Marshall Motif II ANC Review: Good Sound Quality With One Major Issue

The Marshall Motif II ANC is the cooler, sleeker alternative to the Apple AirPods, at least when it comes to visuals. Marshall has been a big player in the audio equipment game for decades now, thanks to their competitive products and ability to change with market demands. Now, with the Marshall Motif II, they’re looking to corner the TWS market, but do the earbuds outdo their competition? Let’s find out.

Marshall Motif II ANC Review: Specifications

The spec sheet for the Marshall Motif II ANC comes across as fairly standard, with several above average features. Bluetooth 5.3 LE is the latest and greatest Bluetooth version, which is always good to have. The battery life here is also pretty good compared to many other TWS options.

• Type: Wireless In-Ear Earbuds
• Weight: 4.31g
• Drivers: 6mm
• Active Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Battery life: Up to 9 Hours (Earbuds only), Up to 32 hours (ANC on), Up to 43 hours (ANC off)
• Bluetooth: 5.3 LE
• Waterproofing: IPX5

Design and Build

You really can’t fault the Marshall Motif II when it comes to design and build quality. Marshall have always boasted a signature aesthetic, combining simplicity and elegance into classy designs. This is immediately apparent with the Marshall Motif II, with their sleek matte finish fitting in perfectly in the Marshall catalogue. This blend of vintage charm and modern elegance even carries over to the charging case, which is a nice touch.

Build quality is equally impressive, managing to be fairly lightweight while maintaining that signature premium Marshall feel. Despite being made out of plastic, the fit and finish here is tight. Every piece of the earphones are solidly built, and they don’t feel as if they’ll break easily, like many other plastic wireless earbuds. While they aren’t exactly the most robust earbuds, they still feel sturdy and reliable.

When it comes to device’s charging case, build quality is more or less the same as with the earbuds themselves. It feels plenty sturdy, and exudes that premium feeling that Marshall is known for. Overall, the design and build quality are easily the Marshall Motif II’s strongest suit.

Comfort and Ease of Use

Comfort is paramount for prolonged listening sessions, and Marshall doesn’t disappoint. The Motif II earbuds feature a long stem along with a tactile surface around the bud. The ergonomic design of the earbuds ensures they sit snug and secure in the ear without causing discomfort, even during rigorous activities like workouts or commuting. They also don’t slip out easily, or become uncomfortable with sweat and use.

Controlling the Motif II earbuds requires users to tap the buds, like with many other wireless buds. The controls are pleasantly responsive without being overly sensitive to accidental touches and the like. There’s also satisfying amounts of tactile feedback to presses which is good. The controls allow for easy navigation of music playback, volume adjustment, ANC transparency and call management, all of which add to the convenience factor of the Motif IIs.

Moving back to the wireless charging case, there’s a USB-C port on the bottom of the case. We would have preferred it being on the back of the case, so it’d comfortably sit on a table during a charge. It’s a minor nitpick however, especially when the optimal way to charge the Motif II case is with a wireless charger. Overall, the Motif IIs excel at comfort and ease to use, with only a few very minor nitpicks to note.

Sound Quality

Marshall’s legacy in producing high-quality audio equipment sets lofty expectations for the Motif II, so do they deliver? Powered by custom-tuned dynamic drivers, these earbuds produce a rich, balanced sound with crisp highs, well-defined mids, and satisfying-enough bass. Regardless of the genre, the Marshall Motif II earbuds deliver a captivating listening experience with remarkable clarity and depth.

While the bass isn’t quite as powerful as some other options, the Marshall Motif II earbuds deliver in a much more well-rounded music experience. Listening to complex albums like The Moon and Antarctica and In Rainbows, it’s apparent how good the clarity and soundstaging is on these earbuds. Meanwhile, bassier listens like Lil’ Yachty’s Let’s Start Here remain punchy.

If there’s one disappointing aspect of the Marshall Motif II’s sound, it’s regarding the earbuds’ ANC. Of course, you can never expect a pair of earbuds to have better ANC than full-sized headphones. But, even with that expectation in place, it still lags a little behind competition, like the Apple AirPods Pro 2. Ambient noises will still leak in, even with a snug seal.

While it does make for a unique listen, we feel the noise cancellation on these isn’t exactly its biggest selling point. What makes up for the middling ANC, however is still the overall sound quality, which lives up to the Marshall pedigree with ease. It’s also worth noting that the Motif IIs have adjustable EQ, meaning with some tuning, you can make them sound however you’d like.

Connectivity and Software

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 LE technology, the Marshall Motif II earbuds offer seamless connectivity with compatible devices, ensuring stable wireless performance and minimal latency. Once you’ve paired the earbuds with your device of choice, it’s all smooth sailing from that point. Pairing the earbuds to your smartphone also allows you to take full advantage of the Marshall Motif II ANC app.

Through this application, you can check the remaining battery life on your earbuds, change ANC settings and switch between mods. Scroll down a little, and you’ll find yourself at the EQ section, allowing users to fine tune their listening experiences to their own tastes. You can also customize the controls of the earbuds themselves, though most of the settings are fairly standard.

Battery Life

Battery life is a crucial aspect of any wireless earbud, especially for users constantly on the move. The Marshall Motif II earbuds boast an impressive battery life, providing up to 9 hours of playback on a single charge. Additionally, the charging case offers multiple additional charges, extending the total listening time to a commendable 32 hours, extending to up to 43 hours if you have ANC turned off.

This puts it well above many of its competitors in the wireless earbud space, including popular options like the Apple AirPods 2 and Sony WF-1000XM5. If good battery life is a key feature that you look for in your gadgets, then the Marshall Motif IIs do not disappoint.

Value

Pricing is key to the accessibility of any product, and Marshall have a long history of charging a premium for their audio products. After all, the company maintains a high-standard of quality and have never shied away from charging how much they believe their products should cost. That’s why it’s surprising to see that the Motif IIs are pretty competitively priced at ₹19,758 in India.

While they still aren’t particularly affordable or anything, next to competitors like the Apple AirPods Pro 2 at ₹21,990 and Sony WF-1000XM5 at ₹22,220. It is a much more attractive option. Pair this with the excellent build quality and Marshall’s signature design notes, and you’ll find surprisingly good value with these earbuds.

Marshall Motif II ANC Review: Conclusion

The Marshall Motif II wireless earbuds seamlessly blend timeless style with exceptional sound performance, catering to both audiophiles and design-conscious consumers. It also doesn’t skimp out on build quality and comfort, featuring a comfortable fit and robust design. The Motif II earbuds stand out in a crowded market, offering a compelling option for those seeking a harmonious balance of form and function.

There is really only one nitpick we have with the Marshall Motif II ANCs, that being its Active Noise Cancellation. While we understand Marshall is doing something interesting with this ANC implementation, it simply doesn’t work all that well at canceling noise. If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that will seal out all ambient sound around you, these aren’t the buds for you.

With that said however, the Marshall Motif II ANC earbuds are arguably one of the most well-rounded TWS around. While not without its minor drawbacks, the overall package delivered by Marshall is sure to be a hit with music enthusiasts looking to elevate their listening experience on the go. If you’re in the market for wireless earbuds that deliver both in sound and style, the Marshall Motif II is undoubtedly worth considering.

Marshall Motif II ANC Review: FAQ

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