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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
For a more premium build and wireless capabilities, choose the Marshall Major IV; they're ideal for on-the-go use with easier portability and offer a longer battery life. However, they may feel heavier on your head compared to the Sennheiser HD 400S, which provide a more comfortable fit with an over-ear design that some may prefer for longer listening sessions. The HD 400S is also easier on the wallet and better suited for those who don't require wireless features and can sacrifice some build quality for a more accessible price point. Neither model includes noise cancelling, but both offer integrated microphones for calls. Choose based on your priority: premium wireless convenience at a higher price with Marshall, or wired, cost-effective comfort with Sennheiser. 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 Marshall Major IV
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.6
7.1
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Phone Calls
5.8
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
80.0 Hours
N/A
The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD 400S does not have a battery.
Cost
$100
$61
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Marshall Major IV has a price of $100 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $61.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
5.6
5.3
The Marshall Major IV and Sennheiser HD 400S are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Marshall Major IV and Sennheiser HD 400S both have very good build quality.
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How the Marshall Major IV and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Marshall Major IV | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $61 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Marshall | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 80 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 165 Grams | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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)."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the Marshall Major IV or the Sennheiser HD 400S
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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