Marshall Major V Review - Game Changing! 🔥 But...

Biggest Improvement

The biggest improvement to the Major V is Marshall app support. This is a big deal because Major Headphones are the most counterfeited headphones on the planet! Ever since the first Major headphones were released 15 years ago, Marshall has struggled with counterfeits. With the Major V, you are now have a way to verify if this is legit or not.

The app also allows you to customise its sound, get firmware updates, and some other settings, including one that helps preserve the battery's longevity. The Major V boasts an impressive 100 hours of playtime, compared to 80 hours for the Major IV. After a whole day of listening to audio at 50-60% volume, it only drained about 10% of the battery. This means it should last the average user about a week and a half before needing a recharge, which is plenty.

Additionally, the Major V is still one of the few headphones that supports direct wireless charging, which sets it apart from most competitors.

Another neat little trick (that even some Major headphone owners might not know) is that you can share audio with another pair of headphones by connecting an AUX cable. This feature has been available since the original Major headphones, and it's nice to see that Marshall has retained it over the years. It also supports multipoint pairing, allowing you to connect to multiple devices, although you need to pause playback on one device to play on another.

While there are some areas for improvement and additional features that could have been included, we’re also going to talk about its sound quality and microphone.

Design, Fit and Comfort

I’ve had a long romance with this product line. I’ve reviewed the Major II, III, IV, and now the V, and the one thing that stayed consistent throughout is the design. This is a classic case of “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?” The design looks exactly the same, featuring the same rockstar design with faux leather and vinyl detailing. The convenient brass knob still handles playback and volume controls.

The only noticeable change is that it now says “V” instead of 4, and there’s a customisable M button on the left earcup.

This button can activate either Voice assistant, Spotify Tap, or EQ toggles, depending on what you set in the Marshall Bluetooth app.

Otherwise, just by looking at it, it’s hard to distinguish the Major V from previous models. It features an on the ear design so the cushions sit on the ears rather than around them. This fit can be preferable for those who wear thicker frames, as it doesn’t press the frames against the temples.

However, compared to full earcup models, this design has a little bit more audio leakage and doesn't insulate your ears from noise as well as over-ear models.

Luckily, the clamping pressure is gentle enough (firm but not too strong) to keep the headphones securely in place. The headband is also flexible enough to fit larger head sizes.

Microphone Quality Test

It’s microphone performance is pretty great for phone calls in both quiet and noisy conditions. It effectively cleans up background noise and amplifies my voice loudly and clearly. The results are quite similar to what I observed during my test in an actual noisy restaurant.

👉 Let’s check out its mic pickup.

(Mic tested in quiet and noisy conditions, including loud cafe noise and wind from a fan.)

If you want to compare its microphone quality to other headphones, becoming a member for $1 per month or more gives you full access to my personal comparison tool. This tool lets you compare headphones A and B at your own pace. Hundreds of people have joined, especially those who can't easily visit a store to compare headphones. They save time by cutting through all the marketing and comparing these products remotely. To become a member like them, click on this link to learn more.

Sound Quality

I am a fan of Marshall’s sound signature. There’s a pleasant upper bass glow into the mids without interfering with clarity. The mids and highs have good detail visibility because of its excellent stereo separation and pleasant dynamics.

There is a noticeable change in the tuning when compared to the Major IV. It now features heavier sub and mid bass, along with more loudness in the upper mids and highs, resulting in a more airy soundstage compared to before. Still, these are on-the-ear headphones, so the drivers are pressing directly on your ears. This means the soundstage feels more compact and intimate rather than spacious.

👉 Have a listen to the sound samples.

You can compare its sound quality to other headphones for free at loudnwireless.com/soundsamples

What Major V lacks...

This is a substantial upgrade in some very important aspects, such as app support and juicier battery. However, being more expensive than the previous model’s regular price, I was expecting more of an upgrade. Although the addition of the new M button is a nice touch, it feels like a missed opportunity, as it might have been a fantastic ANC toggle.

The new M button.

Furthermore, the absence of active noise cancelling is another missed opportunity, especially the MID ANC model is no longer available. Perhaps it’s temporary, and there could be a MID ANC II in future. But even if there is, having ANC in the Major V would offer consumers a choice between different form factors and cost, because the Mids are usually more premium.

The Major V also doesn’t support low compression codecs like aptX Adaptive, or even aptX, which would have improved audio performance on Android devices. This echoes the same criticism I had about the Major IV, and now it’s even more of a drawback because brands like Soundcore and Soundpeats are fiercely competing to provide the newest technology at lower costs over the past few years.

Honestly, this makes the Major V seem a little dated for the price.

In its defence, it boasts some very unique features that sets it apart like wireless charging, an impressive 100 hours of battery life, requiring infrequent charging and a distinctive sound signature.

But really, the main reason why this is one of the most counterfeited headphones lies in its distinctive vintage rock style, which continues to attract loyal fans.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the Major V. Will you smash or pass? Let me know in the comments.

If you’d like to check the latest prices of the Marshall Major headphones, click on the Amazon links below.

Check latest price:
Marshall Major V - https://amzn.to/3WMCA5s
Marshall Major IV - https://amzn.to/3wvlkH7

(Affiliate Links Disclosure)

When you make a purchase through the Affiliate Links on this site, the site earns a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!