Marshall Major IV Review | 93 Data compared

The Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones offer a distinct retro look inspired by the brand's iconic guitar amps, pairing a lightweight 5.8-ounce design with heavily cushioned square ear cups that ensure long-lasting comfort without messing up your hair. A standout feature is their highly collapsible structure, making them incredibly easy to fold up and toss into a backpack for hassle-free travel. On the technical side, they boast an exceptionally long 80-hour battery life and include a rare 3.5 mm auxiliary jack for wired listening. Furthermore, they support quick charging, giving you 15 hours of playtime from just a 15-minute charge. While the official retail price is $130, they can frequently be found on Amazon for around $99 or less. Despite these conveniences, the headphones have notable drawbacks, primarily regarding mid-level sound quality that lacks crispness on high and low notes. Because they use an on-ear design rather than an over-ear fit, there is no Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), meaning background ambient noise remains audible during commutes. The lack of an immersive surround sound experience and a slightly underwhelming microphone performance...

The Marshall Major IV wireless on-ear headphones deliver a highly tactile, user-friendly experience wrapped in the brand's iconic, rugged guitar-amplifier aesthetic. Boasting custom-tuned 40mm dynamic drivers, these headphones offer a boisterous, hard-hitting bass performance that excels with rock and metal music, while still maintaining a balanced, nuanced mid-range for vocals. A standout feature is their class-leading, monumental battery life of 80 hours on a full charge, which is further elevated by the convenience of wireless charging compatibility and a quick-charge capability that provides 15 hours of playtime from just a 15-minute charge. They also feature a unique 3.5mm mini-jack that allows users to physically share their audio with a friend or listen via a wired connection when the battery runs out. Key Pros & Cons Pros: Exceptional 80-hour battery life. Pros: Powerful, aggressive bass performance tailored for guitar-heavy music. Pros: Reliable Bluetooth v5.0 connectivity. Pros: Wireless charging support and convenient physical controls. Cons: Total absence of active noise cancellation (ANC). Cons: No integration or support for voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. Cons: The headband padding is a bit thin...

The Marshall Major IV stands out as a high-performing mid-range wireless model that blends a retro, vintage-amp aesthetic with modern functionality. Its most impressive feature is a "ridiculously high" 80-hour battery life, which more than doubles the capacity of many premium competitors and includes a quick-charge capability providing 15 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge. Listeners can expect dynamic, studio-quality sound from 40mm drivers that excel in rock and jazz, alongside unique touches like a multi-directional control knob and wireless charging support. Despite its strong performance, the headphones have notable omissions, such as a lack of mobile app support, meaning users cannot access EQ presets or sound customization. The on-ear design leads to mediocre noise isolation, allowing high-frequency ambient sounds to leak into the audio, and the package does not include a carrying case for portability. Additionally, while Bluetooth 5.0 provides a stable connection, the device does not support multipoint technology, restricting it to one active connection at a time.

The Marshall Major IV on-ear Bluetooth headphones stand out primarily for their remarkable 80 hours of battery life and the convenience of wireless Qi charging. Designed with a textured vinyl finish reminiscent of classic Marshall amplifiers, they feature heavily cushioned, flexible ear pads that ensure comfortable long-term wear. Users can easily manage music, adjust volume, and answer phone calls using a signature gold multi-directional control button. Additionally, their practical folding mechanism secures the rigid cups tightly, making them exceptionally compact for transport despite the lack of an included carrying case. Acoustically, the headphones utilize 40mm dynamic drivers to deliver an energetic sound signature highlighted by punchy, well-measured bass and a pleasing mid-range. However, they suffer from a narrower stereo width, slightly lower wired volume, and compressed transparency due to roll-offs in the highest treble nuances. Their on-ear, closed design also lets in noticeable environmental noise, meaning they offer weak passive isolation. Finally, audio enthusiasts may find the technical specs limiting, as the headphones do not support high-fidelity Bluetooth codecs like AAC or aptX, relying solely on standard SBC.

The AudioReviews.org review of the Marshall Major IVGo highlights the on-ear Bluetooth headphones as a lightweight and highly portable option featuring a massive 80-hour battery life and an intuitive brass control knob. Key advantages include effective passive isolation from the cushioned earpads and a secure fit, making them suitable for casual listening and commuting. Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, including a high clamping force that causes discomfort and heat buildup during long listening sessions. The device also lacks modern features like a companion app or ANC, while the design is described as having somewhat garish, prominent branding. audioreviews.

The Marshall Major IV Bluetooth headphones deliver an impressive 80 hours of battery life alongside a rock-inspired design featuring textured black leather, a bright white calligraphy logo, and a gold control knob. The reviewer praises the sturdy build quality, fast phone connectivity, and practical 15-minute quick charge that provides 15 hours of playback. Sound quality is highlighted as a major positive, offering deep bass, crisp guitar tones, and clear vocals tailored perfectly for live music and rock lovers. Additionally, the single gold button simplifies functions like adjusting volume and skipping tracks without a cluttered layout. However, the review notes several cons, starting with the single gold button requiring a delicate touch and occasionally needing multiple attempts to power the headphones on. There is no battery indicator at power-up to warn users when the battery is low, and the reviewer cannot verify the wireless charging functionality due to lacking a charger. Bass-heavy music lovers might also find the sound profile lacking compared to competitors like Beats. Finally, despite the premium retail price of £149, the headphones do not include a protective...

