Master & Dynamic MW08 review | Laptop Mag

Our Verdict

At $299, the Master & Dynamic MW08 is a pair of noise-cancelling wireless earbuds with the design and sound to match their high price.

For

Pinnacle-notch sound
Premium craftsmanship
Lengthy battery life
Ii-setting ANC and ambience listening modes
Bluetooth v.2

Confronting

Express features
Poor wireless range
Expensive

Laptop Mag Verdict

At $299, the Main & Dynamic MW08 is a pair of dissonance-cancelling wireless earbuds with the design and sound to match their loftier price.

Pros

+
Top-notch audio
+
Premium adroitness
+
Lengthy battery life
+
Two-setting ANC and ambient listening modes
+
Bluetooth 5.ii

Cons

-
Limited features
-
Poor wireless range
-
Expensive

Master & Dynamic is a primetime actor in the luxury audio game. The New York-based company has impressed critics and consumers with its handsomely congenital headphones and wireless earbuds, packaging rich and clean sound into lavish designs. At present, information technology is taking the next big step, entertaining the noise-cancelling wireless earbuds market with the all-new Main & Dynamic MW08.

Our expert picks for the best wireless earbuds, per upkeep and style
Check out our Apple AirPods Pro review
…and our Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review

These buds boast the same glossy, well-constructed beat out equally their older siblings, along with a dynamic sound profile that takes advantage of bigger drivers for better bass presence. Battery life has too received a massive boost from 3.v hours to 10 hours (equalling the MW07 Plus), providing plenty of playtime for distraction-gratis listening on the go. However, notable omissions (due east.g., extra features, impact controls) and curt-range connectivity might take some people questioning whether the $299 MW08 is worth the splurge.

Primary & Dynamic MW08 at Chief & Dynamic for $299

Main & Dynamic MW08: Availability and price

The Master & Dynamic MW08 is bachelor for $299 exclusively from Principal & Dynamic. It is sold in four colors: Black Ceramic, Blue Ceramic, Brown Ceramic, and White Ceramic. Bundled with the purchase are a charging case, a canvass pouch, five ear tip sizes, and a USB-C charging example with a USB Adapter.

This model targets high-terminate audiophiles who want noise counterfoil in true wireless grade, and it's listed higher than some of the category's top performers, including the AirPods Pro ($250), Bose QuietComfort Earbuds ($280), and Samsung Milky way Buds Pro ($199).

Primary & Dynamic MW08: Design and comfort

Thousand&D'due south penchant for elite design is on total display. The MW08 has a polished ceramic exterior with a distinctive D-shaped frame and minimalist logo expressionless middle. It's a classier and more than discrete look than both the dangling AirPods Pro and bulging QuietComfort earbuds. In addition, the unlike colorways add to its appeal.

Master & Dynamic MW08 review — (Prototype credit: Regan Coule/Future)

Build quality is superb too. These buds aren't going to suspension if you drop them on the concrete, plus they are coated with IPX5 water resistance, a college protection rating than their biggest competitors. That merely means they will survive pelting, splash or sweaty workouts, though considering their price tag, you lot'll desire to do everything possible to go along them looking new. The scratch-resistant stop helps preserve their appearance over fourth dimension as well.

As a bonus, M&D included a canvas pouch to store the buds, charging case and accessories. It'southward the same 1 bundled with every other MW model, and it notwithstanding attracts a lot of dirt, so make sure your pockets are lint-free.

While the charging instance is ridiculously durable (it's one solid slice of stainless steel), I'm disappointed with how it looks. Instead of the shiny aluminum exterior with 1000&D logo light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation-etched on the meridian that was available in older models, this version merely has a bland matte finish. Mayhap it's just the black ceramic colorway, which was the review unit I received, only this case has a image vibe to it that isn't exotic. It'due south also very heavy and is a fingerprint and scuff magnet. The one thing I do like is that the magnet closing the top lid is powerful and shuts the case closed with force, securing the buds when charging.

