MC Approved: The MARSHALL MILTON A.N.C HEADPHONES
Words by Hayley Biddulph
Music is a part of everything I do - it takes me back to moments in a beat-up van travelling around Wyoming searching for bison, bears, and the next blueberry bagel; to letting go of everything in my art studio and just immersing myself in what I’m doing.
I like it that way. So I’ll be the first person to tell you, if you’re like me, and want your music to transport you – you need to get your hands on the Marshall Milton Adaptive Noise Cancelling (A.N.C) headphones.
Since wearing them, I’ve reminisced watching The Brian Jonestown Massacre live in Mexico City three Mezcals deep, and I’ve just accidentally listened to Strange Overtones by David Byrne eight times in a row. Here’s what I thought.
How do they look?
These headphones come in a sturdy box, along with a charging cord, a useful drawstring bag, and a detachable coiled cord (which has a favourable retro headphone-jack aesthetic). What I noticed first from the headphones was their textured leathery black finish and brass Marshall logo and tactile details. Immediately, I feel a presence attached to them, like they’re something you’d find tangled up backstage. The nostalgic branding, physical controls, and classic leather all add to that feeling.
They’re lightweight, but solid. Sure, they’ve got all the smart features; adaptive noise cancelling and fifty hours of wireless playtime, but they feel more like a piece of vintage studio equipment than a modern tech accessory, and that’s exactly the appeal. Unlike so many office headphones today, which lean cold and robotic, the Miltons have real character. (I’ve never been drawn to spaceship minimalism. I like old things, and old music.) They’re the kind of headphones you want to put on immediately.
How do they sit?
The ear cups sit perfectly with just enough weight, creating an isolated little world that good headphones are supposed to create. They’re easy to wear for long painting sessions in the studio while it rains.
I slapped on far too much paint, consumed enough English breakfast tea for a small village, and got so immersed in my work I forgot I was even wearing headphones. Personally, I think they strike a good balance between no-fuss comfort and effortless style.
Now that you know they are comfortable, I should also let you know that the fifty hours of wireless playtime means that you can get things done (like this painting) without having to stress about whether they’ll need to be charged.
What’s the sound like?
I listened to one of my favourite Rodríguez albums, Cold Fact, and seriously noticed parts of the songs I’ve never truly heard before. Sounds that cut through. The bass feels alive. The sound quality is warm and punchy.
I’ve tested the sound across many different artists; from The War on Drugs, to Johnny Cash; from Erykah Badu to Aretha Franklin. My music sounds bloody good, and every time I wear them, I feel removed from the chaos of day-to-day life.
As a matter of fact, they’re also comfortable enough to vigorously dance in. I managed to burn eggs to a crisp in the frying pan because I got too distracted dancing in the kitchen wearing them. The song I played was Feels Like Woah by Wesly Dean – not my usual taste but sure tasted better than the eggs. (If you want to know what else I listened to, here’s the playlist.)
What’s the A.N.C doing?
The adaptive A.N.C is honestly incredible. It didn’t vacuum-seal me from the rest of the world, it just adjusted noise cancellation in real-time depending on my surroundings.
It made music the most important thing and left the world around me to still exist. This allowed me to really zone in on whatever was in front of me. I was able to translate feelings onto canvas with ease, and daydream about the Canadian Rockies all at the same time.
For very clever headphones, they still look old-school. That’s such a bonus for me, because although I’m now officially an A.N.C enthusiast, and truly care about their technology – at the end of the day, I want my headphones to align with my personal fashion and way of life as well.
Are they practical?
The portability of the Milton headphones is unreal. They can fold very easily, and I’ve carried them in my bag all day around the city, without getting frustrated. That’s a massive highlight for me.
The Bluetooth connection is simple, and although I didn’t fiddle around much with the transparency mode (which lets sounds in so you can hear what’s going on around you), I feel like that would be useful in terms of safety and crossing busy roads.
Final comments?
The Marshall Milton Adaptive A.N.C headphones have impressed me on every front – as someone constantly moving between travel, art, fashion, and my recent obsession with banana bread baking – but most importantly, as someone who puts music first and foremost.
Marshall’s decision to lean into heritage, texture, and attitude, genuinely feels so refreshing in a world where so many modern headphones look too sleek and boring.
If you’re like me and romanticise your music, or care how things sound but also how they feel and look, the Milton headphones are truly the ones you need. They transport you to that familiar place that we all know and love when listening to music – no matter if you’re in the art studio, squashed in a bus or burning eggs in the kitchen. Check them out here.
