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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for superior sound quality, especially for music, the HifiMan Edition XS offers an exceptional listening experience with a score that illustrates its prowess. However, it has an open-back design that doesn't isolate noise well, making it less suitable in noisy environments or for air travel. In contrast, the Marshall Major IV, while slightly lower in overall sound quality, has good microphone quality for calls and meetings, and its closed-back design offers better noise isolation. The Marshall Major IV also boasts a significantly longer battery life which is practical for extended use without frequent recharging, while also being more portable due to its foldable design and lighter weight. Consider the HifiMan Edition XS for ultimate sound quality in quieter environments, and the Marshall Major IV for convenience, portability, and a decent all-around experience. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
6.6
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
7.4
5.4
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.8
The Marshall Major IV and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
6.1
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
TV and Video
9.5
5.7
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.6
The Marshall Major IV and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for noise reduction, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
80.0 Hours
The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$269
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and Marshall Major IV both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 80 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
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 HifiMan Edition XS or the Marshall Major IV
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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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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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