The use of premium materials can often negatively affect comfort and fit, just the MW08 doesn't have that problem. Each bud weighs 0.31 ounces, which is heavier than the AirPods Pro (0.19 ounces) and QuietComfort Earbuds (0.30 ounces), but they still feel light when worn. The cavity is thick, and so those with a low pain threshold might experience some fatigue subsequently an hr of utilize. I was able to apply the buds for 2 hours direct on a daily footing before noticing any soreness. Also, the sport port allows for easy insertion and the tips provide a decent seal around the canal for a proper fit.

Master & Dynamic MW08: Controls and digital assistant

I figured this would be the ane Thou&D product that introduced affect controls, only sadly, I was mistaken. That doesn't take away from how well the physical buttons work – it's just that touch controls complement the MW08's contemporary design.

Either way, you can wait responsive input with the buttons producing great tactility to ensure users of intended commands. I've always loved the volume rockers on the left earbud since they make lowering and raising audio a cakewalk. The right bud has a multifunctional button to manage playback (play/pause/skip back/skip forrad), calls, and digital assistance; these are activated through unmarried, double, and triple presses. My only issue with the control scheme is that the button placement means pressing the buds further into the concha, causing discomfort.

On-ear detection is OK, assuasive y'all to automatically pause music when removing the buds and resume playback when they're placed back on the ears. There was some lag at times, just the almost important affair is that the feature works.

Speaking of features, allow'southward discuss the digital assistant. It operates uncommonly well on the MW08. The speech communication recognition was spot-on, understanding my every command, discussion for word. In fact, the mics are so powerful that they picked up my wife's conversations from the reverse side of the room before I could even fire off a request. Google Assistant and Siri fully understood verbal commands and responded to them as speedily as each AI bot interpreted them.

Main & Dynamic MW08: Agile noise cancellation

My impression of One thousand&D's noise-cancelling technology is mostly positive. The MW08 tin minimize ambient noise pretty well. Information technology won't compete with what the QuietComfort Earbuds produce, though it gives the AirPods Pro a run for their money by drowning out common distractions.

Thousand&D developed ii dissimilar settings for ANC: Max ANC for loud ambient environments and All Day ANC for less noisy environments. Each performs well, though I preferred Max ANC most of the time, every bit information technology was better suited for dealing with annoying sounds like the humming from our centralized AC and keyboard clatter.

I wasn't sold on the MW08'due south high frequency neutralization, every bit my newborn'due south cries were aural from the next room, along with bird chirps when sitting on the front porch. A few rumblings defenseless my attention likewise like the jackhammer action that took place next door.

The MW08 has ii self-explanatory Ambient settings chosen Awareness and Voice. Sensation opens up the soundscape to increment the number of external sounds y'all tin can hear in rowdy settings, while Voice emphasizes vocals to communicate conspicuously with others. While the one-time was adequate for environmental awareness during nightly walks, I found little utilise for the latter considering it barely allowed me to hear my married woman during a face-to-face conversation.

Master & Dynamic MW08: Sound quality

My listening experience on the MW07 was fantastic and the MW08 left me feeling the same. M&D increased the size of its beryllium drivers from ten millimeters to 11 millimeters, which adds more than dial to their neutral soundstage, giving you well-balanced frequency across the board.

Jazz classics like Sonny Rollins' "God Bless the Child" were symphonically soothing to my ears. The reverberation from the double bass was deep and comforting and had a lasting upshot throughout the recording, while the saxophone play was strikingly pleasant. I was most impressed with the sound reproduction, as the gentle hi-hats — an element that is veiled and normally goes unnoticed when listening on many wireless earbuds — were well-baked and transparent.

Transitioning into gimmicky selections, Busta Rhymes' "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could Run into" fed my appetite for impactful lows. The soul-rattling 808s pounded my eardrums, stimulating neck-breaking head-nods in the process. Withal, information technology's on this record where the MW08'due south soundstage flexes versatility, emphasizing other percussive elements (due east.yard., congas, tambourines) with precision.

Vocals are another highlight that yous'll feel well-nigh on ballads. Whitney Houston'due south "I Take Nothing" sent chills downward my spine, as the singer's compelling crescendo dominated the soundscape and gave her performance just due. Many of her live performances sounded just every bit compelling, showing the MW08 could also handle audio on the video end.

