Bose and Marshall are two iconic names in the audio industry. Marshall branched out back in 2010 and entered the headphones market and naturally, they have been in competition with Bose, who is one of the leaders in the industry. In this article, we’ll take a look and compare the Marshall Monitor II ANC and the Bose NC 700, two of the best noise cancelling headphones available right now. To start, here’s a comparison chart for the two that highlights their differences.
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Marshall Monitor II ANC vs Bose NC 700 Comparison Chart
| Model | Marshall Monitor II ANC | Bose NC 700 |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price at MarshallHeadphones.com | Check Price at Amazon |
| Weight | 320g | 254g |
| Wired Connectivity | 3.5mm input | 2.5mm input |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Range | 10m | 10m |
| Codecs | SBC | SBC AAC |
| Voice Controls | Google Assistant Siri | Alexa Google Assistant Siri |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours with Bluetooth and ANC Up to 45 hours with Bluetooth only | Up to 20 hours with Bluetooth and ANC |
| Charging Time | 2 hours 15-minute charge: Up to 5 hours of playback | 2.5 hours 15-minute charge: Up to 3 hours of playback |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Included Accessories | 3.5 mm cable USB-C charging cable Canvas carrying bag | 2.5mm cable USB-C charging cable Carrying case |
| Colors | Black | Triple Black, Arctic White, Silver Luxe |
Design
When it comes to portability and build quality, we have to give the edge to the Marshall Monitor II ANC headphones.
The Marshall Monitor II ANC headphones is built to last. It features a metal frame that contributes to its excellent build. Weighing at 320g, it is a bit heavier than other headphones that it competes with, but due to its heft, it feels like a premium product. The earcups and headband have thick cushions for comfort and the overall design of the headphones mimic the Marshall amplifiers/cabinets, from the leather grain texture to the gold knob/joystick for controls.
As for the Bose NC 700 headphones, it comes with a minimalist design and the build quality is good. The headband is made from metal but it is still lightweight when compared to the Marshall Monitor II ANC headphones, weighing only 254g. However, a design flaw that may not be as noticeable are the cushions on the earcups. While they are comfortable, they also tend to get hot when the headphones are used for longer periods.
When it comes to portability, the Marshall Monitor II wins since it has a collapsible design along with its rotating earcups. Also, the hard leather textured earcups won’t get scratched easily even if you don’t use the included canvas carrying case and just stuff it inside your bag. In contrast, the smooth finish of the Bose NC 700 can be prone to scratches and it does not collapse, so you’ll need to use the included hard case if you don’t want to accidentally break or damage it when travelling. Its earcups are capable of rotating so you can wear it around your neck comfortably when not in use, just like the Marshall Monitor II.
Connectivity & Other Features
The Marshall Monitor II and the Bose NC 700 are both feature-packed and they both perform very well when it comes to noise cancelling.
Both headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity. They both have an effective range of 10 meters and they both perform well in this area. There are no connection drops or stuttering when listening to music. As long as you stay within 10 meters, you’re good. Both of them can also be used wired. The Marshall Monitor II has a standard 3.5mm input while the Bose NC 700 has a 2.5mm input.
When it comes to codec support, they both have SBC support but only the Bose NC 700 has AAC support. Unfortunately, both headphone do not come with aptX support, so you won’t be able to listen to high-res tracks from your favorite streaming apps.
Controlling the Marshall Monitor II is done via the gold joystick/knob on the right earcup. In contrast, the Bose NC 700 can be controlled via touch gestures. Both are responsive and intuitive and we didn’t find any issues with them. Both headphones also have their companion apps that gives you access to more settings like EQ presets, multipoint connections and more.
As for their noise cancelling capabilities, the Bose NC 700 is the better pair of headphones. It is able to block out low frequency sounds better, like A/C hum, rumbling engines and the likes. As for high frequency sounds, they pretty much perform the same.
Sound Quality
Both sound good, choosing one will depend on the sound profile that you like.
The Marshall Monitor II has a nice sound output where the bass is not exaggerated while the mids are a bit emphasized. However, the highs are a bit recessed, but it’s not that big of an issue as high frequency sounds are still there.
The bass response on the Marshall Monitor II is tight and defined. You can clearly hear the different low frequency sounds and they are not one jumbled mix. As for the mids, the vocals are not recessed at all, so it sounds very good. Overall, the sound quality is great, however, this pair of cans is definitely not for bassheads.
As for the Bose NC 700 headphones, it has a slightly V-shaped sound signature where the lows and highs are emphasized while the mids are recessed. While the low frequency sounds are definitely emphasized on this pair of headphones, they are still detailed and tight. Same with the highs, you’ll hear the details quite clearly, however, vocals are a bit recessed.
Of course, you can always tweak the sound of both headphones using their companion app. There are EQ presets available and you can also adjust the EQ to your liking. The above description are how they sound out of the box.
Battery Life
The Marshall Monitor II ANC headphones beats the Bose NC 700 in this category.
When it comes to battery life, the Marshall Monitor II edges the Bose NC 700 with its longer playback time and shorter charge time. You can use the Marshall Monitor II for around 30 hours with ANC on while the Bose NC 700 has a battery life of up to 20 hours, also with ANC on.
As for their charge time, the Marshall Monitor II needs to be charged for 2 hours to a full charge, while the Bose NC 700 needs 2.5 hours. While the difference is not that big, it is still a difference that should be noted. Both headphones can be quick charged for 15 minutes if you can’t charge them fully. For the Marshall Monitor II, a 15 minute quick charge results in 5 hours of battery life, while the same 15 minute quick charge gives the Bose NC 700 3 hours of playtime.
Both come with USB-C cables for charging.
Verdict
Both headphones are great, but we recommend the the Bose NC 700 since it offers better active noise cancelling.
Choosing between the Marshall Monitor II ANC and the Bose NC 700 can be tough since they both offer excellent performance. However, if you are mainly looking for an active noise cancelling headphones, you should get the Bose NC 700 because it simply outperforms the Marshall Monitor II ANC in that area. However, if sound quality is more important to you, then you should definitely get the Marshall Monitor II ANC. It offers better overall sound, good noise cancelling and as a bonus, it has excellent battery life as well.
FAQs
Yes, since Marshall has been in the audio industry for such a long time now, they know what they are doing when it comes to sound equipment. Their headphones sound good and are built to last.
Yes, especially if you live in a noisy area or you use public transportation often. It allows you to block noise so that you can concentrate on what you’re doing or if you just want to relax. Also, listening to music is great if there are no ambient sounds present.
Yes, even though it is quite expensive, it is worth the money as it is one of the best ANC headphones that you can get.
As of now, Sony is the industry leader, with Bose not too far behind.
Last update on 2021-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API