

Sony WH-1000XM5
2 of 3 would buy again
3 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
Expected more from comfort
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At 8.3, its noise cancelling beats 51% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 63 of the 241 we've cataloged.
A 4.4 puts its audio quality in the top third of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 47 of the 241 we've cataloged.
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above average for over-ear headphones — based on 158 of 241 we've cataloged.
Usb-c is the most common — on 88% of the 139 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 241).
5.3 appears on 26% of the 151 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 241).
Bluetooth appears on 43% of the 249 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 241).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 6.5 |
| 25 | 5.5 |
| 32 | 5.0 |
| 40 | 5.1 |
| 50 | 4.0 |
| 63 | 5.7 |
| 80 | 5.2 |
| 100 | 4.3 |
| 125 | 3.6 |
| 160 | 1.8 |
| 200 | 0.1 |
| 250 | -1.9 |
| 315 | -4.3 |
| 400 | -4.3 |
| 500 | -2.9 |
| 630 | -1.7 |
| 800 | -1.4 |
| 1000 | 0.2 |
| 1250 | 3.5 |
| 1600 | 5.6 |
| 2000 | 6.5 |
| 2500 | 7.8 |
| 3150 | 13.3 |
| 4000 | 13.3 |
| 5000 | 10.2 |
| 6300 | 11.2 |
| 8000 | 12.0 |
| 10000 | 8.8 |
| 12500 | 3.6 |
| 16000 | -7.4 |
| 20000 | -17.5 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 8.2 |
| 26 | 3.7 |
| 33 | -0.6 |
| 41 | -0.3 |
| 52 | -1.3 |
| 65 | -1.5 |
| 82 | -1.5 |
| 103 | -1.2 |
| 130 | 0.1 |
| 163 | -0.5 |
| 205 | 0.7 |
| 259 | 2.5 |
| 325 | 3.6 |
| 410 | 3.4 |
| 516 | 6.2 |
| 613 | 8.3 |
| 772 | 11.4 |
| 972 | 14.0 |
| 1220 | 16.1 |
| 1540 | 22.9 |
| 1940 | 33.2 |
| 2440 | 37.1 |
| 3070 | 28.7 |
| 3870 | 36.8 |
| 4870 | 42.1 |
| 6130 | 46.9 |
| 7720 | 48.1 |
| 9720 | 46.4 |
| 12200 | 37.4 |
| 15400 | 44.7 |
| 19400 | 44.3 |
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 15.6 |
| 26 | 13.7 |
| 33 | 10.1 |
| 41 | 9.4 |
| 52 | 10.0 |
| 65 | 11.2 |
| 82 | 17.7 |
| 103 | 23.2 |
| 130 | 27.2 |
| 163 | 24.6 |
| 205 | 24.0 |
| 259 | 22.1 |
| 325 | 20.0 |
| 410 | 18.8 |
| 516 | 20.4 |
| 613 | 18.6 |
| 772 | 18.4 |
| 972 | 22.4 |
| 1220 | 18.8 |
| 1540 | 20.7 |
| 1940 | 33.1 |
| 2440 | 35.8 |
| 3070 | 28.9 |
| 3870 | 35.4 |
| 4870 | 41.2 |
| 6130 | 43.5 |
| 7720 | 42.8 |
| 9720 | 44.2 |
| 12200 | 36.4 |
| 15400 | 45.9 |
| 19400 | 42.9 |
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
The verdict
The Marshall Monitor III ANC are solid all-around headphones. With wired and wireless listening, decent noise canceling, exceptional battery life, and a great carrying case, these headphones make for a great travel companion.
✓Liked: Battery life, Excellent travel case, Comfortable design
✕Could be better: No water resistance, No high-res Bluetooth codecs
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What readers ask about the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C., answered by the people who own it.
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2 of 3 would buy again
3 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
Expected more from comfort


1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort


0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The noise cancelling beat their expectations



0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort


0 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · 2 photo-verified
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations

