Master & Dynamic is the maker of my favorite wireless headphones in the MW60. When I heard they have two new earbuds out in time for holiday 2019, I had to try them out. I contacted the company to get a pair, and I wasn't disappointed. They both stood up to my expectations, expanding on the older MW07 earbuds with two price-tiered options that are sure to get the streets hopping this winter.
The MW07 Plus is the premium (and more expensive) $299 upgrade that uses the same 10mm beryllium drivers as the original MW07, while supporting active noise cancellation (ANC). They also added ambient listening mode and a few other features to the familiar form factor. It's $50 more expensive than Apple's recently released AirPods Pro.
Let's take a look at what makes Master & Dynamic's MW07 Plus a better buy than Apple's flagship earbuds.
Under the Hood of MW07 Plus
MW07 Plus shares the same basic look as its predecessor, with the same premium components. This includes durable handcrafted opalescent/pearlescent acetate, 10mm beryllium drives, and polished stainless steel. The internal batteries last approximately 10 hours, with another 30 hours available in the charging case.
The charging case is straight up stainless steel, and it's gorgeous, although you're absolutely going to get fingerprints on it. It quick charges from 0 to 50% in 15 minutes, taking 40 minutes to get a full 100% charge.
The included silicone rings come in 3 sizes to fit any size/style ears, and they fit beautifully when fit right. Each earbud includes two microphones, for a total of four mics, which really increases the sound quality on both sides of the call.
MW07 Plus has Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC and aptX codecs at a distance of up to 100 ft (300 m) with an IPX5 water-resistance rating.
MW07 Plus Features and Design
The electronics in MW07 Plus are hidden behind a premium opalescent/pearlescent cover that's available in four different colors. I have the pearl blue, but the company also provided the other color options so I could see them all.
M&W included two listening modes - ANC and ambient listening. With ANC active, outside sounds are noticeably muted. I wore them out on the streets to get really loud traffic and see the full effects. While I could still hear cars and trucks breezing by, the music easily drowned it out. Honestly, it was louder and clearer than the factory sound system in my 2011 Ford Fusion.
With ambient listening turned on, outside sounds are able to leak into your music. Sound quality was still great, although I was a lot more aware of the outside noise.
Because there are dual mics built into each earbud, you can use them independently if you choose. Sound quality is great, and I was easily able to use Google Assistant while walking down the street, even walking right next to traffic.
My favorite part of Master & Dynamic as a brand is their dedication to natural sounds that are as much dependent on quality components as software support. It's a sound that audiophiles will definitely notice but anyone can really appreciate.
Some reviewers aren't happy with the design, but I'm ecstatic for people to see earbuds in my ear if it means I can use them all day without the need for a charge. In fact, you'll only need to charge the case itself once a week or so with daily usage. Of course, earbuds are secondary to over-ear headphones for me, which I'll always prefer unless working out.
Putting MW07 Plus to the Test
I put together a varied playlist to really put MW07 Plus to the test. First on deck was the bass-heavy "Suge (Yea Yea)" by summer 2019's breakout star Dababy. MW07 handled the heavy bass lines and baritone voice perfectly.
Next, I moved on to The White Stripes "Icky Thump," where Jack White's high-pitched vocals and screaching guitar solos were perfectly presented. I was impressed by this point, but had to try one more song before I was convinced and could move on to a new playlist.
The final song was a live version of Adele "Someone Like You" that I needed to hear to know for sure it could capture the beauty of her voice. Halfway through the song, I realized MW07 Plus was the best-sounding earbuds I've tested so far.
Final Thoughts
Master & Dynamic's MW07 Plus is an upgrade to last year's impressive earbuds. It adds more battery power while upgrading water-proofing, Bluetooth connectivity, and audio codec support. The design remains the same, to the chagrin of those seeking an invisible earbud, but I found it to be worth the premium moniker.
When it comes to sound, both the ANC and ambient modes have amazing sound that handled the deepest bass and high-pitched trebles I threw at it. Despite the large size, these earbuds never felt heavy nor made my ears any sorer than typical earbuds. However, the high price point puts these out of the reach of your average consumer.
If you can afford them, Master & Dynamic's MW07 Plus is an excellent pair of earbuds.
Final Grade: A
Originally published at http://thoughtforyourpenny.com/technology/master-dynamic-mw07-plus-wireless-buds-outshine-airpods-pro-but-cost-more/