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This year, Marshall added a new color option to its iconic Marshall Major V headphones – Midnight Blue. The deep, rich blue evokes the night sky after a Queen concert. In addition to the classic black, warm brown, and soft cream options, this new shade gives another reason to consider getting a pair of Marshall headphones if you haven’t already.
Read also: All headphone reviews
If that’s not enough, today I’ll cover everything you might want to know about these headphones – and a little extra, because you deserve an honest, enthusiastic, and slightly unrestrained review. If you’re looking for sound that gives you goosebumps and a design that captivates fans of analog aesthetics worldwide, you’ve come to the right place.
Because today I’m here with a review of the iconic Marshall Major V. Get comfy! Let’s rock!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Specifications
- Design: on-ear, closed, foldable
- Drivers: 40 mm, dynamic, sensitivity: 103 dB, impedance: 32 Ω, frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Codec support: LC3 (LE Audio), AAC, SBC
- Connectivity: mini-Jack (3.5 mm), Bluetooth v 5.3 (10 m range), USB C
- Power source: rechargeable battery, charging time 3 hours, operating time 100 hours (music playback), fast charging: 15 minutes for 15 hours of operation
- Features and capabilities: Auracast, Multipoint, mobile app, microphone, voice assistant
Earpad material: leatherette, weight 165 g.
Positioning and price
The Marshall Major V headphones are clearly aimed at rock culture enthusiasts, designed with that very vibe in mind. They particularly suit music lovers with refined tastes who appreciate carefully considered aesthetics. As for direct competitors, you might look at the Sennheiser Accentum, JBL Tour One M2, or even the Sony WH-ULT900. While these are solid models, they don’t quite capture the same atmosphere and vibe that the Major V delivers – and that’s exactly what we’re here for, isn’t it?
A nice bonus: the 40 mm drivers are tuned by Marshall’s engineers to bring out the best in guitars, vocals, and live drums, delivering a dense and rich soundstage without unnecessary compression. That’s exactly what you want from headphones in this class.
Marshall Major V Package contents
The Major V package is standard, not ‘full super 2x mince’ like in the Cubot TAB KingKong Mini (by the way, read this review too, it’s a good tablet), but not completely empty either. I have two versions here for review: classic black and elegant cream, and I am very pleased that the boxes and cords are colour-coordinated – a nice touch to the overall aesthetic appeal.
The outer box is made of thick cardboard and opens from the bottom. Inside, the headphones are stored in a compact folded position. Documentation is placed underneath the earcups. A pull tab reveals a coiled 3.5 mm audio cable with a retro spiral design. The cable length is 135 cm when relaxed and can be extended to approximately 160 cm.
The package also includes a short USB-C to USB-C charging cable. The headphones fold into a compact form, making them suitable for travel due to their on-ear, collapsible design. A rigid carrying case or pouch is not included, although compatible cases are available separately. In practical use, the headphones can also be worn comfortably around the neck when not in use.
Read also: Marshall Major IV headphones review: Rock and roll doesn’t need wires
Marshall Major V Design
Major V sunglasses don’t just follow trends – they set them. The fashion world is turning full circle, and classic shapes such as Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer are more popular than ever. The Major line has always managed to look more expensive than it actually is. Can you think of a more recognisable model of over-ear headphones in the world than these? I look forward to seeing your examples in the comments.
Design details such as the handwritten-style Marshall logo, the gold-colored multi-function joystick button, and the textured, leather-like surface contribute to the product’s distinctive appearance. These elements position the headphones not only as an audio device but also as a visually recognizable accessory.
The headphones use a characteristic earcup shape with a near-square profile and softly rounded edges. The outer surface features the Marshall brand name with a textured finish. The logo color contrasts with the earcup color, appearing black on the cream version and white on the black version, depending on the model variant.
The headphones adjust to different head sizes using a classic design with sliding metal brackets. The entire headband is covered with a soft synthetic leather material, which reduces friction and helps prevent hair pulling when putting the headphones on or taking them off.
The earpads are relatively small and firm, covered with synthetic leather. Their approximate dimensions are 6.5 cm in height and width, with a depth of about 1.5 cm. The headphones use an on-ear design, meaning the pads rest on the ears rather than fully enclosing them. This construction helps keep the overall size compact while maintaining stable acoustic performance for extended listening sessions.
Because the earcups rest directly on the ears rather than fully enclosing them, this design relies on soft internal cushioning to maintain comfort. The padding provides adequate pressure distribution, but the on-ear fit is less stable during sudden head movement. As a result, the headphones may shift position when used during running or other high-activity use. For everyday use and stationary listening, the fit is generally suitable.
The inner surfaces of the earpads are filled with soft cushioning material, while the drivers are covered with a mesh layer. The contact surfaces are designed to minimize pressure points and skin irritation during use. The outer part of the earcups is made of matte plastic with a leather-like textured finish. The surface material provides a comfortable tactile feel. However, due to the on-ear design, eyeglass temples can create additional pressure on the sides of the head. This can be mitigated by adjusting the metal brackets, allowing the fit to be adapted for use with glasses.
