How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Koss Porta Pro — biggest strength: a genuinely iconic, ultra-light collapsible on-ear with a wired 3.5 mm connection, in-line mic and touch remote, and a 15–25,000 Hz range with a 60-ohm dynamic driver.
• Koss Porta Pro — biggest trade-off: it's wired and has no noise cancelling and no Bluetooth, so you're tethered to your device and you'll hear the room around you.
• Marshall Major IV On-Ear — biggest strength: Bluetooth 5 wireless with an 80-hour average battery life, a 15-minute quick charge for 15 hours of listening, and the option to charge wirelessly.
• Marshall Major IV On-Ear — biggest trade-off: at 6.28 ounces it's noticeably heavier than the Porta Pro's near-weightless build, and it costs more to own that wireless convenience.
• Who the Koss Porta Pro is for: commuters, students and long-session listeners who want a light, foldable, wired pair with a mic and a lifetime warranty.
• Who the Marshall Major IV On-Ear is for: people who want no cable, huge battery headroom, and a design that looks as good on a desk as it does on your head.
The Porta Pro is the definition of a design that refuses to die. Introduced in 1984 and still going strong over 40 years later, it earns its reputation through simplicity: a collapsible headband, an adjustable fit, and ComfortZone temporal pads that sit on your temples for a secure, comfortable hold. If you've ever had a headphone clamp down on your ears after an hour, you'll appreciate what that temporal-pad setup is doing. It spreads pressure instead of concentrating it.
On the audio side, the spec sheet tells a specific story. A 60-ohm impedance and a 15–25,000 Hz frequency range with a dynamic driver point to a tuning built for deep bass and a strong midrange — the kind of sound that flatters vocals and guitars rather than clinical studio monitoring. Because it's wired over a 3.5 mm jack, there's no battery to manage, no pairing, no latency. Plug in and go. The in-line mic and one-touch remote handle calls and track control, and Koss backs the build with a lifetime warranty, which says a lot about how they view their own hardware.
Marshall Major IV On-Ear: Who It's For
The Major IV is the opposite philosophy executed well. This is a wireless on-ear built around convenience. Bluetooth 5 gives you a 33-foot range, so you can leave your phone on the couch and walk around. The battery spec is the headline: 80+ hours of average playtime, and a 15-minute quick charge that gets you 15 hours of listening. That's the kind of number that changes how you use headphones — you stop thinking about charging entirely. It can also charge wirelessly, and Marshall includes a USB-C cable in the box (though not the charging pad).
Sound-wise, the Major IV uses custom-tuned dynamic drivers with a 32-ohm impedance and a 20–20,000 Hz range, described as delivering roaring bass, smooth mids and brilliant treble. That's a warmer, more consumer-friendly signature than a flat reference curve — great for pop, rock, hip-hop and podcasts. The ergonomics got attention too: the ear cushions are softer to the touch and shaped to fit your ear more faithfully, which matters on an on-ear where pressure is everything. Marshall claims the tenth hour feels as comfortable as the first, and the on-ear vinyl build with the iconic script and multi-directional control knob gives it a look that's genuinely part of the appeal.
Controls are handled by a single multi-directional knob — play, pause, skip, volume, power, and call answer/reject/end. There's also a 3.5 mm socket, so you can plug in when the battery is low or hand a friend the cable to share. The fold clip makes it collapse more compactly while protecting the ear caps.
Who should buy it? Anyone who wants wireless, massive battery life, and a headphone that looks the part. Who should skip it? If you want the absolute lightest possible on-ear, or you're strictly wired and don't want to pay for Bluetooth you won't use. It also has no noise cancelling, so it won't silence a plane cabin.
• Best for wireless freedom → Marshall Major IV On-Ear. Bluetooth 5 with a 33-foot range beats a cable every time you move around.
• Best for battery life → Marshall Major IV On-Ear. 80+ hours with a 15-minute/15-hour quick charge is in a different league from a wired set that needs no battery at all.
• Best for weight and portability → Koss Porta Pro. At 0.02 kg it's dramatically lighter, and the collapsible design packs down tiny.
• Best for long-session comfort → split decision. The Porta Pro's ComfortZone temporal pads and adjustable headband suit long wired listening; the Major IV's softer, reshaped ear cushions suit long wireless sessions.
• Best for a wired, zero-hassle setup → Koss Porta Pro. No pairing, no charging, no latency — just a 3.5 mm jack, a mic and a touch remote.
• Best for sharing and flexibility → Marshall Major IV On-Ear. Its 3.5 mm socket lets a friend plug in, and it works wirelessly or wired.
• Best for build and design presence → Marshall Major IV On-Ear. Vinyl finish, control knob and fold clip give it a more premium, styled feel.
• Best for warranty confidence → Koss Porta Pro. A lifetime warranty versus a 1-year limited warranty is a meaningful difference in long-term peace of mind.
• Best for lower upfront spend → check both on Amazon. Pricing shifts constantly, so compare the current price on Amazon before deciding — the page button has it.
If I had to pick one for myself, I'd go with the Marshall Major IV On-Ear — ASIN B08KHT2HDT. In my opinion, the combination of Bluetooth 5, 80+ hours of battery, quick charging, wireless charging support and the wired 3.5 mm fallback makes it the more versatile everyday headphone, and the improved ergonomics plus the vinyl build justify the step up for most people. That said, if you're on a tighter budget, want the lightest possible on-ear, or simply prefer a cable, the Koss Porta Pro is a genuinely smart buy — its collapsible design, in-line mic, touch remote and lifetime warranty make it a fantastic wired companion. The Major IV is the one I'd reach for daily; the Porta Pro is the one I'd keep in my bag as a backup.
how to clean on ear headphones
On-ear pads sit against your ears and hair, so they collect oil and dust fast. Wipe the cushions and headband with a soft, slightly damp cloth — never soak them or use harsh solvents — and let them air-dry fully before use. For the Porta Pro's plastic frame and the Major IV's vinyl surfaces, a gentle wipe is all the spec sheets suggest is needed.
how to fit on ear headphones
On-ear models rest on your ears rather than around them, so fit is about pressure and position. The Porta Pro uses an adjustable headband and ComfortZone temporal pads that sit on your temples for a secure hold; the Major IV uses softer, reshaped ear cushions designed to follow your ear's shape. Adjust the headband so the pads sit centered on your ears without clamping.
how to ear headphones
If you mean how to wear them correctly: on-ear headphones like these sit flat against the outside of your ears, not over them like over-ear models. Slide the headband so each cushion rests evenly on both ears, then fine-tune the fit — the Porta Pro's adjustable band and the Major IV's cushioned design both reward a few seconds of adjustment.
how to open ear headphones
Both of these fold rather than "open" in the traditional sense. The Koss Porta Pro has a collapsible headband that folds down for protective storage, and the Marshall Major IV uses a fold clip so it collapses into a more compact shape while shielding the ear caps. Unfold gently, extend the headband, and you're ready to listen.
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