The luxury New York brand Master & Dynamic launches its new high-end headphones. The MW75 provides high performance, at a really high price.
What ? Numerama is still testing an overpriced helmet? After Apple and its AirPods Max at €629 (on the multinational’s website, it’s cheaper elsewhere), Master & Dynamic is launching the MW75 at €599. The New York brand, known for its well-designed accessories, once again dares the luxury product in a market where competition is fierce.
The MW75 is the successor to the MW65, a wireless headset with noise reduction which was already expensive at the time of its launch (499 €). For 100 € more, Master & Dynamic goes even further in the search for style, while continuing to perfect what you buy headphones for: the sound, exceptional here.
A real Smart Case
Colors
The MW65 is available in four finishes: black metal/black leather, steel grey/black leather, silver metal/brown leather and silver metal/grey leather.
Rarely have I had in my hands — and ears — headphones as beautiful as the MW75 from Master & Dynamic (the products of Bang & Olufsen compete, among those I tested). The American company has made design a priority, and its premium helmet perfectly materializes this focus on aesthetic virtues. When Apple opts for AirPods Max with a very differentiated look, when Sony bets on recycled plastic for its latest born (the WH-1000XM5), Master & Dynamic chooses nobility — and nothing else. Therefore, its MW75 imposes, not only by its size. It is a real fashion accessory.
A real fashion accessory
You could almost link the MW75 to the world of haute couture. The materials attest to this: delicate lambskin (which does not mark) dresses an anodized aluminum structure, while two tempered glass discs shine the outer part of the two earpieces (watch out for fingerprints). Everything is delicately assembled, with flawless finishes. It would almost be art at this level. The MW65, its predecessor, was already a beautiful object. Here we go up a notch. Master & Dynamic is so proud of the result that he doesn’t dare impose the letters ‘R’ and ‘L’ symbolizing the two sides. To find the direction, rely on the hoop which must extend towards the back.
The MW75 comes with a series of accessories and, above all, a very well-designed hard shell. In addition to protecting the helmet very well, it has different slots to accommodate said accessories. For example, theUSB-C adapter to USB will fit into a slot provided for this purpose, while the cables wrap around a round protrusion. It’s pretty clever and makes it a real Smart Case, unlike the one provided by Apple with its AirPods Max.
Simple d’utilisation
To use the MW75 to its maximum potential, it is necessary to download the M&D Connect application — available on iOS and Android and with which the MW65 (a defect that we had noted in our test). In addition to the headphone fitting, it gives access to a few additional features – including more modes related to active noise reduction (not to mention firmware updates).
Master & Dynamic did not want to transform the two tempered glass discs into surfaces for touch controls (probably to avoid fingerprints). The MW75 then relies on – small – physical buttons: power and noise reduction control on the left, volume and multifunction on the right. They are located on the outermost part, which makes them relatively accessible.
The multifunction button allows a few non-customizable shortcuts: one click to manage playback (or accept a call), two clicks to skip to the next song, three clicks to go back and a long press to activate the voice assistant. It’s damn simple, no frills. Moreover, in the application with its very modern and refined interface, you can play with very few parameters. Note that the MW75 is equipped with a sensor that allows it to shut off when it is removed – and to restart playback when it is put back quickly.
A well-distributed (heavy) weight
With 338 grams on the scale, the MW75 is not the lightest helmet on the market – which does not mean that it is the least comfortable. Master & Dynamic manages to find the right balance, so that the weight is ideally distributed (as is the case, too, for the AirPods Max). The MW75 owes a lot to its memory foam earpads, despite their tendency to enclose the ear in a very tight fashion (some body types may not be suitable). Moreover, if the padding of the headband is not very thick, it manages not to press too much on the top of the skull. A great point.
A wonderful sound signature
When a helmet is sold for €600, it must be irreproachable in terms of its acoustic performance. With the other products in its catalog, Master & Dynamic quickly proved that it knew how to do it. And we are delighted that this observation also applies to the MW75. It relies on a very delicate sound signature, deliberately abandoning the emphasis on the bass to go further in the mids and, above all, in the treble. The result is a precise rendering, hitting everything it takes and steeped in detail. I rediscovered several tracks with the MW75, which provides depth in the field, with a clear breakdown of the different registers and a listening quality that is both rewarding and relaxing. As a bonus, it proves to be a welcome versatility. Musically speaking, his qualities are therefore immense.
At worst, you can always add extra bass to it with one of the four presets available in the app. Purists will certainly wink at the lack of a full EQ. But Master & Dynamic, in addition to being proud of the default musical performances, favors ergonomics. In any case, you can select the following sound profiles: Bass Boost (our choice, since the gain is not artificial), Bass Cut (even less bass), Podcast (emphasis on voices) and Audiophile (emphasis on highs and medium frequencies).
What about active noise reduction? First point to note: it still produces a slight hiss in the ear when no music is played, a sign that the technology is not 100% mastered. After this small inconvenience, it must be recognized that it does a good job of attenuation with the ANC at MAX option, recommended for the noisiest environments (the adaptive mode is less relevant). Thanks to it, you will no longer hear the noise produced by your keyboard in an open space, or the most distant discussions (nearby, the voices will not really be covered if you are not listening to anything else). For a total silence, it will be necessary to privilege the competition. Otherwise, the transparency mode is efficient, with a natural treatment. Two options are offered – Voice or Awareness – and the difference is hardly noticeable.
Increased autonomy
The autonomy varies between 28 and 32 hours, depending on how the headphones are used (with or without active noise reduction). This is an increase in data compared to the MW65, which cut off after 24 hours. On the other hand, the MW75 takes longer to refuel: count 1h40 to fill the battery, against an hour before.
The verdict
We liked
- Very nice luxurious design
- What sound reproduction!
- The cover, really smart
We liked less
- 599 €
- Noise reduction not at the level of the best
- Lack of customization
€599 for headphones? The market is thus made, and Apple did not wait for Master & Dynamic to offer an expensive product. If we stop at the price criterion, yes, the MW75 is very or even too expensive. Does he have the qualities to justify such a price? It’s a big yes for the ultra-beautiful design, the finishes, the materials chosen (leather, glass, metal), the breathtaking acoustic qualities, the really well thought-out cover and the overall user experience.
On the other hand, the MW75 has difficulty supporting the comparison on the active noise reduction, which must be of excellent quality at this price (this is the case for the AirPods Max). It also lacks the Apple ecosystem, the other strong argument in favor of the AirPods Max. In short, the MW75 is aimed at wealthy people who are not afraid to put a few tens of euros more to acquire a beautiful object. The others will set their sights on a more affordable competitor.
Great and fair review! I own the Apple AirPods Max, but I am very interested in the the M&D MW75.