Compare Marshall Major V vs Apple AirPods Max 2

Most reviewers liked the lively Marshall-leaning sound, but several found it average, treble-heavy, distant, or not competitive for audiophiles.

Overall sound quality was broadly praised as rich, cleaner and more resolving, though some reviewers found the tuning less neutral or only incrementally improved.

Reviewers repeatedly flagged the absence of ANC as the Major V's biggest feature gap, especially for commuting, flights, and loud environments.

Reviewers generally found ANC substantially improved and often class-leading, though a few considered the improvement incremental versus already-strong rivals.

Measured frequency-response commentary was negative, with one review saying the tuning deviated drastically from the preferred curve.

Frequency-response accuracy was viewed as generally balanced or accurate, with caveats around bass lift and treble shaping.

Soundstage ranged from surprisingly wide and dynamic to compact, intimate, or under-imaged depending on the reviewer.

Soundstage width was a strength in positive reviews, with several praising width, depth, openness and more dynamic presentation.

Passive isolation was mixed: the pads muffled some office chatter and ambient sound, but on-ear fit still let plenty through.

Passive isolation from the earcups helped ANC and was praised where fit fully enclosed the ears.

One review said Dolby Atmos playback still had kick despite the lack of noise cancelling.

Spatial audio was often strong for movies and immersive use, though at least one reviewer found it distracting for music.

Microphone noise reduction received positive comments for cleaning up office, cafe, and ambient noise around speech.

Voice Isolation and mic noise reduction performed well in many noisy call tests, although standard mode could lag behind.

Bass impressions skewed positive for punch and warmth, though a few reviewers found the low end light or uneven depending on tuning.

Bass was usually praised as tighter, deeper, punchier, and controlled, though some listeners found it heavy or boomy.

Reviewers who discussed sync reported no noticeable delay or expected LE Audio benefits for video use.

Latency improved enough for casual gaming and video use, especially with Game Mode or wired USB-C.

Multi-platform use was positive where one reviewer reported seamless switching between phone and laptop.

Multi-platform compatibility remained weak because non-Apple devices lose many settings, updates and ecosystem features.

Portability and foldability were consistently praised because the headphones collapse very small and fit easily in bags.

Portability was a repeated weakness because the headphones do not fold and occupy too much bag space.

Premium feel was mixed: the design could look special, but some reviewers said the materials did not feel expensive.

Premium feel was one of the clearest strengths, driven by aluminum, stainless steel and luxury fit-and-finish.

Travel friendliness was mixed-to-positive: small size and battery helped, while no ANC and no case limited flights and loud travel.

Travel friendliness suffered because the headphones are heavy, bulky and paired with a minimally protective case.

Headband adjustment was praised for smooth sliding rails and flexible adjustability.

Headband adjustability had a minor fit caveat, with one review wishing it adjusted smaller for more head shapes.

Fit stability was mixed: some reviews praised secure fit, while others found head movement could shift or dislodge the headphones.

Connection stability and switching were considered better with H2 and reliable in Apple-device use.

Ear cup padding was consistently praised as thick, soft, plush, or squishy enough to help the on-ear fit.

Ear cup padding was generally seen as roomy, breathable and supportive, though material feel was not universally preferred.

Connectivity options were praised for wired listening, sharing audio, and useful device switching.

Connectivity was a standout for Apple users, with automatic switching reducing the need for manual multipoint management.

Included accessories were criticized as skimpy because reviewers expected more protection or extras for the price.

Included accessories disappointed some reviewers, especially the lack of a charging brick or proper case at this price.

LDAC was criticized as a missing advantage versus a competing Android-focused headphone.

LDAC absence was a downside for reviewers comparing the AirPods Max 2 with Sony and other hi-res Bluetooth rivals.

Replaceable earpads were a plus in reviews that noted removable pads or replacement cups.

Replaceable or washable earcups were a minor positive for maintenance and longevity.

USB-C charging was viewed positively, especially as a more reliable option than fiddly wireless charging.

USB-C was welcomed for charging and wired lossless playback, especially by owners of Lightning-era AirPods Max.

Midrange clarity was often praised for vocals and detail, but some reviewers heard recessed or deficient mids.

Midrange clarity was praised for vocals, improved detail and more natural mids.

