Music lovers know it; one of the most sublime experiences one can have is to give oneself completely to one’s favorite band, sinking into every guitar touch, every bass line and every variation in the lead singer’s voice.
This kind of thing not only requires the right sound – but also the ability to keep out all other sounds.
Calling speaker and amplifier giant Marshall a classic in creating the right sound is no exaggeration. For more than 60 years, countless musicians have had the iconic Marshall logo standing on their wall of sound when they have delighted concertgoers on the world’s big and small stages. But Marshall also has a strong focus on the second category – namely keeping sound out for the benefit and joy of all the music fans who love to have their favorite band on the go, but don’t want to compromise on the sound.
Marshall has just launched the headband headphones Monitor III A.N.C. – it stands for active noise cancellation or active noise reduction. It allows immersion in the music, regardless of whether you are sitting on a rumbling train, have a long flight ahead of you or just want to sit at home without the small, disturbing elements that characterize even the quietest home. If you are out cycling or running, Monitor III A.N.C. also has your back – the noise reduction also works to reduce noise from the wind.
The wireless headphones can play for up to 70 hours when the noise reduction is switched on – and 100 hours without it.
The noise reduction works actively. It constantly measures the surrounding noise and single sounds and makes sure to keep them out. It provides an ultimate opportunity for immersion in the music – and in the very special rock’n’roll-influenced feeling that lies in being present as an individual in a group without being absorbed by it. The headphones are compatible with Bluetooth LE Audio, which underpins the unrivaled sound quality that has always been close to Marshall’s heart.
You get full control through the multi-directional control button: it’s not just a volume button, it can also be used to take phone calls, start pairing via Bluetooth® and turn your headphones on and off. Another button, the M button, provides direct access to Spotify Tap, voice assistant or EQ settings with a single touch. The M button also allows you to activate Soundstage Spatial Audio, so you get the feeling of being completely surrounded by the music.
All in all, comfort in every sense has been thought of, said the head of the design team, Kenny Wong, in connection with the launch of the Monitor III A.N.C..
‘We have focused on the essentials to achieve good performance. We’ve reduced weight, made the cushions as soft as clouds and completely reinvented the headband to ensure long-lasting comfort. From an experiential point of view, it stretches the limits of what is possible.’
Thus, the idea is that the headphones can not only sit on your head for a long time, but that they always sit perfectly and with a weight distribution that suits your head.
High durability
Unfortunately, you can’t always have music in your ears. But the Monitor III A.N.C. makes it easy to have the music with you and quickly find it again when the chance arises. They are foldable and come with their own hard case where they can be easily put down. Of course, the hard case comes with the same classic Marshall name that also characterizes the headphones.
Headphones are exposed to a little bit of everything – and the designers behind the Monitor III A.N.C. Have been aware that they must be able to withstand it all. The ear caps virtually scratch-proof, and the elastic headband can be twisted and turned without damage.
Sound and acoustics engineer Nicolas Pignier Delafontaine has also expressed his enthusiasm for the new product.
‘We have completely overhauled the acoustic design to improve performance on all fronts: sound, A.N.C., transparency and voice calls. Monitor III A.N.C. delivers a sound that is wide, well-balanced, detailed and pleasant. Soundstage spatial audio takes the music out of your head and places it on a virtual stage around you, giving you the feeling of being completely immersed in the music while revealing subtle layers in your favorite records.’
The legends meet
Billie Joe Armstrong is one of the frontmen that many cannot avoid when they have to point to the great rock stars of the time. Since his breakthrough with the album Dookie in 1994, the lead singer of Green Day has thrilled with
his punk-influenced vocals – and on the world’s concert stages, Billie Joe Armstrong is famous for both his edge and his performances.
Billie Joe Armstrong stands not only on the shoulders of rock musicians of the past. He has hacked his own way through the rock jungle without forgetting the traditions he comes from. It has since thrilled generations of music fans.
In other words, Billie Joe Armstrong is a modern rock legend, at the same time classic and innovative – so it goes without saying that he has partnered with Marshall in the promotion of Monitor III A.N.C.. He is also very enthusiastic about the possibilities that the new headphones provide to sink completely into the music.
‘The world is quite chaotic, but through music you can become part of something bigger,’ he has said in connection with the launch of Monitor III A.N.C..
You can’t always do anything about the world’s chaos – but sometimes rock music can help give a sense of order.