If you owned the previous version, you’ll notice a few differences: the return of the leather-like texture and slightly larger, softer earpads. To be fair, these are the only external changes compared to its predecessor. Visually, Major V can be distinguished from Major IV mainly by the textured earcups and the “V” logo on the hinges – though this requires a close look.
The headband is quite flexible and offers an adjustable range of approximately 33 to 42.5 cm. On the right earcup (which, like the left, is marked separately) you’ll find the USB-C port, a 3.5 mm jack, and a gold button. This button serves as the control hub of the Major V and is probably the most user-friendly switch I’ve tested. To turn the headphones on or off, simply press and hold it for one second. All main multimedia functions are handled here as well: a single press plays or pauses audio and can answer incoming calls. To reject a call or enter pairing mode (when the headphones are already on), press the button twice.
Track switching is done with quick taps to the left or right, while volume is adjusted by tapping up or down. This control is so tactile and precise that you don’t even need to take off your gloves to change the volume or skip a track. On the left earcup, there’s a new “M” button, which can be customized through the official app, although it offers very few functions. I guarantee you’ll almost immediately forget it exists. All in all, this combination of metal, plastic, and faux leather weighs just 186 g.
Connecting the headphones is very easy: just press and hold the gold button, a blue LED appears (white when connected), and within moments the headphones show up in your Bluetooth device list. A nice little touch – the small “V” markings on the sides also serve as attachment points for the earcups when folded. Inside the headband, you’ll find information about the manufacturer and the year the company was founded.
Overall, in terms of appearance, this is not just a music-listening device – it’s undeniably an accessory with its own charisma. The Marshall Major V will perfectly complement any look, whether you’re a business power player, a distortion-loving rocker, or a modern-day dandy.
Application
To fully unleash the potential of the Marshall Major V, I highly recommend installing the official Marshall Bluetooth app. It allows you to adjust the equalizer – kudos to the developers for this feature – offering several preset options or the ability to create your own custom sound using a 5-band editor.
Here, you can also customize the “M” button to your liking and generally explore the system settings. I should mention that even before the first connection, the system prompted a firmware update, and then again about a month later. It’s a nice touch, though I didn’t notice any significant changes after the updates.
By the way, the app also lets you verify the authenticity of the headphones, which is important since the Major series is among the most counterfeited headphones in the world.
You can also use the app to turn sound notifications on or off, set the auto-sleep timer, and enable power-saving features. For example, you can limit the maximum charge level, reduce charging speed, and avoid extreme temperatures – all of which help ensure a long and healthy battery life.
Read also:EarFun Clip Review: Open-Ear Sport and Urban Clips with LDAC Support
Sound and microphone
Let’s get to the main event: the sound. Brace yourselves for a true ode to audio – because the Marshall Major V delivers simply stunning sound – deep, rich, with punchy, well-defined bass and crisp highs. And yes, this is despite the absence of active noise cancellation (ANC). That’s right – you read that correctly. The noise reduction here is purely mechanical, but for true rockers, ambient noise is just part of the atmosphere! Colleagues chatting nearby, kids in a café, or subway sounds – they’re slightly muted, but not gone. In really noisy environments, you might be tempted to crank the volume, but that’s risky for your ears; at full blast, it gets intense enough to make your ears protest, so take it from me – I tested it for you!
The Marshall Major V headphones are equipped with 40 mm drivers covering a frequency range from deep 20 Hz lows to sparkling 20 kHz highs. Supported codecs include SBC with MPEG‑2, AAC, and LC3. These drivers are specially tuned to emphasize the bass, giving the audio depth and weight without any unwanted “roughness.”
For instance, in Paramore’s “Decode”, Hayley Williams’ vocals come through soft and clear, while the bass gently supports the rhythm without overshadowing other instruments – guitars, keys, and drums all have plenty of room to breathe. In Falling In Reverse’s “God is a Weapon”, the bass line feels hypnotic, and Ronnie Radke’s vocals add a striking, vibey contrast that makes the track feel alive and dynamic.
One nuance: the Marshall Major V slightly emphasizes the high frequencies, which can sometimes make the sound feel a bit too bright or sharp. Fortunately, the Marshall app includes a five-band equalizer – covering 160 Hz, 400 Hz, 1 kHz, 2.5 kHz, and 6.25 kHz – so you can fine-tune the sound to your personal preferences and musical genres. Personally, I enjoyed the signature preset designed by Marshall engineers – it delivers a balanced, lively sound right out of the box. A small caveat: any adjustments made via the app’s EQ won’t apply in wired mode unless you connect the headphones to a device with a headphone jack.
