as me), Monitor II ANC can also make a more friendly wearing feeling.
Also, Marshall also used softer ear cotton this time. Although in the default state, the earmuffs will be pressed inward due to the structure to ensure that the earmuffs are worn.Stay close. However, the earmuffs are relatively soft, so they do not have a significant sense of pressure when worn, and are generally comfortable.
However, the weight of 320g is actually quite obvious. If you are used to the Bose 700 and WH-1000XM3 or even lighter headphones, then when you bring the Monitor II ANC, you can still feel the difference between the two indentations. This difference will not affect the wearing, but it still takes time to get used to it. If you are struggling with the impact of this wearing feeling on you, it is better to try it before buying.
For Marshall, the 320g body is more like a trade-off. In my opinion, they traded a heavier body for a battery with better endurance.
According to the official data released by Marshall, Monitor II ANC can achieve 30 hours of wireless playback in the noise reduction on mode. Like Monitor Bluetooth headsets without noise reduction, 30 hours is also the flagship wireless noise reduction Normal level of headphones.
With the noise reduction function turned off, Monitor II ANC can also achieve 45 hours of music playback. This playback time is longer than the noise reduction headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM3 and Bose 700. To meet the needs of ordinary people for a week of regular commute without charging, Monitor II ANC can actually do it. For users who often forget to recharge or travel frequently, the battery life of Monitor II ANC is believed to be a selling point that attracts them.
In addition, Marshall also added a fast charge mode to Monitor II ANC, which can achieve 2 hours of playback after 15 minutes of fast charging. Although this indicator is not as prominent as the battery life, it is basically enough for the average person.
Light noise reduction
After talking about the body weight and wearing feeling, it comes to noise reduction that everyone cares about most.
▲ Control interface of Marshall Bluetooth
In terms of noise reduction configuration, Monitor II ANC supports 10 levels of noise reduction adjustment. It also supports automatic switching of “Noise Reduction”, “Monitoring Mode”, and “Off”. Users can use the “ANC” on the headset. Dedicated buttons for fast switching, or you can enter the mobile application Marshall Bluetooth for more careful noise reduction adjustment.
Monitor II ANC’s “monitor mode” is actually the familiar ambient sound mode. It can be turned on directly with the ANC button. After turning on, the microphone outside the headset receives external sounds and then plays through the headset. The playback effect of this monitoring mode is ok, there will be no obvious digital radio sense, and it actually sounds natural.
In addition, the user can also adjust the 10-level noise reduction of the permeability of the monitoring mode to adapt to different environments.
When the monitoring mode is turned on, the volume will not be affected, and the sound will still be played with the original volume. Here, I actually hope that the monitor mode of Monitor II ANC can be linked with the volume control. When the mode is turned on, the volume can be properly controlled, which may be more convenient to use.
After all, if your original playback volume is high, it will actually cover the ambient sound. In this way, the sound of the surrounding environment will not be heard, and the attention will be more distracted, which is more dangerous when crossing the road. Therefore, if you can properly reduce the playback volume when the monitor mode is turned on, and restore the original volume when it is turned off, the user experience will be better.
In terms of noise reduction, Monitor II ANC is different from Bose 700, which focuses on strong noise reduction.
In a pure noise-reduction environment, Monitor II ANC can make you feel that the surrounding environment is quieter, and keyboard knocks and other regular noises will have a significant weakening effect. If someone is doing renovations in the vicinity, it can actually reduce the high-frequency noise generated by the construction, but the effect is not as obvious as the strong noise reduction Bose 700 and WH-1000XM3.
Although this 100% noise reduction does not have the effect of “quieting the world quickly and quietly”, the relatively natural noise reduction output makes it sound more comfortable, and the pressure is not as strong The product is so prominent that it can be worn longer.
Also, Monitor II ANC also supports 0-100% 10-level noise reduction adjustment. As long as the latest version of Marshall Bluetooth is turned on, control can be performed, and the transition is smooth when the noise reduction is switched, and there will be no obvious suddenness. .
However, if you can set several fixed noise reduction files in the ANC button, then you don’t need to turn on the phone every time you adjust it, which is more convenient to use.
