The new Marshall Major V wireless headphones have a comfortable fit and big sound. They are Bluetooth LE … [+]
It’s been a year since Zound Industries and Marshall Amplification joined forces, bringing their headphone and speaker division under the same roof as their world-famous guitar amplifiers. 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 to be launched since the merger.
The Major V is the size and shape of previous versions of Marshall’s headphones, and offers an astonishing 100 hours of wireless playtime on a single charge. The headphones may look similar to their predecessors, but Marshall’s designers have managed to make them more comfortable with an improved fit. The design still features a hinge mechanism that allows the Major V to fold into a compact size to fit in a work bag.
The Major V headphones can be charged both wirelessly and via a USB-C cable. The headphones are ready for Bluetooth LE, the next major revolution in the Bluetooth standard, which delivers higher quality audio thanks to support for the LDAC audio codec. Bluetooth LE also offers an extended streaming range and improved audio synchronization for better gaming and video viewing.
The new Marshall Major V are robust and foldable to a compact size. Don’t let the compact size fool you … [+]
There’s Marshall’s signature joystick button on the headphones, which lets you control your music and pump up 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 could set the button to activate a voice assistant or perhaps toggle between different EQ settings, either your own or one of the EQ presets created by Marshall.
The Major V features the Marshall Signature Sound. This headphone tuning offers the classic Marshall EQ, the fantastic crunch that Marshall is able to coax from its custom-tuned dynamic drivers. The Signature Sound offers lower distortion for greater clarity, while still injecting excitement into the music. It’s an infectious sound, and very loud.
Another feature that comes with the Marshall Major V is an in-app battery conservation feature that allows you to reduce the rate at which your battery ages. Depending on the setting, you can choose to extend the life of your battery by not having to charge it to full capacity. And with a battery life of 100 hours, the Major V will need to be charged far less often.
The Marshall Major V headphones feature a multifunction joystick for controlling music and … [+]
When it comes to sustainability, the Major V headphones are made from recycled plastic that is sourced from old products, including used electronics and CDs, extending the life cycle of these discarded items. Marshall claims that 33% of the Major V is made from plastic, 86% of which is post-consumer recycled plastic.
Pronunciation: The new Marshall Major V wireless headphones are incredibly comfortable and light to wear. They feel robust and fold up easily to fit in a work bag. The Major V sound is exciting and energetic. These headphones will soak up some rock music, but are also happy with something a little more laid back. I tested them with the Oscar Peterson and Nelson Riddle album and the Marshall Signature Sound worked brilliantly on the fantastic vintage recording. If you want a stylish and cool pair of wireless headphones with a big sound and even longer battery life, the Marshall Major V are well designed, well made and reasonably priced. Recommended.
Prices and availability: The Marshall Major V headphones are available now from Marshall.com, priced at $149 / £129 / €149.
Technical specifications:
- Drivers: 40mm dynamic.
- Driver sensitivity: 106 dB SPL (100 mV at 1 kHz).
- Driver impedance: 32Ω.
- Frequency range: 20Hz – 20kHz.
- Weight: 186 g / 6.56 oz.
- Playtime: 100+ hours of wireless playtime.
- Charging time: 3 hours with USB-C.
- Wireless charging: Yes.
- Bluetooth LE-ready: Yes.