Master & Dynamic MW08 true wireless earbuds review: impressing in every way
The MW08 true wireless earbuds are here, and they excel in every metric, from its impressive 12-hour battery life to its custom 11mm drivers, to its hybrid active noise cancellation.
Master & Dynamic MW08
The MW07 was partially replaced by the MW07 Plus, which made some fairly small improvements but kept many aspects the same. It technically offered active noise cancelation, but it was weak and not very effective, but otherwise was a minor evolution.
MW08, on the other hand, takes a decisive step forward and is nearly the perfect set of true wireless earbuds.
Master & Dynamic MW08 on their canvas bag
Replacing the hand-polished acetate is an all-new ceramic case. Apple fans will likely be familiar with Apple's limited use of ceramic on the high-end Apple Watch Edition. The ceramic looks incredible and is polished to a shine with a simple "M" situated in the center.
We loved the acetate, but the ceramic looks even better and gives off an even more premium feel.
Master & Dynamic MW08 come in four colorwyas
The ceramic meets the aluminum body, which has a new bonded external antenna to improve signal strength and connectivity. These still have physical, tactile buttons on the top edge to control playback, answer calls, and adjust the volume.
Around the edge of each earbud is a new microphone array and grille. These contribute to wind-blocking, phone calls, and the hybrid ANC.
Master & Dynamic MW08 earbuds
Outside of the ceramic, most of the changes have come to the case. The original case design was flat and made of polished stainless steel. For the MW08, Master & Dynamic has once again utilized stainless steel but in new ways.
The case is now a vertical case, very similar to AirPods Pro. But, instead of being entirely rounded, the top and bottom are squared off to allow it to stand on its own. Since it is thinner and taller, it's also easier to open one-handed. This was a constant frustration with the earlier models, and we're delighted it's been improved.
Instead of just polished stainless steel, Master & Dynamic is now offering a matte black finish and a polished graphite grey. The matte black may be our favorite, but all of these look great.
A quick note on the steel case: One thing we heard quite a bit was some people's dismay at the stainless steel scratching so easily. Not only is this commonplace, but we'd say it is preferred. Polished stainless steel is very strong but quickly starts to show minor scratches with use.
If you've used a silver stainless steel Apple Watch or any watch made of steel you'll be familiar with how fast the steel can show wear. But there's nothing wrong with that. It's in line with other premium materials, like leather. As you use it, it develops a finish that is entirely unique to you and reflects its strong durability.
Master & Dynamic MW08 matte black case
At the same time, Master & Dynamic understands some may want to keep things as pristine as possible and includes a black canvas bag in the box if you'd prefer to keep your case further protected.
There are three status lights on the case, one in the center to represent the case's battery life and two on the sides to represent each earbud. Also included with the MW08 is a nylon-braided USB-C to USB-C cable and a metal USB-C to USB-A adapter.
We started streaming from our Apple Music testing playlist and very happy with the audio that pumped out. The soundstage was very large, and, coupled with the ANC, it was an immersive experience. Bass, in particular, was incredible at even 60 percent volume was thunderous and amazing. Listening to the pump-up song What's Up Danger, you could feel the bass resonate throughout.
Simultaneously, Baba O'Riley starts off super light and precise with no heaviness. Just a lot of detail in the instruments can be brought out. We could hear the drum kit coming in with some slight taps that we usually don't ever hear with run-of-the-mill earbuds.
Playing music on the Master & Dynamic MW08
Stripped down songs, such as the a cappella version of Tom's Diner, lets you hear every breath Suzanne Vega takes and even the very slightest bit of resonance in the recording studio when the singing ends.
Overall, they are a well-balanced set of earbuds, playing favorites with no specific music genre but fitting well with electronic dance, classic rock, instrumental, and more.
And yes -- they do sound better than Apple's AirPods Pro. But more on that coming in our dedicated comparison.
Another nice touch is that you can use both earbuds on their own. There will be a "master" earbud and a "slave" earbud with some cheaper earbuds where only the master can be used on its own. AirPods could always use either bud solo, and the MW08 works just the same. It's a small thing but something we do pretty often.
When used with supported devices, these support SBC, AAC, and aptX audio.
Call quality is quite good with the MW08, and we were able to take a phone call in the middle of a grocery store while wearing a mask with a filter, and the recipient could hear us just fine. Outside in moderate wind, calls were clear as well with no adverse effects.
Cumulatively, there are five total settings for ANC divided into distinct categories, all of which are controllable from within the app.
M&D Connect app settings
First, you can completely disable ANC. You don't have to use it at all. If you want it on, your next step up is ambient mode. Ambient allows you to have on "Voice" mode, which is tailored for conversations, or you can use "Awareness" mode, which highlights your surroundings as a whole. The former is great for in the office while the latter is better for walking down the street.
Then there's full ANC. To preserver battery life is the "All-Day ANC" setting, which lets you listen all day on a single charge, versus "Max ANC" which is the strongest possible noise canceling, perhaps for a loud environment or on a plane.
