Marshall Monitor II ANC Review: Stylish, Comfy Cans

Marshall Monitor II ANC

"These headphones offer high-energy sound and tremendous battery life, Marshall-style."

  • Signature Marshall style

  • Very convenient

  • Good ANC and transparency

  • Very intuitive controls

  • Excellent battery life

  • Expensive for what you get

  • No wear sensor or multiple device pairing

  • Narrow sound stage

Are you thinking of buying active noise canceling (ANC) headphones? In addition to the many great models you'll find on our list of the best noise-canceling headphones, we now also recommend the Marshall Monitor II ANC for $ 320.

These ANC cans capture the iconic Marshall design language and add some cool features to create a stylish alternative to the headphones made by Sony, Bose, Apple, and others.

But the competition is tough – does the Marshall Monitor II ANC have what it takes to justify its high price? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

Marshall Monitor II ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Props go to Marshall to make packaging that at least tries to be sustainable. Most of it is recyclable cardboard, with the exception of a few pieces of foam that may need to be disposed of in a landfill. Inside, you'll find the Monitor II ANC, a USB-C charging cable, a 3.5mm coil-style analog cable, a quick start guide, and a soft fabric carrying case.

design

Marshall Monitor II ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Whether you love Marshall's guitar amp-inspired design language or not (I think it looks awesome), you have to admit, the Monitor II is ANC Peak Marshall.

From the textured black plastic on the ear cups to the coil of the supplied analog cable and of course the distinctive Marshall logo, these headphones exude a rock music atmosphere that you won't find in any other can.

And Marshall's dedication to this look didn't detract from some extremely practical features. By combining the three sets of hinge and pivot pins, the Monitor II ANC can deform into an incredibly compact shape. I find it hard to think of full size headphones that are more travel-friendly.

While most headphones at this price point (and many that are considerably cheaper) come with a zippered hard shell, the way the Monitor II articulates them makes them beg to be thrown in a pocket. Speaking of the included tote bag, it's hard not to notice how Marshall channeled the Herschel backpack look for his black denim bag. Very cool.

The ear cups are super flat, even with the generous padding of the ear pads, which gives the Monitor II a clean, head-hugging look. And when you peel them off your head and hang around your neck, they fold slightly flat against your collarbones.

The construction is mostly plastic, but Marshall used metal for the auricle forks and headband sliders, which helps make these cans feel sturdy and durable.

Convenience, control and connections

Marshall Monitor II ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Marshall Monitor II ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Marshall Monitor II ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Marshall Monitor II ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

At 11.29 ounces, the Monitor II ANC can't be considered light when compared to other over-ear headphones, especially the feather-light Sony WH-1000XM4 (8.8 ounces), but they don't feel particularly heavy to wear . I appreciate the combination of clamping force, ear pad fit, and balance for how well they fit.

I'm a huge fan of the Monitor II controls. They're simple and effective.

Given my Dumbo-like ears, I'd prefer slightly deeper cavities in the ear cups, but overall these headphones are more than comfortable enough for hours of continuous use.

I'm a huge fan of the Monitor II controls. They're simple and effective. The gold colored button protruding from the bottom of the right ear cup is actually a tiny joystick that you can click to activate power, bluetooth pairing, answer / end calls, and play / pause. You move it up, down, front, or back to perform actions like volume and track controls.

There are two other controls that you would totally miss if you didn't look carefully. Each is inserted into the hinge point of the auricle forks where they blend seamlessly with the design and are easy to access. The left button is used to switch between ANC and transparency mode, which happens very quickly. The right "M" button, which is user configurable and allows you to choose between EQ mode, activates Siri (iPhone only) or Google Assistant.

You make these and other selections in the Marshall Bluetooth app.

Instead of spreading out and creating a warm thrum that you can feel, the bass stays a little two-dimensional.

The Monitor II's Bluetooth range is approximately 20 to 30 feet, which should be sufficient for most situations.

Unfortunately, unlike many Bluetooth headphones, you can't pair these sockets with more than one device at a time, making them less suitable for people who want to switch between their phones and laptops on a regular basis.

