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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a significant factor in your decision, the Marshall Major IV offers a more budget-friendly choice compared to the Sony WF1000XM4. However, the Sony WF1000XM4 will provide you with advanced features such as active noise cancellation for a quiet listening environment, and possibly better overall sound quality and convenience due to their true wireless design, though this comes with a higher price tag. On the other hand, the Marshall Major IV, being over-ear headphones, may offer longer-lasting comfort and potentially longer battery life, but they lack noise cancellation and the portability of true wireless earbuds. If your priority is active noise canceling and cutting-edge sound technology, the Sony WF1000XM4 may be worth the investment. Conversely, if you prefer a classic design with potentially better battery life and lower cost, the Marshall Major IV could be the better option. 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 WF1000XM4.
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.6
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.8
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.6
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
80.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Marshall Major IV has a price of $100 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Marshall Major IV are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Marshall Major IV both have very good build quality.
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How the Marshall Major IV and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Marshall Major IV | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Marshall | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.8/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 80 Hours | 9 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 | 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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 165 Grams | 6.5 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 WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Marshall Major IV or the Sony WF1000XM4
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
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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
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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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