Marshall, synonymous with high-quality sound and iconic design, is a brand that music enthusiasts have come to trust for delivering an exceptional audio experience. The Marshall Minor IV, the latest addition to their wireless earbud lineup, brings together the brand’s legendary audio performance with cutting-edge technology. Priced at PHP 6,690 in the Philippines, these True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds promise to provide more than just great sound—they offer a perfect blend of convenience, comfort, and style, with a few surprises that make them stand out in a competitive market.
True to Marshall’s roots, the Minor IV combines impressive sound with a premium, vintage-inspired design. With wireless charging, IPX4 water resistance, and an impressive battery life, they’re built for those who want to take their music everywhere. The earbuds promise to enhance every listening experience, whether you’re using them for a workout, commuting, or simply relaxing with your favorite playlist. But with all the options available today, does the Minor IV really deliver on its promises?
Available at Digital Walker, Beyond the Box, and Open_Source by Beyond the Box, both in-store and online, the Marshall Minor IV offers premium features at an accessible price. But is it worth the investment? Let’s dive into the design, audio quality, and overall performance to find out.
What’s in the box
Upon opening the box, you’ll find the Marshall Minor IV charging case with the earbuds inside, ready to use. The package includes a USB-C charging cable for efficient charging and a quick start guide to help you set up the earbuds. Additional warranty and safety documentation is provided for your reference. While the accessories are minimal, they ensure that you have the essentials to enjoy your new wireless earbuds right out of the box.
Design and Comfort
The Marshall Minor IV earbud design is a nod to the brand’s iconic vintage aesthetic. The earbuds and case feature a rubberized matte finish with a textured grain pattern, adding to the premium look and feel. The gold accents on the stem give the earbuds an added sense of elegance and attention to detail. The Marshall logo is prominently displayed on the case, maintaining the classic, sleek appearance Marshall fans know and love.
Each earbud weighs just 7.39 grams, making them easy to wear for extended periods. While the lack of silicone ear tips and the hard plastic design may not work for everyone, the Minor IV offers a snug fit that many users will appreciate. Personally, the fit of the earbuds works well, and we actually prefer earbuds without silicone tips, finding them comfortable for prolonged listening sessions.
The Minor IV is IPX4-rated for water resistance, meaning it can withstand sweat and light rain. This makes it ideal for workouts and outdoor activities, ensuring uninterrupted listening sessions no matter the environment.
Sustainability is a key aspect of the Minor IV’s design. Comprising 42% plastic, with 90% of that material derived from post-consumer recycled products like CDs and washing machines, these earbuds are made with eco-conscious manufacturing in mind. This is a commendable effort, and it’s hoped that more brands will follow in Marshall’s footsteps, prioritizing sustainability without compromising on quality.
Audio Quality
The Marshall Minor IV delivers the brand’s signature sound with expertly balanced audio designed to captivate listeners. Thanks to 12mm dynamic drivers, the earbuds feature impressive instrument separation and depth, making them perfect for acoustically complex genres with many layers. The sound is warm and immersive, ensuring you enjoy both music and calls with superior clarity. However, if you’re accustomed to the noise isolation provided by silicone tips, the open-ear design of the Minor IV may not offer the same level of sound isolation.
In terms of call quality, the Minor IV stands out. It delivers superior call clarity with minimal interruptions, ensuring your conversations are clear and distraction-free. The earbuds’ touch-sensitive controls let you easily manage music and calls, and the auto-pause and play feature adds convenience when removing or reinserting the earbuds.
The soundstage is generous, offering solid bass and treble. However, the bass can sometimes overpower the mids, making vocals sound muffled on certain tracks. The fit of the earbuds plays a significant role in achieving the best sound quality, so ensuring a proper fit is key to getting the most out of these earbuds.
Battery
The Marshall Minor IV stands out with impressive battery performance. These earbuds offer up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, which is suitable for long listening sessions. The charging case provides an additional 30+ hours of playback time, ensuring you can enjoy non-stop music for days without needing to recharge frequently.
