Compare Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones vs Marshall Milton A.N.C.

Sound quality split reviewers: several praised rich, fun, balanced audio, while SoundGuys criticized the tuning and some reviewers noted rivals sound better.

Most reviewers describe the sound as warm, energetic, clean, and enjoyable across genres. A minority dislike the bright, bass-heavy default and say it needs EQ.

LE Audio readiness was poor because the older Bluetooth stack does not bring LE Audio features.

Bluetooth 6.0 and LE Audio provide a strong foundation for future features, but parts of the ecosystem remain immature.

Sound leakage was excellent in TechRadar’s review, which found virtually no sound leaking out.

Sound leakage becomes noticeable at higher volumes, and the on-ear fit allows outside sound in as well. This is a format tradeoff rather than a minor edge case.

Passive isolation was strong thanks to fit and seal, which reviewers said helped noise isolation and ANC performance.

Passive isolation is the predictable weak point of the on-ear design. The pads help, but the incomplete seal lets voices and sharper sounds pass through.

ANC’s effect on sound was mixed: one reviewer improved sound by lowering ANC, while another warned pad changes could hurt ANC performance.

Switching ANC on does not audibly alter the core sound signature, an excellent result for tonal consistency.

ANC background noise level was strong overall, with only minor hiss noted and another reviewer hearing virtually nothing with music.

ANC reduces steady noise well, but the on-ear seal prevents a consistent sense of deep silence. A faint hiss and persistent voices are occasional concerns.

Frequency response accuracy was mixed to negative, with reviewers noting odd response behavior, lack of accuracy, or high-frequency falloff.

The tuning is broadly balanced and cohesive, but one reviewer found the dynamic range compressed. It favors an enjoyable presentation over strict analytical neutrality.

Wind noise handling was praised repeatedly, especially Wind Block and call wind handling.

Wind handling is mixed. Calls can suppress wind very well, but transparency and ANC microphones may feed wind noise back to the wearer.

ANC sound impact on audio was mildly positive in one review, where reducing ANC strength cleared up the sound a bit.

ANC can improve listening by reducing surrounding noise and revealing musical details without forcing higher volume.

Active noise cancellation was the clearest strength, with most reviewers calling it excellent, top-tier, brilliant, or world class despite a few caveats.

ANC is widely considered excellent for on-ear headphones and works well on engines, traffic hum, offices, and flights. It still cannot consistently match the deep isolation of leading over-ear models.

Bass was usually treated as a strength, often described as punchy or powerful, though some reviewers found it overemphasized or not ideal out of the box.

Bass is a defining strength: deep, punchy, and visceral without usually burying vocals. Several reviewers still find the stock low end too heavy.

Soundstage was viewed positively where discussed, with reviewers noting enhanced or fairly large staging for Bluetooth ANC headphones.

The native soundstage ranges from intimate to surprisingly spacious for on-ears. Marshall’s Soundstage mode can add width, though the result depends strongly on the setting and content.

Wear detection performance was poor because reviewers repeatedly said the headphones lack wear detection or do not pause when removed.

Wear detection does not merely perform inconsistently; it is absent. Reviewers accustomed to automatic pausing found that omission frustrating.

Microphone noise reduction was mixed: one reviewer found noise rejection an issue, while others praised background and wind handling.

Background suppression works well in some call tests, even against loud music. Other tests still picked up ambient noise, making performance inconsistent.

Connectivity options were criticized by SoundGuys’ short review because similarly priced or cheaper competitors do more.

Wired USB-C, USB-C-to-3.5mm, Bluetooth, LDAC, and multipoint provide excellent connection flexibility across travel and desk setups.

USB-C was a limitation in SoundGuys’ review because the port does not support USB-C audio.

USB-C audio is a major strength, providing simple, low-latency wired playback and often clearer, punchier sound than Bluetooth. It can also charge during digital use.

Built-in DAC and hi-res playback were weak because one reviewer said these are not high-res headphones and advised looking elsewhere for that.

USB digital audio is driver-free, near-zero latency, and slightly clearer and more resolved than Bluetooth, making it useful for computers and production work.

Award recognition was limited because PCMag said the headphones fell just short of its Editors’ Choice award.

The Milton received an Editors’ Choice award for its comfort, battery life, sound, ANC, and repairable design.

Features at launch were generally seen as modest or incremental rather than cutting edge.

The Milton launches with a notably complete feature set, adding adaptive ANC and advanced codecs to Marshall’s compact on-ear format.

Ear cup rotation/folding was praised for helping the headphones store easily.

The cups fold inward but do not rotate fully flat. That is compact enough for most bags but awkward in very slim storage.

LDAC support was a drawback in PCMag’s comparison, which said Sony retained an advantage because of LDAC.

