Marshall Major V vs Sony WH-1000XM4
Marshall Major V vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which is the right fit? We cover performance, value, and use cases to make the call easier.
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Marshall Major V
Sony WH-1000XM4
Comparison: Marshall Major V vs Sony WH-1000XM4
Marshall Major V
Sony WH-1000XM4
| Criterion | Marshall Major V | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(2,567)Amazon | ★4.5(623)Amazon |
Form Factor | On-ear (closed-back) | Over-ear (closed-back) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 + 3.5mm Wired | Bluetooth 5.0; 3.5 mm; USB-C (charging only); NFC |
Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio Ready) | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
ANC | No (Passive noise isolation only) | Yes (Industry-leading Digital Noise Cancelling) |
Transparency | No (Not supported) | Yes (Ambient Sound Mode) |
Drivers | 40mm Dynamic Drivers (Custom-tuned) | 40 mm, Dome type (CCAW Voice coil) |
Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz (Wired) |
Microphones | Built-in microphone for calls (Wind noise reduction) | 5 mics (Precise Voice Pickup + Dual Noise Sensor) |
Battery Life | 100+ hours | Up to 30 h (ANC On) / 38 h (ANC Off) |
Battery Life | N/A (No charging case) | N/A (Not TWS) |
Charging | USB-C Fast Charge (15 min = 15 hrs); Wireless Charging (pad not included) | USB-C (Fast charge: 10 min ≈ 5 h playback) |
Multipoint | Yes (Bluetooth Multipoint supported) | Yes (2 devices) |
Low Latency Mode | No (Standard latency; LE Audio ready for future improvements) | No (Video sync is good, but no dedicated Gaming Mode) |
Wired Mode | Yes (3.5mm coiled cable included) | Yes (3.5 mm) |
Water Resistance | No (No IP rating) | No IP Rating |
Weight | 6.56 oz (186 g) | 254 g (8.96 oz) |
Controls | Multi-directional Control Knob (Play/Pause, Volume, Skip) + Customizable M-Button | Touch sensor (Right earcup); Physical buttons (Power, Custom) |
App Eq | Marshall Bluetooth App (5-band EQ, Battery Preservation settings) | Sony Headphones Connect (5-band EQ + Clear Bass) |
Extras | Wireless charging support; Made from 86% recycled plastic; Foldable clip design | Speak-to-Chat; DSEE Extreme; Wearing Detection (Auto-pause); 360 Reality Audio |
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Marshall Major V
✓ Pros:
- • Industry-leading 100+ hours of battery life eliminates frequent charging anxiety
- • Wireless charging capability is a unique convenience in the on-ear category
- • Customizable M-button allows instant access to Spotify Tap, EQ, or Voice Assistant
- • Future-proof support for Bluetooth LE Audio and LC3 codec
- • Classic, collapsible design is highly portable and durable
✗ Cons:
- • On-ear design presses against the ears, which can cause fatigue during long sessions
- • Lacks Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) found in similarly priced competitors
- • No official water resistance (IP) rating
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Sony WH-1000XM4
✓ Pros:
- • Top-tier Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- • Excellent folding design (more portable than XM5)
- • Multi-device pairing works seamlessly
- • Comfortable lightweight fit for long sessions
✗ Cons:
- • No official IP water resistance rating
- • Microphone quality is good, but not best-in-class anymore
- • Touch controls can be sensitive to moisture/cold
- • LDAC disables when using Multipoint (on older firmware)
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Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Marshall Major V: 4.6★ vs Sony WH-1000XM4: 4.5★), Marshall Major V pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
Choose Marshall Major V if:
- You want Industry-leading 100+ hours of battery life eliminates frequent charging anxiety, Wireless charging capability is a unique convenience in the on-ear category
- Rating: 4.6★ (2567 reviews)
Choose Sony WH-1000XM4 if:
- You prefer Top-tier Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Excellent folding design (more portable than XM5)
- Rating: 4.5★ (623 reviews)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Marshall Major V excels if you value industry-leading 100+ hours of battery life eliminates frequent charging anxiety. Sony WH-1000XM4 is better if you prioritize top-tier active noise cancellation (anc). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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