Marshall Major V review: Iconic design, impressive battery

Time of India

16 hours ago

Rating: 3.5 / 5
'I wanna rock-n-roll all night, and party every day,' these words by Kiss prove to be the motto for Marshall's new
Major V
headphones that promise to go on for days and nights.
Marshall
has been a popular brand amongst both artists and music lovers for years. Major V is the latest iteration in the company's iconic headphone lineup.
These box-shaped compact headphones carry forward Marshall's iconic rock ' n ' roll-inspired design language while promising 100+ hours of wireless playtime.
The fifth generation of Marshall's Major headphones series also comes with improvements over its predecessor, like a longer battery life. But in a market flooded with mid-range audio options, can the Major V compensate for its Rs 14,000 price tag?
We spent weeks putting these on-ear headphones through various everyday scenarios, and here's what we found.
Design
From the very first look, the Major V shows the familiar Marshall aesthetic with the black vinyl texture, the iconic script logo, and the metal accents that scream rock 'n' roll heritage. The squarish earcups connect to the headband with a wire and metal accents, which can be pulled to adjust the size of the headphones to fit different head sizes.
The power button, as well as the 3.5 mm audio and USB-C charging ports, are placed on the right cup while the left one holds the customisable M-button.
At just 186g, the Major V headphones feel lightweight, and the on-ear fit feels snug. During a Delhi Metro ride, the headphones didn't feel very bulky and we were able to wear them easily for a few hours, without any hiccup.
The earcups have a leather touch and feel soft on the ears. However, after 2-3 hours of constant usage, we noticed signs of fatigue, which is not a deal breaker, as it is common with most headphones.
After a 3-hour-long GTA Online session with friends, the ear pads began pressing uncomfortably. The fabric covering felt pleasant initially, but the clamping force became noticeable as our ears started sweating and aching.
The sleek, foldable design of the headphones came in handy during a recent weekend trip as it didn't take up much space in the backpack. These headphones don't come with a carrying pouch, but their rugged build saves them from scratches.
Audio Performance and Features
The Major V's 40mm dynamic drivers deliver what Marshall calls their "signature sound," and it's immediately recognisable. When we listened to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," in default settings, the Major V delivered that classic Marshall amplifier rumble with punchy, guitar-focused and rock-oriented audio.
In tracks with a lot of electric guitars and vocals, the tuning favours the mids. When we played Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' Freddie Mercury's voice came through very clearly, and Brian May's guitar sounded crisp and full of its original tone.
The bass is there, but it's not as strong as the mid-range. Kendrick Lamar's 'They're Not Like Us' didn't have the same punch in your chest as bass-heavy headphones may produce.
However, we could hear more of the small production details. The headphones' default setup suits genres like rock, folk and vocals more, but may disappoint fans of electronic music who want deeper bass and thumps.
The M-button is also a real time-saver in everyday use. We set it to Spotify Tap, so a quick double-press started a new playlist instantly. This feature can be great for changing songs during a workout.
The voice assistant feature also worked smoothly with both Google Assistant and Siri, even when there was background noise.
The EQ presets on the M-button added useful options. We switched from the default Marshall tone to a balanced setting for Tyla's 'Water', and the headphones offered a better vibe.
We also tried the headphones for gaming and found it easy to pinpoint the direction of footsteps. Engine sounds felt more immersive in racing games, and explosions and action scenes stood out during GTA Online.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The Major V delivers on its claim of over 100 hours of battery life. After days with video calls, music streaming, and GTA Online sessions, we didn't need to recharge them for two straight weeks. The wireless charging option is a nice bonus at this price.
Bluetooth connectivity also stayed solid the whole time we tested them. Plus, with LE Audio support, the headphones remain ready for upcoming audio standards and enable Auracast audio sharing capabilities.
Charging via USB-C that comes in the box takes about three hours for the battery to fully charge, which feels fair given how big the battery is. Just keep in mind that there's no fast-charge option for these headphones for situations where you need a quick boost before you're leaving the house.
Verdict
To sum it up, the Major V delivers the familiar Marshall sound in a durable, foldable design that easily lasts over 100 hours on a single charge.
At Rs 14,000, it's a strong value for rock and guitar fans, with handy extras like a customisable M-button, wireless charging, and future-ready connectivity.
While its on-ear fit and focused sound may not suit every audiophile, especially bass or EDM lovers, it's a reliable, long-lasting choice for those who prioritise longer battery life over precision.
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