You’ve seen them. On the subway, in the back of a coffee shop, or maybe draped around the neck of that one friend who refuses to stop talking about vinyl. Those square earcups with the unmistakable white script logo. It’s a design that screams "I play in a garage band," even if the wearer spends most of their day crunching Excel spreadsheets. Marshall Major wireless headphones have become a weirdly specific cultural icon, bridging the gap between professional stage gear and everyday consumer tech.
But honestly? Most people buy them for the look. There, I said it.
The aesthetic is undeniable. Marshall, a company built on the backs of Jim Marshall’s legendary amplifiers—the "Loudest Man in Rock"—managed to shrink that rugged, Tolex-wrapped vibe into something you can wear on your head. But as someone who has spent hundreds of hours testing audio gear, I can tell you that the story of the Major series is a lot more complicated than just a cool logo. These headphones are a polarizing piece of tech. Some people swear by the punchy, guitar-forward sound signature, while others find the on-ear fit about as comfortable as a vice grip after two hours of listening.
The Evolution from the Major II to the Major V
If we’re going to talk about where Marshall stands in 2026, we have to look at the trajectory. The original Major headphones were... fine. They were wired, a bit flimsy, and sounded somewhat muddy. Then came the Major II Bluetooth, which was a revelation for the brand. It introduced that joystick control that everyone loves (or hates). It’s a single gold button that handles everything: volume, skipping tracks, and power. It felt tactile. It felt like real hardware.
By the time we hit the Major IV, Marshall had figured out the battery game. We're talking 80+ hours of wireless playtime. That’s not a typo. You could literally fly from New York to Singapore and back several times without needing a USB-C cable. Now, with the latest Major V, the brand has leaned even harder into the "M-button" customization and improved Bluetooth LE Audio.
The tech inside has shifted from basic SBC codecs to supporting things like AAC and LC3. This matters because it reduces latency. If you’re watching a movie on your iPad, the dialogue actually matches the lips of the actors. It sounds like a basic requirement, but for a long time, Bluetooth headphones struggled with this. Marshall fixed it while keeping the "crunchy" sound that makes rock tracks feel alive.
That Signature Sound: It’s Not for Everyone
Let’s be real about the audio. If you are an "audiophile" who wants a perfectly flat, analytical frequency response, you should probably stop reading and go buy some Sennheisers. Marshall Major wireless headphones are tuned for character. They have a "V-shaped" sound profile, which means the bass is boosted and the treble is sparkly, but the mids can sometimes feel a bit crowded.
However, if you listen to The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, or classic Hendrix? They’re incredible. The 40mm dynamic drivers are voiced to emphasize the "growl" of a guitar. When the snare hits, it has a snap to it that feels physical.
I’ve noticed that people often complain about the soundstage. Because these are closed-back, on-ear headphones, the music feels like it’s happening inside your skull rather than around you. It’s an intimate, aggressive experience. For a daily commute, that’s actually kind of great. It cuts through the drone of a bus engine without needing active noise cancellation (ANC), which—by the way—the Major series famously lacks.
The On-Ear Comfort Dilemma
We need to talk about your ears. Specifically, the cartilage.
Most premium headphones these days are "over-ear" (circumaural), meaning they form a seal around your ear. The Marshall Major series is "on-ear" (supra-aural). The cushions sit directly on your lobes.
The benefit? They are tiny. They fold up into a ball that fits in a jacket pocket. The downside? "Ear fatigue" is a very real thing here. Marshall has improved the cushion density over the years—the Major V pads are significantly softer than the rocks they used for the Major II—but physics is physics. If you have a larger head or wear glasses, you’re going to feel the pressure after about ninety minutes.
It’s a trade-off. You get the most portable, stylish headphones on the market, but you might need to give your ears a "breathing break" every two albums. I’ve found that the "break-in" period is about two weeks. The headband is made of a springy metal that eventually loses some of its aggressive "clamping force." Once that happens, they become much more wearable for long stretches.
Wireless Charging and the "Invisible" Tech
One of the coolest things Marshall did—which a lot of people don’t even realize—was adding wireless charging to the earcups starting with the Major IV.