We didn't hop on a plane or a bus to test these out, but in our in-studio testing, we were beyond impressed with various noises played through our speaker array, especially after the poor ANC found on the MW07+.
It cut out nearly all external noise and had a great seal in our ears. Part of that seal is from the granular five sizes of ear tips that M&D includes. Most others have three sizes, but the additional sizes help get the absolute best fit possible.
We only heard the faintest bit of water sitting next to a babbling water display in our home. That is high praise for us as ANC usually does its best with uniform noise and hums, not fluctuating noises, as it isn't as easily able to counteract the noise with anti-noise.
Master & Dynamic MW08 and the app
The Bose earbuds may be slightly better with the ANC, but this is by far some of the best we've tried in a set of true wireless earbuds.
The app shows you the battery life, configure the auto-off sleep feature, and toggle the ear detection on or off.
After using the MW08 for a couple of weeks, we're still blown away by how impressive these are. Master & Dynamic has nailed nearly every aspect of these earbuds. The design is spectacular, the fit is precise, the ANC is industry-leading, the battery life is fantastic, and the audio is clear and powerful. There's nearly nothing to criticize about these in-ear drivers.
Master & Dynamic MW08 in their case
It's impressive how M&D was able to improve on the MW07+ in every single way. Battery, ANC, design, materials, audio quality are all notably better than the preceding version.
We use AirPods or AirPods Pro daily, but when it came to audio, they still lacked. We still turned to other headphones for actually listening to music versus YouTube videos and phone calls. The MW08 will now be our earbuds of choice for listening nine times out of ten.
If you want that premium audio experience and a product that just feels like a premium product, then we highly recommend checking out the MW08.
Pros
Master & Dynamic MW08
The MW07 was partially replaced by the MW07 Plus, which made some fairly small improvements but kept many aspects the same. It technically offered active noise cancelation, but it was weak and not very effective, but otherwise was a minor evolution.
MW08, on the other hand, takes a decisive step forward and is nearly the perfect set of true wireless earbuds.
An improved design
Much has changed with the MW08. Master & Dynamic kept the signature "D" shape to the outside of the earbuds, which is unlike any other earbuds.Master & Dynamic MW08 on their canvas bag
Replacing the hand-polished acetate is an all-new ceramic case. Apple fans will likely be familiar with Apple's limited use of ceramic on the high-end Apple Watch Edition. The ceramic looks incredible and is polished to a shine with a simple "M" situated in the center.
We loved the acetate, but the ceramic looks even better and gives off an even more premium feel.
Master & Dynamic MW08 come in four colorwyas
The ceramic meets the aluminum body, which has a new bonded external antenna to improve signal strength and connectivity. These still have physical, tactile buttons on the top edge to control playback, answer calls, and adjust the volume.
Around the edge of each earbud is a new microphone array and grille. These contribute to wind-blocking, phone calls, and the hybrid ANC.
Master & Dynamic MW08 earbuds
Outside of the ceramic, most of the changes have come to the case. The original case design was flat and made of polished stainless steel. For the MW08, Master & Dynamic has once again utilized stainless steel but in new ways.
The case is now a vertical case, very similar to AirPods Pro. But, instead of being entirely rounded, the top and bottom are squared off to allow it to stand on its own. Since it is thinner and taller, it's also easier to open one-handed. This was a constant frustration with the earlier models, and we're delighted it's been improved.
Instead of just polished stainless steel, Master & Dynamic is now offering a matte black finish and a polished graphite grey. The matte black may be our favorite, but all of these look great.
A quick note on the steel case: One thing we heard quite a bit was some people's dismay at the stainless steel scratching so easily. Not only is this commonplace, but we'd say it is preferred. Polished stainless steel is very strong but quickly starts to show minor scratches with use.
If you've used a silver stainless steel Apple Watch or any watch made of steel you'll be familiar with how fast the steel can show wear. But there's nothing wrong with that. It's in line with other premium materials, like leather. As you use it, it develops a finish that is entirely unique to you and reflects its strong durability.
Master & Dynamic MW08 matte black case
At the same time, Master & Dynamic understands some may want to keep things as pristine as possible and includes a black canvas bag in the box if you'd prefer to keep your case further protected.
There are three status lights on the case, one in the center to represent the case's battery life and two on the sides to represent each earbud. Also included with the MW08 is a nylon-braided USB-C to USB-C cable and a metal USB-C to USB-A adapter.
Audio quality
Audio is driven via custom 11mm beryllium drivers, 10 percent larger than the prior generation. This pays off with some incredible sound. We loved the sound of the MW07, and the MW07 Plus and the MW08 is even better.We started streaming from our Apple Music testing playlist and very happy with the audio that pumped out. The soundstage was very large, and, coupled with the ANC, it was an immersive experience. Bass, in particular, was incredible at even 60 percent volume was thunderous and amazing. Listening to the pump-up song What's Up Danger, you could feel the bass resonate throughout.
