Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport Active Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earphones

Almost 2 years ago, I covered two new remarkable Master & Dynamic (M&D) True Wireless earphone models, the MW07 PLUS ($299, now $249) and GO ($199). 

The PLUS introduced active noise cancelling (ANC) and the GO—smaller and lighter—was for more rugged use outdoors, sports, and on the go; the GO has been my favorite earphone for some time. Now, very recently, M&D has released two new models: MW08 ($299), MW08 SPORT ($349). I review here the higher-level SPORT, which I would summarize as a super modernized GO: it encompasses all the best features of both the MW07 models but does so using newer technology, and adds in cool new features to boot. It accomplishes all this while retaining a small size and weight—the GO brought to perfection?

The review pair I received was a strikingly beautiful Silver Sapphire Glass (see Master & Dynamic model sporting the colour below); other available colours (all Sapphire Glass) are Blue, Green (cover photo above) and Black. The sapphire glass is shatter proof and the pair comes in a new nifty, ‘Black Kevlar’ (durable lightweight fiber) charging case endowed with a IPX4 water resistance rating. The SPORT earphones themself have a IPX5 water resistance rating; running in rain is no problem—tropical depression Henri is affecting us in NYC as I write.

Beautifully packaged and presented (as is consistent with M&D), the box in which it comes also contains an assortment of various sized silicone ear tips, as well as some memory foam ear tips that expand in your ear to seal (better for sports); try them out, a bit tricky at first trying to swap out, but once you get the hang of it, well worth it. A USB-C charging cord is also provided (for the charging case) as is a USB-C to USB adaptor if one needs it. 

Also in the shipment with the earphones came the new Master & Dynamic optional MC100 wireless charge pad ($69, 10W output): Connect the small black circular pad (3.5” in diameter) via USB-C to a power supply and one can place a charging case on top of the pad to charge it whenever needed. Very clever—and it is attractive, too. (It also comes in silver grey.) It is to be used primarily with the MW08 SPORT model (the only M&D model it works with), but can even charge an iPhone version 8 or higher. Now, that is something. I used it to charge both the SPORT and my iPhone and can attest that it works very well; my iPhone is sitting atop it now as I write.

What is new in the MW08 SPORT compared to the MW07 GO?

A great deal it turns out. Above all the MW08 SPORT comes with active noise cancellation (ANC) and 2 ambient listening modes—awareness/voice—(versus none of this on the GO). Then, in addition to the Black Kevlar charging case, shatter-proof sapphire glass, and the ability to charge wirelessly, the MW08 SPORT comes with 11mm Beryllium drivers (versus 10mm), 3 microphones per earphone for talking on your smart phone with either L or R alone in a wind-reducing design, external aluminum antennas, Bluetooth 5.2 (versus 5.0), up to 42 hours total playing time when using a fully charged case (versus 22). Moreover, by using the new M&D Connect mobile app (free download on the App Store, Google Play Store), one can adjust settings, change default preferences, access product support, and download updates for the SPORT all from your mobile device. Finally, they each weigh only about 1g more than the GO. My goodness, what more can one ask for. 

Note: The regular MW08 (at $50 less), very worthy of consideration, does include much of this technology, but uses different materials such as ceramic instead of sapphire glass, and heavier but classy-looking stainless steel for the charging case. Also, the MW08 cannot be charged wirelessly with the new charge pad.

Setup

For reviewing, I decided to only use the new M&D Connect app with my iPhone, streaming Qobuz via Bluetooth. I found it so easy to use with the app, I became addicted right away.

I first paired the SPORT with my iPhone. Bluetooth found the SPORT as M&D MW08S. Then, I downloaded the M&D Connect app onto the iPhone. It immediately recognized the SPORT, asked if I wished to connect (yes) after which it checked and confirmed the SPORT firmware was up to date (it listed it too; V4.3.5 in my case). If not up to date, it will install the newest version for you. 

From there you are up and running: It displays the battery level. You can engage some settings under the heading `WORLD VOLUME’ including on/off for ANC and ambience. If you choose the ANC on, for example, when music is playing, then the music stops briefly and a voice tells you ‘noise cancelling turned on’. ANC has two modes to choose from: MAX ANC (for airplanes and other noisy environments) and ALL DAY ANC (for less noisy environments). If you choose AMBIENT then you can choose further from VOICE (provides improved awareness of conversations around you) or AWARENESS (provides improved awareness of your surroundings). You can even set a timer (30MIN, 1HR, 3HRS, NEVER) under ‘AUTO-OFF TIMER’ which causes the SPORT to go into sleep mode (to save energy) if no music is playing. 

As for music, I listened to some new releases such as Lorde, Solar Power. Peaceful and gentle, with tracks such as ‘Stoned at the Hair Salon’, it is less electro-poppy and boomy as compared to some of her previous albums; I took a liking to it. Even here one can appreciate the 11mm drivers with the clarity, bass and warmth they offer. Another I checked out was the first set of the newly released (Blue Note Records) Lee Morgan The Complete Live at the Lighthouse with saxophonist Bennie Maupin, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Jymie Merritt, and drummer Mickey Roker recorded in 1970. Because the presence of Bennie Maupin reminded me of the track ‘Escondido’ from The Bennie Maupin Quartet, Early Reflections, (2008), I played that as well; Maupin’s mesmerizing bass clarinet sounds incredible—even from earphones.

Summary

Once again Master & Dynamic dazzles with gorgeous looks, clever use of evolving technology, fine sound, and a keen eye on style and fashion. If you are looking for a new set of wireless earphones that does it all, look no further. And the price is right.

Further information: Master & Dynamic