Personal audio equipment is a vast market. There are so many niche items along with numerous price and quality ranges, that it can be quite hard to find exactly what you are looking for. And that is especially the case if you just want a simple pair of earbuds that deliver exceptional sound.

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But even then, you have a huge selection to wade through.

Fortunately, we have found a pair of earbuds that are no fuss and no fluff. And what do you know, they are made by Marshall.

If you want earbuds that are multi-functional and wireless, these will not be for you. However, if you want superior audio reproduction in a comfortable and durable basic package, they could well be.

So, let’s see what these are all about in our in-depth Marshall Mode EQ Review…

Right away, you can see that Marshall have put their stamp on the design. Each earbud has gold “M” in the iconic script used on all Marshall amps. Likewise, the in-line remote has the Marshall logo etched in gold.

Durable wired input…

Furthermore, anyone familiar with Marshall aesthetics will recognize the gold-plated shielding around the input jack. It not only adds to “the look” but also enhances the durability and signal strength. This is because gold is an excellent conductor. Additionally, gold doesn’t corrode as easily as other metals used in shielding and connections.

The 3.5mm input jack features an L-plug design. This works to make the connection more secure and durable. The idea is that it is much harder to pitch or bend the cable at the connection point. And hey, it’s true.

Tangle-free cable…

Along with the 3.5 mm L-plug jack, the cable will not get twisted and tangled. This is due to the special rubber coating used on the cable. It is a very durable rubber that wants to lay flat.

Often earbud cables are reluctant to straighten out after you take them out of the box. No such issue with the Mode EQ, thanks to the rubber cable coating. It feels durable and strong but still flexible.

Finding the perfect fit…

These earbuds are compact and use an in-ear design that anchors them in your ears. Weighing just twenty grams, they are light and comfortable. As a result, you can wear them for long periods of time without discomfort.

To provide higher levels of comfort and a secure fit, there are four ear tips sizes. With sizes for S, M, L, and XL ear tips included, you will have no problem finding the right fit for you.

Stylish, sturdy, and simple, the build and design of the Mode EQ earbuds are what we would expect from Marshall.

As we stated earlier, the only connection for these earbuds is a 3.5mm input jack. Again, if you are looking for wireless connectivity, you will have to search somewhere else.

In-line remote…

The only real control for these earbuds is the in-line remote. There are only two buttons that handle all the operations. However, there is no independent volume control on the remote.

Yet, there is a nice metal wire tie-clip on the remote. This allows you to secure the remote to your clothes, so it is right where you want it.

The gold button controls playback with a few clicks. One click to play or pause. Two quick clicks to fast-forward, and three clicks to play the previous track. Quite easy to use.

Incoming calls…

The in-line remote also controls the microphone. Simply click the gold button once to answer incoming calls, and click again to hang up. The microphone itself is an in-line design as well. It is separate from the remote and has a black plastic housing that doesn’t feel flimsy.

There is nothing particularly impressive about the mic. It is just a standard dynamic in-line mic found in numerous wired earbuds.

But, this is Marshall we are talking about. So the focus is more on sound reproduction than sound capture.

These earbuds may not offer the kind of multi-function options and connections as others. However, they deliver the goods in terms of sound quality.

Customized drivers…

Marshall have done a great job of placing 9 mm drivers into these tiny earbud frames. The frequency response is a well-balanced 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz and an SPL of 100 dB.

The resulting sound is one of deep bass, extended highs, and a clear mid-range. Furthermore, the custom drivers produce a high-output soundstage with near-zero distortion.

Mode EQ switch…

The main sound feature of these earbuds is the EQ switch. There are two different EQ settings to choose from with just the flick of a switch.

The first EQ mode gives you a warm and full sound with emphasis on the low-end. This mode is great for bass-heavy musical genres. The second EQ mode is bright and lively, where the focus is on the mids and highs. Choose the EQ 2 mode for rock, folk, jazz, classical, and voice-orientated music.

Additionally, the EQ mode applies to calls as well. This adds some extra clarity to the sound quality of your calls. Not a major feature, but a subtle enhancement to the overall quality.

Pros

Cons

Then check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best Earbuds Under $100, the Best Noise Isolating Earbuds, the Most Comfortable Earbuds, and the Best Wireless Earbuds For Small Ears currently on the market.

Prefer headphones to earbuds? Then take a look at our reviews of the Best Travel Headphones, the Most Comfortable Headphones, the Best Waterproof Headphones, and the Best Headphones Under $200 you can buy in 2024.

We have seen some pretty wild earbuds with loads of functions and features. However, they often fall short when it comes to sound quality. With the Marshall Mode EQ earbuds, we find the opposite. A very basic pair of earbuds that are designed to deliver the highest caliber of sound.

Sure, some people are enamored with wireless connectivity. But, to be honest, wired earbuds are always going to outperform wireless ones in sound quality.

So, it really boils down to personal preference.

We know where we stand. The Marshall Mode EQ earbuds are fantastic at delivering clear, balanced, powerful, and accurate audio. They do this with a great build quality, stylish appearance, and simple operations.

Along with a fair price point, we would happily ditch the factory earbuds included with any smartphone for these. We are certain that true audiophiles would agree.

Until next time, happy listening!