Simultaneously, Baba O'Riley starts off super light and precise with no heaviness. Just a lot of detail in the instruments can be brought out. We could hear the drum kit coming in with some slight taps that we usually don't ever hear with run-of-the-mill earbuds.
Playing music on the Master & Dynamic MW08
Stripped down songs, such as the a cappella version of Tom's Diner, lets you hear every breath Suzanne Vega takes and even the very slightest bit of resonance in the recording studio when the singing ends.
Overall, they are a well-balanced set of earbuds, playing favorites with no specific music genre but fitting well with electronic dance, classic rock, instrumental, and more.
And yes -- they do sound better than Apple's AirPods Pro. But more on that coming in our dedicated comparison.
Another nice touch is that you can use both earbuds on their own. There will be a "master" earbud and a "slave" earbud with some cheaper earbuds where only the master can be used on its own. AirPods could always use either bud solo, and the MW08 works just the same. It's a small thing but something we do pretty often.
When used with supported devices, these support SBC, AAC, and aptX audio.
Call quality is quite good with the MW08, and we were able to take a phone call in the middle of a grocery store while wearing a mask with a filter, and the recipient could hear us just fine. Outside in moderate wind, calls were clear as well with no adverse effects.
ANC
Nearly as crucial as audio quality is the ANC. With the MW08, the ANC is coupled with the new M&D Connet app, which is available as a free download from the App Store.Cumulatively, there are five total settings for ANC divided into distinct categories, all of which are controllable from within the app.
M&D Connect app settings
First, you can completely disable ANC. You don't have to use it at all. If you want it on, your next step up is ambient mode. Ambient allows you to have on "Voice" mode, which is tailored for conversations, or you can use "Awareness" mode, which highlights your surroundings as a whole. The former is great for in the office while the latter is better for walking down the street.
Then there's full ANC. To preserver battery life is the "All-Day ANC" setting, which lets you listen all day on a single charge, versus "Max ANC" which is the strongest possible noise canceling, perhaps for a loud environment or on a plane.
We didn't hop on a plane or a bus to test these out, but in our in-studio testing, we were beyond impressed with various noises played through our speaker array, especially after the poor ANC found on the MW07+.
It cut out nearly all external noise and had a great seal in our ears. Part of that seal is from the granular five sizes of ear tips that M&D includes. Most others have three sizes, but the additional sizes help get the absolute best fit possible.
We only heard the faintest bit of water sitting next to a babbling water display in our home. That is high praise for us as ANC usually does its best with uniform noise and hums, not fluctuating noises, as it isn't as easily able to counteract the noise with anti-noise.
Master & Dynamic MW08 and the app
The Bose earbuds may be slightly better with the ANC, but this is by far some of the best we've tried in a set of true wireless earbuds.
The app shows you the battery life, configure the auto-off sleep feature, and toggle the ear detection on or off.
Should you buy the MW08?
We've thrown a ton of tests at the MW08, and they surpass our expectations in each one. Even the battery life was a shock. The MW07+ had a solid ten hours of playback time, and yet the MW08 somehow managed to fit 12 hours of battery life into a single charge. The case also provides 30 hours of additional battery life for a combined battery life of 42 hours.After using the MW08 for a couple of weeks, we're still blown away by how impressive these are. Master & Dynamic has nailed nearly every aspect of these earbuds. The design is spectacular, the fit is precise, the ANC is industry-leading, the battery life is fantastic, and the audio is clear and powerful. There's nearly nothing to criticize about these in-ear drivers.
Master & Dynamic MW08 in their case
It's impressive how M&D was able to improve on the MW07+ in every single way. Battery, ANC, design, materials, audio quality are all notably better than the preceding version.
We use AirPods or AirPods Pro daily, but when it came to audio, they still lacked. We still turned to other headphones for actually listening to music versus YouTube videos and phone calls. The MW08 will now be our earbuds of choice for listening nine times out of ten.
If you want that premium audio experience and a product that just feels like a premium product, then we highly recommend checking out the MW08.
Pros
- Fantastic audio quality
- Great hybrid active noise cancellation
- Premium fit and finish with steel, aluminum, and ceramic
- New case design is smaller, easier to hold, and has new finishes
- Long, all-day battery life
- New app makes it easy to control ANC and settings
- Bluetooth 5.2 gives stronger connection
- Largest audio drivers on a set of true wireless earbuds
- Awareness modes allow you to hear your surroundings
- No spatial audio or direct iOS integration like AirPods
- Connection isn't as strong as AirPods
- Expensive
Comments
I was thinking expensive like Audeze's EUCLID (at $1299) or their LCDi4 (at $2495). Now that is crazy prices.......
"Connection isn't as strong as AirPods"
Is it the BT connection reliability or range, or perhaps general iPhone integration? Or...?
Once again Apple is designing for the entire industry. Pathetic.
Andrew, can you clarify?
Damn copycats. (*eyeroll*)