LDAC is a welcome first for Marshall and can reveal more detail with compatible Android devices. One technical test questioned whether the headphones deliver the full high-frequency extension associated with Hi-Res labeling.

Replaceable earpads were a mixed ownership note: aftermarket pads were liked, but the reviewer warned they could slightly hurt ANC.

The ear pads are easy to remove and replace, and cross-generation compatibility adds uncommon long-term convenience.

Integrated microphone performance was serviceable to good, with reviewers noting usable built-in or voice mic behavior for calls.

The integrated microphones keep calls intelligible, but at least one test found voices scratchy and unnatural compared with stronger competitors.

Premium feel was mixed, with some praise for the feel and others saying the experience was not as premium as the price suggests.

Brass accents, textured surfaces, and solid construction make the Milton look and feel more expensive than typical on-ears.

Instrument separation was acceptable but not exceptional: one reviewer praised separation, while another said separation and layering were not as strong.

Instrument separation is consistently good, especially over wired playback. It is clear enough for complex music, though not at top audiophile level.

Streaming integration was mixed: Spotify Tap was useful or fun for some, but one non-Spotify user found the shortcut limiting.

Spotify Tap provides a convenient double-press shortcut when users want instant music without browsing.

Treble drew the most audio criticism, with some praise for detail but repeated concerns about peaks, harshness, or a lack of top-end sparkle.

Treble is usually detailed and controlled, with several reviewers praising the lack of harshness. Two tests found the upper mids and highs overly bright or close to sibilant.

Headband padding was praised by TechRadar but criticized by RecordingNow as less plush than the Ultra.

The cushioned headband spreads pressure effectively and supports comfortable all-day wear.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive, especially for laptop-phone use and remote work scenarios.

Pairing and playback work smoothly across phones, tablets, laptops, iOS, and Android, making the Milton easy to move between daily devices.

Detachable cable convenience was useful for passive listening, but one reviewer disliked the nonstandard 2.5mm headphone-side connector.

The detachable USB-C-to-3.5mm cable makes it easy to switch between wireless and legacy wired sources without carrying a permanently attached lead.

Preset EQ quality was mixed: one reviewer criticized the bass boost preset, while another said the presets do what they claim.

The included presets are serviceable rather than exceptional. Reviewers often preferred building a custom EQ to fix the stock tuning.

Ecosystem integration was praised by TechRadar for Bose SimpleSync with compatible Bose speakers and soundbars.

Native Apple Find My and Google Find Hub support integrates the headphones cleanly with both major mobile ecosystems.

Headband adjustability was praised in the travel roundup as widely adjustable for different wearers.

The highly adjustable headband accommodates different head sizes and helps users position the cups more comfortably.

Overall recommendations were mixed: many reviewers recommended them strongly, while SoundGuys considered them poor value or not worth upgrading to.

The overall recommendation is strongly positive for commuters, travelers, Marshall fans, and listeners who want premium on-ear features. Buyers sensitive to on-ear pressure or seeking over-ear isolation should be cautious.

Auto-play and wear detection were weak because reviewers noted the headphones lack wear detection or automatic pause.

The headphones do not detect when they are removed, so music keeps playing until paused manually. Reviewers consider this a noticeable omission at the price.

Transparency/Aware mode was praised as accurate and, in one review, the best transparency mode the reviewer had tested.

Transparency mode is useful and mostly natural for conversations and awareness. Some reviewers hear a slightly occluded top end, extra wind, or less-than-crystal-clear passthrough.

Aesthetics and discreetness were positive overall, with reviewers liking the color options, unobtrusive look, and flattering on-head profile.

The design is recognizable and lifestyle-oriented but still understated enough to avoid feeling gimmicky.

Wear detection auto-pause was a repeated weakness because the headphones do not pause when removed.

Wear detection is absent, so playback does not pause when the headphones are removed. This is the most repeated missing feature and feels outdated at the price.

The carry case was consistently praised as compact, protective, manageable, sturdy, or well thought out.

The drawstring pouch is useful, compact, and sometimes described as premium. It protects against basic bumps but is not a rigid travel case.

Included accessories were generally useful, especially the case and cable, though one review missed an airplane adapter.

The pouch and USB-C-to-3.5mm cable make the package practical for travel and wired sources. The overly short USB-C cable is the main accessory complaint.

Midrange clarity was mixed: some reviewers heard clear vocals and recoverable mids with EQ, while others said mids could feel squashed or underpowered.

Vocals and instruments are generally clear, but the default tuning can recess the mids. EQ helps restore presence for acoustic music and speech.

Cable quality and usefulness were mixed: some liked the inline mic or versatility, while one reviewer disliked the 3.5mm-to-2.5mm choice.

