Over-Ear
Marshall Monitor III
72Good
$380
Full review dataMarshall Monitor III vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Marshall Monitor III
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling6.0
Battery9.5
Calls6.0
Value7.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Marshall Monitor III | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $380 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 32 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20-20000 Hz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 100 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 70 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | 150 min | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 12 h | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | voice command | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 250 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
What reviewers said
Marshall Monitor III
The Marshall Monitor III are over-ear wireless headphones that blend a classic rock aesthetic with modern features like active noise cancellation and Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint. Their standout trait is an exceptionally long battery life, reaching up to 100 hours without ANC, though the noise cancellation itself is average rather than class-leading. They offer a warm, signature Marshall sound, a sturdy build, and handy extras like wear detection and quick charging.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life, even with ANC on
- Pro:Distinctive, durable design with physical controls
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs for versatile playback
- Con:Noise cancellation is not the strongest in its class
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:Only one microphone for calls, which may limit clarity
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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