You don’t have to plug them in. You just set the right earcup down on any Qi-certified charging pad. It sounds like a gimmick until you actually use it. You come home, toss your headphones on the same pad you use for your phone, and they’re always at 100%. When you combine that with the massive battery life, you basically enter a world where "low battery" warnings don't exist anymore.
Why Do They Cost So Much?
You're paying for the brand, sure. But you're also paying for the build quality.
A lot of plastic headphones at the $150 price point feel like toys. The Major series uses heavy-duty vinyl, metal hinges, and thick rubber wires. They feel like they could survive being tossed into a gig bag or dropped on pavement. I’ve seen pairs of Major IIIs that are five years old and still look almost new, save for some peeling on the ear pads (which are, thankfully, replaceable).
What You Get in the Box
- The headphones themselves (obviously).
- A 3.5mm "coil" cord that looks like a vintage guitar cable.
- A USB-C charging cable.
- That's it. No fancy carrying case.
This lack of a case is a point of contention. Marshall argues they don't need one because they are rugged. I argue that for $150, a soft pouch wouldn't kill them.
The Competition: Marshall vs. Everyone Else
If you're looking at the Marshall Major wireless headphones, you're probably also looking at the Beats Solo or maybe the Sony WH-CH720N.
The Beats have more "clout" in the hip-hop world and tighter integration with iPhones. The Sony headphones have actual active noise cancellation. So why choose Marshall?
It comes down to tactile feedback. Modern headphones are obsessed with touch sensors. You swipe up for volume, you tap for pause. In the winter, wearing gloves, touch sensors are useless. Marshall’s gold joystick works every single time. It clicks. It has "soul." In a world of sterile, smooth plastic tech, the texture of the Marshall headphones feels human.
Common Misconceptions and Troubleshooting
I see a lot of people asking if these can be used for gaming. Technically, yes. They have a microphone built-in. But because they use Bluetooth, you’ll experience a slight delay on a PC or console unless you use the included 3.5mm wire. If you use the wire, they turn into a passive headset. No battery required. This is a lifesaver when you realize you forgot to charge them right before a long flight.
Another thing: the "Marshall Bluetooth" app. You don't need it to make the headphones work, but you should download it once. It allows you to change the "M-button" function. By default, it usually toggles between EQ presets. I personally set mine to trigger Spotify Tap, which is way more useful for discovering new music on the fly.
Practical Steps for New Owners
If you just picked up a pair or are about to, do these three things to get the most out of them:
- Stretch the Headband: If they feel too tight out of the box, place them over a stack of books slightly wider than your head overnight. It speeds up the "break-in" process without damaging the metal frame.
- Toggle the EQ: Out of the box, the "Marshall Signature" sound is very heavy on the bass. Open the app and try the "Rock" or "Custom" setting. Reducing the low-end by just 10% can actually bring out a lot of detail in the vocals that you’d otherwise miss.
- Check Your Codec: On Android, go into Developer Options and make sure you’re using the highest quality codec available (like aptX or AAC). It makes a noticeable difference in the "airiness" of the high frequencies.
The Marshall Major wireless headphones aren't trying to be the most "advanced" tech on the market. They aren't trying to compete with the $500 Bose or Apple Max. They are a specific tool for a specific person. They are for the person who values battery life above all else, who wants a design that stands out in a sea of grey plastic, and who actually likes the sound of a distorted electric guitar.
They are imperfect, slightly tight on the ears, and loud. Exactly like a Marshall amp.
To keep your headphones in top shape, remember to wipe down the ear pads after a sweaty commute. The synthetic protein leather is durable, but skin oils will eventually break down the material. If you notice the pads starting to crack after a year or two, don't throw the headphones away; you can find high-quality replacement pads for under twenty bucks online, and they snap right into place. This user-replaceable design is one of the best things about the Major series—it's built to last longer than the average tech cycle.
If you're transitioning from earbuds to on-ears, give yourself a few days to adjust to the "clamping" sensation. Once you get used to the isolation, you'll find that you can listen at lower volumes because the physical seal does a decent job of blocking out the world. This is ultimately better for your long-term hearing health anyway.
Stick to the USB-C cable for quick bursts of power; just fifteen minutes of charging can give you about fifteen hours of playback. It's the kind of reliability that makes it hard to go back to any other brand.