The new Marshall Major V wireless headphones have a comfortable fit and great sound. They are Bluetooth LE … [+]
It’s been a year since Zound Industries and Marshall Amplification joined forces and placed the headphone and speaker division under the same corporate roof as the world-renowned guitar amp business. So far things seem to be going well and this month I got my hands on a pair of Marshall Major V headphones, the first model launched since the merger.
The Major V has the same size and shape as previous versions of Marshall’s headphones and offers 100 hours of wireless playtime on a single charge. The headphones may look like their predecessor, but the designers at Marshall have managed to make them more comfortable with an improved fit. The design still has a hinge mechanism that enables the Major V to fold down to a compact size to fit in a briefcase.
The Major V headphones can be charged wirelessly as well as with a USB-C cable. The headphones are Bluetooth LE ready which is the next big revolution in the Bluetooth standard that offers higher audio quality thanks to support for the LDAC audio codec. Bluetooth LE also offers increased transmission range and improved audio synchronization for better gaming and video usage.
The new Marshall Major V is sturdy and folds into a compact size. Don’t let the compact size fool you … [+]
On the headphones is the trademark Marshall switch, which can control the music and increase the volume. There’s also a dedicated M button that’s programmable and can be customized with a shortcut using the Marshall Bluetooth smartphone app. For example, you can set the button to turn on a voice assistant or maybe switch between different EQ settings, either your own settings or one of the EQ presets made by Marshall.
Major V’s have the signature Marshall sound. This headphone tuning offers classic Marshall EQ, which is the great crunchy sound that Marshall gets from its custom-tuned dynamic drivers. The signature sound offers reduced distortion for greater clarity while still managing to inject excitement into the music. It’s an infectious and very loud sound.
Another feature included with the Marshall Major V is an in-app battery saver feature that allows you to reduce how quickly the battery ages. Depending on the settings, you can choose to extend the battery life by not charging it to full capacity. And with a 100-hour battery life, the Major V needs charging much less often.
Major V headphones from Marshall have a multi-function joystick to control music and … [+]
When it comes to sustainability, the Major V headphones are made with recycled plastic recovered from old products, including used electronics and CDs, extending the life cycle of these discarded items. Marshall claims 33% of the Major V is plastic, which is 86% post-consumer recycled plastic.
Verdict: The new Marshall Major V wireless headphones are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. They feel sturdy and fold up nicely to fit in a work bag. Major V’s sound is exciting and energetic. These headphones match rock music, but are just as happy with something more soothing. I tested them with the Oscar Peterson and Nelson Riddle album and the Marshall Signature Sound worked a charm on the fantastic vintage recording. If you want a stylish and cool pair of wireless headphones with great sound and even better battery life, the Marshall Major V are well designed, well made and reasonably priced. Recommended.
Price and availability: The Marshall Major V headphones are available now from Marshall.com and priced at $149 / £129 / €149.
Technical characteristics:
- Driver: 40mm dynamic.
- Driver Sensitivity: 106dB SPL (100mV @ 1kHz).
- Driver Impedance: 32Ω.
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz.
- Weight: 186 g / 6.56 oz.
- Play time: 100+ hours of wireless play.
- Charging time: 3 hours with USB-C.
- Wireless charging: Yes.
- Bluetooth LE ready: Yes.