Headphones / Marshall Major V vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Marshall Major V vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Marshall Major V
100+ hours of battery and wireless charging — but no noise cancelling at all.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
The Marshall Major V wins by 0.1 points, which is not enough to settle it. The reference M50x tuning, wireless — accurate sound, but no ANC. Pick on the specs that matter to you, not the overall score.
The Marshall Major V and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are both closely matched headphones models, and the Marshall Major V is $29 cheaper than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ($149.99 vs $179). On Battery, the Marshall Major V leads (10.0 vs 8.5/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed. On Sound Quality, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads (8.5 vs 7.0/10) — driver performance, tuning, and detail. On Gaming, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads (7.0 vs 5.5/10) — latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. Overall, the Marshall Major V scores 6.6/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 6.5/10 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Marshall Major V | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $179.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2021 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 100✓ | 50 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 3✓ | 10 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Weight (g) | 187✓ | 307 |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 45 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | None — passive on-ear isolation only | None |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Not published by Marshall | Audio-Technica states dual beamforming mics; independent testing counted one |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Brown, Cream | Black |
Category Scores
Battery
The Marshall Major V leads clearly here, 10.0 against 8.5 — a 1.5-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Marshall Major V and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are level here, at 2.0/10 each. how well ambient noise is blocked is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Comfort
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is marginally ahead, 6.8 to 6.5. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions is your priority.
Sound Quality
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Marshall Major V does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Marshall Major V and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are level here, at 6.0/10 each. voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Travel
The Marshall Major V leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.5 — a 1.5-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Marshall Major V does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Marshall Major V leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Marshall Major V and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are level here, at 7.5/10 each. build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Features
The Marshall Major V leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Marshall Major V if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Marshall Major V scores 10.0/10 here (playtime, standby, and charging speed).
- • Value matters most to you — the Marshall Major V scores 8.0/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Travel matters most to you — the Marshall Major V scores 6.5/10 here (foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips).
- • You want to spend less — it's $29 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is commute.
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 if…
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 8.5/10 here (driver performance, tuning, and detail).
- • Gaming matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 7.0/10 here (latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage).
- • Your main use case is professionals.
Pros & Cons
Marshall Major V
Pros
- +Over 100 hours of battery — you will forget it needs charging
- +Qi wireless charging is genuinely unusual on headphones
- +Lightest here at 187g
- +Distinctive design with a real brass control knob
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling at all
- −On-ear fit gets uncomfortable and loosens over long sessions
- −Treble-forward stock tuning
- −No carry case in the box
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Pros
- +The M50x sound signature, one of the most trusted references in audio
- +LDAC hi-res support
- +Largest drivers here at 45mm
- +Low-latency mode genuinely helps for video
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling at $179
- −Bluetooth 5.0 on a headphone still sold in 2026
- −Heaviest non-Apple option at 307g
- −The platform is now five years old
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Marshall Major V or Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Marshall Major V comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Battery, the Marshall Major V or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Marshall Major V scores higher on Battery (10.0/10 vs 8.5/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Marshall Major V or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores higher on Sound Quality (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — driver performance, tuning, and detail.
Which is better for Gaming, the Marshall Major V or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores higher on Gaming (7.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage.
Which is better for Value, the Marshall Major V or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Marshall Major V scores higher on Value (8.0/10 vs 7.0/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Is the Marshall Major V worth the price difference over the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Marshall Major V is the cheaper option at $149.99 versus $179. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Battery.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Marshall Major V is the better fit if you mainly care about commute. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is the better fit for professionals.
What's the warranty on the Marshall Major V vs the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Marshall Major V ships with a 12-month warranty; the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Soundcore Space One — $99.99
Premium Option
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 — $179.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.