These Marshall ANC headphones might finally pull me away from Bose and Sony - here's why

2026-05-21 · Source: News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET · Field: Technology & Digital — Internet of Things (IoT) & Connected Devices, Consumer Electronics · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Marshall has unveiled its new Milton ANC on-ear headphones, priced at \$229, which aim to offer a signature sound experience with enhanced durability and battery life. These headphones feature larger ear cushions for improved passive noise cancellation and softer memory foam for comfort. They incorporate an entirely new driver system, tuned for better bass and treble extension, supporting SBC, AAC, LC3, and LDAC codecs, and utilize 32mm drivers. A significant upgrade is the "next-generation ANC" with six microphones, enabling real-time noise cancellation and improved call quality. The Milton ANC also includes Bluetooth 6.0 with LE Audio, offering native support for Apple Find My and Google Find Hub, Adaptive Loudness, and Soundstage spatial audio. They boast an impressive battery life of up to 80 hours with ANC off and 50 hours with ANC on, and are designed to be repairable with a replaceable battery. They are available now on marshall.com and from select retailers starting May 27.

Key takeaway

For consumers evaluating new on-ear headphones, you should consider the Marshall Milton ANC for its blend of advanced features and repairability. Its "next-generation ANC" and spatial audio capabilities offer a compelling audio experience, while the replaceable battery design provides long-term value. If you prioritize comfort, active noise cancellation, and the ability to track your headphones via Apple Find My or Google Find Hub, these \$229 headphones present a strong option against competitors.

Key insights

Marshall's Milton ANC headphones integrate advanced noise cancellation and spatial audio with repairability.

Principles

• On-ear comfort requires specific design.
• Real-time ANC adapts to environments.
• Repairability extends product lifespan.

Method

The headphones use a "next-generation ANC" system with six microphones to analyze the environment and adjust noise cancellation in real time, alongside an in-house spatialization algorithm for immersive audio.

In practice

• Utilize Bluetooth 6.0 LE Audio for device tracking.
• Consider headphones with replaceable batteries.
• Evaluate ANC performance for on-ear designs.

Topics

• Marshall Milton ANC
• On-ear Headphones
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Spatial Audio
• Bluetooth LE Audio
• Repairable Electronics
• Apple Find My

Best for: General Interest, Tech Journalist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET.