Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus Review: Beautiful High-End True Wireless Earbuds
The Master & Dynamic MW07 PLUS Review: High-End Wireless Earbuds These earbuds are premium looking, yet they have exceptional sonic qualities. We were blown away by the quality of these earbuds after 40 hours of testing.
We like this
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Amazing battery life
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High quality sound
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Beautiful design with premium construction
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Connectivity is a little patchy
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Price tag:
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Case that is easily scratchable
Master & Dyanmic MW07 earbuds are high-end, premium earbuds with a premium price. They are beautiful in design, and have excellent sound quality.
Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus was purchased so that our expert reviewer could fully test it and evaluate it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.
These earbuds, the Master & Dynamic MMW07 Plus are an exceptional entry in a crowded market of wireless earbuds. This category offers many options, with prices ranging from $20 to $400. Even Apple's most premium option—the AirPods Pro—come in at about $50 cheaper than the MW07 Plus. It's obvious that these are premium earbuds.
I got my hands on a Kevin Durant-associated, Black Quartz-colored unit to see what all the fuss was about—and man, am I blown away. They do have their flaws, sometimes maddening. Continue reading to learn more.
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Design: High-end, exclusive, and unique
The MW07 earbuds are renowned for their design and detail.
The MW07 is available in three different levels. There's the standard MW07 and the more expensive MW07 Go. And then there's the premium MW07 Plus. All three earbud designs are virtually identical. From the outside, the casing looks like an oval that has been squared off on one end—almost like a sideways tombstone. It is the most simple yet striking design I have seen for true wireless headphones. As such, it really is contingent upon an individual's taste—some might love it, some might hate it.
Three other color options are available: an elegant White Marble in a muted Steel Blue and classic Tortoise shell in a more sophisticated White Marble. Studio 35 is Kevin Durant's music and design venture. The Black Quartz model that I tried was actually made in collaboration with Studio 35. This is a limited edition colorway that isn't available in any other colors (or price). Although I initially didn't like the look of these earbuds, they soon became my favorite.
Another obvious feature is the carrying case. This is, to my knowledge, the best-selling charging case in polished stainless steel for wireless earbuds. This case, which is almost impossible to miss in bright sunlight, has a Master & Dynamic logo etched at the front. Although it makes the case appear more expensive, the material is highly prone to scratching (remember the older-school iPod Touch). Although it looks great, it is not practical.
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Comfort is a lot more usable than we expected
My review criteria is more focused on comfort and fit the better wireless headphones I try. The fit is actually the biggest complaint about Apple AirPods. For my ears, more than the eartip pushing into my ear canal, is what I find necessary.
This form factor is what I have used and dropped more than any other earbuds. Master & Dynamic have a variety of sizes for eartips. The smallest fits snugly, while the ridged wing is designed to stick to your outer ear. I believe this 'two points contact' approach is the best earbud solution for wireless earbuds that can roll off and fall apart.
These earbuds are heavy, but they have a thick outer shell of acetate (similar to a guitar pick). I was pleasantly surprised by how lightweight and comfortable my ears felt. They are actually only 9g per earbud which makes them lighter than their appearance. They fit a little tighter than I would like, but they are still very lightweight.
The MW07 features 'custom 10mm Beryllium drivers' which are light-weight and durable. This material tends to produce better results at larger volumes and limit harmonic distortion.
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Build Quality and Durability: High quality, but easily scratchable
Master & Dynamic really cares about making sure that buyers are happy with their product. This category is difficult for me. It feels extremely heavy with its super-sharp stainless-steel case, which has a sturdy lid and good-quality USB C port. The case is almost quarter-pound heavier than expected for its size. High-quality silicone is used in the headphones, as well as an outer shell made of acetate.
These materials make the earbuds feel sturdy and long-lasting, even when it rains lightly (IPX5 water resistance). The case's glossy exterior makes it easy to scratch and get micro-scratches. M&D attempted to reduce this problem by providing a pouch made of velvety almost neoprene to keep the case safe.
This is a step that you have to take before using your earbuds. However, I did manage some mysterious scratches in the bottom of my battery case. It's hard to believe that I ever put this thing on any kind of hard surface. The earbuds are high quality and the case is also high-quality. However, I would prefer a stronger surface for daily use.
Sound Quality: Near perfect
These earbuds are great because of a number factors. The brand factor is the first. Master & Dynamic, much like Bose has carved a niche for themselves in the earphones market with thousands of customers who believe Master & Dynamic products sound better than any other brand.
There are not many specifications on the website to support this claim. The MW07 features 'custom 10mm Beryllium drivers' which are a lightweight and durable material. This material tends to produce better results at higher volume levels, which limits harmonic distortion. These earbuds are rich and full for podcasts and top 40 music, as well as everything else. However, I am not certain if it is due to the Beryllium Drivers. Master & Dynamic have made the slightly recessed chassis very well, which gives them a great fit and some active noise cancelling.
Feedforward noise cancellation technology is used by the MW07 Plus. This means it does not analyze and cancel what noises are heard inside the earbuds, but instead attempts to determine the outside environment that can be cancelled. There are two pairs of beamforming mics on the outside that accomplish this, and there is a notable attenuation of noise when you kick it on—though it isn't nearly as extreme as standard over-ear noise cancellation.
M&D has done a clever bit of engineering. They can use the same microphones as they do for calls, ambient sound feed-through and phone calls. This means that they can use one hardware to perform all three functions. This makes them a stunning pair of earbuds, which are probably well worth the high price.
Battery life: The best available
This is something I have already mentioned in other categories. However, the battery life really stands out. According to the M&D spec sheet your listening time will last around 10 hours on one charge, which is almost as long as Bose's battery case.
The battery case, which is comparatively small, gives 30 additional hours of playtime. The average user can get through a week's worth of workdays or commutes with just 40 hours.
My real-world testing showed that I spent closer to eight hours with the headphones, although I really was putting them through their paces. Even with all this I could barely make any dent on the battery case. It was only about halfway through a week's worth of usage. You can recharge up to 50% in just 15 minutes and 100% in 40 minutes. It's a remarkable feat and something I found surprising in a company that is more focused on design and sound than functionality.
Setup and Connectivity: A Rudimentary with some hiccups
The MW07 Plus is a great option for connectivity. Bluetooth 5.0 is included. This provides approximately 40m range and reliable, modern connectivity. There's also aptX built in—Qualcomm's higher quality Bluetooth compression format that will transmit higher resolution audio files more accurately, provided your source device supports the format
Although I did notice the aptX's sound quality in real life, the connection was not as good in my testing. I noticed that the aptX had more Bluetooth distortion and cutouts than usual, especially when I was calling. Although I do use the device in areas with high traffic in New York City, there is more interference. However, there was still too much dropouts.
According to M&D's spec sheet you can expect to listen for around 10 hours on one charge. This is almost as long as Bose gives with their battery case. The battery case, which is relatively small, gives you 30 more hours of listening time.
The setup gave me more problems than the manufacturer anticipated. The MW07 Plus earbuds should have come out of the box in pairing mode. However, the first time I tried it, the light was blinking and I had to switch to pairing mode by holding down the multifunction button. This wasn't hard, but considering most manufacturers make this an automatic feature out of the box—even M&D claims that these should have been in pairing mode automatically—it was frustrating to have to dig into the manual to figure out how to pair them.
Also, there isn’t an app so you can’t toggle noise cancellation (holding the volume down button), or ambient sound pass through (holding the volume up button). Although these are minor issues, M&D has worked hard to develop the entire package. I found it surprising that they dropped the ball.
Too expensive for the majority
These earbuds are certainly expensive. Master & Dynamic, a luxury brand which has partnered up with Louis Vuitton to sell products at the MOMA Design Shop, surprised me when the retail price was $300. Bose and Sony also place the top-of-the-line true wireless headphones at between $200-250. The MW07 Plus earbuds are a great choice because of their fit, sound quality and battery life. These earbuds are well worth the investment if your budget is sufficient.
Master and Dynamic MW07 PLUS vs. Apple AirPods Pro
Initial thoughts were to compare the MW07s with other premium brands such as Bose and the much more feature-rich Sony WF1000XM3 headphones. The Apple AirPods Pro (see Amazon) is the real rival in spirit.
This is because both options have the same number-one feature: the fit and finish and the luxurious experience they provide. AirPods Pro seem to be a little more affordable and will last longer. The MW07 Pro is a lot more expensive and sounds a lot better.
Final Verdict
High-end, premium wireless earbuds that are expensive but worth every penny.
The MW07 is only recommended if you have already considered the Bose SoundSport Free and the Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds, but decided that they don't offer enough premium features. These already premium options can provide most of the user's needs at $50-100 lower than the MW07 PLUS. The $300 price tag for the MW07 PLUS might be worthwhile if you are looking for a luxury design, great fit and a long battery life. These earbuds are not right for everybody, but they're perfect for those who do.