Marshall Major IV headphones offer a combination of classic design cues, excellent battery life, and the tuned-for-rock sound that many rock music lovers have been searching for. As you’d expect from Marshall, the Mid is a proud heritage headphone that delivers superior sound and has been designed with over 50 years of loud performance in mind. Now on sale in several markets, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Major IV is one of Marshall’s flagship on-ear wireless products. However, availability may be limited due to high demand.
From Boxes to Headphones: The Marshall Legacy
Marshall has carried its “dressed in black” heritage to its line of headphones, where even its audiophile products have a hard rock edge. The company, founded by Jim Marshall in 1962, initially made its name with amplifiers that have helped define the sound of rock for decades. Their storied past comes to life in their headphone collection, which features an iconic script logo, textured surfaces reminiscent of an amplifier’s design, and copper and brass detailing that embodies the feeling of a handcrafted heritage.
Unlike many audio companies that tech conglomerates have acquired, Marshall has maintained its identity while competing in the same premium audio space as companies like Apple and Sony. This freedom ensures they can keep their unique design language and sound signature, which appeals to all rock music lovers.
Marshall’s foray into personal audio has undoubtedly been successful, partly due to the successful translation of their brand ethos into on-the-go devices for the modern audiophile with a nod to their past, despite a barrage of competitors eager to strip away every bit of individuality. And every generation of headphones, including the Major IV, has continued that tradition with well-considered design decisions and sound tuning that is eclectic yet appealing to fans of rock, pop, and electronic music.
Design and Build Quality Marshall Major IV
The Marshall Major IV is the new efficient headphone. The Major IV is the iconic headphones of the Marshall brand , offering the beautiful aesthetic of the rest of Marshall’s headphones while also being practical for everyday use. The on-ear cups sport that iconic rounded square shape and the Marshall script across the middle, firmly establishing the product’s amp heritage. It’s comfortable to wear with the headband and earpads, both featuring a faux grain leather pattern, giving it a vintage look that won’t look out of place in a room of vinyl collectors. 2
The most distinguishing physical feature of the Major IV is how light it is. It’s one of the lightest headphones around, weighing only 165g. For comparison, the Sony WH-1000xm5 weighs approximately 250g. The relatively lightweight design, moderate clamping pressure, and soft earpads help ensure a comfortable fit that will keep them on for hours.
Portability is also a strong point of the Major IV design. The headphones feature a foldable design, making them very convenient to carry and store when not in use. Though that said, Marshall doesn’t include a protective carrying case or pouch with the headphones, which may be a minor concern for headphone users who travel a lot with their audio kit. 2
Sound and Performance Profile
The Major IV offers a consumer-style frequency response with bass and treble emphasis. This V-shaped frequency response boosts the lows and highs, perfect for rock and other more basic tracks. 2
The bass can exhibit a tremendous amount of colour in the PLAY:5’s low-frequency reproduction – bass guitar and kick drum elements are well to the fore in strong, big bass tracks. The equally tall top-end boost here makes subtly recorded acoustic instruments shine and aids in bringing out high-frequency detail. This tuning results in a rousing, dynamic listen that many a user enjoys, particularly for guitar-based music. 2
However, there are trade-offs to this sound signature. The lack of presence in the mid-lows (specifically in the 250- 800Hz range) can compromise the intelligibility of some instruments and vocals, resulting in a less balanced overall sound. Some listening fatigue may also set in after extended listening because of the focus on frequency extremes. 2
In play with tracks such as One Direction’s “Night Changes,” the Major IV demonstrated reproducing of strong vocal harmonies and clear instrument separation, implying that despite its coloured sound profile, the Major IV can bring a sense of fun to listening across genres. 2
Features and Battery Life
Design: The Major IV features a unique control scheme with only one multi-functional button located at the bottom of the Right ear cup. Control this using the controller on the headband, similar to a joystick on a game controller, which makes touch control easy and keeps the headphones simple without a lot of buttons. 2
Battery life is another area where the Major IV shines. Featuring a playtime of over 80 hours, the R5 Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones are the best in the wireless headphone category. Their extended battery life makes them particularly well suited for frequent travellers and those who don’t want the hassle of constantly charging their earphones. 2
The fast-charge function also enhances the user experience, providing approximately 15 hours of usage from just a 15-minute charge. What’s more, the Major IV offers wireless charging, so you can plonk them on a charging pad (not included) to replenish their internal battery without the need for any cable clutter. 2
Marshall Headphones Lineup
The Major IV is just one of many models in Marshall’s extensive line of headphones, which come in all shapes and sizes — and price points. This Major series is dedicated to one-cent designs, designed with Marshall’s distinctive aesthetic, while other series target different types of users or use cases.
