Compare Nothing Headphone (1) vs Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones

Reviewers liked that wired listening is covered with a 3.5mm jack, often alongside USB-C, making the headphones more flexible for planes and wired sources.

The lack of a built-in 3.5mm analog jack was a repeated drawback, even though USB-C-to-3.5mm wired listening is possible.

ANC was generally viewed as strong for the price and effective in everyday noise, though several reviewers said Sony, Bose, or AirPods Max still outperform it.

ANC was usually judged good, solid, or decent for daily use, but several reviewers said it still trails Bose, Sony, or the top tier.

Reviewers consistently praised the broad feature set, especially customization, spatial options, ANC controls, and app-driven extras.

Advanced software features were considered solid and modern, but reviewers did not see them as uniquely class-leading.

One reviewer specifically liked the slim profile because the headphones sit close to the head despite their bold styling.

Aesthetics were distinctive and often praised, but some reviewers noted the retro Marshall look will not suit everyone.

Background-noise reduction was mixed: lab-style and street testing praised attenuation, while some reviewers noted weaker handling of voices or sudden sounds.

ANC background noise performance was decent: one review measured strong overall noise reduction, and another said white noise was not bad.

One review found ANC changed the sound signature negatively, narrowing and muting more complex tracks.

ANC-off listening measured slightly better in one review, suggesting ANC can subtly affect the sound signature.

One review said audio sounded best with ANC off because switching ANC on narrowed and muted the presentation.

ANC slightly affects audio performance, with one review noting higher sound-quality scores when ANC is disabled.

The six-month review praised the app for working on both iOS and Android, supporting strong Android usability.

Android compatibility was positive in one review that found the headphones sounded good on Android.

The app was one of the product’s strongest points, with reviewers praising its layout, speed, settings, and unusually deep EQ tools.

The app was viewed positively for customization, controls, battery options, and a generally intuitive experience.

aptX support was criticized as absent, especially for Android or lossless-codec users.

Low-latency mode was treated positively as a useful gaming/video feature for reducing delay.

Audio-video sync was a concern for gaming because one reviewer tied the lack of low-latency codecs to more noticeable latency.

Auracast was a weakness only by absence, with TechRadar saying the lack of LE Audio and Auracast keeps them from feeling fully future-proof.

Auracast support was treated as a positive future-facing feature, especially for Android and LE Audio readiness.

Wear/on-head detection was praised in early reviews as useful and working well, though related long-term Mac behavior was criticized elsewhere.

Auto-play and wear detection worked but was slow to react in one test.

Auto power/sleep behavior drew criticism in long-term use, especially when connected to a Mac.

Bass impressions were split: some heard controlled punch and texture, while others described muddy bass or weak low-frequency precision before EQ.

Bass was usually described as punchy or well-balanced, though several reviewers said it could use more impact, cleaner control, or stronger low-end weight.

Battery life was one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly praised for 35+ hours with ANC and exceptional longevity without ANC.

Battery life had the strongest agreement: reviewers repeatedly described it as class-leading, incredible, extraordinary, or far ahead of competitors.

Bluetooth reliability was supported by positive connectivity evidence, including Bluetooth 5.3 range and dual-device support.

Bluetooth performance was praised in one review as stable and high-performance.

Bluetooth 5.3 was described as up to date, giving the headphones a modern wireless baseline.

Bluetooth version support was tied to a stable, high-performance wireless connection in one review.

Build quality was broadly praised as solid, premium, and better than expected, though one reviewer worried about long-term headband durability.

Build quality was generally strong and rugged, with praise for durability and materials, offset by one report of creaking.

Wired hi-res and USB-C digital playback were viewed as useful extras, with reviewers noting clearer or lossless wired listening.

Hi-res playback support was a weakness because reviewers repeatedly noted no hi-res Bluetooth audio support.

Physical controls were a standout strength, widely praised for tactility and usability, although a few reviewers found the layout or paddle/roller behavior finicky.

