Marshall - Major V Wireless On-Ear Headphones - Black

Quick Overview ================================= Marshall has a history in audio - from guitar amps and, more recently, speakers and headphones. I've heard nothing but good things about their modern BT speakers and headphones, but haven't gotten around to trying them... Until now! These Marshall Major V on-hear headphones are their newest iteration of on-ear headphones that are known for durable build-quality and classic sound. Full disclosure: I have protuberant ears and I never choose on-ear headphones (preferring IEMs or over-ear) for my own use. Overall build ================================= Opening the box, I was pleased to see these folded up compactly with the earpieces folded inwards into the headband. This compact mode is perfect for travel and hopefully means they're built to last after some flexing and packing. They have the signature Marshall look with black leather-looking pads and metal arms for holding each earpad. On the right side, you'll see a USB-C charging port, a multi-functional 3.5mm jack, a gold joystick lever and a mesh opening for a mic. On the left side there's a dedicated "M" button that can be customized via the app. In the box you'll get a USB-C charging cable and a coiled 3.5mm cable which is a nice touch and completes the aesthetic. It's too bad there isn't a pouch at the very least... Once you get them out of the box, push in and hold the gold joystick until you see the blinking blue light, pair it to your mobile device of choice, and you're off to the races. Installing the Marshall app is optional, but it does give you useful things like firmware updates, customizable EQ, battery saving modes, and customization options for the "M" button. Performance ================================= I was eager to try these but hesitant since I never pick on-ear headphones when given a chance. They were light, clamped just enough to stay on, and were very comfortable to my ears. I was pleasantly surprised! Listening to some Spotify, I was also impressed that these 40mm drivers with BT 5.3 could produce some balanced sound and decent bass! You'll get AAC, SBC or LC3 and BT LE, but no "HQ" codecs like AptX or LDAC. BT multipoint is present, thankfully. I installed the Marshall app to upgrade the firmware (just a few minutes) and customize some settings. The battery saver lets you choose how much battery saving capability you'd like including stopping or slowing charging, and powering off when idle at certain time thresholds. The "M" button was already set for Spotify, but it could have been changed to an EQ mode or voice assistant. Lastly, I configured a custom EQ to go along with the Marshall "house sound". Listening to Spotify, I was very impressed by the quality of these small headphones! I usually listen to IEMs or on-ear headphones from audiophile-level to high-end gaming/computer headphones and I must say, I was very pleased that I wasn't missing a beat with these Marshall Major Vs! Even though there's no ANC, the passive noise-cancelling due to a good fit was enough to muffle some nearby noisemakers. I can't say these would do well on an airplane, but in the home, there was no issue. I love the little gold-plated joystick! Push in to play/pause, up/down controls the volume, and right left covers your track forward/backward navigation. Very intuitive and it works better than I thought it would for a small control stick. I was also pleasantly surprised by the mic as test calls to my friends and family were non-events. I sounded clear without excessive background noise. The 3.5mm jack on the right headphone is innovative. Not only can you plug into an audio source and listen in wired mode, you can actually plug in another set of IEMs or headphones and have someone listen in with you! I tested these with a family member and I could see this being useful on a plane or perhaps for passengers on a long car ride that are watching or listening to the same thing. Very cool, Marshall! Lastly, these Major Vs are majorly convenient since they can charge wirelessly! Just balance them so the right earcup can sit on a wireless charging pad and you'll be topped off in no time! Speaking of the battery, these are rated to go 100 hours between charges and I didn't have the stamina to keep up! I did use them for more than 8 hours through the course of a day and barely used 10% of the battery so depending on volume level and other factors, I think it's pretty realistic. There should be no battery anxiety here. Conclusion ================================= Audio and fit of headphones can be really subjective and personal. Different head sizes and opinions will always come into play, but I'll say it again: I'm pleasantly surprised by the comfort, fit, and sound quality of these Marshall Major Vs! I never consider on-ear headphones and now I'm using these often for a quick listen (they're easy to slip on and off) and some handheld gaming on my Asus ROG Ally. If you like on-ear headphones and long battery life, these are a must-try!

