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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell, being a premium-priced product, excels in gaming and TV scores with superior built-in controls and a long battery life. Its planar driver type and support for LDAC codec may appeal to audiophiles seeking high-fidelity sound. The Marshall Major IV, on the other hand, costs much less and is lighter with a foldable design, making it more portable. It also offers a slightly better overall sound quality and has the convenience of wireless charging. The Major IV might be more suited for casual listening, travel, and use during exercise, whereas the Maxwell is tailored for an immersive audio experience, especially for gaming and watching TV, but note that it is much heavier. Both have good battery life, but if you prioritize a rich and detailed sound over portability and cost, the Audeze Maxwell is the better choice. However, if budget and portability are your concerns, and you indulge in more general use like music and calls, the Marshall Major IV would be more appropriate. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
- The Marshall Major IV has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
6.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
9.0
5.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
5.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
6.1
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
5.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Cost
$299
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Marshall Major IV has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audeze Maxwell to be only fair for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
80.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 80 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
Marshall Major IV
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Marshall Major IV shares quite a bit in common with its predecessor, but a key upgrade appears to be softer ear cushions. They make upgrading worth it. As a set of basic wired or wireless headphones the Major IV ticks most boxes by remaining easy to use, and fairly comfortable (at least, as on-ear headphones go)."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Marshall Major IV
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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