The Marshall Motif II ANC wireless earbuds continue the iconic audio brand’s tradition of delivering quality sound in stylish packaging. These second-generation true wireless earbuds build upon their predecessor with improved features while maintaining the classic Marshall aesthetic that music enthusiasts have come to love. But do these compact earbuds deliver enough punch to justify their premium price tag? Let’s dive into what makes the Motif II ANC stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
Pros/Cons Summary
Pros:
- Rich, well-balanced sound signature with impressive bass response
- Effective active noise cancellation
- Distinctive Marshall design with textured finish
- Comfortable for extended wear
- Reliable touch controls
- Good microphone quality for calls
- Solid battery life with wireless charging support
- IPX5 water resistance
Cons:
- Premium pricing compared to some competitors
- ANC performance not quite on par with industry leaders
- No multipoint connectivity
- Case is slightly bulkier than some alternatives
- Limited EQ customization options in the app
Technical Specifications
- Driver Size: 6mm dynamic drivers
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Bluetooth Version: 5.3
- Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
- Battery Life:
- 6 hours with ANC on (earbuds)
- 8 hours with ANC off (earbuds)
- Up to 30 hours total with charging case (ANC off)
- Charging: USB-C and Qi wireless charging
- Water Resistance: IPX5 (sweat and splash resistant)
- Weight: 4.5g per earbud, 55g charging case
- Connectivity Features: Fast Pair for Android
- Controls: Touch-sensitive panels on both earbuds
- Noise Cancellation: Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode
- Microphones: 4 mics with noise reduction for calls
- App Support: Marshall Bluetooth app with EQ controls
Sound Quality Assessment
Marshall has always been about delivering powerful sound, and the Motif II ANC doesn’t disappoint. The 6mm dynamic drivers produce a sound signature that stays true to the Marshall brand – rich, detailed, and with just enough bass emphasis to make rock and electronic genres shine without overwhelming other elements.
The bass response is punchy and precise rather than boomy, providing a solid foundation without muddying the mids. On tracks like Foo Fighters’ “Everlong,” the drums and bass guitar maintain their presence while allowing Dave Grohl’s vocals to cut through clearly. The midrange is warm and natural, making these earbuds particularly good for guitar-driven music and vocals.
The high frequencies offer good detail and sparkle without becoming harsh or fatiguing during extended listening sessions. Cymbal crashes and high-pitched synthesizers retain their character without causing discomfort.
The soundstage is surprisingly wide for in-ear headphones, providing decent spatial separation that helps identify individual instruments in complex mixes. While not as expansive as over-ear headphones, the Motif II creates an immersive listening experience that doesn’t feel confined.
The inclusion of aptX Adaptive codec support is a welcome feature for Android users, offering better wireless audio quality and lower latency when paired with compatible devices. iPhone users will default to AAC, which still provides good quality but lacks some of the technical advantages of aptX.
Where the Motif II particularly impresses is in its sound consistency across various volume levels – the balanced profile remains intact whether you’re listening at low volumes during a quiet commute or cranking them up for motivation during a workout.
Comfort and Fit
Marshall includes four sizes of silicone ear tips (XS, S, M, L) to accommodate different ear shapes. Finding the right fit is crucial not only for comfort but also for optimizing sound quality and noise cancellation effectiveness.
The earbuds themselves are relatively light at 4.5g each and have a low-profile design that doesn’t protrude excessively from the ears. The angled nozzles help direct sound properly into the ear canal while distributing pressure evenly.
During extended listening sessions of 3-4 hours, the Motif II remains comfortable without causing significant ear fatigue. The IPX5 water resistance rating makes them suitable for workouts, though they lack additional stabilizing features like ear fins or hooks that some dedicated sports earbuds offer.
The secure fit provides good passive noise isolation even before activating the ANC. However, those with particularly small ear canals might find achieving a perfect seal challenging, which could affect both sound quality and noise cancellation performance.
Battery Life (Wireless)
Battery performance is solid if not extraordinary. With ANC activated, the earbuds themselves provide approximately 6 hours of continuous playback at moderate volume levels – enough to cover most daily commutes or workout sessions without requiring a recharge.
Turning off ANC extends the battery life to around 8 hours, which puts them in line with many competitors in this price range. The charging case provides an additional 22-24 hours of battery life (depending on ANC usage), bringing the total listening time to around 30 hours before needing to connect to a power source.
The case supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging, providing flexibility in how you power up. A quick-charge feature gives approximately 1 hour of playback from just 15 minutes in the case – useful for those times when you’ve forgotten to charge overnight.
Battery drainage is fairly even between the left and right earbuds, and the Marshall Bluetooth app provides accurate battery level indicators for both the earbuds and the case. During testing, the battery life claims proved to be accurate, with only minimal deviation under challenging conditions like very high volume levels or cold temperatures.