Reviewers who focused on separation generally praised stereo placement, detail visibility, and the ability to follow individual sound elements.

Instrument separation improved noticeably, with reviewers hearing more distinct placement and cleaner layering.

Android compatibility was weakened by missing higher-quality Android-friendly codecs such as aptX or LDAC.

Android compatibility was repeatedly framed as limited: basic listening works, but Apple-only features and controls are missing.

Headband padding feedback was mixed, with one review praising full soft coverage and another calling it thin.

Headband comfort was split between high praise for pressure distribution and criticism that the canopy can feel under-padded.

Treble was described as crisp and detailed by some reviewers, while others found the top end harsh, exaggerated, or clustered.

Treble was praised for detail by some reviewers but criticized by others as rolled off, harsh or recessed in specific ranges.

Reviewers praised the distinctive vintage style and compact visual identity, though one found the look inconspicuous or barebones.

The design was praised as sleek and fashionable, especially for public use, with few cosmetic changes from earlier models.

Overall recommendations were mixed-to-positive: many reviewers recommended the headphones for battery, design, and casual use, but with clear caveats.

Overall recommendations were positive for Apple users and first-time premium buyers, but cautious for existing owners and audio purists.

Carry protection was a consistent weakness because reviewers repeatedly complained that no case, pouch, or tote was included.

The Smart Case was widely criticized for poor protection, awkward design and poor travel practicality, despite enabling low-power mode.

Reviewers noted that the headphones could play loudly without obvious strain and still had headroom.

Maximum-volume clarity improved, with reviewers noting cleaner highs and less muddiness at high volume.

Reviewers treated the lack of IP or water resistance as a real limitation for rain, sweat, hikes, and outdoor use.

Water and sweat resistance remained a limitation, with reviewers warning against gym or wet use.

Battery life was the clearest consensus strength, with reviewers repeatedly praising the 100-hour class endurance and real-world longevity.

Battery life was the most consistent weakness, with 20 hours repeatedly called disappointing or behind current flagships.

Charging was mostly praised for fast, USB-C, and wireless charging, though several reviewers found wireless placement fiddly or unreliable.

Charging-related feedback was limited but charge reminders and quick top-ups were viewed as useful conveniences.

Low weight was a consistent strength, with reviewers calling the headphones light, barely noticeable, and easy to wear.

Weight comfort was the most persistent ergonomic drawback, with several reviewers saying the heavy earcups become noticeable over time.

Clamp force feedback was mixed, ranging from gentle or moderate to too tight or uncomfortable depending on head shape and use.

Clamp comfort was mixed: generally tolerable, but with some pressure concerns during longer wear.

The retro Marshall design was widely praised as distinctive, classic, stylish, and aligned with the brand's rock identity.

The design was widely praised as elegant and gorgeous, though unchanged from the original.

Build quality was generally praised as rugged, tough, and durable, though not always premium-looking.

Build quality was a major strength, with reviewers praising the aluminum, steel and premium construction.

Long-wear comfort was highly divided, with many praising light padding and hours-long comfort while others reported pressure, heat, or glasses discomfort.

Comfort was divisive: some called the headphones extremely comfortable, while others found long sessions uncomfortable because of weight or clamp.

EQ customization was useful and often praised, though some reviewers said its effect was subtle or insufficient.

EQ customization was a repeated frustration because Apple still does not offer a full manual equalizer.

Setup was easy out of the box in one review, but app responsiveness and connection reliability were criticized elsewhere.

Setup simplicity was praised as extremely easy, especially for pairing and first-run setup on iPhone.

App opinions were mixed: support and customization were major upgrades, but some reviewers found the app buggy, basic, or limited.

Apple's no-standalone-app approach was treated as a tradeoff: seamless on iOS but less flexible than a dedicated app.

Advanced software and feature impressions were mixed: battery preservation impressed, but feature depth lagged some competitors.

H2-enabled software features were widely viewed as useful modernization, with the main caveat that some users may not use every feature.

Smart listening features were useful for quick Spotify, EQ, or assistant access, though one reviewer found the M button nonessential.

Smart listening features such as Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume and Conversation Awareness were usually useful, but not universally preferred.

Physical button controls were one of the strongest points, with reviewers repeatedly praising the joystick-style knob as intuitive and reliable.