Noise isolation wasn't the best. Minor noises didn't pull me away from whatsoever music I was playing, simply louder noises were distracting, forcing me to increase book to stage them out. Yous'll want to proceed ANC on for optimal performance, especially since information technology gives the bass a noticeable heave.

Chief & Dynamic MW08: App and special features

While information technology's nice to meet M&D offer app support for these tiny noise-cancellers, the software is manifestly in both appearance and extended functionality, offering very few features to play with. Don't expect extras like an EQ, Discover My Buds mode or fifty-fifty command customization.

What you lot're given is a World Volume characteristic that hosts the ANC and Ambient modes. As previously mentioned, each manner has two dissimilar settings you lot can select based on your preference. Personally, I would have preferred a slider to adjust the ANC or ambient listening levels. Besides, it's a shame that the app is the only way to switch between modes.

Other than that, the app has an motorcar-off timer, toggle command for in-ear detection, a battery level indicator for the buds, and a Quickstart bill of fare that breaks down how to apply the MW08 in ix slides. Firmware updates are available, though information technology seems similar you can only receive them by updating the app via App Store or Google Play. In whatsoever case, I hope Grand&D has more features coming downward the pipeline.

Master & Dynamic MW08: Bombardment life and charging case

Aside from audio quality, the MW08's next big selling point is battery life. Not but do these buds become you lot ten hours of use with ANC on, merely you can extend playtimes to 12 hours when disabling the feature. Gene high volume, streaming, and both listening modes into the equation, those numbers drop anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Still, that is practically double what Apple and Bose's models give you lot on a single accuse. I was fine using the MW08 moderately (2.5 hours daily) for an entire workweek earlier recharging. Quick charging generates l% of playtime on a 15-infinitesimal charge as well.

More impressive is the charging example, belongings an additional 30 hours of playtime, and up to 42 hours when fully charged. Again, virtually double the playtime of the AirPods Pro case (24 hours) and triple the QuietComfort Earbuds case (18 hours). Why wireless charging is missing from the spec sheet remains a mystery, but its inclusion would have only boosted the MW08's stock.

Primary & Dynamic MW08: Call quality and connectivity

The MW08 is a serviceable calling headset. When taking my wife's calls from inside the firm, she noticed some muffling and could hear me typing, but said my voice was transparent enough to brand out sentences. Outside was a little different. Practically every sound around me entered our chats, though she managed to hear me for the nearly part. It didn't aid that I was going over a bridge during rush hour, just one time walking downwards a quiet street, we communicated clearly.

Any pair of earbuds programmed with Bluetooth v.2 should offer unbeatable wireless performance. The MW08 does not, mainly due to its poor range. When going past the 15-foot mark, audio stuttered terribly, which meant I had to go along my smartphone on me all the time to stream Spotify smoothly. At least the MW08 made pairing super quick, instantly showing up on the available devices list when removed from the charging case. Re-pairing was even quicker and connected the buds to the last recognized device when awoken.

I thought the MW08 supported multipoint technology to connect it to two devices simultaneously, as I saw the model pop up on my available devices list via Pixel 3XL, while already connected to my MacBook Pro. Upon trying to pair them with my smartphone, I realized the feature wasn't available.

Principal & Dynamic MW08: Verdict

The Principal & Dynamic MW08 can best be summed up every bit the MW07 simply with noise cancellation and stronger specs. Many of the brand's signature strengths go along to shine, from the gorgeous craftsmanship to the remarkable sound quality, which hits that sweet spot of bright and warm. ANC gets the job done in most environments and M&D did a wonderful job increasing battery life to get multiple days of use on a single charge.

Non everything nigh these buds is beautiful. First, the wireless range is horrible for a model running Bluetooth 5.2. The lack of extra features in the app might take yous leaning towards a model that offers more than functionality. Then there is the toll, which at $299, isn't cheap (and nosotros thought Bose's earbuds were expensive).

All in all, the MW08 is a notable entry for the brand in the ANC wireless earbuds category that serves every bit a steppingstone for its next not bad truthful wireless model.

Source: https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/master-and-dynamic-mw08

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