I received my retro looking Marshall headphones and I must say this is the first pair of this brand I've owned. Was excited to give them a try! Upon opening you'll find the folded headphones, a 3.5mm headphone cable with coiled middle section to use wired and a short USB-C to USB-C charging cable. You will need to provide your own charger and if you have a wireless charging pad these headphones will support that. Also included is a short manual. I charged them to 100% as they claim it should last for up to 100 hours of playback. After using them for 3 days I am finding the battery life is really fantastic. I used the manual and followed instructions. First I turned the Major V's on and connected to my iPhone Bluetooth which they did immediately and without issue. I then installed the app and there was an immediate update which I installed to firmware 6.4.4. This app is so convenient! You will find an EQ option in which you can select a preset or custom to create your own settings. I fussed around with them but honestly right out of the box with no adjusting I found these to sound perfect for my personal listening pleasure. The Equaliser also has Marshall Setting 1 and Marshall Setting 2. It's all a matter of what sounds best to your ears. There is also an app setting to prolong the battery life span by choosing the max charge to be 90%. I set the Battery Preservation to Medium but you can pick from None ~ Standard ~ Medium ~ High. There is an M-Button on one ear cup and by pressing it takes you to the Spotify Tap, Equaliser, Voice Assistant or Do Nothing when using the app. There are other nice app options as well. The other ear cup has a small brass button that will allow you to control everything out of the box without using the app. You simply hold in the button for one second and it will power the headphones off or on. The booklet that comes with them illustrates what you can do with this button. An excellent feature in my opinion! I proceeded to play everything from classical music to rock and the headphones handled all well. The calling feature was okay but I prefer my small buds on phone calls as headphones seem somewhat bulky to me although the sound quality was fine ~ voices clear both to myself and the caller. These are very light to wear and the cups are nice and softly padded. I can wear them for long hours without pain. Your ears might get a little warm but this is common for most headphones of this style. The sound on these is really clean ~ just the best! I enjoyed everything I threw at them to hear ~ from my TV to a karaoke website and all in between. I had no issues with annoying noise or dull sounds. The bass, treble and mids were spot on perfect, especially being adjustable with the app. It does not offer ANC but that is not an issue for me as I rarely use that feature on any of my earbuds or headphones. I really love these Marshall headphones and am ever so pleased! The construction quality is top notch all around. I adore the way they look as well ~ that retro square ear cup styling is marvelous! The one thing missing is a case or carrying bag which was a surprise but as I don't plan on traveling with them it's not a deal breaker for me. They are totally awesome and I highly recommend their purchase! You will not be disappointed ~ I sure wasn't!

The first thing that struck me about the Major V headphones is their iconic design. Marshall has stayed true to its classic aesthetic, combining vintage rock ‘n’ roll vibes with modern elegance. The black finish is sleek and sophisticated, making these headphones a stylish accessory as well as a functional device. The build quality is exceptional, with a durable yet lightweight construction. The ear cushions are incredibly soft and comfortable, providing a snug fit without causing any discomfort during extended listening sessions. When it comes to sound, the Marshall Major V delivers a truly immersive experience. The headphones feature custom-tuned drivers that produce a rich and balanced audio profile. The bass is the trademark Marshall bass, that is to say it is deep and punchy, so much so that it may be too much for some people. However, one can easily set a custom eq using the Marshall app on the phone. The mids are clear and well-defined, and the highs are crisp and detailed. Whether I'm listening to rock, jazz, hip-hop, or classical music, the sound quality remains consistently excellent. The headphones also have impressive noise isolation, allowing me to enjoy my music without distractions from the outside world. Note that there is no active noise cancellation, which would have been a nice feature to have. The wireless performance of the Major V is top-notch. Pairing the headphones with my devices was a breeze, thanks to the seamless Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. The connection remains stable even when I'm a considerable distance away from my device. The battery life is outstanding, offering up to 100 hours of playback on a single charge. This means I can go several days without needing to recharge, which is perfect for me as I travel often. I found this claim of 100 hours of battery life to be true when the headphones were paired to my phone and I was mainly listening to music and podcasts and answering the occasional phone call. When I do need to recharge, the process is quick and convenient with the included USB-C cable and wireless charging capability. The Major V headphones come with some great additional features that enhance the overall user experience. The multi-directional control knob allows for easy navigation of tracks, volume adjustment, and phone call management. Speaking of calls, the built-in microphone delivers clear and crisp voice quality, making it a pleasure to use for hands-free conversations. I also appreciate the collapsible design, which makes these headphones easy to carry around in my bag when not in use. Overall, the Marshall Major V Wireless On-Ear Headphones are a fantastic investment for anyone seeking high-quality audio, stylish design, and reliable wireless performance. They offer an excellent balance of comfort, durability, and sound excellence. Whether you’re a casual listener or a serious audiophile, these headphones are sure to impress. I highly recommend them to anyone in the market for a premium pair of wireless on-ear headphones.