Marshall Milton ANC: On-Ears Redefined

Marshall has introduced the Milton ANC, a new line of on-ear headphones designed to offer the benefits of over-ear models in a more comfortable form factor. These headphones bridge the gap between Marshall's premium and more affordable offerings.

The design emphasizes comfort and Marshall's signature aesthetic, featuring a leather-textured finish and gold accents. The earcups are lightweight and designed for extended wear, even in warm conditions, though glasses wearers might find the clamping force a bit tight after an hour.

Intuitive controls are located on the earcups, including a multi-directional button for volume and playback, and a customizable M-button for ANC, EQ, or voice assistant access. The headphones also include a USB-C to 3.5mm cable for wired listening.

Marshall is focusing on sustainability with the Milton ANC, incorporating user-replaceable batteries and ear pads. This repairability aims to extend the lifespan of the headphones.

Sound quality features 32mm dynamic drivers with support for various Bluetooth codecs including LDAC. The headphones offer multipoint connectivity for simultaneous pairing with two devices. Out of the box, the sound profile is bass-forward but balanced, with clear vocals and detailed instrument separation.

The active noise cancellation on the Milton ANC is noted as impressive for an on-ear design, effectively reducing consistent ambient noise like air conditioners. While not on par with top-tier over-ear models, it performs well for its category. A transparency mode is also available.

The accompanying Marshall Bluetooth app provides a user-friendly interface for managing ANC, customizing the M-button, and accessing features like Soundstage spatial audio and Spotify Tap. The app also includes a Battery Preservation mode.

Unlike many earbuds, the Milton ANC lacks wear detection for automatic media pausing. However, an Auto Power-Off feature can mitigate battery drain if the user forgets to switch them off manually.

Notable connectivity features include support for Apple Find My and Google Find Hub location tracking, integrated directly into the phone's native tracking apps.

Battery life is a significant highlight, with Marshall promising up to 50 hours of playback with ANC on. Users can expect exceptional longevity, with the review unit still performing strongly after extensive use.

Overall, the Marshall Milton ANC is positioned as a top-tier on-ear headphone choice, balancing wearability, style, performance, and a rich feature set for its $230 price point.