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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Marshall Major IV headphones and the Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds depends on your preferences and use cases. If you prefer a traditional headphone experience with on-ear design and don't mind a bit of bulk, the Marshall Major IV are a solid choice and usually come at a lower price. They are praised for comfort and have a unique aesthetic appeal. However, if you're prioritizing advanced features like active noise cancellation and prefer the convenience of wireless earbuds, the Sony WF1000XM3 offer those high-tech options, yet they're often somewhat more expensive. The Sony earbuds also support Sony's 360 Reality Audio for a more immersive sound experience, provided you're using compatible apps. Keep in mind that while the Marshall headphones excel in battery life, the Sony's additional features such as voice control and app support might justify the extra cost for tech-savvy users. Both offer integrated microphones, but the Sony might provide a more seamless experience for users who rely heavily on voice calls or voice assistants. 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
- The Marshall Major IV has no clear advantages over the Sony WF1000XM3.
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.6
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 is good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.8
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.6
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
80.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$180
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Marshall Major IV has a price of $100 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 has excellent build quality, while the Marshall Major IV has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Marshall Major IV are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.7
The Marshall Major IV and Sony WF1000XM3 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Marshall Major IV and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Marshall Major IV | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Marshall | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 80 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 165 Grams | 9 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 WF1000XM3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
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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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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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