With balanced audio, superb battery life, and an old-school aesthetic, the $149.99 Marshall Major V wireless on-ear headphones have several things going for them. Notably, they support an app that allows you to customize the on-ear controls, set up Spotify Tap, and tweak the sound signature. But their price is high considering they lack the active noise cancellation (ANC) and other features you get with similarly priced competitors. For $50 less, for instance, Anker's Soundcore Space One headphones offer equally full-bodied sound and serviceable noise cancellation.

Design: Classic Looks and Convenient Controls 

The Major V headphones, which are available only in black, have a supra-aural (on-ear) design with slightly round earcups. The earpads have generous cushioning, as does the headband. The underside of the pads and headband features faux leather lining, while the top of the headband and the outer earcups have a grainier faux leather finish (a departure from the smoother outer material on the Major IV). The Marshall script logo and brass multifunction controls remain part of the design. The headphones fit securely and comfortably, but remember that on-ear models let in more of your environment compared with over-ear models that seal off your ear.

(Credit: Tim Gideon)

Internally, 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. As for connectivity, the headphones support Bluetooth 5.3 and work with the AAC, SBC, and LC3 codecs. Support for Bluetooth LE Audio means you get access to the Auracast feature. For comparison, the Soundcore Space One headphones add the hi-res LDAC option, making them a better choice for high-quality Bluetooth streaming on Android. Multipoint connections are possible, but Marshall is mum about Google Fast Pair support.

You can assign the button with the script M logo on the left earcup to activate Spotify Tap, toggle between the default EQ preset and one you choose, launch your voice assistant, or do nothing. The joystick-like controller on the right earcup manages playback and calls: push it up or down to adjust the volume, or nudge it forward or backward to change tracks. This is one of the simplest, most graceful approaches to on-ear controls I’ve tested.

The headphones fold at hinges for storage, but Marshall doesn't include a tote for protection. That's annoying since the box includes a USB-C-to USB-C charging cable and a semi-coiled audio cable (both of which connect to the right earcup). The audio cable’s coiled design adds to the retro-rock aesthetic but tends to tangle easily. Some sort of protective pouch or bag would mitigate this issue. For comparison, you get a drawstring bag with the Anker Soundcore Space One.

The audio cable allows for both passive and active wired listening. Weirdly, connecting the cable doesn’t override any active Bluetooth connections, as is usually the case. Changes you make via the in-app EQ won't work in wired mode unless you connect the headphones to a phone with a headphone jack.

(Credit: Tim Gideon)

Marshall estimates that the headphones can last over 100 hours per charge. That's an outstanding number, though your results will depend on your typical listening volume. Charging for 15 minutes should get you roughly 15 hours of wireless playback, and you can replenish the battery completely in 3 hours. Wireless charging is an option as well, thanks to a charging coil in the right earcup.

App Experience

Compatibility with the Marshall app (available for Android and iOS) is one of the most significant improvements over the Major IV. The app primarily lets you customize the sound signature and the on-ear controls.

The main screen shows a battery life readout for the headphones, along with a persistent playback bar that shows details about the song currently playing.

(Credit: Marshall)

Scrolling down, the Equaliser tile has two sections. The first section simply shows the default Marshall profile, while the second offers non-adjustable presets (Bass Boost, Mid Boost, Mid Reduction, and Treble Boost) and the ability to create a custom signature with five bands between 160Hz and 6.25kHz. This layout seems slightly disorganized since the default Marshall profile appears in both sections and all of these options could easily fit within one view.

The next tile lets you change the function of the M Button. If you intend to use Spotify Tap, you need to connect your account. Once you do, you can simply press the M button to instantly play music or skip to the next track.

Finally, you can toggle audio prompt tones, adjust a Battery Preservation setting with a slider, configure the auto power-off time, download firmware updates, and forget any previously connected devices.

Sound: Sculpted and Somewhat Adjustable

The app’s EQ has a subtler effect than most others I test but still lets you make appreciable changes to the bass depth and higher frequencies. There's a serious lag between when you adjust a fader and hear the result; you'll have to be a little patient. For my analysis below, I set the headphones to the default Marshall profile.

On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the drivers deliver powerful low-frequency depth. The lows don’t distort at higher volumes and remain present at moderate volumes.

(Credit: Tim Gideon)

The headphones have no problem reproducing the sub-bass at the 34-second mark of Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” The deepest of the sub-bass notes come across with a subwoofer-like rumble, while the various vocals sound crisp thanks to the sculpting in the highs.

Drums on Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass, get some boosting but never sound overly thunderous. Callahan’s baritone vocals get a pleasant blend of low-mid richness and crisp treble edge, while the acoustic strums and higher-register percussive hits are bright and detailed. Although the sculpting here results in a balance between the lows and highs, the mids suffer a bit.

On orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the headphones push the lower-register instrumentation slightly forward, while the higher-register brass, strings, and vocals remain bright and prominent.

The voice mic array works well. I could understand every word from a recording on my iPhone thanks to the signal's high volume and emphasis on vocal clarity.

The Verdict: Stylish Headphones With Good Sound, But Few Extras

The Marshall Major V headphones look as cool as ever, produce lush audio, and provide unparalleled battery life for $149.99. But between the lack of extra features like ANC and skimpy in-box accessories, they aren't class leaders. With a lower price, similar audio quality, and competent noise cancellation, the over-ear Anker Soundcore Space One headphones remain a better value. If the Marshall design speaks to you, however, we fully understand the urge to splurge on the Major V.