There's also no wear sensor, so removing the headphones from your ears won't automatically pause your music.

Sound quality

Marshall Monitor II ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Overall, the Monitor II ANC sounds very good. In the factory EQ setting (known as a “Marshall” sound), the sound shifts to higher frequencies. However, the Marshall app lets you choose from six more EQ presets and create your own custom balance.

These adjustments help the Monitor II deliver more bass when you want it, and I've been able to find settings that work with a variety of genres from rock to classical.

Throw in a track like Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz 'On To The Next One, and the intensity hits you like an electric shock.

The soundstage isn't as wide or as detailed as the Sony WH-1000XM4, but what the Monitor II lacks in openness it makes up for in energy.

The acoustics are precise, bright and powerful, with a sharp focus on snare drums, cymbals, vocals and higher-frequency woodwinds such as the clarinet.

Throw in a track like Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz 'On To The Next One, and the intensity hits you like an electric shock.

Deeper, more resonant sounds like jazz bass that rely on the mid-to-low frequencies don't do quite as well. Instead of spreading out and creating a warm thrum that you can feel, they stay a little two-dimensional.

All of this results in headphones that are clearly tuned for energetic rock, pop, and hip-hop music.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Marshall Monitor II ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Some headphones with active noise cancellation try to block out as much background noise as possible. The Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are the flagship for this approach. Marshall's Monitor II ANC isn't as aggressive – you don't quite get that silent cone effect – but they do reduce the low to mid frequencies significantly when ANC is on.

I found it worked best when listening to podcasts, which were very effective in muting sounds that would otherwise make it difficult to hear spoken words. As an aid to silencing a noisy environment, they were not that helpful due to a small noticeable hiss that I found annoying after a while.

The transparency mode, on the other hand, is excellent. One press of the special ANC button and the world was suddenly very audible.

You can tweak both ANC and transparency modes in the Marshall app, but I found that the 100% levels are best in both modes.

Battery life

The Monitor II ANC's battery life is among the best for premium ANC headphones. Marshall claims 30 hours with bluetooth and ANC on and up to 45 hours with bluetooth only. That beats the $ 400 Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 (up to 20 hours), Apple's $ 549 AirPods Max (up to 20 hours), and even the $ 280 Sony WH-1000XM4 ( 30 hours with the ANC switched on, 38 hours with the device switched off).

They also have a respectable quick charge feature that gives you five hours of playtime after 15 minutes of charging.

As far as I can tell, these numbers are correct. Unlike some wireless sockets, you can also use the Monitor II ANC while charging with the analog cable, so you can never go without music.

Call quality

Marshall Monitor II ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Calls on Monitor II ANC are generally good. You can block out most of the background noise when talking on the phone outdoors while keeping your voice reasonably clear. It's not the high fidelity you get from the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700, but it's perfectly fine for most calls and they work very well indoors.

For some reason, you can't choose how much sidetone you get during a call (this is equivalent to calling transparency mode). The headphones switch to about 50% transparency – enough to hear your own voice a little more clearly, but not quite as clearly as if the transparency were at 100%.

Our opinion

As with most Marshall products, the Monitor II ANC offers a price premium that is difficult to justify based on performance alone. But if you like the retro-cool guitar amp style only Marshall can offer, then these cans make a fun set of full-featured wireless companions.

Is there a better alternative?

If you don't mind the relatively conservative appearance, that's $ 280 Sony WH-1000XM4 are an excellent alternative. They're cheaper (around $ 40), lighter, more comfortable, have better sound quality and ANC, and have more features like wear sensors and Bluetooth multipoint.

But there's no denying that the Marshalls really are in a class of their own when it comes to style.

How long will they last?

The Marshall Monitor II ANC appears to be very well built from high quality materials. The ear pads are easy to remove and replace when worn. Marshall grants a one-year guarantee on these headphones. I suspect that if properly cared for, they will last for many years, although the lack of a hard case means you should be careful about how they are packaged.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you want a set of high quality ANC wireless headphones with a unique style and sound signature that favors high energy music, this is the Monitor II ANC will make you very happy.

