A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and can handle a bit larger design, go for the Marshall Major IV, which also has the benefit of both wireless and wired connectivity, and a significantly longer battery life. However, if you prefer something more portable with a focus on innovative open-ring design for awareness of your surroundings, and you need features like sweat resistance for exercise, then the Sony Linkbuds may be better despite their higher cost and less impressive sound quality. Neither option offers active noise canceling, so if this is important to you, you may want to consider other models. 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 Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
5.8
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.6
2.5
The Marshall Major IV and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Battery
80.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$178
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Marshall Major IV has a price of $100 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.5
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Marshall Major IV has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
6.6
6.6
The Sony Linkbuds and Marshall Major IV are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.4
5.5
The Sony Linkbuds and Marshall Major IV are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.4
The Marshall Major IV and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for TV and video.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Marshall Major IV and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Marshall Major IV | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Marshall | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 80 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 165 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Marshall Major IV
See more
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)."
Sony Linkbuds
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
Get a great deal on the Marshall Major IV or the Sony Linkbuds
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
95,000
Recommendations made
14,250
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
