PSB Speakers M4U 8 MKII Wireless ANC Headphones
In this rapidly changing audio world, in the blink of an eye, you can miss out on new components that are sometimes original, sometimes aesthetically pleasing, or an upgraded version from a previous model. This last point serves as a good measure of how the new component can handle itself, a “born-again audio component” let's call it. And we have just this resurrection with the PBS brand and their new headphones. Widely known for their high quality and beautifully designed speakers, their new version of their MKU8 headphones, the M4U 8 MKII Wireless with Active Noise Cancellation (were $349, now $279 US) are making a statement with looks and technology.
I think it’s safe to say that wireless headphones (along with audio cables) are some of the most talked-about and highly debated in audio. Just recently, I was asking a friend what type of wireless cans he was using, and without missing a beat he said "I love my headphones, don’t you try to convince me otherwise, I’ll die defending these headphones, they’re with me every single day”. So yes, people get protective of their headphones. Why? As my friend said, they are a trusted partner, a comfortable and good-sounding set of headphones that stay with you for long hours, and appear as a balsam in your isolation, they heal you from the noise of the world.
There are many wireless cans to choose from, they range from $300-700 US, from big brands: Apple, Sony, Sennheiser, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, and even Focal is now into the wireless game, (the Bathys headphones, a premium set of audiophile-headphones) and the list goes on.
Headphones are my favourite audio component to own and to review, they are easy to handle, not very expensive, can have EQ (in apps), with dynamic sound, you can answer phone calls and you have the opportunity to have them with you all day. Technology is always on the move with headphones, newer versions of wireless earbuds and new models of over-the-head headphones are continually setting a higher bar for technology, battery life, noise cancelling (and passive mode analog possibility), microphones for phone calls, touch-sensitive controls and other in-app goodies.
Photo credit: Jesús González-Monreal
Specifications
Frequency Response
Within ±1 1/2dB: 20 - 20,000Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion
ANC: ON (1kHz/1mW)
0.5%
ANC: OFF (1kHz/1mW)
0.25%
Power Handling
30 mW
Impedance
32 Ohms
Transducer
Closed Dynamic 40mm
Connectivity
3.5mm, stereo Jack (Left or Right).
Bluetooth aptX® HD, AAC
USB-C
Battery Life
Wireless Mode 25 hrs.
ANC Mode 18 hrs.
Dimensions W-H-D
Overall: 200 x 200 x 70mm (7 7/8 x 7 7/8 x 2 7/8”)
Travel case: 160 x 210 x 86mm (6 3/8 x 8 3/8 x 3 1/2”)
Ear Cushion Outside
68 x 98 x 17mm (2 3/4 x 3 7/8 x 3/4”)
Weight
12oz (342g) with cable.
Shipping weight: 2.49kg (5.5 lbs)
Finish
Espresso Brown or Jet Black
Photo credit: Jesús González-Monreal
Presentation
The MKII comes in a nice looking and big foldable blue box, on one side you have the accessories (charger, 3.5mm cable for an added experience, 1/4 stereo adapter, airplane adaptor, USB-C cable), and on the other side the headphones, in a small and hard-shell carrying-case, with a clip and cleaning cloth inside. I think this is the best carry-case I’ve seen, and since the MKII is fully foldable and collapsible, it’s a small travel case. The ones I received are a cool Espresso Brown colour. These are some of the coolest-looking wireless cans I’ve tried. With a 40mm closed dynamic transducer, circumaural ear coupling, leatherette ear pads, ABS and polycarbonate driver enclosure, and spring steel headband they look the part.
There’s a sense of two worlds connecting in these cans, the buttons are easy to find and are all on the right cup (volume, ANC/On/Off, skip track), for the analog listener that’s a good design, easy and to the point.