The Digital Crown and physical button controls were repeatedly praised as intuitive, tactile and among the best on headphones.

Bluetooth was described positively where reviewers referenced modern or useful wireless capabilities rather than just listing the version.

Wireless connection reliability was strong in tested Apple setups, with no dropouts reported in key reviews.

Call quality was usually praised, with reviewers hearing loud, clear, understandable voice capture; one found it noisy but usable.

Call and mic quality were generally strong, ranging from top-tier to good enough, with occasional unevenness or fuzz.

Value was split: reviewers liked the battery, design, and sound for the price, but many felt ANC competitors offered more.

Value depended heavily on Apple ecosystem commitment: some found the price more justified, while others saw better sound or portability for less.

Codec support was mixed-to-weak: LC3/LE Audio helped, but reviewers criticized the lack of higher-quality codecs.

Codec support was a clear weakness because reviewers wanted LDAC, aptX, LC3 or other high-resolution wireless options.

Multipoint generally worked well, though one reviewer noted playback must be paused on one device before switching.

Automatic device switching worked well inside Apple's ecosystem and exceeded conventional Bluetooth multipoint for reviewers.

The 3.5mm input was valued for wired listening and audio sharing, with several reviewers calling the sharing trick useful or cool.

Live Translation drew mixed reactions: some found it impressive and travel-ready, while others found pauses awkward or said it still needs work.

aptX support was criticized because reviewers specifically noted that aptX or aptX Adaptive was missing.

Two reviews explicitly awarded Editors' Choice recognition, reinforcing strong critical reception.

Wired USB-C lossless playback was valued for added clarity, depth and more critical listening, even when the difference was not night-and-day.

Cable impressions were mixed: one reviewer liked the retro detail, while another disliked the tangling coiled cable.

The detachable analog cable was praised for enabling the music-sharing trick with another pair of headphones.

One review praised the ear cups' 90-degree tilt as part of the flexible fit system.

Ecosystem integration was a major strength, with reviewers praising Apple-device switching and deep iPhone, iPad and Mac behavior.

Launch feature set was criticized as limited, especially compared with competitors that include ANC, transparency, cases, or richer apps.

Firmware and software-update support was praised where it unlocked meaningful sound and spatial improvements at no added cost.

Head gestures worked well and felt natural to reviewers who tested them, though they were not always considered essential.

The integrated mic array was praised in one review as working well for clear recordings.

Preset EQ feedback was limited but positive when reviewers singled out balanced or useful presets.

Spotify integration was praised by Spotify users as genuinely useful for starting or cycling music quickly.

Repairability was viewed as a plus because reviewers noted battery replacement through Marshall's repair program.

Transparency mode was one of the strongest consensus wins, often described as best-in-class, natural and conversation-friendly.

One reviewer found normal listening volume more than sufficient, with extra output available if needed.

ANC background artifacts were mostly praised as quiet, but lab-focused reviewers noted low-frequency rumble or added noise in specific modes.

ANC processing was described as natural and airy, avoiding the heavy pressure some rivals create.

Immersive audio was praised for depth, fullness and a big presentation, especially with spatial content and USB-C playback.

LE Audio readiness was treated as a forward-looking advantage for streaming, sync, and Auracast-related future use.

Sound leakage was mixed-to-negative, with some office-safe results but several warnings about leakage at higher volumes.

Wind handling was only discussed in microphone-test contexts and was generally positive alongside noisy-condition call performance.

The H2 chip was consistently credited for the meaningful upgrade, powering ANC, calls, smart features, latency and tuning improvements.

Bluetooth 5.3 was treated as a welcome stability and latency upgrade, though not cutting-edge.

Conversation Awareness was mostly praised for convenience, though some reviewers preferred to switch modes manually or turn it off.

Voice assistant use was positive in the review that tested Google Assistant and Siri.

Marshall's guitar-riff feedback tones were described as a nice brand touch by reviewers who mentioned them.

Auracast support was praised as rare and forward-looking, though some comments depended on future firmware or ecosystem adoption.

The low-power case behavior preserves charge well, but the lack of a physical power button was criticized.

Durability-over-time comments were positive where reviewers expected the headphones to survive years of use or abuse.

One reviewer disliked the way the metal hinges stick out when folded, making hinge design a minor caveat.