Master & Dynamic is a trusted name, making it a go-to company thanks to its premium design and audiophile-grade audio products. In this Master & Dynamic MG20 Review, we will discuss its first wireless gaming headset, the MG20.
This product offers a distinct, fantastic sound profile with premium build quality. It allows you to use it via Bluetooth or USB transmitter.
In this Master & Dynamic MG20 Review, we will share more details about the headset. The information will help you decide if the product suits your system and audio needs.
Master & Dynamic MG20 Packaging
The headset ships in a typical cardboard box featuring the usual information. These include an image of the product, its name, the company branding, key features, and other related details.
Inside the package, you will find the following:
- The MG20
- A removable boom mic
- USB-C to A charging cable
- USB-C to 3.5mm input cable
- Low-latency adapter
- A headphone pouch
Master & Dynamic MG20 Review – Design and Functionality
When our package arrived, we did not waste time and immediately went to work for this Master & Dynamic MG20 Review. After unboxing, we noticed and loved its minimalist yet stylish aesthetic, which gives off a premium vibe.
It does not scream gaming headsets, so do not expect RGBs and over-the-top designs. Although its colour scheme does not stand out, it is still attractive. This design gives the MG20 a simple, well-rounded style that lets you wear it anytime.
As it should for its price range, this headset feels and looks premium. You can choose between two colour options, black and white, with magnesium ear cups featuring the company logo.
Ear Cups
Each can rotate almost 90° to let you rest the headset on your upper chest. However, you cannot lay it down flat. It consists of earpads made from lambskin leather and a breathable fabric inside, which comes into contact with your ears. Magnets hold everything together for more convenient replacement.
The headband uses a sturdy canvas for its exterior, while its interior uses a faux suede material. Its ear cups link to the headband via quarter-circle metal arms that can turn 180° and tilt up and down slightly. Overall, it offers us a sturdy build with a comfy fit.
Headband
The headband of the MG20 has a ridged padding that offers better compression, keeping it secure when worn. Thanks to its Alcantara coating, offering increased comfort that is soft to the touch like the earcups.
This headband is adjustable by pulling the earcups down or back inside. When adjusting the size, its movement is smooth due to the premium build quality of the headset.
We did not worry about the durability of this product since it felt solid even when we slightly twisted the headband. It was solid and did not creak or flex when twisted.
This headset was comfortable even with glasses since it did not have uncomfortable clamping force. We had no issues, and the tension was adequately firm to keep it secure when worn.
Controls and Connectors
Most of its controls and ports are at the back edge of the left ear cup. These include a USB-C charging port, a connector for the boom microphone, a power/Bluetooth button, and a microphone volume wheel. Plus, you will find a toggle for 7.1 surround sound.
The headset does not have a 3.5mm analogue connection. However, you can still connect it using the fabric-wrapped USB-C to the 3.5mm cable the company included in the package. With the cable, you can plug the MG20 into any device with a 3.5mm headphone jack.
It has a USB receiver that connects to PCs, a USB-C to A cable, and a female-to-male 3.5mm splitter. The latter is for computers with separate ports for headphones and microphones.
Boom Microphone and Internal Microphone
The MG20 has two microphone options: a boom microphone and an internal microphone. We tested them to compare their performances, and we will share our experience later in this Master & Dynamic MG20 Review.
The boom microphone is detachable and flexible, allowing you to adjust its position. It offers more clarity than the internal one and has a pop filter to reduce sibilants.
The internal microphone is on the back of the left ear cup. You can use it when the boom microphone is detached, making it ideal when on the go.
You will also find an indicator light on the left ear cup to show the mute status of the microphone.
Key Features of the Master & Dynamic MG20
50mm Drivers
The custom 50mm Beryllium drivers make you hear every detail. These offer superior acoustics with independent game and microphone volume controls to prevent you from missing a move.
Premium Materials for Comfort and Durability
Master & Dynamic used premium materials to make a headset with unrivalled comfort, durability, and performance. It features magnesium earcups, a coated canvas headband and Alcantara-coated lambskin leather ear pads.
