Marshall Major IV vs Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass
The Verdict
Marshall Major IV and Sony WH-XB910N serve different listener priorities at distinct price points. The Marshall excels in battery longevity, delivering 80+ hours of wireless playback compared to Sony's 30 hours with ANC enabled. Marshall's collapsible on-ear design weighs 165g versus Sony's 252g over-ear build, making portability a clear Marshall advantage. Sony counters with active noise cancellation, multipoint connectivity, and superior codec support including LDAC for higher-quality streaming. The Sony's Extra Bass tuning delivers punchier low-end response and includes useful features like Speak-to-Chat and Adaptive Sound Control. Sound signature differs fundamentally: Marshall targets classic rock and vintage aesthetics with balanced warmth, while Sony emphasizes bass-heavy contemporary listening. At $149, Marshall offers exceptional value for travel and everyday use without ANC needs. At $249, Sony justifies its premium through noise cancellation, advanced features, and over-ear comfort for longer sessions. Choose Marshall if battery life and portability matter most; pick Sony if you want ANC, bass emphasis, and feature richness for stationary or commute listening. Both deliver solid build quality reflecting their brands' heritage.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Marshall Major IV if…
- →80+ hour battery life is essentially best-in-class for any headphone
- →Iconic Marshall rock-and-roll aesthetic and branding
- →Wireless Qi charging is convenient and rare at this price
Buy the Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass if…
- →Extra Bass delivers deep, powerful low-end for bass-heavy genres
- →30-hour battery life with ANC matches the premium XM series
- →LDAC support for high-resolution audio streaming
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Marshall Major IV
Pros
- 80+ hour battery life is essentially best-in-class for any headphone
- Iconic Marshall rock-and-roll aesthetic and branding
- Wireless Qi charging is convenient and rare at this price
- aptX codec support for high-quality Bluetooth audio
- Lightweight at 165 g for comfortable extended listening
Cons
- No active noise cancellation
- On-ear design can cause discomfort after extended wear
- Bass-heavy sound signature may not suit all listeners
- No multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
- Sound leaks due to on-ear, open-backed design
Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass
Pros
- Extra Bass delivers deep, powerful low-end for bass-heavy genres
- 30-hour battery life with ANC matches the premium XM series
- LDAC support for high-resolution audio streaming
- Multipoint Bluetooth connects to two devices simultaneously
- Comfortable, lightweight design at 252 g
Cons
- Bass emphasis can overwhelm mids and highs for balanced listeners
- ANC is decent but noticeably weaker than WH-1000XM5
- No water resistance limits outdoor use
- Touch controls lack the precision of the XM5's panel
Full Specifications
| Spec | Marshall Major IV | Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | on-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 165 g | 252 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 80+ hrs wireless, 15 min = 15 hrs playback | 30 hrs with ANC |
| Charging | USB-C and Qi wireless | USB-C, 10 min = 4.5 hrs playback |
| Drivers | 40mm custom-tuned dynamic drivers | 40mm driver with Extra Bass |
| Features | Wireless charging, Multi-directional control knob, Collapsible design, 3.5mm wired input, Marshall Bluetooth app with EQ | Extra Bass for deep, punchy low end, Noise Cancellation, Quick Attention mode, 360 Reality Audio, Speak-to-Chat, Adaptive Sound Control |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC, aptX | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | None |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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