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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're focused on sound quality for music and long battery life, the Marshall Major IV outperforms with better overall sound and up to 80 hours of listening time but lacks gaming optimizations. The HyperX Cloud II, while somewhat less expensive, delivers superior comfort and mic quality, making it a top choice for gamers and those in frequent calls, but it's not wireless and has less battery life. Consider the HyperX Cloud II for comfort and gaming, and the Marshall Major IV for superior sound during music listening and extended wireless use. 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 HyperX Cloud II
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.6
The HyperX Cloud II is good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
5.4
The HyperX Cloud II is very good for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Phone Calls
7.5
5.8
The HyperX Cloud II is good for phone calls, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
6.1
The HyperX Cloud II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
5.7
The HyperX Cloud II is good for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
N/A
80.0 Hours
The HyperX Cloud II does not have a battery. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$64
$100
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The HyperX Cloud II has a price of $64 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The HyperX Cloud II has best in class 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 HyperX Cloud II to be only fair for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
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How the HyperX Cloud II and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HyperX Cloud II | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$64 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HyperX | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2015 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 317.5 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HyperX Cloud II
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Rhys McIntyre | December 2022
"My overall impression of the HyperX Cloud II gaming headset is overwhelmingly positive. In my opinion, this is one of the best mid-priced gaming headsets currently on the market.Solid sound quality, superior comfort, and a sleek, lightweight design – this headset delivers all of the important aspects that a gaming headset should."
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 HyperX Cloud II or the Marshall Major IV
About HyperX
Starting originally as a high-performance and gaming line of memory modules within Kingston and later acquired by HP, HyperX is a dedicated esports and gaming division focused on developing peripherals, microphones and headsets. Providing budget-friendly, comfortable and highly functional products, HyperX has become the go-to for many gamers around the world, resulting in sales of over 20 million headsets throughout the years.
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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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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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