The USB-C-to-3.5mm cable is rugged and well finished, and one reviewer called it exceptional. The short USB-C charging/audio cable drew strong criticism for being impractical.

Maximum-volume clarity was positive in the one direct test, with no distortion heard at max volume.

The Milton stays composed at high output, with balance and percussion generally intact. One reviewer heard a small amount of harshness only at absolute maximum volume.

Water or sweat resistance was a weakness, with TechRadar warning they are not recommended for workouts or heavy gym use.

The lack of an official IP water or sweat rating is a repeated weakness. Light rain may be tolerated, but workouts, heavy sweat, and downpours are risky.

Sensors were a weakness because reviewers repeatedly missed wear-detection/auto-pause behavior.

The missing wear sensor is one of the product’s clearest feature gaps, leaving users without automatic pause when the headphones come off.

Portability and foldability were major strengths, with reviewers praising the compact folding design and travel-friendly storage.

The foldable, lightweight form is highly portable and can fit in small bags or even large pockets. Two reviewers note that the cups do not fold flat, making slim-bag storage awkward.

Ear cup padding was consistently praised as soft, spacious, pillow-like, or generously padded.

The larger memory-foam ear pads are usually praised as soft, plush, and much improved over the Major V. One reviewer’s ear shape and piercings made the small square cups extremely uncomfortable.

Analog listening was a useful strength, enabling passive or wired use, though one reviewer disliked the nonstandard 2.5mm headphone-side connector.

The included USB-C-to-3.5mm cable supports legacy wired sources and seatback systems. Analog mode still requires battery power, so it is not a true passive fallback.

Travel friendliness was a major strength due to comfort, ANC, folding design, compact case, and frequent-flyer focus.

Compact folding, low weight, strong ANC, and marathon battery life make the Milton especially well suited to commuting and air travel.

Volume output was strong in the one review that discussed it, with the headphones described as loud.

The Milton gets comfortably loud well below maximum output. Pushing to the limit is unnecessary and can introduce slight harshness.

Codec support was a repeated limitation, with reviewers calling it solid enough at best but underwhelming versus newer competitors.

Codec coverage is unusually broad, including AAC, SBC, LC3, and LDAC for flexible use across devices.

Value was highly mixed, with sale prices making them attractive to some reviewers while others preferred cheaper or more feature-rich alternatives.

Most reviewers consider the price fair or excellent given the comfort, battery, ANC, and repairability. Some still see $230 as expensive for on-ears, especially when discounted over-ear alternatives are available.

Multipoint connectivity earned strong praise for seamless or automatic switching between phone and computer use.

Multipoint is a standout success, switching smoothly between two phones or across phone, tablet, and computer setups.

Bluetooth version was a limitation, with reviewers criticizing the older Bluetooth stack and underwhelming Bluetooth support.

Bluetooth 6.0, LE Audio, and Auracast give the Milton unusually strong future readiness, though some capabilities are still developing.

Voice prompts were praised as handy and clear, especially for connection and battery feedback.

The headphones lack a spoken battery-level announcement and do not clearly identify connected devices by voice, forcing users to check the app.

Advanced features were a common weakness; reviewers repeatedly said the headphones lack bells, whistles, or flagship upgrades.

The software suite is unusually deep for on-ear headphones, with ANC adjustment, Soundstage, adaptive loudness, battery preservation, timers, and customizable controls.

Bluetooth reliability was only directly praised once, where the headphones were recommended as reliable Bluetooth headphones.

Bluetooth setup is consistently fast and painless, helped by modern pairing features. Reviewers connected phones and computers without notable trouble.

The app was mixed: reviewers liked its clean, simple interface, but some criticized privacy friction or limited depth.

The Marshall Bluetooth app is widely praised for clear organization and genuinely useful controls. Minor drawbacks include loading hiccups, pairing reports, and cumbersome EQ comparisons.

EQ customization was useful but limited, with several reviewers liking basic tweaks and others wanting more granular controls.

The five-band EQ is effective at taming excess bass, recessed mids, or bright treble. Fine-tuning is useful, though the missing reset and zero markers make experimentation less convenient.

Smart listening features were positive overall, especially adjustable ANC, custom modes, Wind Block, and ANC level control.

Adaptive ANC, adaptive loudness, Soundstage, Find My, battery preservation, and programmable controls create an unusually complete smart-feature package.

Button usability was widely praised; reviewers repeatedly preferred the tactile physical controls over touch panels.

Marshall’s brass joystick is one of the product’s most universally praised features. It is tactile, responsive, easy to find, and simpler than touch gestures.

Smart Pause performance was poor because multiple reviewers noted the headphones do not auto-pause when removed.

