We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a headset built for work calls first and music second, choose PLT Poly Voyager Focus; if you need long-haul listening stamina and a richer music experience, choose Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
• PLT Poly Voyager Focus — biggest strength: It's a communications tool, not just headphones. Digital hybrid ANC with three levels, an ultra noise-canceling boom mic with HP Poly Acoustic Fence technology, and a BT700 USB dongle make it a genuine work headset.
• PLT Poly Voyager Focus — biggest trade-off: Battery life tops out at 25 hours and the mic boom is always there, so it's less of a casual, throw-in-a-bag music pair.
• Marshall Monitor III A.N.C — biggest strength: Staggering playtime (100 hours without ANC, 70 hours with it), a rugged foldable build, and music-forward features like Dynamic Loudness and Soundstage spatial audio.
• Marshall Monitor III A.N.C — biggest trade-off: It's a listening-first product. Calls are handled by an onboard microphone rather than a dedicated boom, and it charges slower at 2.5 hours.
• Who each pick is for: Choose the Poly if you live on calls all day; choose the Marshall if you want one pair for music, travel, and the occasional call.
The Poly Voyager Focus is a stereo Bluetooth headset that was clearly designed around the working day. The headline feature is digital hybrid ANC with three adjustable levels — high, low, and off — so you can dial in how much of the office or home noise you want to shut out. That's a practical touch. Sometimes you want silence; sometimes you still need to hear a colleague say your name.
Where it separates itself is call quality. The discreet ultra noise-canceling microphone boom uses HP Poly Acoustic Fence technology, which is aimed at keeping your voice clean while rejecting surrounding chatter. If your job involves back-to-back conference calls, that boom mic is the whole point. The cushioned headband sling and plush ear cushions are specced for extended wear, which tells you the target user is someone wearing these for hours, not just a commute. It's also certified for Microsoft Teams and connects three ways: the BT700 USB-C dongle, a USB-A adapter, or Bluetooth 5.1. That dongle matters — it gives you a rock-solid wireless link to a PC without fiddling with pairing menus.
The spec sheet also shows a 50-meter Bluetooth range, 32-ohm impedance, dynamic drivers, and a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range. A charging stand is included, which suits a desk setup where the headset lives in one spot. At 175 grams it's light enough for long sessions.
Who should buy it: hybrid and office workers, remote employees on constant video calls, anyone who needs a dedicated mic boom and platform certification. Who should skip it: if you mainly want headphones for music on a long flight, the 25-hour battery and the presence of a boom mic make it the wrong tool.
The Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. is a different animal entirely. This is an over-ear Bluetooth headphone for people who care about how music sounds and how long the battery lasts. And that battery is the marquee number: 100 hours of playtime without ANC, 70 hours with it engaged. That's not a spec you charge every night — it's one you charge every couple of weeks, or before a trip.
The noise cancellation here has been upgraded from the previous generation, with advanced tech that continuously measures ambient noise and blocks it out. There are three levels of cancellation plus a Transparency mode for letting the outside world back in — useful for hearing an announcement or ordering a coffee without pulling the headphones off. On the sound side, Dynamic Loudness adjusts treble, mids, and bass as you change volume, so the tuning stays balanced whether you're listening quietly or loud. Soundstage spatial audio widens the presentation so music feels less like it's inside your head.
The build is meant to be lived with. It's rugged, it folds down into a premium hard case, and the soft ear cushions are specced for all-day comfort. It uses Bluetooth 5.3 with a 33-foot range, and there's a 3.5 mm jack plus a detachable USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cord — so you can go wired when you want. Charging takes 2.5 hours. It ships in Cream with a matching case, and it weighs about 14.24 ounces, which is noticeably heftier than the Poly.
Who should buy it: travelers, commuters, and music lovers who want one pair for everything and hate charging. Who should skip it: if your day is defined by professional calls and you need a boom mic and Teams certification, the Marshall's onboard mic won't match a dedicated boom setup.
• Best for call quality → PLT Poly Voyager Focus. The ultra noise-canceling boom mic and HP Poly Acoustic Fence technology are built for voice, not music.
• Best for battery life → Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. 100 hours without ANC and 70 hours with it versus the Poly's 25 hours.
• Best for music enjoyment → Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Dynamic Loudness and Soundstage spatial audio are listening features the Poly simply doesn't have.
• Best for PC and platform connectivity → PLT Poly Voyager Focus. The BT700 USB dongle, USB-A adapter, Bluetooth 5.1, and Microsoft Teams certification make it plug-and-play for work.
• Best for travel → Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Foldable, rugged, hard case included, 3.5 mm wired option, and battery that outlasts a long trip.
• Best for all-day wear at a desk → PLT Poly Voyager Focus. Lighter at 175 grams with a cushioned headband sling and a charging stand to park it on.
• Best for noise control flexibility → It's a tie on principle, but the Marshall edges ahead for adaptive ambient measurement. Both offer three levels of ANC; the Poly adds an off setting, and the Marshall adds Transparency mode.
• Fastest to recharge → PLT Poly Voyager Focus. 1.5 hours versus 2.5 hours.
In my opinion, these two aren't really competing for the same buyer — they're competing for the same desk. If I spent my day on calls, I'd buy the PLT Poly Voyager Focus without hesitating: the boom mic, Teams certification, dongle connectivity, and lighter build are exactly what remote and hybrid work demands. If my priority were music, travel, and never thinking about a charger, I'd buy the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. and accept the slower charge and heavier frame. Pick based on your day, not the spec sheet.
FAQ
how does anc headphones work
how to active noise cancelling on headphones
On the Poly Voyager Focus you cycle through three levels — high, low, and off — using its touch controls. On the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. you use its button controls or the companion app to move between three cancellation levels and Transparency mode.
how to headphones cancel noise
Noise cancellation works best on steady, low-frequency sound like engine hum or air conditioning, which is where both of these shine. Voices and sudden noises are harder to erase, which is why the Poly relies on its boom mic to keep your voice clear rather than trying to silence everyone around you.
how to bluetooth anc headphones
Put the headphones in pairing mode, then select them from your phone or computer's Bluetooth menu. The Poly Voyager Focus also supports a BT700 USB-C dongle for PC connections, while the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. uses Bluetooth 5.3 and can also run wired via its 3.5 mm jack and detachable audio cord.
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