Master & Dynamic is a name that’s often mentioned when discussing the best true wireless earbuds. The luxury audio manufacturer has put out some of the most beautifully crafted buds ever made. Its taste for hi-fi sound has also been well documented by critics. Hoping to raise its stock for the holiday season, the company just launched their next-gen MW09 earbuds, which introduce several performance upgrades in a signature swanky package.
This release comes with 11mm beryllium acoustic drivers, adaptive active noise cancellation, long battery life and M&D’s new AI-enhanced talk solution. Not everything on these bad boys is visually appealing, specifically their short feature set and high price tag ($349 to $399). Is that enough to overlook them?
Meticulous sound, multi-level ANC and strong wireless performance wrapped in an extravagant design make the Master & Dynamic MW09 a splurge-worthy investment.
What we liked about them
Excellent sound combined with effective ANC
The MW09 produces accurate, cohesive and spacious sound. Bass packs plenty of oomph and blends nicely with impactful mids and striking highs. A custom EQ with multiple presets is available in the companion app for sound personalization. M&D’s default sound profile is great on its own, but the Audiophile preset is superior and increases clarity and definition. Also, swapping out the silicone tips for the bundled foam tips helps clear up the low end.
Top-40 staples like Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” carried a nice up-tempo presence, powered by pulsing synths and striking snares that were reproduced exceptionally well and gave the singer’s airy vocals enough room to shine. Nas’ “Made You Look” sent a shot of adrenaline through my body. The monstrous bongo drum break had a nice bounce to it that wasn’t overbearing on my eardrums, and the reverberation from the menacing guitar strums felt authentic, as if a musician were playing the instrument right next to me.
AAC and SBC codec support means solid streaming playback for iOS, macOS and Android users. However, those with a Google-operated device can take advantage of Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec, which dynamically scales the bitrate to pull more details from recordings with minimal latency. I could hear the difference in clarity between my MacBook Pro and OnePlus 11, especially when listening to lossless Tidal tracks.
The noise cancellation on these buds is sufficient for blocking out a wide number of incidental sounds. You get three settings: Adaptive for automatic ANC adjustment, All Day for less noisy environments and Max for optimal performance. I couldn’t discern much difference between the first two options. Max was my go-to for all situations and provided respectable noise neutralization. Most low- and mid-frequency noises went unnoticed around the house and during daytime strolls. High-pitched sounds like bird chirping, shouting and whistles were audible and affected the soundstage. According to M&D, the latest software update improves Max and Adaptive acoustics, but my phone couldn’t download it for some reason.
I don’t recall M&D’s Ambient Mode ever being this powerfully transparent. Their restructured mic array uses enhanced AI algorithms to pave the way for clearer communication and more natural speech in noisy environments. The feature made listening for family members much easier during work hours. I was alert and ready for my 2-year-old when he woke up from naps calling out for Daddy. Communicating with my wife on opposite ends of the living room was satisfying; the Voice setting emphasized vocal capture to hear her clearly. The Natural and Awareness settings came in handy outdoors, specifically Natural, which adapted to urban landscapes well and increased awareness of standard communal noises (e.g., breezes, loud pedestrian chatter, sirens).
Unbeatable craftsmanship
It isn’t hyperbole to call M&D the fanciest earbud maker out there. The MW09 is the company’s most handsome design to date, composed of shatter-resistant materials (anodized aluminum, sapphire glass) that look as premium as they feel. Sleek details like the slightly raised circle on the front with laser-etched branding, shimmery appearance and uniquely placed mics are all nice touches. Even the button layout, while not my preferred input method, is executed well for seamless operation. M&D’s luxe colorways are also gorgeous: black, blue, Gold, green, Gunmetal and White/Silver.
The charging cases complement the buds’ sophisticated design. Consumers can purchase the standard version to receive a well-constructed aluminum case or spend $50 extra on the Kevlar version, which is sturdier and handles scratches and scuffs much better.
Extremely lengthy battery life
M&D continues to boost playtimes with every new true wireless creation. The MW09 is no exception. A full charge provides up to 16 hours of battery life (12 hours with ANC on), while the wireless charging case holds up to 48 hours. By comparison, that’s more than double the seven hours that the AirPods Pro 2 offer, as well as 14 more hours than Apple’s buds with the charging case. No complaints here. My unit lasted through the five-day workweek when used in moderation (two and a half hours daily). It doesn’t take long to recharge either: A five-minute charge equals two hours of use.
What we didn’t like about them
Physical controls, again?
Several generations later and M&D is still stuck on physical buttons. That’s not to say their setup isn’t practical for use. The multifunctional button on the right bud and volume rockers on the left bud produce superb tactility that ensures intended commands are being met. It’s just that touch controls are more convenient and don’t affect comfort as much when employed, as pressing buttons will dig the buds farther into your ear. Also, the gorgeous, slightly raised circle on the front is just begging for a touch panel.
Still short on features
Most of the MW09’s features are accessible through the M&D Connect app for iOS and Android. Big hitters like ANC/Aware and EQ can be activated, along with other settings like auto-off timer, Acoustic Seal Test (aka ear tip fit test), multipoint to pair to two devices simultaneously and a few toggles for standard functions like audio prompts and wear detection. That’s about it.
One-tap Google Fast Pair has become available at launch. Meanwhile, other promoted features like LE Audio and Auracast for audio sharing are said to come post-launch. I still find the MW09’s feature set short with these inclusions. The luxe price tag should at least warrant other fan favorites like a soundscape mode, Spotify Tap and sidetone to hear yourself louder on calls.
Up there in price
I understand why the MW09 is expensive. At the same time, I don’t expect the average consumer to splurge $349 (or $399 for the Kevlar version) on these noise cancelers. We’re talking close to a $100 difference between these buds and category leaders like the $249 AirPods Pro 2 and $299 Sony WF-1000XM5, not to mention both rivals are regularly marked down well below their retail price.
Bottom line
Those who are willing to spend big on the MW09 will be rewarded with a rich listening experience highlighted by dynamic, stellar sound and effective noise cancellation. The noticeable bump in battery life is something to seriously consider when comparing the MW09 to other luxury models. Then there’s the stunning craftsmanship that puts all-plastic buds like the AirPods Pro 2 to shame and earns a seat at the high rollers’ table.
Again, $349 is a lot to ask for any audio product, especially wireless earbuds that could benefit from more features and modern controls. What you’re really paying for is elite craftsmanship and sound, and those are two hallmarks the MW09 deliver on.