Top-Notch Comfort and On-head Detection of the Master & Dynamic MG20
The MG20 features earpads cushioned with lambskin leather and an Alcantara-lined inner headband to enhance grip. Its outer headband material is coated canvas, providing unparalleled comfort throughout the day. We enjoyed using this headset without experiencing any discomfort during our tests for this Master & Dynamic MG20 Review.
The headset also helps preserve its battery life with its on-head detection feature. It stops playing audio when you remove it and only resumes when worn.
Immersive 7.1 Surround Sound
With its angled magnesium earcups offering semi-open acoustics, the MG20 lets you enjoy the ultimate gaming experience. It delivers an excellent balance between a life-like soundstage and sound isolation.
Up to 22 Hours of Playtime
This headset can last up to 22 hours when fully charged. A quick 30-minute recharge gives you up to 50% of battery life.
Seamless Low-latency Connection
The low-latency adapter minimises audio delays and allows effortless switching between PC and PlayStation. Also, this plug-and-play headset has an optional USB-C to 3.5mm analogue connection to work with other compatible consoles.
Personalise the Sound of the Master & Dynamic MG20
The M&D Connect mobile app lets you maximise the MG20 with adjustable settings based on your preferences. We will discuss more details about the app and its interface in this Master & Dynamic MG20 Review.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 173.83 x 197.32 x 84.53mm
- Weight: 312g, 322g with boom microphone
- Ear Coupling: Over-ear
- Drivers: 50mm beryllium
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Dual Microphone: On-board, detachable boom mic
- Battery Life: 22 hours
- Bluetooth Profile: Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC & Qualcomm aptX HD for music, aptX Low-Latency for mobile gaming
- Headphone Connection: 3.5 analogue and an audio splitter (optional)
- Antenna: Internal antenna
Hands-on with the Master & Dynamic MG20
Before discussing the headset performance, we will discuss everything you need to know about the M&D Connect app.
M&D Connect App
M&D Connect is a mobile app available on Android and iOS. Unlike companion apps of other headphone manufacturers, M&D Connect is simple and only offers several settings.
This app has three EQ settings without manual customisation. It also lets you adjust the auto-off timer and update the firmware of the MG20.
Master & Dynamic MG20 Audio Quality
We played various games when we tested the headset for this Master & Dynamic MG20 Review. Its audio quality out of the box impressed us since it picked out the tiniest details amidst noisy, explosive battles. When we played open-world games, we noticed the rich, detailed and life-like sound that gave us an immersive experience.
We loved the natural sound profile when listening to music, regardless of the genre. Surround sound made each track brighter with an expanded soundstage. The audio made us feel like we were in a concert hall.
Microphone Performance of the Master & Dynamic MG20
The boom microphone of the MG20 captured voices with satisfactory clarity, but it did not impress with crispness or range. We made a few test recordings and noticed it was adequate for intelligible voice calls. Although it had a built-in pop filter, it was slightly sibilant.
The internal microphone delivered average voice quality in our test recordings. Our voices were also intelligible in Discord and Microsoft Teams, and the quality of our test recordings was acceptable.
We had no trouble with video and voice calls using the two microphones of the MG20. However, they are not ideal for streaming or podcasting since content creation requires a dedicated USB microphone.
Master & Dynamic MG20 Review Summary
The MG20 is an impressive first entry of Master & Dynamic into the gaming space. We loved the entire product, from its packaging, construction, design, and features to its audio quality. The headset is also comfortable to wear, and its battery lasts long, making it ideal for gaming marathons.
Another thing we appreciate about this headset is its versatility. It worked with PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch without issues during our tests for this Master & Dynamic MG20 Review. Plus, you can use the 3.5mm cable for Xbox and other devices.
We highly recommend the MG20. Although expensive, it ticks all the boxes and meets everything you need in a high-quality gaming headset.
Visit the official product page of Master & Dynamic for more details about the MG20.