Additional Features
Active Noise Cancellation: The ANC performance is effective for everyday environments like offices, coffee shops, and public transportation. It does particularly well with consistent low-frequency noise like air conditioners, airplane cabin noise, and train rumbles. However, it falls slightly short of industry leaders like Sony and Bose when dealing with irregular, high-frequency sounds or voices.
Transparency Mode: This feature allows ambient sound to pass through when activated, useful for quick conversations or increased awareness in urban environments. The implementation is natural-sounding, without the artificial processing tone some competitors exhibit.
Touch Controls: Both earbuds feature touch-sensitive panels that respond reliably to taps and holds. The default configuration is intuitive:
- Single tap: Play/pause
- Double tap: Next track/answer calls
- Triple tap: Previous track
- Long press: Toggle between ANC/Transparency/Off modes
Controls can be customized to some extent via the Marshall Bluetooth app, allowing users to prioritize functions they use most frequently.
App Experience: The Marshall Bluetooth app provides a straightforward interface for managing your earbuds. Features include:
- Battery level monitoring
- ANC/Transparency mode controls
- EQ presets and limited custom EQ options
- Touch control customization
- Firmware updates
The app is clean and functional, though the EQ customization options aren’t as extensive as some competitors offer.
Call Quality: The four-microphone array delivers clear voice capture for calls in reasonably quiet environments. The noise reduction algorithm does a decent job of filtering out background noises, though extremely windy conditions can still cause problems – a common issue for most true wireless earbuds.
Price/Value Analysis
Priced around $199/£179/€199, the Marshall Motif II ANC sits in the premium segment of the true wireless earbuds market. This positions them below flagship models from Sony, Apple, and Bose, but significantly above budget options.
For the price, you’re getting solid sound quality, effective ANC, good battery life, and the distinctive Marshall design aesthetic. The build quality inspires confidence that these earbuds will last, and the feature set covers all the essentials that most users would expect at this price point.
Where the value proposition becomes more questionable is when comparing specific features to competitors. Some similarly priced alternatives offer multipoint connectivity (the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously), more advanced ANC algorithms, or more comprehensive app customization options.
However, if the Marshall sound signature and design language appeal to you, the overall package represents reasonable value. The company has clearly focused on delivering where it matters most – sound quality and durability – rather than cramming in every possible feature.
Comparison to Alternatives
Sony WF-1000XM5: Sony’s offerings typically provide superior noise cancellation and more extensive app customization options, but at a higher price point. The Marshall delivers a more focused sound signature that rock and indie fans might prefer.
Apple AirPods Pro 2: For iPhone users, AirPods Pro offer more seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem and slightly better ANC. The Motif II counters with a more distinctive design and potentially better sound quality for certain music genres.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: Both focus on sound quality, with Sennheiser offering a slightly wider soundstage and more neutral tuning. The Marshall has a more robust build quality and distinctive aesthetic.
Nothing Ear (2): Nothing’s earbuds offer a similarly distinctive design language at a lower price point but can’t match the Marshall’s sound quality or ANC effectiveness.
Original Marshall Motif ANC: The second generation improves on battery life, ANC effectiveness, and adds aptX Adaptive support. If you already own the original Motif, the upgrade might not be essential unless these specific improvements address pain points you’ve experienced.
Who Should Buy This
The Marshall Motif II ANC is ideal for:
- Rock, indie, and electronic music enthusiasts who appreciate the Marshall sound signature
- Style-conscious users who value distinctive design and brand heritage
- Commuters and office workers needing good (but not class-leading) noise cancellation
- Users who prioritize sound quality and build durability over cutting-edge features
- People who need reliable earbuds for diverse environments, from workouts to office use
These might not be the right choice for:
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Those requiring multipoint connectivity for seamless switching between devices
- Users needing the absolute best-in-class noise cancellation
- Audiophiles seeking the most neutral sound representation
Takeaways
The Marshall Motif II ANC represents a solid evolution in the company’s true wireless lineup, offering improvements where they matter most without trying to reinvent what worked in the original model. They stay true to the Marshall ethos of delivering powerful, engaging sound in a package that looks as good as it performs.
While they don’t lead the field in any single category, they offer a well-balanced combination of sound quality, comfort, ANC performance, and battery life that makes them easy to recommend to anyone who connects with the brand’s rock ‘n’ roll heritage.
What makes these earbuds stand out isn’t revolutionary technology or industry-first features – it’s the cohesive, thoughtful implementation of everything that makes for a great daily listening experience. In a market segment where many products feel increasingly homogenized, the Marshall Motif II ANC maintains a distinct personality while delivering where it counts.
For music lovers seeking quality wireless earbuds with effective noise cancellation, distinctive style, and the Marshall pedigree, the Motif II ANC presents a compelling option that’s worth the investment – especially for those whose musical tastes align with the brand’s rock roots.
