After 60 years of excellence from Marshall with years upon years of brilliant headphones, celebrations were certainly due. Marshall enthusiasts were thankfully treated to a spectacular Black Diamond Jubilee collection - consisting of an all-black set of Marshall's Motif A.N.C earbuds, the Emberton speaker, and of course, the Monitor II.
Gone are the shining bronze knobs, and the blindingly bright white Marshall logo - the 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee collection adopts a far more covert, subtle and minimalistic design - controversial as that may be amongst Marshall fans.
Yet, with the Monitor II being almost three years old, with no actual technological upgrades to the Diamond Jubilee Edition headphones - do the Marshall Monitor IIs stand up to this year's headphones competition? And what's more - are they worth the price?
Build quality and design
Out of the box, the Marshall Monitor II headphones exude a premium quality, unlike very few headphones I've ever handled. Wonderfully weighty at 320g, with a solid steel frame, ultra-plush ear cups and a flexible headband that keeps the Monitor II's feeling tight and controlled while on the move - without feeling overly sweaty or uncomfortable.
On the Monitor II headphones are three primary control buttons, with a quick, tactile button to toggle Active Noise Cancelling, an excellent multi-function 'M-Button' to allow users to switch between three customisable equaliser settings, and the crowning glory of the Monitor II's convenience, a delightful control knob (now in all-black compared to the original bronze colour).
With the Monitor II's quick access control knob, users can instantaneously switch between songs, as well as control volume - practically eliminating the often irritating 'process of elimination' phase of figuring out button positioning on a new set of headphones.
In Marshall's efforts to bring some pep into the Diamond Jubilee re-release, the Monitor II ditches the admittedly more travel-friendly canvas bag for an unquestionably gorgeous vinyl leather material with a soft felt interior for protecting your precious headphones.
While this larger, bulkier design might drawback from the Monitor II's compact design ethos - I've personally found the case to be so immediately satisfying, and such a step up from the original Monitor II's drawstring canvas bag - that I can easily overlook this admittedly minor drawback.
On its design and build quality alone - the Marshall Monitor II headphones are more than impressive - they're conveniently compact, they're comfortable and I found myself adjusting to the simplified button configuration in a heartbeat - which was especially useful while blocking out the noise of public chatter on the go.
A well-weighted, nicely designed set of headphones is one thing, but looks can be deceiving - how does the sound hold up to scrutiny?
Sound and performance - the ultimate test
After weeks of back-and-forth testing, substituting my Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds for the Marshall Monitor IIs, I can most certainly confirm that I was thoroughly blown away by the Monitor IIs sublime sound. Regardless of whatever genre of music I threw at Marshall's Monitor II headphones - be it classical, folk, electronica, or heavy metal - I found myself consistently in a state of shock and awe at the sheer range of these staggering headphones.
Equipped with custom-tuned 40mm dynamic drivers, one of the most utterly astounding first impressions that immediately hit me when testing the Marshall Monitor IIs was the sheer breadth of its soundscape. Sounds dart from corners, boom and rumble from side to side - creating a music experience, unlike any headphones of its price.
Bass, bass, bass - for many while looking for headphones - a hard-hitting beat is their first-and-foremost priority. Modern headphones often callously overinflate bass to mask lack-lustre headphones quality, so it's more than a little refreshing when you happen to discover the Monitor IIs not only have some of the finest balance I've had the pleasure of experiencing.
From vocals that ring true and clear, to the bass that is wonderfully precise, and treble that shines through it all with high tones being perfectly sharp and moving - the Marshall Monitor II headphones are a marvel of sound engineering - and its price (which may seem steep for non-audiophiles) is mind-bogglingly affordable.
As for its connectivity, Marshall, in its infinite wisdom, has given users the option to use both wireless headphone functionality with Bluetooth 5.0 or a wired connection - so if you're craving just that extra punch of volume or the Monitor IIs happen to be flat out of battery - you've always got a backup.
One of the Monitor II's most celebrated features is its Active Noise Cancelling - the headphones respond to noises created in its environment, adjusting levels so as to not break your noiseless immersion - but how good really is the noise cancelling?
The answer - it's absolutely solid. In-ear earbuds have a much easier time truly cancelling noise thanks to that practically airtight seal that's formed with the ear canal, which simply cannot be said for a traditional pair of over-ear headphones.
The trade-off, however, is just how much power a pair of headphones can pack in compared to earbuds, as well as that truer soundscape that makes all the difference when listening to your favourite music.
In my testing, I have found the Marshall Monitor II headphones to be plenty effective at blocking external sounds with ease, yet with a noticeably more limited noise-cancelling ability with sounds behind the ear.
What's more - due to the sheer volume of the Marshall Monitor IIs - sound leaking is practically inevitable, which as a somewhat introverted individual, I found added a layer of mild paranoia to my bus commutes.
Another slight drawback of the Monitor II is its so-so built-in microphone which has its fair share of distortion and volume issues - but a good microphone isn't why you'd purchase a pair of Marshall headphones.
Battery life - is it reliable?
After thorough testing and encountering the real-life unpredictability of an off-guard flat battery, I feel confident in saying that the Marshall Monitor II headphones have a pretty excellent battery life at around 30 hours (with active noise cancelling activated, and perhaps an additional 10 hours without).
As previously touched upon, should you find yourself on an awkward work day where you've simply not charged the Monitor IIs for some time - you can simply plug in your coiled cable and carry on listening to your jams (at the cost of its Active Noise Cancelling and on-headphones controls) - a simple feature that simply cannot be praised enough.
