Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
Quick take: The Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $2 less; the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. lasts longer per charge (70 hrs).
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$248 | ~$250 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Over-Ear Headphones | Over-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC | ANC |
| Battery (single charge) | 30 hrs | 70 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 3 min = 3 hrs | 15 min = 12 hrs |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 32 mm |
| Weight | 250 g | 250 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
Sony WH-1000XM5
- ✓Flagship-grade ANC for roughly $150 under launch price
- ✓250 grams practically disappears on your head
- ✓Warm, bass-forward tuning still competes with anything here
- ✓Reliable multipoint and mature Headphones Connect app
- ✓3-minute quick charge yields 3 hours
- ✓30-hour battery matches the newer XM6
- ✗Widespread headband-stem cracking reports — spawned class-action chatter
- ✗Non-folding design forces a bulky travel case
- ✗Touch controls misfire in cold or humid weather
- ✗Smooth plastic finish scuffs easily
- ✗No aptX support, as with every Sony flagship
Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
- ✓70-hour ANC battery — longest of any flagship rival
- ✓15-minute charge buys 12 hours
- ✓Brass joystick handles everything without touch-surface guesswork
- ✓Distinctive guitar-amp styling stands out from black slabs
- ✓250 grams with a folding travel-friendly design
- ✓Energetic rock-friendly tuning with proper app EQ
- ✗ANC a clear tier below Bose and Sony
- ✗Bare-bones SBC/AAC despite LE Audio-ready Bluetooth 5.3
- ✗32mm drivers sound congested next to the Px7 S3
- ✗Clamp runs tight for the first weeks
- ✗No adaptive ANC or speech detection like rivals offer