Editor's recommendations




V-Moda M-200 Review: Studio Cans With Surgical Precision

V-Moda M-200 studio headphones

"The M-200 is able to reveal details that fewer headphones miss. It is a wired winner."

  • Very detailed and precise sound

  • Mids and highs are incredibly clear

  • First class materials

  • Very convenient

  • Balanced audio cable and input

  • Restrained bass reproduction

  • Flat EQ will not please everyone

  • Ear cups can fill up larger ears

-Moda M-200 It's been seven years since we got the hands and ears of V-Moda's $ 310 M-100 crossfade headphones. At that time we were impressed by the relatively new audio brand with the combination of the killer look and high-end audio chops of the M-100.

Now the company is back with its successor, the $ 350 million M-200. Can the new kid on the block still deserve our praise, although most of the new headphones at this price are now wireless and the original M-100 is only $ 250?

Time to find out.

design

Headphone design is a tricky business. You have to balance comfort, mobility, weight, ergonomics, style and, of course, audio performance. The V-Moda M-200 scores with only a few minor problems.

Material and workmanship are excellent. The M-200 combines robust metal ear cup pins and hinges with soft and supple synthetic leather.

The ear cushions are magnetically attached to the ear cup, making replacement a breeze when that day comes. Unlike many of the headphones I've tried, the pillows feel good whether you wear them with glasses or not.

Comfort, portability, weight, ergonomics, style and of course audio performance. Overall, the M-200 scores very well.

As the name suggests, the "FlexSteel" headband can be turned so far that you can use the headphones individually for quick monitoring or DJing. However, it maintains its shape when used normally.

I haven't used the M-200 for months, so I can't confirm how much abuse they will suffer, but their build quality creates a lot of confidence.

Although the M-200 is slightly heavier than some other high-end headphones at just over 10 ounces, it feels perfectly balanced once it is on your head. There is practically no movement between the firm but comfortable clamping force of the headband and the fit of the ear cups. I wouldn't hurry to jog with these puppies, but you definitely could.

For smaller heads, the minimum size of the headgear may be a little too large. I wore them like this and they were perfect for me – but just straight.

As comfortable as I found them, if your ears tend to stick out of your head, you may find that they touch the inner lining because the distance between the pillows and the inner surface is very small. Less than half an inch separates the sides of your head and the internal grille that protects the driver. Some headphones, like the WH-1000XM3 from Sony, are three-quarters of an inch or more, which gives a much more spacious feel.

My only small criticism of the design of the M-200 is the lack of a laterally rotatable hinge for the ear cups. Because of this, there is no way to lay them flat when worn around the neck, which leads to a somewhat uncomfortable experience. These impressively thin metal ear cup cones actually sat right on my collarbones and I couldn't leave them there for more than a few minutes.

Connections and cables

V-Moda M-200 studio headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

As wired headphones, you won't find any buttons, switches or touch controls on the M-200. Two 3.5mm connectors on the bottom of each ear cup are the only breaks for the otherwise very clean look.

The left connector is for a standard headphone jack (which is hard to find on smartphones these days), while the right connector is reserved for those who have access to a balanced stereo output.

Balanced outputs are even rarer in the personal audio world, but are common in audiophile devices and in professional studio environments. They are valued for their almost complete elimination of interference from one channel to another, which very demanding listeners claim to notice with unbalanced headphones.

The impressive design of the M-200 is that it not only uses a single cable, but also a single input. Most balanced headphones split their balanced cables into left and right connections.

V-Moda includes both a balanced cable and the more conventional unbalanced stereo cable, which is equipped with an inline microphone and a one-button remote control for handling phone calls and play / pause functions on most smartphones.

An individual look

V-Moda M-200 studio headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

After unpacking, the M-200 looks fantastic in my opinion. Designing headphones that don't look like they're trying to swallow your head is difficult – especially if it's an over-ear model.

This sweet aesthetic can be enhanced by choosing interchangeable metal shields.

And yet the M-200 is slim and unobtrusive thanks to the hexagonal shape of the outer shell of the ear cup and the metal cones that seamlessly continue the bow of the headband.

