Making The Rare Case For Premium On-Ear Headphones

Key Points:

• Marshall has launched the Milton, a new premium on-ear ANC headphone priced at $230, positioned between its Major and Monitor ranges, marking the first time the Major line includes active noise cancellation.
• The Milton combines design elements from both the Major and Monitor models, featuring 32mm drivers, a lightweight and comfortable build, and a distinctive Marshall aesthetic aimed at younger, lifestyle-focused users.
• The headphones offer a feature-rich companion app praised for its intuitive interface, providing customizable ANC levels, EQ presets, spatial audio ("Soundstage"), Spotify Tap integration, and battery management tools.
• Sound quality is characterized by a fun, bass-forward profile typical of Marshall, with balanced mids and highs, and support for LDAC codec, though aptX is not supported; ANC performance is strong for on-ear headphones but lacks a complete sense of isolation.
• Battery life is impressive, delivering over 50 hours with ANC enabled and up to 80 hours without, and includes user-replaceable batteries and removable ear pads to extend product longevity.