MW07: High-quality true wireless earphones with minor flaws
6.12.2018
Translation: machine translated
True wireless earphones are becoming increasingly popular. Master & Dynamic is now also getting in on the act. With the MW07, the manufacturer from New York delivers solid design earphones, but they do have a few weaknesses.
Wow, they're so comfortable, I think as I twist the MW07s into my ears for the first time. They feel really cosy. I wonder what the sound quality is like? I listen to "Stepping Stone" by Eminem. Earphones usually have a tendency to focus on the bass to cover up weaknesses in the mids. And "Stepping Stone" is very bass-heavy.
The listeners really do deliver a powerful punch. I find the sound a bit muffled from the factory. I have to use my equaliser app to take out the bass a little. I quite like the sound this way. I can now hear Eminem's melody and voice better.
New York headphone manufacturer
Master & Dynamic doesn't mean anything to you? Neither did I - until I held the MW07 in my hands. But now the New Yorkers are definitely on my radar. Jonathan Levine founded the company in 2014. He was inspired by his sons' audio equipment and wanted to develop a product that was iconic, durable and timeless. The various earphones from Master & Dynamic are a mix of retro and contemporary design. Just like the MW07.
What's there for the money?
At just under 320 francs, the earphones from Master & Dynamic are in the upper price range for true wireless headphones. In terms of hardware, however, you get a lot for it. On the one hand, there are the earphones with 10 mm beryllium drivers and an acetate housing. This material is often used for spectacle frames and is very light. There is also a steel charging box, a bag for the charging box, five silicone ear tips and two silicone wings. This allows the earphones to be customised.
The charging box has a USB-C port, which is ideal in terms of compatibility with other mobile devices. Unlike the competition, you charge the earbuds not just twice, but three times with a full charging box. The fully charged earbuds are supposed to last up to 3.5 hours, giving you a total of 14 hours of runtime. I never reached this value in my test. After a maximum of 2.5 hours, I had to charge the earphones in the box again. But the case charges quickly. After a quarter of an hour it was already at 50 per cent and after about 40 minutes at 100 per cent. The earphones are also charged quickly in the box, after about a quarter of an hour you have battery for an hour.
Master & Dynamic relies on Bluetooth 4.2 and aptX for connectivity. Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) is used between the earphones. This transmission technology consumes little power and does not interfere with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Of course, a microphone is also included for communication.
The IPX4-certified - i.e. splash-proof - MW07s are available from digitec in three different colours. In addition to my test earphones in Steel Blue, they are also available in Grey Terrazzo and Tortoiseshell.
Continue with some music
Now that I know that I need an equaliser for my taste, I listen to some more music. Since I noticed the bass was a bit negative right at the beginning, I choose a song that thrives on low frequencies. "Paper Trails" by Darkside puts a lot of strain on the drivers in the low frequencies, while they also have a lot to do in the mids.
With factory settings, the drivers overload and cannot produce a clear sound image. The bass is not nuanced enough for me and the mids don't really come into their own. That's why I try the equaliser. If I reduce the bass a little, the picture suddenly changes. The subtle differences in the bass are now audible and the mids also come into their own.
Efficient buttons
You control the MW07 using buttons on the top of the housing. The left earbud has two buttons for adjusting the volume and the right earbud has a button for play/pause and skip forward/backward.
The operation works very well. I can usually find the buttons straight away and they respond reliably.
Wobbly connection
In contrast to the buttons, the connection did not work properly. Of course, I also tested the earphones during sports. During street workouts, I always leave my smartphone in my sports bag on the edge of the equipment. I never move more than five metres away. However, I already have interruptions in the connection from three metres away. At least the earbuds are bombproof - even when you're sweating.
I also have - albeit few - interruptions in the connection between the left and right earpiece. It only happened about ten times in the two weeks I tested the earbuds, but it was still annoying.
In contrast to the connection, the fit of the earphones is anything but wobbly. Even when running or exercising upside down, the MW07s sit bombproof.
Some Netflix and audiobooks for in between
The MW07s do not have active noise cancelling. Nevertheless, they do provide some insulation thanks to the snug fit and silicone earplugs. I only miss ACN in very loud places. Anyone who has read my review of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless will know that I listen to "The Expanse" book series as an audio book. I have now reached book 4 "Cibola Burn". The quality of the voices is very good and I can concentrate on the text even in a noisy train compartment.
When watching Netflix, the audio signal is played back with a very short delay. I have to concentrate hard to notice it. But it's not noticeable when watching normally. If you watch synchronised versions, you will notice the delay even less.
Music for the third
The MK07s impress with a bright sound in the mid-range. However, as already mentioned, you have to use an equaliser to take out the bass a little to enjoy this. With "3030" from Deltron 3030, not all instruments are always clearly recognisable. However, this is logical with such small drivers and other earphones such as the Momentrum True Wireless from Sennheiser also struggle with this. After all, a single driver is responsible for mids, lows and highs here. However, I am complaining at a high level for true wireless earphones.
The highs are also harmonious. With bad headphones, Radiohead's "The National Anthem" makes my ears hurt. That's not the case at all with the MW07. I can listen to the song without any problems.
Expensive, but good
Hardware components are of high quality. However, Master & Dynamic saves a little on the functions. ACN and a smartphone app are missing. AptX is sufficient as a transmission standard, but I would have preferred aptX HD for the price. The standard would also do more justice to the built-in hardware.
You have to make allowances for the battery life. Only 2.5 hours instead of the promised 3.5 hours is simply not enough. Sure, you rarely wear in-ears for more than two hours at a time and then you can put them in the box to charge. But the difference in reality and on paper is simply too high at just under 30 per cent less.
Other than that, there's nothing to criticise. With a little fine-tuning, the earphones do the most important thing - play music harmoniously. If you're a bass fan, the sound will also convince you from the factory. I've never worn such comfortable in-ears. If it weren't for the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless, the MW07 would be at the top of my wish list for true wireless earphones. If you can live with the few compromises and like the design, you should take a closer look at these earphones. <p
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
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