Oct 22

Oct 22 Master & Dynamic MW07 True Wireless Earphones: The new GO and PLUS models

About one year ago, New York City based Master & Dynamic debuted the terrific and classy MW07 True Wireless Earphones at $299.

On October 17th, 2019, Master & Dynamic introduced two new versions of the MW07 to replace the original, and I report upon these here: the MW07 True Wireless Go ($199) and the MW07 True Wireless PLUS ($299) pictured above. I am grateful to Jonathan Levine (CEO of Master & Dynamic) and his team for alerting me of this new development and sending me review samples.

Although both new models use the same superb custom 10 mm Beryllium drivers, both have significant advantages over the original. For example, both now utilize Bluetooth 5.0 (and support both aptX and SBC) as opposed to Bluetooth 4.2 and now with a connectivity range of 30+ meters up from 20, both pack longer battery life, both charge faster, and both have a higher water resistance level. But there are differences between the two that depend on one’s needs or lifestyle. Think of the GO as a more rustic, smaller and lighter version of the MW07 meant for sports in particular (jogging, biking, going to the gym, etc.), and think of the PLUS as a premium, luxury version.

The GO utilizes a significantly smaller/lighter cool and casual-looking knit fabric charging case, and the earphones (smaller and lighter also) are built from TR90, a composite material used in sports sunglasses. Moreover, while the original MW07 were IPX 4 water resistant, the GO are IPX 6, making them essentially weather proof and sweat resistant. The GO offers 22 hours of playtime (its own 10 hours plus 12 additional from the charging case) as compared to the original MW07’s 14 hours. My review sample of the GO was in Fire Red, but they are also offered in three other solid colors (electric blue, jet black, stone grey).

The PLUS retains the heavier/sturdier gorgeous shiny stainless steel charging case, the beautiful handcrafted acetate body, is closer to the size and weight of the original MW07, but now offers 40 hours of playtime, close to 3 times the original! (Its own 10 hours plus 3 additional charges from the case of 10 each.) But there is a lot more that is new: a Feedforward active noise cancellation can be engaged, and an ambient listening mode can be turned on when (say) out jogging or walking about where there are lots of cars and other dangers lurking that you need to be able to hear. Also new is the ability to use either Right (R) or Left (L) alone for listening and talking on the phone; the original model only allows R for this purpose (and so does the GO). To use this, all you do is accept a phone call on your phone with either earphone in your ear (or both), and then (on an iPhone for example) select under audio the PLUS as the option. I had a family member call me several times to check this out. The quality of talking on a smart phone or computer has been significantly improved by newer technology and utilizes 4 microphones—2 beamforming mic arrays in each—as opposed to 1 omni-directional mic in the original R. (The GO also has 2 beamforming mic arrays, but only in the R) Finally, the PLUS has IPX 5 water resistance—one notch less than the GO, but still higher than the original.

My PLUS review sample was in a very elegant black quartz, and the famous basketball player Kevin Durant—a collaborator with Master & Dynamic—was named on the box, but they are also offered in three other colors (white marble, tortoiseshell, and steel blue) at the same $299 price. According to Levine the black quartz decor, however, is a special one:

The special edition Black Quartz MW07 PLUS True Wireless earphones are designed in collaboration with Studio 35. Born of a love for music, design, performance, and discovery, Studio 35 reflects the passion that Kevin Durant brings to all aspects of his professional and personal life.

As a final note: The total weight of the GO in its case is about half that of the PLUS (roughly 50gm versus 100gm), and smaller, too; that is an impressive difference. I also found that as for sound quality, the GO and PLUS were close, with a slight edge in the PLUS’s favor for richness and detail. Just like I had said in my original MW07 review, ‘I found them well-balanced with no booming bass or screeching/edgy highs. Instead a full, articulate, clean and inviting warm sound.’ And we are talking Bluetooth here after all. As I write, I am streaming All Shall Not Die - Haydn String Quartets, Quatuor Hanson, Released by Apart in October, 2019 as a 24/96 PCM file on Qobuz—from my iPhone. I can hear individual musicians breathing on both the GO and the PLUS. I am amazed.