This sweet aesthetic can be enhanced by choosing interchangeable metal shields (the outermost plate of the ear cups). These increase the price of the M-200, but if you want your headphones to reflect your personal style, the $ 30 is well spent and the options are almost limitless.

V-Moda has kindly sent us a number of personalized Digital Trends shields for review – custom logos are another option.

portability

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V-Moda M-200 studio headphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-faul-no "src =" https://icdn9.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/v-moda-m-200-00009 -640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Since the M-200's ear cups cannot be rotated, the included hard-shell travel case has turtle-like proportions to allow for the additional height. The resulting bulbous shape will be difficult for most people to comfortably put in a backpack or laptop bag. Therefore, V-Moda contains a snap hook, with which you can attach the tote bag to the outside of your bag.

Despite the somewhat unfavorable shape, the housing is actually quite small, and the M-200 can be folded up admirably in a confined space, while still leaving space for both cables. An internal pouch for cable adapters would have been a nice touch – especially since you have to bring one unless your smartphone has a headphone jack – but unfortunately your adapters have to float freely in the main cavity.

Sound quality

The best way to describe the sound signature of the M-200 is "scalpel sharp". The sheer amount of detail they can render is amazing, especially in the mids and highs that usually compete with each other in smaller headphones.

This is not the case with the M-200, which creates a frequency separation that enables every instrument and every voice to be fully enjoyed.

As with the M-100, this precision can sometimes be painfully bright. The volume control on my smartphone was not nuanced enough when I tried to find the right balance of gain that allowed me to enjoy the excellent definition of the M-200 without causing pain.

Unfortunately for those hoping to repeat the impressive bass forward stance of the M-100, the M-200 has a reserved low end, resulting in the "flat" EQ so appreciated by audiophiles and professionals alike. But many people who don't fall into these categories may not be prepared for the M-200's smooth bass response.

The sheer amount of detail they can render is amazing, especially in the mids and highs.

Even on tracks that are very long to create a low-end that you can feel in your chest, like Boom Boom Pow from the Black Eyed Peas and Hans Zimmer Time, the M-200 is cautious about the bass and prefers him nuance over power.

It can be delicious: this balance brings out all the beauty of an acoustic guitar on a track like Road Trippin & # 39; by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and classic pieces with a full orchestra are a delight, especially if you don't like anything better than picking them out your favorite instrument.

But it can also be troubling: this level of purity has a degree of attack that those who are used to a customized EQ, like the type that tries to warm up the sound, sometimes find it uncomfortable.

When describing the sound stage of headphones – the imaginary space in which the music is played – we often use terms such as "broad" or "immersive". But here, too, the unique properties of the M-200 create a different set of adjectives. The placement of musical elements is remarkably precise. As I listened to tracks I'd heard dozens, if not hundreds, of times, I suddenly noticed subtleties – like a background voice or a light use of a tambourine – in a way I had never done before.

It is not clear that I did not know these elements. But with the M-200, they were able to occupy such a clearly defined space on the sound stage that it felt like I could turn around in my seat and actually see the instrument or vocals in question. If you've never heard this precision before, it's guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Our opinion

Granted, $ 350 is a lot of money for headphones that aren't wireless and don't have active noise cancellation. But for those looking for tonal perfection, the V-Moda M-200 offers virtuoso performance for hundreds of dollars less than other audiophile options.

Is there a better alternative?

Finding an audiophile headphone with a balanced audio input can be shockingly expensive, making the M-200 an easily accessible model with this feature. As such, it is in a class of its own.

If you know everything about the M-200, but fear that its flat EQ doesn't suit your taste, then V-Moda's own M-100 Crossfade or M-100 Crossfade Master is the place for you. You lack the symmetrical input, but you'll find that the sound is warmer, the prices are cheaper, and the designs are practically identical, including the custom shield option.

How long will they last?

The V-Moda M-200 comes with a very generous two-year warranty. However, the company also offers the Immortal Life Replacement Program, which offers discounts on new V-Moda products if the M-200 loses its warranty after the failure.

This is a nice safety net, but given its excellent construction, I doubt you will need it.

