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 to bring the headphone and speaker division under the same corporate roof as the world-renowned guitar amp business. So far everything seems to have gone well, and this month I got my hands on the Marshall Major V headphones, the first model released since the merger.
The Major V are the same size and shape as previous versions of the Marshall headphones and offer a staggering 100 hours of wireless playback on a single charge. The headphones may look like their predecessors, but the designers at Marshall managed to make them more comfortable with an improved fit. The design still has a hinge mechanism that allows the Major V to fold into a compact size to slip into a work bag.
Major V headphones can also be charged wirelessly using a USB-C cable. The headphones are ready for Bluetooth LE, which is another big revolution in the Bluetooth standard that brings higher sound quality thanks to the support of the LDAC audio codec. Bluetooth LE also offers increased streaming range and improved audio sync for better gaming and video playback.
The new Marshall major V are robust and can be folded into a compact size. Don’t let the compact size fool you … [+]
On the headphones there is a typical Marshall joystick, which can be used to control the music and increase the volume. There is also a dedicated M button that is programmable and can be customized via a shortcut using the Marshall Bluetooth app for smartphones. For example, you can set the up button to turn on the voice assistant, or perhaps switch between different EQ settings, whether it’s your own or one of the EQ presets created by Marshall.
Major V has a Marshall Signature sound. This headphone tuning features the classic Marshall EQ, a wonderful crunchy sound that Marshall coaxes from its custom-tuned dynamic drivers. Signature Sound offers reduced distortion for greater clarity, while also being able to bring excitement to your music. It’s an infectious sound and very loud.
Another feature included in the Marshall Major V is an in-app battery protection feature that allows you to reduce the rate at which your battery ages. Depending on your settings, you may choose to extend battery life by not charging it to full capacity. And with a 100-hour battery life, the Major V needs to be charged much less often.
Marshall’s Major V headphones have a multi-function joystick to control music and … [+]
In terms of sustainability, the Major V headphones are made from recycled plastic recycled from old products, including used electronics and CDs, extending the life of these discarded items. Marshall claims that 33% of Major V is plastic, which is 86% of post-consumer recycled plastic.
Statement: The new Marshall Major V wireless headphones are incredibly comfortable and light to wear. They are robust and fold up well for storage in a work bag. Major V’s sound is exciting and energetic. These headphones reproduce rock music, but are equally happy with something quieter. I tested them with an Oscar Peterson and Nelson Riddle album and the Marshall Signature Sound impressed for a fabulous vintage recording. If you want stylish and cool wireless headphones with great sound and even more 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 on Marshall.com and are priced at $149 / £129 / €149.
Technical Specifications:
- Drivers: 40 mm dynamic.
- Driver sensitivity: 106dB SPL (100mV @ 1kHz).
- Driver Impedance: 32Ω.
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz.
- Weight: 186g / 6.56oz.
- Playback time: 100+ hours of wireless playback.
- Charging time: 3 hours with USB-C.
- Wireless charging: Yes.
- Bluetooth LE Ready: Yes.