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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.
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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.
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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
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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)."
Sony Linkbuds
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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."
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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.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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