Button controls were a standout strength, with reviewers preferring the tactile joystick and physical buttons over touch controls.

Cable quality was criticized because the included 3.5mm cable was only three-pole and could not carry microphone audio.

Cable quality received praise in one review for the black cable with brass tips and premium-feeling presentation.

Case feedback was mixed: some praised protection and compactness, while others found it too large, cheap-feeling, or annoying to zip.

The carry case was usually praised as sturdy, compact, premium, or travel-friendly, though a few reviewers found it bulky or unnecessary.

Charging was praised, especially the fast-charge claims and real-world usefulness before trips or commutes.

Charging was praised for fast top-ups, with reviewers citing up to 12 hours of playback from a short charge.

Clamping force was generally secure and comfortable, but PCMag found it tighter than preferred.

Clamping comfort was rated very highly, with reviewers reporting little to virtually zero pressure.

Codec support was treated positively, with SBC/AAC/LDAC and high-res support helping the value proposition.

Codec support was a clear weakness because reviewers noted no hi-res, lossless, or low-latency codec support.

Comfort was usually positive over hours of use, but weight, heat, piercings, glasses, and headband pressure made it less universal.

Comfort was one of the strongest consensus wins, with reviewers repeatedly praising all-day wear, soft fit, and low fatigue.

Connectivity was a major strength, with reviewers praising the mix of USB-C, 3.5mm, multipoint, and app/device support.

Connectivity options were mixed: wired and wireless playback were useful, but the lack of a built-in 3.5mm jack and coiled cable hurt convenience.

Design was one of the most discussed strengths, repeatedly praised as distinctive, premium, and eye-catching, though also polarizing.

Design and aesthetics were mostly praised for the distinctive Marshall look, premium detailing, and rugged styling, though taste varied.

Long-term durability evidence was limited, but one reviewer worried about cosmetic dings from the rectangular cups.

Durability over time was viewed positively because reviewers described more durable, repairable construction and long-term toughness.

Ear cup padding was mostly praised for soft memory foam and a good seal, though a few reviewers felt pressure or heat.

Ear cup padding was widely praised as extremely soft, plush, pillow-like, and important to comfort and sealing.

Ear cup rotation and swivel helped portability, though one reviewer found the twisting mechanism odd on the head.

Earpad/body-borne noise was a notable negative for one reviewer, who heard footsteps and heartbeat-like sounds.

Ecosystem perks were useful for Nothing Phone users, but some exclusive features limited broader appeal.

EQ customization was a standout feature, repeatedly described as powerful, granular, and sometimes essential for fixing the stock tuning.

EQ customization was broadly useful and responsive, though one reviewer wanted more precision than the five-band setup provides.

Launch features were viewed positively because the headphones offered several differentiating features beyond visual design.

Features at launch were adequate but not standout, with one reviewer saying the standard feature set lacked a truly distinctive tool.

Find My support was considered useful but basic, with reviewers noting it mainly plays a sound rather than offering smarter tracking.

Firmware support looked promising because a later Nothing X update added Personal Sound support.

Frequency-response evidence was mixed: some heard balanced tuning, while others found the default curve dark, uneven, or treble-recessed.

The default frequency response was judged broadly listener-friendly, especially for casual listeners.

Headband adjustability drew mixed but mostly positive feedback, with smooth adjustment praised and one top-mounted mechanism criticized.

Headband adjustability earned a small positive note for visible adjustment numbering.

Headband padding was mixed: SoundGuys liked weight distribution, while The Guardian found the padding too thin after hours.

Headband comfort was praised for reducing top-of-head pressure through light weight and support-strap design.

Hinge durability was praised for being able to twist without showing signs of breaking.

Immersive audio was weak in TechRadar’s testing, where spatial effects added little and sometimes harmed movie or podcast playback.

Immersive audio quality was mixed, with some reviewers enjoying the added atmosphere and others finding the effect limited or not truly immersive.

Included accessories received praise for the attractive red-velvet case and included cables.

Instrument separation ranged from crowded and unclear in negative reviews to solid detail and separation in more positive listening impressions.