On tracks with intense sub-bass, like Slipknot’s “The Devil In I,” the 40 mm drivers deliver a powerful low-end depth. The bass remains clean and well-defined even at high volumes and is noticeable at moderate levels too. However, since these are on-ear headphones, the drivers press directly against your ears. As a result, the soundstage feels more intimate and focused rather than wide and spacious – perfect for personal, immersive listening but less so for creating an expansive, room-filling experience.
The Multipoint feature on the Marshall Major V is implemented effectively. It allows the headphones to connect simultaneously to a laptop and a smartphone, for example. When background music is playing on one device and a call comes in on the other, the headphones automatically prioritize the call, pausing the music and switching the audio without requiring manual interaction or changes in Bluetooth settings. Similarly, when returning to the original device, playback resumes automatically, eliminating the need to manually switch between devices.
Support for Auracast on the Marshall Major V represents a notable step toward future audio standards. This feature, part of the Bluetooth LE Audio specification, enables audio sharing by allowing you to stream music to other compatible headphones for shared listening. While the technology itself is a significant addition and indicates Marshall’s readiness to adopt new standards, it is worth noting that comprehensive testing across all scenarios was not possible. Proper functionality depends on broad support from both the headphones and the source device, and the ecosystem – particularly on iOS devices, as in my case – is still developing. Nevertheless, the inclusion of Auracast positions the Major V as a forward-looking model.
The microphone on the Marshall Major V performs reliably. While it doesn’t match the level of AirPods microphones, voice calls come through clearly and at an adequate volume, without noticeable distortion or background noise. The same applies to voice messages, where speech remains intelligible and free from unwanted artifacts. Overall, the microphone quality is solid and meets expectations for everyday use.
Read also:Are Noise-Canceling Headphones Harmful? Insights from Audiologists
Battery and Runtime
The Marshall Major V features a large-capacity battery that delivers extended usage. The manufacturer claims up to 100 hours of continuous playback, and in practical use, the headphones comfortably last several weeks with moderate daily use – around two hours per day in my experience. The headphones also include a power-saving mode, which helps extend battery life further. Overall, the Major V offers long-lasting performance without frequent recharging.
A full charge takes about three hours, using a standard USB-C connection at 5 volts and 1.5 amps. If you happen to forget to charge them before heading out, the fast-charge feature provides over 15 hours of playback after just 15 minutes of charging.
It’s also important to note that the headphones should not be used in temperatures below 0°C, and charging should be avoided below +10°C. After exposure to cold, the headphones should be allowed to reach room temperature before charging. Charging at low temperatures can cause condensation, which in the worst case could lead to a short circuit and device failure.
The Marshall Major V also supports wireless charging. While the right earcup features a USB-C port, it is also equipped with a coil that allows it to charge wirelessly on a compatible charging pad. Although I wasn’t able to test this feature directly, it is confirmed to be supported.
Read also: OneOdio Focus A6 review: The Budget ANC Crown Contender
User Experience with the Marshall Major V
With the release of the fifth generation of their iconic over-ear headphones, many wondered what could still be improved. In daily use, it becomes clear that the Major V is not a radical redesign but rather a careful refinement of the existing concept. The sound signature stays true to Marshall’s philosophy: these are not studio monitors for detailed track analysis, but headphones designed to deliver an engaging and enjoyable listening experience.
Although the Marshall Major V does not feature active noise cancellation (ANC), its over-ear design provides a reasonable level of passive isolation from ambient noise. At the same time, users are not completely cut off from their surroundings – they can still hear important sounds, such as voices or doors closing, which adds a measure of safety when listening in urban environments. The lack of water resistance is also not a major drawback, as these headphones are intended for style and sound quality rather than for use during workouts or in wet conditions.
The Marshall Major V offers a sense of a solid, “analog” product in a digital world. They don’t try to be overloaded with AI features that most users would ignore. These are straightforward headphones with a long-lasting battery and a distinctive, rock-oriented sound. Their folding design makes them a convenient companion for travel and daily commutes, easily fitting into a bag or jacket pocket.
Unlike many lightweight plastic models, the Major V feels solidly built. Metal hinges and a flexible headband provide confidence that the headphones can be tossed into a backpack without concern for damage. This physical durability complements their rock-and-roll aesthetic.
Another aspect that changes the usage pattern of the Marshall Major V is its battery life. The claimed 100+ hours of playback is not just a number – it alters daily habits. There’s no need to worry about frequent charging or dealing with cables, and this level of autonomy adds a noticeable sense of freedom.
The Marshall Major V is a compelling choice for those seeking a balance of style, functionality, and the brand’s signature powerful sound. Long battery life, robust audio performance, and a stylish retro design make them suitable for daily use. While they lack active noise cancellation, the experience of listening to a favorite track naturally draws attention away from the surroundings. The Major V is geared toward users who value volume, energy, and iconic sound over silence – ideal for anyone who wants their headphones to reflect a rock-oriented spirit.
Where to buy