Smart Pause is effectively unavailable because there is no wear detection. Playback must be paused manually when the headphones are removed.

Call microphone quality was generally serviceable to good, with reviewers saying voices were understandable or clear enough for calls.

Call quality varies substantially: some tests found speech crystal clear, while others heard robotic, scratchy, or unnatural voices. Intelligibility is generally maintained.

Software and setup simplicity were excellent in TechRadar’s review, which praised the easy setup and straightforward controls.

Initial setup and pairing are straightforward, with Fast Pair and a clean single-screen app interface reducing friction.

Battery life was adequate but not leading, generally described as serviceable, average, or enough for commutes rather than class-best.

Battery life is the clearest consensus strength, repeatedly lasting around 50 hours with ANC and up to 80 hours without it. Multiple reviewers went a week or more without charging.

Charging was praised in the one direct usability comment, where the quick-charge result was called super helpful.

Quick charging is excellent: a 15-minute USB-C charge provides about 9.5 hours of playback, enough for a commute or workday.

Durability over time was mixed: one review advised careful handling, while another praised the solid and durable feel.

The self-healing earcup finish resists minor scratches and scuffs, supporting better cosmetic durability over time.

Build quality was mostly positive but not universally premium, ranging from excellent and durable to merely good or somewhat plasticky.

Build quality is consistently praised as sturdy, substantial, and well made. Metal mechanisms, a flexible headband, and durable textured surfaces inspire confidence.

Long-use comfort was one of the strongest consensus points, with many reviewers saying the headphones were comfortable for hours or all-day listening.

Most reviewers find these among the most comfortable on-ear headphones, with low weight and soft pads enabling long sessions. Fit remains subjective: a few felt pressure after hours, and one reviewer found the small square cups unusable.

Clamping force was praised for being secure without uncomfortable pressure, though one reviewer felt more clamp than on the Ultra.

Clamp is generally secure without excessive pressure, and several reviewers found it gentler than typical on-ears. Glasses and very long sessions can still produce pressure.

Hinge durability was praised in one review that noted metal use and excellent build quality.

The solid-metal folding mechanism feels more substantial and durable than the pronged hinge design used on the Major V.

Design aesthetics were praised as understated, minimalist, and attractive, with one reviewer loving the overall look.

The textured faux leather, brass accents, and exposed-wire details create an elegant, instantly recognizable Marshall look. One reviewer strongly criticized the square earcup design for poor ergonomics.

Weight comfort was consistently strong, with reviewers emphasizing the lightweight feel and easy long-session wear.

At roughly 200 grams, the headphones feel exceptionally light and distribute their weight well. This is one of the most consistent comfort advantages.

The Marshall app works on both Android and iOS, giving both platforms access to sound and ANC customization.

There is no aptX support, which is a clear limitation for listeners whose devices or libraries depend on that codec.

A report of occasional left-right imbalance adds a minor reliability concern, although cleaning or a forced reset may correct it.

Apple Find My and Google Find Hub support make misplaced headphones easier to locate across both major phone ecosystems.

Auracast and LE Audio have room to expand through future updates, but current beta limitations mean buyers are partly relying on Marshall’s roadmap.

Glasses compatibility is split: the pads can avoid pressing directly on frames, but firm clamp may cause pressure after about an hour.

Overall satisfaction is high, with several reviewers adopting the Milton as a daily favorite. The major dissent comes from one reviewer whose ears did not fit the small square cups.

Replaceable pads and other serviceable components reduce waste and make worn parts easier to renew instead of replacing the entire headset.

Despite a relaxed clamp, the headphones remain secure during normal use and distribute their low weight evenly.

Repairability is exceptional: the battery, ear pads, and several other parts can be replaced by the owner. This is one of the strongest long-term reasons to choose the Milton.

Audio-video sync and latency were praised, with reviewers reporting no noteworthy video latency or minimal latency when wired.

Movies and TV benefit from clear, spacious, immersive sound, making the Milton more versatile than simpler on-ear models.

Soundstage mode can add convincing room-like depth and immersion, and several reviewers kept it enabled. Others find it subtle, bass-reducing, artificial, or inferior to true spatial audio.

Auracast support is promising but remains beta and receiver-only, with device compatibility still limited.

Configurable auto-off timers help prevent idle drain. One reviewer also observed brief adaptive-ANC dropouts, suggesting some power or mode behavior still needs refinement.

The absence of Dolby Atmos and head tracking disappoints reviewers who expect full spatial-audio support at this price.

A large share of recycled material gives the construction meaningful sustainability credentials rather than a token eco claim.

Voice assistant integration was only mildly supported, with one reviewer noting the button can activate the assistant.