The Marshall monitor series, which also comes in an Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) version, offers users over-ear options for those who prefer increased coverage and its accompanying soundtrack. Marshall creates the Motif series with ANC features, and the Minor series offers more affordable wireless earbud alternatives for those who want to go fully wireless. 3
Whereas the Major IV upholds Marshall’s traditional on-ear design, the MOTIF ANC marks the company’s debut into the world of truly wireless earbuds, boasting features such as active noise cancellation (ANC), Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, and a waterproof design. This product diversity demonstrates Marshall’s focus on delivering diverse sound solutions to maintain a consistent design language across all their products. 3
Price & Available in Pakistan and other countries:
Marshall headphones are pricier because they are a premium audio brand. Their price tags represent the quality and features you would expect. Marshall headphones, such as the Major IV, can be around PKR 18,000 to PKR 22,000 in Pakistan, which qualifies them as premium audio gear in the local audio scene.
Online retailers like Daraz. Pk Here are some for Marshall models, including the Major IV, but the options available seem unpredictable, as many of the listings are listed as “out of stock”. The fact that availability is restricted means that they are either in high demand or the supply chain in the region has encountered issues. 1 4
Marshall is also available outside Pakistan in other South Asian markets, such as Bangladesh, via product listings on local e-commerce platforms like Daraz Bangladesh. This regional availability enables three brands to reach music lovers in various markets.
Note: The market is also flooded with “high-copy” versions of Marshall headphones, as labelled in some product descriptions. Such replicas try to imitate the original Marshall look. Still, the quality and sound can be subpar compared to the real deal, and other factors, such as the input and output jacks, PCB, and wire, may not be of the same quality either. 1
Marshall vs Competitors
While they are a massive leap over the so-so Major II, there are better-sounding options in the over-ear, wireless headphone market. Competing in premium-grade headphones puts Marshall in the same arena as established brands such as Sony, which offers superior noise cancellation and a more balanced sound profile. Sony headphones may have more sophisticated engineering and noise cancelling. Still, Marshall stands out with its signature look and bass-amplified audio, which is sure to please rock and pop music fans.
The Marshal Major IV’s battery life is 80 hours , too, which is impressive compared to most of its competitors. Some of them, like those from Sony, can only manage 30-50 hours of wireless playing. In addition to the quick-charge feature, the significantly increased battery life makes the Major IV an appealing option for those who frequently drain the battery when using it.
However, competitors like Sony may still have the edge in terms of pure audio production, at least for listeners seeking a more neutral, reference-type sound. Marshall’s sound tuning doesn’t necessarily strive for the same analytical accuracy that some audiophiles prefer, and that’s fine for most popular music genres.
Conclusion: Does Marshall Deserve the Investment?
The Marshall Major IV embodies the brand’s signature look and accentuates each important detail—from the remote to the ear cups to the 80 hours of playtime—with design and warmth that is anything but clunky or unappealing, unlike other wireless headphones. Its comfortable, lightweight design and 80-hour battery life are well-suited for everyday use and frequent travel.
The Major IV is a rock-minded listening experience that results in less clarity when a decision is made to focus on the bass and treble ends of the Marshall tone. The iconic style has an even more powerful draw for fans loyal to the brand and its distinctive look.
“Well, they’re still the best for certain listening for many people, but those people know whether or not the V-kind of U-shaped sound profile is for them.” That’s true — you should ensure that the V-shaped curve fits your ideal sound because emphasised bass and treble might not work for all genres of music or all listeners. Additionally, some users may be turned off by the lack of active noise cancellation and the high cost, which could lead to better alternatives for those individuals.
The Marshall Major IV is an impressive translation of the brand’s rock ‘n’ roll heritage into the personal audio world. It’s a perfect blend of style, comfort, and sound that’s been winning the hearts of music lovers everywhere. For those who want to live a piece of rock history and experience wireless audio connectivity, Marshall headphones offer a compelling package that justifies their premium pricing in territories such as Pakistan and beyond.