Instrument separation was a consistent strength when mentioned, with reviewers noting solid layering, instrument placement, and separation across bass, mids, and highs.

Integrated microphone feedback was mixed, with clear/crisp quiet-room results but criticism of vocal clarity or noisy-environment performance.

LDAC support was consistently treated as a positive, especially for Android/high-res wireless listening.

LDAC was only discussed as an absent higher-quality codec, making it a codec-support weakness.

LE Audio readiness was marked down because TechRadar noted the lack of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast.

LE Audio readiness was treated as a positive future-proofing feature by multiple reviewers.

Maximum-volume clarity was positive in CNET’s testing, with almost no distortion even at high volumes.

Maximum-volume clarity was strong in the reviews that addressed it, with no audible or max-volume distortion reported.

Microphone noise reduction was generally strong, with reviewers praising background suppression, though one noted echo/reverb issues.

Microphone noise reduction was praised for handling simulated or real wind well, despite some vocal-clarity caveats elsewhere.

Call mic quality was mixed-to-positive: several reviewers heard clear calls, while others described the mic as merely fine, tinny, or robotic.

Call microphone quality received strong praise from one reviewer, especially for windy phone calls.

Midrange clarity was polarizing, with some praising vocals while others heard too much lower-mid darkness or underemphasized midrange.

Midrange impressions were mixed: some praised vocals and instruments, while others heard under-emphasized mids, prominent high mids, or occasional clutter.

Multi-platform use was praised in long-term testing because the app works across iOS and Android with most features available on both.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive where tested on both iOS and Android.

Multipoint reliability was treated positively, with reviewers highlighting quick switching and two-device connection.

Multipoint reliability was strong where tested, with seamless switching or extremely reliable two-device use.

Passive isolation was a clear strength, with the ear pads and seal repeatedly helping noise reduction even before ANC.

Passive isolation was praised for the soft cushions and seal, which helped block noise even before ANC was considered.

Overall recommendations were mixed-positive: many reviewers liked the value and debut effort, but sound tuning and comfort kept it from universal praise.

Overall recommendations were positive but caveated: reviewers liked the package, especially for travel and rock-focused listening, while noting ANC, codecs, and wired tradeoffs.

Portability was mixed: the headphones lie flat and can pack neatly in some cases, but they do not fold up and remain large.

Portability and foldability were major strengths thanks to the compact folding design and small travel footprint.

Premium feel was widely praised, with reviewers saying the headphones feel expensive, solid, and better than expected at the price.

Premium feel was praised through richer materials, superior build impressions, and a luxurious presentation.

Preset EQ feedback was mixed, with some finding treble/bass presets useful and others saying presets were not enough or should be skipped.

The preset EQ experience was praised in one review, especially the bass boost setting for adding dynamic sound without excess bass.

Replaceable earpad evidence was weak-to-negative, with uncertainty around replacements and a long-term reviewer noting Nothing still did not sell them.

Replaceable earpads were praised as easy to remove or replace and useful for longevity.

Replaceable pads and headband parts were a repairability plus where described.

Sensor evidence was positive but limited, with one reviewer identifying proximity sensing as useful hardware.

Sensor performance was a concern because one reviewer reported random wear-sensor triggers.

Smart listening features were positively supported by Personal Sound, which was described as a useful way to personalize tuning.

Smart listening features were mixed: adaptive volume, Spotify Tap, and battery preservation drew praise, while missing convenience features held the score down.

Smart Pause performance was praised by TechRadar, which said wear detection and multipoint both worked perfectly once enabled.

Smart Pause performance was criticized for random triggering in one longer test.

Smudge resistance was a weakness because the finish visibly picked up oil even if it wiped off easily.

Setup and software simplicity were praised through Google Fast Pair, an easy app, and automatic pairing behavior.

Setup simplicity received praise from one reviewer who called pairing/setup easy.

Sound leakage was viewed positively in one review because the plush ear cups helped minimize leak.