Pairing the GO and PLUS for Bluetooth use

The GO works the same as the original; your Bluetooth player (iPhone or computer, for example) will offer you to pair ‘M&D MW07 GO’, and once paired you are up and running. The PLUS is a dash different: Both a ‘M&D MW07 PLUS L’ and ‘M&D MW07 PLUS R’ are offered; you should only choose the R.

Using noise cancellation and ambient listening on the PLUS

During this review, I mainly used Qobuz and Tidal streaming (CD quality) on both my iPhone and MacBook Air, and some stored files on my MacBook air. (The MacBook Air uses the aptX Codec; iPhones can't; thus SBC is used.)

Conveniently, when I was pondering how to test the noise cancelling (NC) mode, my washing machine started its spinning cycle with such an irritating loudness that usually causes me to shut the door of the room it is in. I kept it open and turned on the NC. Holding the volume (-) button down on the L earphone, yields a voice from the L announcing, ‘noise cancelling on’; holding it down again yields, ‘noise cancelling off’. Although nowhere near as effective as the top-notch Master & Dynamic MW65 over ear headphones active cancellation, they did a decent job that is unexpected in earphones. I also tried NC to help cut out background music playing on my home audio system—with the same positive result.

To test the ambient listening, I walked back home during morning rush hour here in New York City, up Broadway, using the PLUS (with iPhone) after dropping off one of my daughters to school (about 1.5 miles). Holding the volume (+) button down on the L earphone, yields a voice from the L announcing, ‘ambient listening on’; holding it down again yields, ‘ambient listening off’. I began by challenging the PLUS by streaming the album Give by Balkan Beat Box. Trust me: if you play this track at high volume (with any headphones) while walking down a busy Manhattan street, you are taking your life into your own hands. I lowered the volume to assess how the ambient listening worked. The general stream of cars with the noise they make when passing by on roads, cars honking horns, buses idling at a corner, ambulances, and even barking dogs all were much more evident with the ambient listening engaged. The most evident was that sound of cars, even individual ones. I found that the best way to test the efficacy of this was with music off; just keep the PLUS in as ear plugs and do some testing. At first I thought it was the sound of wind, but then by taking the buds off, I realized I was hearing the natural sound of cars passing by. Very nice. These are new and welcome cutting edge features for ear buds, particularly for a city dweller as I.

Jogging

I went on two 4 mile runs in Riverside Park along the Hudson River one day after the other to check out both models using my iPhone (kept inside a running belt) and listening to music. The weather was not optimal for serious `sweat' testing on the first run (the high heat and humidity of July and August were long gone, and it was a bright blue sky in the 70s F), but it was still warm enough to get a general sense of how well the PLUS work. I was very satisfied with the run. I did not need the ambient listening mode since I was deep in the park away from traffic and other dangers but occasionally turned it on just to check. At one point when off, I began to hear an odd chuffing sound from above. When I turned on the ambient listening mode, it was then obvious what it was: a helicopter hovering about.

I also received some phone calls while on the run (I heard ringing through the earphones). That all worked fine too. After hanging up on the phone; the music would come back into play.

On the second run it was raining, hence perfect for checking out the GO, and due to the very light and small carrying case, I brought that along as well (inside the running belt). Both the GO and I got sufficiently soaked to determine that it had no effect on listening to music. Nice.

The GO's smaller size also made for a slightly tighter fit for running.

Summary

Each of the GO and PLUS upgrades to the original Master & Dynamic MW07 True Wireless Earphones offer significant and impressive improvements to the original. If you really want to be ‘on the go’ so to speak, the GO model might be perfect for you—and it is $100 cheaper than the PLUS—go for it. If you can afford the extra $100, then splurge and get the PLUS with its very useful new features; I am already addicted. I don’t usually think of giving an Audiophilia Star Component Award to earbuds; but the GO and PLUS deserve it, so I hereby do so. They are cutting edge with class, beauty, creativity and refinement. Highly recommended.