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Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Sundara offers superior overall sound quality, a superior soundstage, and is more comfortable, making it better suited for long listening sessions and critical listening, especially if you're looking for the most immersive experience with music. However, the Sundara is open-back and therefore won't isolate noise well, which isn't ideal for noisy environments or commuting. Additionally, they're not wireless, which may limit convenience and portability. On the other hand, the Marshall Major IV is a more versatile option with good sound quality, a built-in microphone for calls, and excellent battery life with wireless functionality, making them suitable for everyday use, including calls and casual listening. They also offer better portability due to their foldability and are more durable. If the price is a significant factor and you need something for a wider range of activities, including use on the go, the Marshall Major IV will serve you well, but if you prioritize top-tier audio fidelity and are mainly using the headphones in quiet environments, the Sundara is the better choice despite its higher cost. 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 Sundara
Excellent for music
Good for gaming
Very good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3/10
6.6/10
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
7.2/10
5.4/10
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9/10
5.8/10
The Marshall Major IV and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8/10
6.1/10
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
TV and Video
8.8/10
5.7/10
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
5.6/10
The Marshall Major IV and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for noise reduction, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
80.0 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
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The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
"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 Sundara 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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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