Should you buy them

Yes. As long as you are looking for the highest audio precision in a comfortable and elegant set of wired sockets, the M-200 is guaranteed to be satisfactory.

Editor's recommendations




Sennheiser HD 450BT Headphones Review: Affordable Cans

Sennheiser HD 450BT ANC headphones

Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones Review: Good value for money, with some limitations

"Impressive features, style, and noise cancellation are an affordable option for price-conscious buyers."

  • Sleek, understated style

  • Excellent battery life

  • Good build quality

  • Solid noise cancellation

  • Smooth, clean bass reproduction

  • Inconsistent tone signature

  • No automatic pause or ambient noise mode

  • App / EQ not useful

High-end travel cans like the indelible WH-1000XM3 from Sony are becoming an essential necessity for commuters and travelers. But if you can't spit out $ 300 to $ 400 (or can't find a good sale), it's possible to purchase a pair of wireless cans that offer the same benefits – from active noise canceling to deadly battery life and sound – , for less?

Headphones like the Sennheiser HD 450BT hope to make the argument that you can spend less and still get a lot. And on paper, the latest iteration is a good case. The magic value of $ 200 (450 BT) offers noise reduction, a full 30 hours of battery life and many other functions with a capital letter "V". However, before you click the "Buy" button, you want to know exactly where the rubber for these middle-class cans meets the proverbial road.

The look (and feel) of luxury

If there's one thing you can clearly say about the HD 450BT, it's that it looks like this. The 450BT is in matt black and has soft silver accents to break up the monotony. It makes the "business traveler" look cold and offers just enough style points to keep you from falling asleep. In other words, their aesthetics match most of the flagship headphones, including the Sony pair mentioned above.

Sennheiser HD 450BT ANC headphones Riley Young / Digital Trends

In addition, the matt plastic ear cups and headband of the 450BT feel just like the comfortable ear cushions, which are wrapped in inviting synthetic leather. The only limitation is the padding on the underside of the headband, which feels much less comfortable when touched than you would like for a long flight or constant commuting. That said, although the band didn't rock my head in pillow-like goodness, it never felt uncomfortable even after I had worn them for a few hours. The only little problem I am going to offer is that I wish the ear pads were only a shade wider, but it didn't bother me.

Keys on keys

Instead of adding expensive touch controls, the HD 450BT uses an all-button control system. Overall, it works relatively well, but there is a real learning curve. Technically speaking, there are only four buttons on the right auricle. However, this includes three multipurpose buttons, including a power / ANC button, a volume rocker, and a multi-button that does everything from answering calls to skipping tracks.

It is this last key that turns out to be the most annoying as you move through the sequence. Not only is it a bit of a hassle when skipping songs (I found that a quick flick of the thumb works best), skipping backwards from what is logical. If you move the key forward – towards your face – you actually jump back and vice versa. After more than a week I usually don't have it anymore, but I still mix it occasionally.

The voice assistant feature is a great addition, but there is something strange to keep in mind. I'm actually glad Sennheiser made this the only single-function key, but it seems to happen to do two things. When you tap for voice support, the headphones also pass on ambient noise. The strange part, however, is that there doesn't seem to be any other way to do this, which means you have to take off your headphones if you want to hear things like train or flight attendant announcements. I hope this is something that Sennheiser addresses in a firmware update.

The entire range of functions would have been reserved for first-class headphones just recently.

Even without transparent sound, a number of features are impressive, including instant access to the voice assistant, battery life for a longer flight (and more expensive headphones like the 700 from Bose), solid noise cancellation, aptX support for compatible devices and much more , Such a range of extras would have been reserved for top-of-the-range headphones recently.

What you don't get

While the HD 450BT is above its weight in the feature section, there are some useful ones that you will definitely miss. First, there is no automatic pause that is useful for quickly pausing music when you remove an ear cup, and you can also thoughtlessly turn off the headphones without worrying about battery drain.

After getting used to this feature from the WH-1000XM3 to Apple's AirPods, I had to keep reminding myself to pause the music.

In addition, the Sennheiser Smart Control app is pretty useless for these headphones anyway. The only real function is an EQ, but I'll give you my audio engineer certificate (I have it somewhere, I think) if you can figure out how to use it. As an esoterically shining band, it is not manageable to properly tune the sound. How about a basic parametric or graphic EQ, folks?