The Marshall Major IV headphones are identified as a lightweight, comfortable, and portable on-ear option, offering an exceptionally long battery life, wireless charging, and wired listening capabilities. Despite their convenience and intuitive control knob, the headphones are noted for a heavily sculpted sound profile that lacks neutrality and lack support for high-end Bluetooth codecs, relying only on SBC. Key drawbacks highlighted in the review include poor passive noise isolation, which allows significant environmental sound infiltration, and limited wireless versatility. While they excel in battery performance and design, users seeking studio-quality sound or active noise cancellation may find them lacking.

The Marshall Major IV wireless on-ear headphonesGo, reviewed by Trusted Reviews, are lauded for their 80+ hour battery life, robust build, and improved, comfortable fit. They deliver an engaging, well-balanced sound signature that is ideal for long-term listening. However, the headphones lack active noise cancellation (ANC), relying only on passive isolation, and omit premium features like a companion app for EQ adjustment. Furthermore, the package does not include a protective carrying case, despite the design being tailored for travel.

In her review for tech360tv, Cheryl Tan highlights the Marshall Major IV as a highly lightweight, compact pair of on-ear headphones defined by an incredible 80-hour battery life and integrated wireless charging capabilities. Weighing only 165 grams, the headphones boast Marshall’s signature aesthetic with a pebbled leather headband and a convenient gold multi-directional control knob. They deliver standard Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and include a 3.0mm port for wired listening or audio sharing. Sound quality is described as generally balanced with a mild skew toward the bass, though the treble and mids remain quite decent given the small physical size of the earcups. Despite being comfortable for short periods, the reviewer identifies several major drawbacks, ultimately making it difficult to recommend them at their S$269 price point. Because they are on-ear headphones, they lack passive sound isolation, forcing users to raise the volume in noisy settings, and they can cause physical pain after two hours of prolonged wear—especially for users who wear glasses. On a functional level, the Major IV lacks premium features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and misses basic...

Despite the overwhelming praise, the review points out a few specific cons. Notably, Marshall does not include a carrying case in the retail box, which is the primary reason the product missed out on a perfect 100% score. Additionally, while the headphones include a high-quality 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable for passive wired listening, the cable itself lacks an inline media or telephony control pod. This omission means the built-in active circuitry and gold control knob do nothing when the headphones are powered down and plugged directly into a phone. Overall, the reviewer bought these with their own money and concludes that the Marshall Major IV offers superior value (£120 on Amazon UK at the time of review) and an outstanding alternative to standard true wireless earbuds.

The Marshall Major IV on-ear wireless headphones offer a superb blend of iconic style and practical upgrades, earning a perfect 5/5 score. Retaining the classic aesthetic of their predecessor, these matte-black vinyl headphones feature a lightweight 165g design, distinct exposed wire fasteners, and a highly intuitive single brass control knob for tracking and volume adjustment. The most monumental improvement is the mind-boggling 80-hour battery life—more than doubling the previous generation's capacity—complemented by the newly added convenience of Qi-compatible wireless charging via the left ear cup, alongside upgraded USB-C and traditional 3.5mm wired connections. Performance-wise, the 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a characteristically rich, balanced, and punchy sound signature that effortlessly handles diverse audio genres, from electronic music to podcasts, making them highly portable and effective for daily commuting. However, the review notes a couple of distinct drawbacks: the headphones entirely lack Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), meaning you will not get complete acoustic isolation, and getting the wireless charging alignment perfectly positioned on a charging pad can occasionally feel a bit fiddly. Ultimately, they are highly recommended as a lightweight, long-lasting masterpiece...

Despite receiving high marks, the review identifies a few clear drawbacks to consider before purchasing. Because the Major IV features a compact on-ear design rather than an over-ear construction, the smaller cushions sit directly on top of the ears, which naturally allows more ambient noise to leak into the listening experience. This lack of passive isolation might frustrate users looking to block out external environments, and the lack of a traditional over-ear seal means the headphones may not deliver enough deep, low-end "subwoofer" thump for certain musical preferences. Lastly, while the reviewer found them surprisingly light and comfortable enough to prevent ears from rubbing against the inner speaker grilles, they note that the $150 retail price tag includes a bit of a nostalgia surcharge for the iconic Marshall branding.

The GearBrain review highlights the Marshall Major IV as a stylish, consumer-friendly pair of $150 wireless headphones steeped in the brand's iconic rock heritage. A major pro of this model is its exceptionally long battery life, delivering over 80 hours of playtime on a single charge alongside convenient wireless charging and quick-charging capabilities (15 hours of juice in 15 minutes). The classic, lightweight 5.82-ounce design features a unique, easy-to-use bronze control knob, an included 3.5mm audio cord for shared listening or airplane use, and excellent call quality with clear voice transmission. Sound-wise, it provides crisp detail, a satisfying bass-forward tone, and zero Bluetooth lag when watching movies on a connected phone or laptop. However, the headphones come with notable cons, particularly the complete lack of active noise cancellation or passive noise dampening, which leaves environmental sounds fully audible. The physical fit presents another drawback; because the heavily padded square cushions sit directly on top of the ears rather than over them, the clamping force can cause a painful pinching sensation after a few hours of continuous wear. Ultimately, GearBrain concludes...

The $149.99 Marshall Major IV wireless headphones are highlighted by PCMag for their retro aesthetic, high comfort, and exceptional battery life. Key advantages include intuitive physical controls and a included 3.5mm cable for wired listening, though the design requires careful placement for wireless charging. Conversely, the review notes a heavily sculpted, bass-forward sound signature that lacks precision for audiophiles. While offering strong performance in their niche, the headphones' boosted lows and bright highs may not suit users seeking neutral audio reproduction.