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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're on a tighter budget, prefer earbuds and need something for exercise with good water and dust protection, the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 would be a suitable choice. They offer a decent battery life and an integrated mic but don't provide active noise cancelling. On the other hand, if you want a headphone with notably better sound quality, a longer battery life and a detachable cable, and don’t mind spending more, the Marshall Major IV might be better for you. They are heavier and larger, which could affect portability and may not be as good for exercise but are a solid choice for more immersive listening and longer sessions. Both have a closed-back design for isolation and can handle calls and meetings effectively, but only the Marshall has the option for wired connectivity. 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 Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
- The Marshall Major IV has no clear advantages over the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3.
Key differences
Music
5.7
6.6
The Marshall Major IV is only fair for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.8
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.9
6.1
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.5
5.6
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
80.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has a price of $30 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has excellent build quality, while the Marshall Major IV has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.4
The Marshall Major IV and Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.4
5.7
The Marshall Major IV and Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 80 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 40 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.8/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.2 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
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 Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 or the Marshall Major IV
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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