Key Takeaways
- The Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones have a retro look and foldable functionality for travel.
- They’re comfortable, lightweight, have a long battery life, and a 3.5mm jack.
- Without ANC, the sound quality is middling and not suitable for important calls or meetings.
Classic over-ear headphones are making a comeback in a big way. Gen Z has been sticking to the classic over-ear style for a while now, and audiophiles are praising the superior listening experience that over-ear headphones provide. I have used some headphones from big brands like Bose, Apple, Sony, and now I can add Marshall to that list. Marshall, a UK-based company known for its speakers and amplifiers, has entered the headphone business with the Marshall Major IV, allowing customers to choose between over-ear or on-ear headphones.
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To be honest, I couldn’t really tell the difference between over-ear and on-ear, since Major IV is the first on-ear headphones I’ve tested. I quickly realized that on-ear headphones offer a completely different experience in terms of sound quality and comfort. Although I felt the overall sound quality was a bit inferior to over-ear headphones, they are a great way to achieve that “retro” headphone look on a budget. Plus, they’re compact and foldable, making them perfect for summer travel.
For more details, please read on:
Marshall Major IV On-Ear Headphones
Marshall’s Major IV on-ear headphones are affordable foldable headphones that are suitable for casual use, but if you’re looking for headphones for more everyday professional use, you might want to look elsewhere.
- Long battery life
- Foldable
- lightweight
- Medium sound quality
- No ANC
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Pricing, Availability and Specifications
You can purchase the Marshall Major IV headphones from Amazon, Best Buy, or the Marshall website. We don’t recommend buying the headphones directly from the Marshall website. The price on their website is $130, but Amazon is selling the Major IV on-ear headphones for $99. We recently saw the headphones on sale for over 40% off, dropping the price on Amazon to $86. Best Buy has them at a similarly moderate price of $99.
To be honest, I wouldn’t pay more than $100 for these on-ear headphones, and after testing I think you’ll get the most value for around $80. If you’re buying these headphones at the list price of $130, you might be better off spending another $50 and getting a pair of Bose headphones.
I wouldn’t want to spend more than $100 on these on-ear headphones, but after testing I think you’ll get the most bang for your buck for around $80.
What I like about the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones
Comfortable headphones with long battery life
Unlike over-ear headphones, they are not bulky and I like that they don’t mess up my hair even when worn for long periods of time.
I always see people wearing these headphones while riding the London Underground and I thought they looked really cool. I tried them out for myself and was not disappointed with their understated yet classic aesthetic, with a cursive Marshall logo and synthetic leather lining. They’re not bulky like over-ear headphones and I love that they don’t mess with my hair even after wearing them for long periods of time. Overall, the style of the headphones is very similar to the Marshall amps and alludes to 80s fashion.
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But for me, the biggest advantage of these headphones is how easily they fold. Unlike the Bose, Apple, and Sony, the Marshall Major IV On-Ears can be easily folded up and stowed in a backpack or tote bag. And because these headphones are relatively affordable, I’m just as nervous about sacrificing quality as I am with the $600 AirPods Max. Since I barely have space in my backpack, I love that I can fold up the Marshall Major IVs and toss them in my front pocket with ease and relative peace of mind. They weigh just 5.8 ounces, so they don’t add much weight.
I put the headphones on while working and lounging by the pool and had no complaints.
One of the biggest problems I encounter when wearing over-ear headphones is that they start to feel uncomfortable after a few hours. Plus, over-ear headphones tend to irritate ear piercings. But when I wear the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones, my ears don’t hurt at all. The square cups have thick cushioning and are so lightweight that I forget I’m wearing them on my head. For example, I wore the headphones while working and lounging by the pool and had no complaints.
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On the technical side, the headphones have an amazingly long battery life and even have a 3.5mm jack, which is a rarity these days. It’s handy when you need a quick charge, and you can get another 15 hours of playback by simply plugging the headphones into your laptop for 15 minutes. But overall, I was impressed with the Marshall Major IV’s 80-hour battery life, which allowed me to listen nonstop for almost two days without needing to charge.
What I didn’t like about the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones
Medium sound quality even without ANC
Unfortunately, my biggest disappointment with these headphones was the sound quality. If I were to buy these headphones for daily use, I would recommend leveling up. The sound quality is decent, but it’s by no means super crisp and clear, especially in the treble and bass. I was happy with the sound quality for casual listening on my commute or at work, but I wouldn’t use them for important calls or meetings.
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Also, because these headphones are on-ear, not over-ear, there’s no active noise canceling (ANC). So, while the microphone isn’t bad, other noise gets through to my ears and the ears of the people I’m talking to, disrupting the conversation. The headphones do a good job of blocking out background noise, but you can still hear noise around you. In addition to the lack of ANC, these headphones don’t offer any of the surround sound or immersion you get with the Bose QuietComfort or Apple’s AirPods Max.
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Another thing to note is that the headphones don’t come with a carry case, which isn’t a big deal. I personally don’t like carry cases, so it wasn’t an issue for me. However, without one, your headphones won’t be as well protected. You can buy cheaper ones on Amazon, but they might not fit the headphones perfectly.
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Should you buy the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones?
If you are looking for a cheaper foldable headphone for everyday activities, then yes, the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones are perfect to take to the beach, public transport or just for everyday activities. The slider bar on the side of the headphones makes it easy to adjust, but sometimes the headphones can slip out of place.
That being said, anyone looking for a quality pair of headphones for everyday use might want to look elsewhere, or check out Marshall’s over-ear noise-canceling headphones.