Monitoring style, easy to listen to.
For noise-cancelling headphones, sound performance is also a very important indicator.
Marshall, holding the “Monitor Series” signboard as noise-cancelling headphones, naturally has to work on the sound performance.
In terms of unit configuration, Marshall selected a 40mm, 96dB dynamic coil unit with a frequency response range of 20Hz-20kHz on the Monitor II ANC. In the flagship headset wireless noise cancelling headset camp, the configuration of the 40mm dynamic coil unit is actually very common. Plus, Marshall also has the foundation of Monitor Bluetooth.Yuan will also become easier.
Based on the unit, Monitor II ANC is also considered as a good foundation.
In addition, Marshall also continues the tradition of Monitor Bluetooth, adding aptX wireless encoding support for Monitor II ANC, so that the headset has a larger amount of music than ordinary SBC connection data in the wireless transmission state, thereby further ensuring the sound quality performance .
▲ Artist: Supper Moment | Album: “Shake” Single | Format: 24bit 44.1kHz | Connected Device: FIIO M11 Pro aptX
As a member of the Monitor series, the Monitor II ANC also gives me a different impression from the Marshall brand. Marshall felt that it should be more explosive, and the sound performance should be more prominent and open.
But MonThe performance of itor II ANC made me feel that I had to “converge” a bit.
The overall sound of the headphones is relatively balanced, there will not be too obvious and standout points. I believe this will have something to do with the style of the entire “Monitor” series.
The details of the headphones are very good. If you can use music full of aptX specifications, then you can show the advantages of Monitor II ANC. When listening to Supper Moment’s “Shake”, the percussion in the middle of the song was also very clear. In addition, the clarity and flexibility of other drums is also sufficient, and the details are clear, and they will not confuse.
The position of the human voice is relatively a bit ahead. Although it is not prominent, it can be clearly reproduced. It will not be embedded in the background or it will be too prominent to produce a dry feeling. However, I personally think that it would be better if the human voice could be more prominent.
▲ Singer: My First Story | Album: “ALONE” + “Irreversible リ プ レ 亻 ス” | Connection mode: AAC | Source: Spotify Very high quality
The explosiveness of Monitor II ANC will increase with the replacement of “Irreversible 亻 リ 亻 ス” which is more exciting than “Shake”.
After switching to AAC connection, Monitor II ANC can still maintain the original detail performance, and in most cases can maintain the original quality. The overall sound line can also maintain the original equalization effect, without particularly sharp points, the flexibility of the drums, and the sound of high-frequency instruments can be clearly reproduced. Just like other products in the Monitor series, the Monitor II ANC is able to present these details completely.
Marshall also adjusted the sound of Monitor II ANC so that its performance is not too straightforward. Because if the monitoring taste is too heavy, the general public may not be able to accept it. Adding some decoration will make the sound easier to enter.
However, after switching to the AAC mode and the source with reduced sound quality, Monitor II ANC appears more detailed. In the performance of the same song, you can actually hear the changes in the details of the monitor II ANC.
“Alternative” evolution of the Monitor series
Overall, Monitor II ANC is a relatively balanced wireless noise-cancelling headset. Among the flagship wireless noise reduction products, it can also be regarded as a smooth player.
Marshall’s own style and strong endurance have become the core selling point of this headset. Marshall has also adjusted its sound, allowing Monitor II ANC to maintain the monitor series sound style, while also making its sound more acceptable to the public.
With a full-featured universal app and straightforward control design, and the National Bank’s pre-sale price of RMB 2,469, Monitor II ANC is also a flagship wireless noise reduction product with standard performance. If you are a fan of Marshall, it is still worth trying.
For Monitor thisFor each series, Monitor II ANC is a special starting point.
A simple understanding is to let a series positioned in the monitoring field add new functions such as wireless noise reduction and quick wake-up smart assistant. This performance is also a more in-depth attempt by the Monitor series to reach the common user layer. This also means that the future Marshall Monitor series will not only focus on the professional monitoring field, and may launch more and more products that are closer to the general public in the future.