Sound quality was the most divisive area: some loved the tuned or EQ-adjusted sound, while many criticized the default tuning as dark, flat, or compressed.

Reviewers generally liked the sound, describing it as pleasing, energetic, balanced, or excellent, with the strongest praise for rock and instrument-driven listening.

Soundstage was often criticized as narrow or compressed, though a few reviewers heard decent width after tuning or in positive listening sessions.

Soundstage width drew mixed reactions, from solid or opened-up presentation to narrow, cluttered, or not true-spatial enough.

Spatial audio was mixed: some found it useful for movies and broad device support, while others called it weak, limp, or harmful to music.

Spatial audio was divisive: some liked the extra space, but others found it unnatural, underwhelming, or below true Atmos-style experiences.

Fit stability was praised where reviewers described a secure fit without excessive tightness.

Connection stability was praised as stable and high-performance in one review.

Streaming-service integration was criticized in long-term use because Channel Hop/favorites behavior felt confusing.

Streaming service integration was praised strongly for Spotify Tap, especially for starting playback without pulling out a phone.

Repairability evidence was mixed-to-negative: The Guardian noted replacement cushions, but a long-term reviewer criticized the soldered battery.

Sustainability and repairability were praised for replaceable parts and repair-minded design, with a caveat that batteries are not user-replaceable.

Sustainability materials were a weakness because The Guardian said the headphones were not made with recycled materials.

Sustainability materials received a modest positive note for recycled plastic use.

Transparency mode was generally usable and often natural enough for conversations, but several reviewers found it less natural than Apple, Bose, or Sony.

Transparency mode was considered usable and sometimes natural, but reviewers also noted hiss, limited realism, or weaker performance than the best rivals.

Travel friendliness was mixed-to-negative because battery life is good but the case is bulky and the headphones do not fold up.

Travel friendliness was a major strength due to battery life, compact folding, wired flexibility, and protective case design.

Treble clarity was a common weakness in negative sound reviews, with several reviewers hearing recessed, dull, or less crisp highs.

Treble feedback was split between clear, impressive highs and complaints about sibilance, fatigue, or sharpness on some tracks.

USB-C was praised as a useful wired audio and charging option, especially for modern devices and lossless playback.

USB-C was useful for charging and wired listening, but reviewers criticized the one-port limitation and need for power in wired use.

Value was generally positive because the headphones undercut major rivals while offering strong build, controls, battery, ANC, and EQ, though weak default sound hurt value for some.

Value was generally fair to good, especially on sale, but reviewers noted strong cheaper or better-performing rivals.

Voice assistant integration was positively supported through the customizable button and Gemini/assistant access.

Voice prompts and feedback split reviewers sharply: one loved the mode sounds, while others found cues uncomfortable, awful, loud, or jarring.

Voice prompts and feedback added personality through Marshall-style guitar sounds during power and pairing.

Volume output was criticized by reviewers who wanted more headroom or found the roller caused accidental loud jumps.

One reviewer found the headphones plenty loud, with comfortable listening volume well below maximum.

Water/sweat resistance was praised as rare for premium over-ears, though PCMag cautioned that IP52 is still limited.

Water and sweat resistance was a weakness because reviewers noted the headphones are not waterproof and should avoid rain or gym use.

Wear detection auto-pause was criticized in long-term Mac use, where the reviewer said over-ear detection was god-awful.

Wear detection auto-pause was only moderately successful, working but reacting slowly.

Wear detection performance was poor in one long-term Mac test, where it reportedly never worked.

Wear detection performance was a weakness in one longer test because the sensor randomly triggered.

Weight comfort was mixed: reviewers often found them wearable, but their 329g weight was repeatedly noticed against lighter Sony/Bose options.

Weight comfort was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling the headphones light for the class and easy to wear.

Wind handling was mixed: some mic suppression impressed reviewers, while ANC or voice noise gating struggled in wind.

Wind handling was mixed: one reviewer found wind susceptibility in ANC/transparency, while another found moderate wind manageable.