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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for earbuds that are convenient for exercise and travel with a good wireless feature set, the JBL Tune Buds are a great choice as they are sweatproof, dustproof, have good portability, and are suitable for use during exercise and air travel. However, they offer lower audio quality for music and are not the best for calls, meetings, gaming, or TV. In contrast, the Marshall Major IV headphones, while somewhat more expensive, provide excellent overall sound quality and mic quality, making them superior for music and calls. Although they are not as portable and are not designed for exercise or travel, their superior battery life may be a benefit for longer listening sessions. Neither option supports low latency use or active noise cancelling, so neither is ideal for gaming or use in noisy environments. 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 JBL Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
- The Marshall Major IV has no clear advantages over the JBL Tune Buds.
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.9
5.8
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Tune Buds are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
6.7
5.6
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
10.4 Hours
80.0 Hours
The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$50
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Tune Buds has a price of $50 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
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Key similarities
Music
6.2
6.6
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Tune Buds are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.4
5.4
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Tune Buds are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
6.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Marshall Major IV to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
6.1
5.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Tune Buds to be only fair for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Tune Buds and Marshall Major IV both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune Buds and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Buds | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$50 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.1/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10.4 Hours | 80 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.8/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 10.8 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Marshall Major IV
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Dig into reviews and images
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)."
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About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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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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