Comfort
These are comfortable headphones, they cover my ears completely and they do not get warm or sweaty. I could wear them for two to four hours without discomfort, after that, the clamp force became a bit tiring. Hats off to the design of the headband (mostly missed by other companies but salient in my view), which was a perfect fit, force on top of my thin-hair layered head was comfortable, heavily padded, and good looking as well with fine stitching at the top. As far as sound the ear pads do a great job at isolating, but I’ll have more to say on these later. PSB describes the “Gyro-suspended ear pads, tilted at an ideal 15 degrees, offer ergonomic support, while the expandable headband adjusts for a customized fit. Super-soft ear pads, available in fabric and leatherette, create a secure seal for undisturbed sound”
Photo credit: PSB Speakers
The PSB MKII Sound and Technology
My favourite feature lies in the PSB app. New technology has the potential to bring another level of sophistication to gear, I’ve started to see taking shape with other wireless cans, a more personal way to experience music, your sound. In the app, you have the option of the normal factory tuning setup, but in addition, you have several personal signature tunings for your ears. Easy and fast measurements are done through the app which is fairly easy to use. The headphones produce several ringtones on each ear that you have to identify and register if you heard them, and after a few minutes, this new tech gives you the most advanced adapted sound signature for your ears.
PSB comments: “Audiodo Personal Sound™ measures your distinct hearing abilities, compensating for hearing damage, physiological differences, or psychoacoustic perceptions. The efficient Audiodo hearing calibration within the dedicated PSB Headphones app generates an incredibly accurate model of your hearing, unveiling PSB's genuine sound with the highest quality”
I also tried phone calls with the MKII and the microphones were just adequate, when asked on some calls to the other person on the line, they’d say that my voice sounded a bit muffled; however, the listening experience was good.
Having laid out the very good sound for the price, a great app, and technology, that they are easy on the eyes, I do have a big complaint, and I hope this was just my pair of MKII, but there’s an issue with a sound in the ear cups when you move your head, a mechanical issue. It appears that the Gyro-suspended ear pads give the headphones a lot of flexibility but with the caveat of hearing a chirping-like sound when you move your head, that to my obsessiveness I could not disconnect from. I hope this was only on my set because this was very frustrating at times.
Photo credit: Jesús González-Monreal
Listening Experience
I tried these cans in analog mode with several amps like the Ifi’s Gryphon XDSD and the HipDac2, with the iBasso DC03 dongle, and lastly with the HiBy FC3 DAC HiFi amp. The sources were an iPhone 14 Pro Max, a MacBook Air (2022, M2), and the Sony DAP NW-A306. The use of MKII was heavily used in passive mode, which brings out more of them, the versatility, and the comparison of DACs just fuel the excitement of headphones. As far as streaming services: Apple Music, Qobuz, Tidal, and Roon.
The original sound signature from the cans is neutral, with good low-bass extension and clear sound. No harsh brightness, which is my usual complaint with new wireless cans. Fine musicality in the mids and vocals does not take center stage, but you have a good separation of instruments (a stereo feel) and a good overall soundstage.
I agree with how PSB describes their headphones' sound: “PSB’s RoomFeel technology sets the M4U 8 MKII apart. Developed with decades of acoustic design knowledge, RoomFeel mimics the warmth and energy added by a room when listening to high-quality loudspeakers. This innovation ensures the M4U 8 MKII delivers clear, natural sound akin to a live performance”
On Antiphone Blues from saxophonist and clarinetist Arne Domnérus and conductor Gustaf Sjokvist, the MKII delivers a fine sound immersion—such an amazing recording with a film-score style of composition, and the MKII flows effortlessly. The same result with the classic album from the Ben Webster Quintet and their album Soulville. There was a silky quality to some recordings from these cans, in remastered albums with the 3.5mm cable, you can listen for hours and the MKII doesn’t get in the way. Daniel Trifonov and Sergei Babayan's new recording Rachmaninoff for Two was engaging with a sensitive quality to the sound, with a neutral delivery from the MKII that was thoroughly enjoyable.
The M4U 8 MKII, may not blow out the competition like other high-end headphones, for example, my go-to wireless cans, the Mark Levinson 5909 ($999) are pristine sounding in their “Harman curve tuning”. Compared to other audiophile-level headphones like the Bathys ($799), the Focal cans deliver a wider soundstage and separation. However, when I compared them to the Sony WH1000XM5 ($399), I found the low bass presentation and clear sound of the MKII far better. Also, as I write right now, I have them plugged in via the 3.5mm cable to my Macbook laptop and Roon, and they sound fantastic, a much better sound wired, and yes, that’s no surprise, but to still have this option is great.
Conclusion
Besides the ear-pad sound I described, that could just be a flawed pair of headphones, and taking into account my obsessiveness with sound quality, I can safely say these are the best-sounding wireless headphones for USD 279 (especially with the 3.5mm cable and the versatility it brings). I say try them and listen to them. You can’t beat them at this price.