A mixture of passive and active noise reduction keeps outside interference out.

noise control

Although I couldn't use the HD 450BT for the traveling Holy Grail – a long flight – I can report that they do a solid job in a variety of settings to keep unwanted noise away. This seems to be due to a clever combination of passive isolation and active noise cancellation, which keeps your listening sessions unrestricted and outside annoyances at bay.

Sennheiser HD 450BT ANC headphones Riley Young / Digital Trends

The comfortable cushions in themselves block a lot of unwanted hustle and bustle, while noise cancellation adds an extra layer to fairly effectively suppress engine humming and other booming noises. While they're not a replacement for the WH-1000XM3 – which even offers additional pressure control for extra points – or one of Bose's top picks in the genre, the 700 or the QC35 II, the HD 450BT is sure to give your trips some peace and quiet ,

Decent (albeit inconsistent) sound

Since these are Sennheiser headphones, the strangest part of my HD 450BT experience was the inconsistent sound quality that I experienced during my listening sessions. First of all, let me say that the headphones offer a balanced, relatively detailed sound and also present instruments without "masking" well, which means that instruments are rarely lost in the mix.

I particularly like the bass reproduction of the 450BT. For someone who hates bass-heavy cans, they are perfectly reserved, yet present the tone and color from kick drums to bass guitar with power and clarity. Paul McCartney's exquisite bass tone on Something shows itself in all its soft, chocolatey splendor. And while the bass never gets overwhelming, it hits hard where it is needed for hip-hop and electronic tracks.

The presence that I expect from Sennheiser in the medium and high range is missing here.

The strangest thing about the 450BT is the mixture of a bright shimmer on acoustic instruments and vocals and a lack of presence in the middle range. The combination gives some recordings too much tinsel (and too little body) in instruments and vocals, while others are draped with a foggy taste.

While the lighter color affected most of the tracks, a prime example of the latter can be heard in Vampire Weekends Married in a Gold Rush. Danielle Haim's voice is depressed in the mix, while her first appearance sounds much more like "Fshared a moment in a cafe" than "Shared".

Riley Young / Digital Trends

This was also not always the case. Some songs were played so clearly that I had to pause over my previous grades. But overall, the presence that I expect from Sennheiser in the middle and high range is missing, as is the reddish warmth of the lower mids, which is something of a Sennheiser specialty.

You could say that I find the sound quality of the HD 450BT hard for its price, and if so, I'll take the heat. In fact, you can often buy a pair of our favorite wireless cans in-store right now, the WH-1000XM3, which rightly sneaks into this test over and over again for just $ 250. And frankly, they outperform the HD 450BT in terms of clarity, instrumental definition, soundstage and level of detail.

For most titles, the HD 450BT does a good (if limited) job of delivering the goods, and less picky listeners are likely to be happy.

warranty

Sennheiser grants a generous two-year warranty on most products, including the HD 450BT. More information is available on the Sennheiser website.

Our opinion

The Sennheiser HD 450BT isn't the best value in the industry, but at just $ 200, the impressive features, stylish look, and solid noise cancellation are a good option for those in high-end travel cans want to dive in without high end price.

Is there a better alternative?

If you can look for a business, yes. Whether it is the WH-1000XM3 or the QC35 II, it is the aging guild of travel boxes that offers the best value for money these days. Is that Sennheiser's fault? I would say no, and every new pair of cans will charge a premium for headphones that have been in the tooth for a long time. With a 30 hour battery and plenty of style and comfort, the HD 450BT is worth considering.

However, if you want to make a splash in this highly competitive segment, you have to give people every reason to throw the flagships away, and the HD 450BT isn't quite there.

Should you buy them

If $ 200 is your ultimate budget cutoff (or even a stretch), yes. Their noise cancellation and extra long battery alone are enough to get them talking. However, if you can sneak a little higher, it is worth looking for a sale of the flagship models, as this is where the serious value lies. At least until the next models arrive and they are discontinued.

Editor's recommendations