I’m often reminded to acknowledge that Marshall produces some exceptional headphones, as the name is significantly associated with leading speakers in the business. The newest product, the Major V, is a rather unassuming $150 pair of on-ear headphones. The distinctive feature here is the 100+ hour battery duration, which initially seemed like a gimmick to me, but I was mistaken. After a solid three weeks of daily use (around two hours a day), the charge remains above 50%. They also include Bluetooth LE and anticipate Auracast through a forthcoming firmware update. Unfortunately, the sound quality is merely average at its best.

Marshall Major V: Design

On-ear, not over-ear.

The critical aspect to be mindful of about the Major V is its on-ear style. If you prefer large oval ear cups that completely cover your ears, providing some ventilation, you might want to consider over-ear headphones. These will constantly press against your ear cartilage, which can be uncomfortable for some users. By on-ear headphone standards, I found these quite comfortable due to the extraordinarily thick padding on the cups. Their on-ear nature means they fit snugly by default. However, the leatherette surface can become warm, making it troublesome when outside performing tasks, though it’s less bothersome indoors.

These headphones are entirely collapsible, shrinking significantly once folded. I managed to fit them into one of the small compartments in my office bag without causing any bulge. Despite this, I’m not fond of the metal hinges that protrude when the headphones are fully folded.

Weighing a mere 186g, these are some of the lightest headphones I’ve reviewed. For comparison, Sony’s XM5s are lauded for their low weight at 249g. Naturally, these appear far less luxurious than Sony’s top-tier headphones but are priced a bit more modestly. At $150, the Major V delivers just what you would anticipate. While they possess certain functional perks, in terms of design, they’re quite minimalistic. They lean towards a robust, durable appearance rather than a visually appealing design.

All factors considered, it’s disappointing that the Major V lacks protection against dust or water. They aren’t IP-rated, meaning you’ll need to exercise caution around water or on a trek. Given their toughness and compact build, I would have expected (and wished for) at least an IP56 rating.

Marshall Major V: Controls

Comes with a dedicated Spotify button.

Physical buttons will always have my preference over touch interfaces; their dependability and tactile response surpass touchpads. It’s advantageous when physical controls are crafted as thoughtfully as on the Major V, with just a couple of buttons covering all operations. One of the buttons manages playback, volume, and the power on/off function. You simply press it once to toggle play and pause, move it to adjust the volume, and press it longer to turn the headphones on or off. Mastering the volume control can be challenging since it’s frequently implemented in a non-intuitive manner.

On many headphones, but the Major V employed a more intelligent and straightforward approach for it. The other control, the M-button, can be tailored for any of these three actions: opening Spotify, accessing the in-app EQ settings, or enabling voice assistant.

I customized the M-button to activate Spotify. As a frequent user of the application, this control proved to be exceedingly beneficial for me. With just one click, it would play a track from one of my Spotify playlists. I appreciated that upon pressing the button once again, it would shift to a different track from one of those playlists or one suggested by my listening habits on the app. I’m consistently tuned into Spotify when commuting, and it’s often inconvenient to switch between playlists while on the move. With a 3.5mm port on the headphones and a cable in the package, wired connectivity is an alternative too.

Marshall Major V: Battery Endurance

Extraordinarily prolonged battery duration.

Marshall claims over a hundred hours for the Major V. I endeavored to verify this a few weeks back, and began tracking my daily usage alongside the decrease in battery level. After about three weeks and around forty hours, it remains robust at 63%. This count includes substantial chat time, which consumes battery quicker than playback. They require three hours for a complete charge, yet that’s not a prominent concern when you need to do it approximately once a month, if not less often. With most headphones offering between 40 to 60 hours, the 100+ hour battery life of the Major V stands out impressively.

For a reasonable price of $150, they also support wireless charging. Fast charging is an option, with 15 minutes delivering 15 hours of playtime. The battery-saving feature on the Major V is an additional benefit not commonly found on many headphones. You can select among Standard, Medium, and Max battery conservation modes in the app. Standard mode restricts the maximum charge to 90% to prevent battery overheating. Medium mode incorporates a charging speed limiter to ensure recharging occurs gradually and steadily. The Max mode integrates both previous modes’ benefits and introduces a temperature sensor. It reduces charging pace if the device exceeds the optimal temperature range, enhancing battery life longevity. Although these precautions might seem inconvenient given the already lengthy three-hour recharge time, they can significantly extend your headphones’ battery life. You also have the option to forego selecting any battery conservation mode.

Marshall Major V: Performance

Disappointing audio output.

The Major V offers a balanced sound, primarily highlighting mids. The bass, even with the Bass Boost setting in the app, is the least prominent element. The treble is more pronounced than the low-end but lacks the brightness to justify its own spotlight. It seems merged with other components. Overall, the soundstage could benefit from more spaciousness. Sound imaging is limited, creating an impression that the components are too confined. Tweaking the in-app EQ settings, aside from mid-reduction and mid-boost presets, didn’t substantially enhance the audio quality.

Equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers and a frequency range stretching from 20 to 20 KHz, which is common for many headphones in this category. There’s no ANC, yet the extra-thick ear cup cushions offer substantial passive noise isolation. At 20% volume, ambient office chatter was completely inaudible.

The audio performance on the Major V left me feeling underwhelmed, mainly because I expected more from a Marshall product. The sound lacked character and nuance, presenting as thin and inclined towards a tinny output. The only performance aspect that impressed me was their Bluetooth LE support. They arrive ready for Auracast with a potential future firmware update, a feature not often found in this price bracket. Numerous more costly headphones lack support for Auracast.

As for future compatibility, there are additional features on the Major V designed to enhance durability. Marshall asserts they’re robust enough to endure daily wear, and should the ear cups suffer damage, replacements can be ordered online. The Major V are the first of Marshall’s headphones to be part of their repair scheme, allowing battery replacement at sanctioned repair centers.

Final Verdict

Marshall’s Major V excelled in several areas but fell short in others. I was anticipating superb audio quality given they bear the Marshall name, but that was missing. The lack of ANC and an IP rating at a middle-range $150 price are also noteworthy exclusions. Meanwhile, the exceedingly long battery life is impressive, doubling what’s offered by most other headphones, and future Auracast support is even rarer. As a dedicated Spotify fan, having a specific button for the app delighted me. Without knowing their manufacture by Marshall, I might have been more favorable in my assessment. Ultimately, I can only suggest these to casual users seeking an introductory pair of headphones who value battery life over sound excellence.

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