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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Marshall Major IV offers a superior overall sound quality, making them great for music enthusiasts, but for longer usage, the Soundcore Life Q30 might be more comfortable due to their over-ear form factor. While the Marshall Major IV has a higher build quality and is particularly more portable, the Soundcore Life Q30 provides better noise isolation, which is beneficial for use in noisy environments or during air travel. One notable advantage of the Soundcore Life Q30 is active noise cancelling; if this feature is important to you, it could tip the scales in its favor. If battery life is a key consideration, the Marshall Major IV has an impressive battery life, which could be a deciding factor for extended use without charging. The choice could depend on whether you prioritize sound quality and portability (Marshall Major IV) or comfort and noise isolation (Soundcore Life Q30), along with the importance of active noise cancelling and price differences. 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 Soundcore Life Q30.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
6.6
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.8
5.1
The Marshall Major IV and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
4.8
The Marshall Major IV is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.6
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
80.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$80
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Marshall Major IV has a price of $100 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.3
The Marshall Major IV and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.4
The Marshall Major IV and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Marshall Major IV and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the Marshall Major IV and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Marshall Major IV | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Marshall | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 80 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 165 Grams | 263 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)."
Soundcore Life Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Marshall Major IV or the Soundcore Life Q30
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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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