Using a USB type-C charger, the Monitor II takes a surprisingly long two hours or so to fully charge from being completely flat, compared to some competing brands which take less than half this time. And yet, with the sheer amount of audio oomph the Monitor IIs have - it's no wonder.
From punk to classical and 80s rock - what can the Monitor II handle?
Being a self-proclaimed audiophile and enjoying a whole range of eclectic, frankly bizarre music from a spectrum of odd niches - I can safely say I've truly put the Monitor II through its paces, and so our question remains - how did it do?
We've whittled down a range of different songs with somewhat clashing frequency ranges - some emphasising low bass frequencies, others those harsh treble snares - just to see what the Monitor IIs are capable of.
Opening with the dulled, muted echoes and reverberations of a crowd which gather and become clearer, and clearer - the Marshall Monitor IIs surround the soundscape with subtle, creeping sounds that rise, and rise - until you're slapped with the punch of the drumbeat - powerful and cutting, and you cannot help but move.
And then, in come the midrange vocals with Lindsay Buckingham's calm, soft tone backed by both Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks, lulling you into a blissful, melodic groove that's never sounded better. In come the subtle licks of the guitar, which sound off at the very back of the headphones.
Suddenly, drumbeats appear from the back right as if to counteract the smoothness of the guitar, horns and woodwinds blare in front as the vocals build in intensity and POW - that fierce trio sears through the Monitor II headphones with an uproar - and chills ensue.
Listening to Fleetwood Mac's Tusk on the Marshall Monitor IIs is like listening to it for the first time, every time - rarely am I ever disappointed by the sheer bass not lacking bass and treble for an instant - it's simply sensational.
Lord of the Rings fans from the get-go will recall this hair-raising scene from the final film when all hope is almost lost and the beacons of Minas Tirith are defiantly lit. Howard Shore's epic soundtrack is perhaps one of the most glorious ever put to screen - and with the Marshall Monitor II's - it's never been clearer just how powerful it truly is.
Whispers of strings permeate the soundscape, all the while powerful horns blare and intermingle - dancing from one character's theme to the next, and not a moment is missed.
Each moment with the Marshall Monitor II headphones is crammed with detail, the occasional clicks and movements of instruments jutting from the score just to elucidate how excellent these headphones really are.
And at the very height of dramatic buildup - the orchestral might crashes almightily against the headphones - pushing them to their absolute limits - the score climbs, and climbs until - the climb is hewn by the uproarious power of horns and burning strings - no detail is lost to the headphones for a moment, and at that - we couldn't be happier.
For beat-heavy, dance-oriented music lovers - we couldn't think of a better tune to test the mettle of the Monitor IIs with than Faithless's iconic 'We Come 1'.
Dramatic, revolutionary, and cosmic - coupled with those crisp spoken lyrics that feel timeless - the Monitor II capably handles the pulsing beats and exciting mystical ambience of We Come 1, but seemingly dials back on the heaviness of the bass in favour of vocal clarity.
For gym-goers, there may be a hint of frustration when it comes to the Marshall Monitor II headphones not quite packing that heavy hit of bass in what should be a bass-heavy song, but Faithless fans aren't entirely robbed of bass when it's delivered in bucketloads at the halfway mark in a powerful resolution.
Any downsides?
In all honesty - it's particularly difficult to criticise the Marshall Monitor II headphones - yes there are small issues that can be noted - a shortish headphone cable, a somewhat weak microphone, some noticeable leakage and noise cancellation issues at higher volumes, and perhaps some minor discomfort after wearing them for hours at an end - but there are very few headphones available that aren't without any issues of their own.
My experience with the Marshall Monitor II headphones has been, in short; revolutionary - and I simply cannot go back to my regular earbuds again without feeling at least a hint of disappointment.
Price and competition
As for its price - what may seem initially like a steep price is actually fairly reasonable for the sheer quality of the headphones themselves. Power, volume, versatility, comfortability - there really are few headphones that can match the genuine brilliance of the Marshall Monitor IIs - and its really no wonder.
Paying £300+ for any kind of technology - even with something as superfluous as a pair of headphones can be somewhat painful, but your investment in good headphone technology is not in vain. Ultimately, you're paying for an exclusively ground-breaking headphone experience and to be able to enjoy that next-level of audio technology with each listen, whether you're walking to the shops or editing your own musical masterpiece - and for that, it's hard to put a price on the Monitor II headphones.
Verdict
For audiophiles, editors, lovers of Marshall products - there really aren't many options that can outwardly knock the absolute splendour of Marshall's Monitor II headphones - from the solid battery to the excellent, vibrant sound unlike few other headphones at its budget, it's rare that I am lost for words while reviewing headphones - and the Monitor II's have consistently left me unable to speak, they're just that good.
Unfortunately, Marshall's Monitor II Diamond Jubilee Edition headphones have been somewhat tough to find since their release, but the regular version is readily available.
Pros
- Powerful sound
- Gorgeous minimalistic design
- Excellently balanced
- Stunning case
Cons
- Some noise-leakage at high volume
- Noise cancelling isn't perfect
- Microphone is lack-lustre
More headphones to consider:
www.johnlewis.com
How I tested the Marshall Monitor II headphones
Substituting the Marshall Monitor II headphones for my regular earbuds, I them every day for weeks on end during commutes, gym trips, and day-to-day work to ensure I had a thorough testing experience.
Ryan is a tech writer and reviewer for What's The Best, specialising in PCs and gaming. He is a keen PC gamer and an avid reader.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the rest of the What’s The Best team.