Marshall Major IV Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – Black

80+ Hours · Wireless Charging

Charge Weekly, Not Daily

The 80+ hour wireless battery life of the Major IV is the product’s most significant differentiator in its category. Most consumer wireless on-ear headphones offer 20–40 hours of playback — the Sony WH-1000XM5 (30 hours), Bose QuietComfort 45 (24 hours) and JBL Tune 760NC (35 hours) are representative. The Major IV’s 80+ hour figure means that a user who listens for 3–4 hours per day can go approximately three weeks between charges before the battery depletes. For a headphone without active noise cancellation or complex DSP processing — two features that significantly increase power draw — this battery life is achievable at on-ear headphone power consumption levels. The wireless Qi charging addresses the friction of cable charging: fold the headphones, place them on a Qi charging pad (the same pad used for compatible smartphones and earbuds), and they charge overnight without managing a cable. USB-C charging provides the wired option for faster top-up or when away from a wireless pad. The combination of long battery life and cable-free charging means the Major IV requires minimal battery management for most users — it is consistently available without the daily discipline of plugging in.

Marshall Sound · 40mm Drivers

Tuned for Rock, Bass and Warmth

Marshall’s audio tuning philosophy descends from their amplifier heritage — the company has built guitar amplifiers since 1962 and applies a similar tonal character to their headphone line. The Major IV uses 40mm dynamic drivers with a frequency response tuned to be warm and punchy rather than analytically flat. The low end is present and textured without overwhelming the mid-range, which gives guitar, bass and drums a satisfying physicality. Vocals and mid-frequency instruments sit clearly in the mix without the recessed, scooped mid characteristic of some consumer headphones tuned for bass impact at the expense of instrument separation. The high end is detailed enough for acoustic and classical listening without the brightness that causes fatigue on extended listening sessions. This tuning works well for rock, pop, electronic, hip-hop and any genre where the rhythm section is central — it is less analytically precise than flat-reference monitoring headphones but more engaging for casual and recreational listening. On-ear design rather than over-ear means some ambient noise passes through, which keeps spatial awareness available — useful for commuting and office use where complete isolation is undesirable. The on-ear cushions are suppled with a soft, textured material consistent with Marshall’s visual identity.

Control Knob · Foldable · Wired Mode

Practical Design for Daily Carry

The multi-directional control knob on the right earcup is Marshall’s signature control interface across their headphone range — a physical dial that tilts and clicks to control all primary functions without touching a flat surface. Left and right tilts skip tracks backwards and forwards; up and down adjust volume; pressing inward plays, pauses or answers calls. For users who find touch controls unreliable or disorienting in cold weather or with gloves, the physical knob provides immediate, tactile confirmation of every action without looking at the headphones or removing them from the ear. The foldable design rotates the earcups flat and folds the headband inward, producing a compact format for bag storage — the headphones do not include a carry case but the flat-fold format is bag-friendly without one. The 3.5mm input on the left earcup provides a wired listening mode for use on aircraft with standard audio jacks, in situations where Bluetooth is unavailable, or when the battery is fully depleted — the Major IV functions as a wired headphone entirely passively in this mode, requiring no battery. The built-in microphone on the right earcup captures voice for calls and voice assistants.

Right choice if you…

✔ Want wireless headphones you charge weekly rather than daily
✔ Listen to rock, electronic, hip-hop or bass-forward music and want Marshall’s warm, driven tuning
✔ Want wireless Qi charging — place on a charging pad, no cables
✔ Prefer physical control knob over touch surfaces for reliable track and volume control
✔ Want Marshall’s classic black aesthetic — logo, texture and design language from the amplifier heritage

Consider something else if…

✖ You need active noise cancellation — the Major IV has none; see Sony WH-1000XM series or Bose QuietComfort
✖ You prefer over-ear for better passive isolation and longer comfort sessions — the Major IV is on-ear
✖ You want the current model — the Marshall Major V is the successor with updated features; the Major IV is discontinued

Technical Specifications

In the Box

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Marshall Major IV have active noise cancellation?

No. The Major IV are on-ear headphones with no active noise cancellation. They provide some passive isolation from ambient noise through the physical seal of the earcups, but environmental sound is audible at normal listening volumes — suitable for commuting and office use where some awareness is wanted, but not for blocking out loud environments like aircraft cabins.

Can I use the Major IV as wired headphones if the battery dies?

Yes. The 3.5mm input on the left earcup allows fully passive wired operation — the headphones function without any battery when connected via cable. This makes them usable on aircraft with standard seat audio jacks and in any situation where the battery has depleted. The included 3.5mm cable is a straight cable.

How does the wireless Qi charging work?

Fold the headphones flat, place them on any Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, and they begin charging automatically. The same charging pad used for compatible smartphones works for the Major IV. Qi charging is slower than USB-C wired charging — USB-C is the faster option for rapid top-up, while Qi is most practical for overnight charging without managing a cable.

What is the difference between the Major IV and Major V?

The Marshall Major V is the successor model, released in 2023. Key differences: the Major V adds Bluetooth multipoint (connecting to two devices simultaneously), increases battery to 100+ hours, and retains the same 40mm driver design. The Major IV lacks multipoint Bluetooth — it connects to one device at a time. Both share wireless Qi charging, USB-C and the multi-directional control knob. For users who do not need multipoint Bluetooth, the Major IV delivers equivalent sound quality.

How does the multi-directional control knob work?

The knob on the right earcup tilts in four directions and presses inward. Left tilt = previous track; right tilt = next track; up tilt = volume up; down tilt = volume down; press inward = play/pause or answer/end call. Long press activates your phone’s voice assistant. All actions have tactile confirmation from the physical knob movement.

Condition

Brand New — Retail Packaging

Warranty

1-year manufacturer warranty (Marshall)

Delivery

4–5 Working Days · Fully Tracked

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