For those in a hurry, the quick charging feature is a standout, offering 3 hours of playtime after just 15 minutes of charging. When you need a full recharge, the earbuds take about 1.1 hours to charge, and the case requires approximately 2 hours to fully recharge.
The wireless charging capability adds an extra layer of convenience, allowing you to recharge the case without needing a physical connection. This feature is especially handy for users who prefer a cable-free charging experience.
Performance and Features
The Marshall Minor IV delivers solid performance thanks to its robust feature set. One standout feature is its Bluetooth 5.0 technology, ensuring a stable, lag-free connection. Bluetooth 5.0 enhances the earbuds’ overall performance, providing a reliable signal range that helps maintain a strong connection even if you’re moving around, whether at home or on the go. This wireless stability is essential for maintaining uninterrupted listening, especially when you’re using the earbuds in more active situations.
Moreover, the Minor IV’s touch-sensitive controls offer intuitive management of music and calls, allowing you to play/pause, adjust volume, and take calls with just a tap. This feature streamlines the user experience, eliminating the need for multiple physical buttons.
Additionally, the auto-pause and play functionality adds convenience, automatically pausing music when you remove the earbuds and resuming playback when you put them back in. This is a great feature when you’re interrupted but want to quickly continue your music without fumbling for your phone.
The earbuds are also equipped with a high-quality microphone, ensuring crisp and clear call quality. This makes them ideal for professional calls or casual conversations, with minimal background noise interference and enhanced voice clarity.
While the sound quality is notable, the Marshall Minor IV is also equipped with a highly efficient battery system that delivers exceptional playtime. The combination of the earbuds’ 7-hour battery life and the charging case’s ability to provide an additional 30+ hours ensures these earbuds are ready to go whenever you are.
Should you buy the Marshall Minor IV?
The Marshall Minor IV brings together excellent design, reliable performance, and Marshall’s signature sound in a compact, eco-friendly package. The earbuds offer good audio quality, up to 7 hours of playtime, and water resistance for workouts and outdoor use.
However, the lack of silicone ear tips and the open-ear design may not suit everyone, especially those seeking a more secure fit or better noise isolation. Despite these drawbacks, the Minor IV excels in style, sound quality, and sustainability, making it a solid option for those who value aesthetics and eco-consciousness.
Verdict
The Marshall Minor IV offers a compelling combination of style, comfort, and high-quality sound. Its premium design, featuring a matte finish with gold accents, maintains the iconic Marshall aesthetic, while the lightweight earbuds ensure comfort during extended use. Audio performance is solid, with balanced sound and clear call quality, though the open-ear design may not offer the best isolation for some users.
With 7 hours of playtime on a single charge and a case that provides an additional 30+ hours, the Minor IV ensures you have ample listening time. The quick charging feature adds convenience, giving 3 hours of playtime after just 15 minutes of charging. Unique to this model, the wireless charging capability offers even more flexibility for users.
While the Minor IV is perfect for everyday use and workouts with its IPX4 rating, its fit may not suit everyone, particularly those with smaller ear canals. Overall, the Marshall Minor IV delivers on both performance and design, making it a great choice for those seeking durable, stylish, and high-performing earbuds.
Marshall Minor IV Specifications
- Drivers: 12mm dynamic drivers
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Frequency range: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Weight: 7.39 grams per earbud
- Water resistance: IPX4
- Battery life: Up to 7 hours on a single charge; 30+ hours with charging case
- Charging time: 1.1 hours for earbuds, 2 hours for case
- Quick charge: 15 minutes for 3 hours of playtime
- Controls: Mirrored touch-sensitive controls, auto-pause/play
- Material: 42% plastic (90% from post-consumer recycled products)
Price and Availability
The Marshall Minor IV is available for PHP 6,690 at Digital Walker and Beyond the Box branches nationwide. For added convenience, these True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds can also be purchased online through Lazada.
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