Marshall launched the Major V Wireless On-Ear Headphones a few months back. The successor to the Major IV features custom-tuned 40mm dynamic drivers, over 100 hours of wireless playtime. Here we have the review of the headphones.
Box Contents
- Major V headphones in Black colour
- 3.5 mm audio cord
- User manual and legal and safety information
- USB-C charging cable
Design and build
The Major V maintains the recognizable Marshall design, reminiscent of their amplifiers, with square-ish earcups and a textured faux leather finish on the headband and outer cups. The on-ear headphones feature a rugged and foldable design.
The adjustable headband utilizes a sliding metal bracket mechanism, which provides both durability and smooth adjustment. It has a foldable design, making it easy to carry and weigh just 186g.
On the right side, there is a button, which acts as a play / pause control, and it is also a control knob for volume adjustment. You can also see the 3.5mm audio jack, USB Type-C port and microphone.
On the left side, there is a custom M-button with M-script logo. This lets you instantly open the Spotify Tap as a default function, or you can set it to switch your EQ settings or voice assistant.
The ear pads are also designed to be removable and replaceable with a simple twist. The joint connecting the ear cups to the headband allows for a greater than 90-degree fold, enabling a compact folded size.
Regarding materials, 86% of the total plastic components (which constitute 33% of the product by weight), is made from recycled materials, including post-consumer recycled plastic from sources like old electronic devices and CDs.
The faux leather used on the ear cups and headband is also highlighted as being DMFa-free and water-based, avoiding PVC and solvents.
Connectivity and controls
The Marshall Major V supports Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC + MPEG-2 AAC + LC3 codecs. The pairing process is very easy. Simply press and hold the control knob for a few seconds to enter pairing mode. Now open the Bluetooth settings on the phone, and it shows up as Major V, and you can connect to it.
There is also multipoint connectivity, which means they can be connected to two devices simultaneously. This allows you to easily switch between audio sources, such as listening to music on your laptop and taking a call on your phone, without needing to manually disconnect and reconnect.
A convenient feature of the Marshall Major V headphones is the inclusion of a customizable M-button. Located on the left earcup, this tactile button provides quick access to a user-defined function.
Through the Marshall Bluetooth companion app for Android and iPhone, users can personalize the M-button’s action to suit their preferences. The available options typically include:
- Spotify Tap: This allows for instant access to your Spotify listening, often resuming playback or starting a personalized discovery mix with a single press.
- Equalizer (EQ) Settings: You can configure the button to cycle through your preset equalizer settings, allowing you to quickly change the sound profile to match different genres of music or personal preferences.
- Voice Assistant: The M-button can be assigned to activate your smartphone’s native voice assistant (like Google Assistant or Siri), enabling hands-free control and commands.
Sound Quality
The Marshall Major V have a brilliant audio output, thanks to 40mm drivers with a frequency response rating of 20 – 20,000 Hz. Hardware specifications aside, it offers thunderous bass, smooth mids, and crisp treble.
This offers a bass-driven sound image with a U-shaped curve, so low and high frequencies are emphasized. While the bass is prominent, the headphones offer a good detail and separation in the mids and highs.
Since this has an on-ear design, it can influence the perceived soundstage, which is fairly intimate. Despite this, the audio quality stays true to Marshall’s energetic sound while offering improvements in clarity and reduced distortion.
The microphone is fairly decent in picking up your voice. The cable doesn’t have volume control.
The equalizer option has default Marshall tuning mode, bass boost, mid-boost, treble boost and mid-reduction, and there is a custom option.
Conclusion
One of the most impressive features of the Marshall Major V headphones is their outstanding battery life. This promises 100+ hours of wireless playtime on a single charge, so you can use the headphones for weeks without recharge.
Marshall has also incorporated a battery preservation feature within the Marshall Bluetooth app. This feature allows users to manage charging habits to potentially extend the overall lifespan of the battery by, for example, setting a charge limit to 90% and regulating charging temperature and speed. There is also a time-out option.
You will have to turn off the headphones manually when you want to use the wired mode, since the headphones doesn’t turn off automatically
When it comes to recharging, the Major V supports both USB-C wired charging and wireless charging. A full charge via USB-C takes approximately 3 hours. Additionally, a convenient quick charge feature provides 15 hours of listening time after just 15 minutes of charging. The inclusion of wireless charging adds further convenience, allowing users to simply place the right ear cup on a compatible charging pad, but it takes hours.
Conclusion
The Marshall Major V headphones stand out as a compelling option for those seeking a blend of iconic style, robust build quality, and impressive battery performance.
They successfully carry the torch of Marshall’s classic aesthetic, featuring a design that is both visually striking and built with durability in mind, including the use of recycled materials for a touch of modern sustainability. The most defining feature of the Major V is undoubtedly its extraordinary battery life, boasting over 100 hours of wireless playtime.
You can get the Marshall Major V Wireless headphones for Rs. 14,999 from the company’s official marshallheadphones.com and other retailers across India.