Master & Dynamic ( M&D ) has update its MH40 Wireless headphones for 2023 , but you ’d be hard - bid to realize it just by looking at them side by side withthe originals from 2019 . They in effect are physically superposable . And yet , the raw variation sells for $ 399 — $ 100 more than their forerunner .
So why would you consider upgrading , or buy the newMH40 Wover their many splendid competitors ? Let ’s check them out .
What’s changed?
In a hurry ? Here ’s the TL;DR on the new 2023 model :
Unmatched design
A cock-a-hoop part of the M&D product experience is the design . If you ’re content with basic black-market plastic headphones , let me save you some time and money : the MH40 W are n’t the headphones you ’re looking for . If , however , you feel that your earpiece should help you resist out from the crowd ( and not in aneon cat ear kind of way ) , the MH40 W persist one of the classiest ways to go .
The 2023 model keeps every individual original component intact . The vintage aviator - inspired smell is at its most authentic in the cans ’ ash grey / brownish guise as seen in the photos , but you could also pick from gunmetal / black , black / black , silver / navy , and silver / grey combinations .
The economic consumption of leather , metal , and Al gives the headphones a heft and a feel that ’s undeniably princely , while somehow retain the spartan , utilitarian vibration of the cockpit equipment they emulate .
If you look very closely , you ’ll discover the only two visible physical updates : The two mics on the right earcup are now nestle behind windscreens , and the magnetically - latched earcushions are a piffling thicker . And if you drop both on a scale , you ’ll mark that the 2023 model is just a shade heavier ( 9.95 troy ounce versus 9.75 ounces ) .
To me , the wearing experience is unchanged despite the loggerheaded earcushions . The MH40 W are very comfortable cans for extended periods , with the same caveat as before : they will budge around if you employ in any material strong-arm activity , and those parchment - comprehend earcushions feel unspoilt against your cutis but are n’t exactly breathable . So , again , heavy effort is n’t recommended .
And those with small heads take note of hand : there is n’t a long ton of adjustment elbow room on the slider posts ( just 12 millimetre of travel per side versus almost 35 mm on theSony WH-1000XM5 ) , and M&D has chosen to err on the side of larger heads , so even the smallest fitting may place the bottom of the earcups too scurvy for you .
Still missing some features
Unfortunately , despite the increased toll , there ’s still no active stochasticity cancellation ( ANC ) on these cans . It ’s not a great deal - surf — the earcushions provide a very good story of passive dissonance closing off — but it ’s something to keep in idea if you ’re locomotion - minded or find yourself judge to turn in very busy locations .
I confess to being a bit surprised , however , at the ongoing lack of a transparency mode . I only say that because the 2023 model has add side - tone — the ability to try your articulation more clear when in phone calls — which is a nice touch sensation . in the main , when side - tone is offered on earpiece , it goes hand - in - manus with some kind of transparency feature , but not on the raw MH40 W.
On the bright side , with no ANC or transparence feature , the controls are casual to master copy and usance . Two pocket-size mass buttons flank a grow multifunction button on the right earcup , giving you access to every command you could want . I ’m also going to give M&D props for a change that may seem peanut , but that I have intercourse : All it select to power the new adaptation on and off is a undivided , curt press on the office / pairing button . The original model want longsighted presses for both — hooray for the slight things !
From a pure serviceability perspective , the biggest improvement is battery life . The first - gen headphones had a barely acceptable 18 - hour runtime between charges ( even on ANC cans that ask more power , I consider 20 hours to be an sheer minimum ) so take in up to 30 hours on the raw model is a welcome variety . There ’s even been a slight improvement in how quickly they charge ( 6 minute of playday after 15 hour versus 9 hour after 30 hour ) .
It’s all about the audio
Still , I think the big grounds to view the newfangled MH40 W is M&D ’s work on audio carrying out . There are four technical improvements at gambling : redesigned drivers , which M&D articulate provide “ more heroic sound , ” better Bluetooth audio via the addition of the aptX Adaptive codec ( Android only ) , four app - establish EQ presets , and the power to shriek digital audio recording straight into the headphones via USB - C.
Of these four betterment , the only one that ’s worth shelling out for is the USB - C digital sound . I ’m go to assume that if you ’re even remotely look at dropping $ 400 on a Seth of headphones , you need to be able-bodied to experience the best audio character that those hind end can produce , without ask to spend even more money on accessory .
USB - cytosine digital is the key to make that happen . To be clear , wireless audio quality is really good , with excellent clarity , a very balanced sound signature , and a snappy response that keeps musical instrument like cymbals and kick drums from muddying the soundstage . Thanks to a gibbousness from aptX to aptX Adaptive , those with compatible Android phones will get a much high fidelity signaling than the original MH40 W. But these hind end sound even advantageously when you plug them in .
A unmediated digital connection means that your Android - only smartphone ( sorry iPhone owners ) or computer can post a full - quality , lossless signal to the MH40 W ’s onboard digital - to - analogue converter ( DAC ) , which is adequate to of render up to 24 - bit/96kHz resolution .
Assuming you have memory access to a lossless audio recording source — like Amazon Music , Apple Music , Tidal , or your own collection of FLAC files — you ’ll get better dynamic range , with an extra level of preciseness that let you hear inside information that even the impressiveaptX Adaptive codeccan’t entirely reveal . As a bonus , you’re able to charge the headphones at the same time when using USB - speed of light digital sound recording , something the 2019 version could n’t do .
On the late model , the only means to get equivalently high - quality sound was by using a third - partyheadphone DAC / ampdongle in conjunction with the analogue input . reckon on the DAC / amp , that could easily set you back another $ 100 , which is why I think it ’s arguable that USB - C digital audio alone might justify the 2023 example ’s higher price .
If you already own the 2019 exemplar , it ’s worth noting that the novel driver ( now made from titanium alternatively of PET ) do offer a slenderly expanded soundstage as promise , but they do n’t make a big encroachment on bass part reaction . I still find the MH40 W are on the very boundary of what works for me in terms of low - conclusion . Even with the newly available “ freshwater bass boost ” EQ preset , I do n’t think there ’s enough oomph to fill those who want to feel the bass - iest parts of their favourite track . If your appreciation veer toward classical , folk , forte-piano / trump - top jazz , acoustical , opera , or synth - pa , I doubt you ’ll mind at all . Hip - hop , blues , rap , and EDM whizz may find themselves want more .
Call quality can be really good , especially in quiet locating , and bear the side - musical note option is great for reducing the fatigue that can come with being force to listen to your muffled voice ( plus you incline to shout when that happens ) . However , there ’s minuscule in the style of noise - canceling for disruptive background phone , which will prompt your caller to peevishly ask you to call back when you ’re not standing in a busy crossroad .
Are they worth it?
I call back M&D has present the MH40 Wireless some meaningful enhancements for 2023 . But as with the originals , my direction stay on the same : you buy these toilet because of their alone style , craftsmanship , and excellent sound character , but also knowing that you ’re forgoing characteristic like ANC , transparency mode , and wear out sensors that have become nearly ubiquitous on wireless cans that be half as much .
For some , that tradeoff will be deserving it — no one ever said that in high spirits stylus and eminent - quality stuff were chinchy — but if you ’re look for a dear wireless phone belt for your long horse , there are several excellent and more low-cost alternatives including the $ 349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless , $ 349Sony WH-1000XM4 , and the $ 379Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 .
