When speaking of headphone styles and aesthetics, Master and Dynamic has built a name and carved a niche. To see what they offer, our Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review will discuss one of their headphones.
When the MH40 appeared in 2014, the distinctive blend of metal and leather distinguished the company from its competitors. M&D released a wireless edition in 2019, delivering a contemporary upgrade to their non-ANC over-ear headphones.
Today, the company has returned with a second-generation wireless model, highlighting enhancements in audio quality, battery life, and more. Undoubtedly, the latest iteration of the MH40 represents an improvement over its predecessor. However, are its design upgrades enough to compensate for its lack of features that are present on other similar products?
Continue reading our Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review to learn more about the product. Get details on its design, functions, features, specs, and how it fared during our tests.
Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Packaging
The headphones shipped in a sturdy-looking package featuring a white theme that gave off a premium feel. An image of the product is in front, along with its name and company branding. The back of the box has more details about the product that you can refer to when necessary.
Inside, you will find the following:
- MH40 Wireless Headphones
- USB-C to C Charging Cable
- 3.5mm to 1/4” Adapter
- USB-C to A Adapter
- Canvas Carrying Pouch
- USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Cable
Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review – Design and Functionality
Continuing our Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review, we will discuss its design and functions.
M&D has always stood out from its competitors due to its exceptional design. Since the first MH40 headphones, the company opted for aluminium construction instead of plastic for various products.
It created a distinct identity for its products.
Moreover, the company skillfully combines metal with other high-quality materials like canvas and leather. With the release of the MH40 Wireless, M&D remains faithful to its original vision, capturing a vintage, aviator-inspired aesthetic.
The new MH40 headphones are available in multiple colour options, such as the following:
- Black
- Silver and brown
- Gunmetal and black
- Silver and navy
- Silver and grey
But we have the silver metal/navy leather colour for this review.
The headphones have an aluminium body complemented by a coated canvas-wrapped headband. It matches the colour of the removable lambskin leather ear pads.
For utmost comfort, the circumaural earcups fit snugly and boast ample padding, complete with a leather lining. Clearly-marked numbers on the earcup adjustment system ensure precise positioning. It lets you find your preferred fit and maintain a consistent stereo image.
Although these headphones lack active noise cancellation, the earcups offer more passive noise reduction than other models. Additionally, their semi-open design enhances the overall audio performance. However, they do leak audio, so it might be advisable to refrain from using them in the presence of others.
Continue reading our Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review to see the list of features. Look into them and determine if what these headphones offer is ideal for your needs.
Key Features of the Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones
Same Look with Better Sound
M&D used custom 40mm titanium drivers for the MH40. It delivers precise and expansive audio with richer lows and detailed highs. As a result, these headphones transform your listening experience significantly.
The removable magnetic ear pads make them easy to replace. Plus, they efficiently isolate sounds.
Built from Premium-quality Materials
The MH40 uses lightweight anodised aluminium with coated canvas, which makes it a highly durable product. In addition, these headphones have a headband and ear pads made from soft lambskin leather.
Nonstop Battery
Its 30-hour battery life provides playtime for multiple work days, commutes, and jamming sessions without charging in between. You can enjoy up to six hours of listening when you charge the headphones for 15 minutes.
Effortless Connectivity with Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones
Bluetooth 5.2 with quick-pairing technology offers a reliable connection for a 30m distance. You can also use the optional USB-C to USB-C cord for up to 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution digital audio.
Powerful Microphones
The dual microphone array of the MH40 makes taking calls better than ever. Its proprietary wind noise reduction offers the best call quality in any environment.
Personalise Your Audio
The M&D Connect app allows you to maximise the MH40 by changing settings and EQ presets. Later in our Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review, we will discuss its audio quality after our adjustments.
Aside from adjusting various settings, you can download updates for the headphones.
Specifications
- DIMENSIONS: 205mm x 202mm x 71mm
- WEIGHT: 280g
- DRIVERS: 40mm Titanium
- IMPEDANCE: 32 Ohms
- BATTERY LIFE: Up to 30 hours
- EAR COUPLING: Over-Ear
- TALK MICROPHONES: 2 -microphone talk solution + wind reduction
- VOICE ASSISTANT: Compatible with native voice assistants
- BLUETOOTH PROFILE: 30m Bluetooth 5.2 range + AAC, SBC, and aptX | Adaptive up to 24-bit/96kHz
- ANTENNA: Internal antenna
- ANALOGUE HEADPHONE CONNECTION: USB-C to 3.5mm woven cable for optional analogue connection
- WIRED DIGITAL HEADPHONE CONNECTION: hi-res audio up to 24-bit / 96kHz + computer connection using provided USB-C to C cable
Hands-on with the Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones
Our Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review will discuss more details about the M&D Connect and product performance. First, let us focus on the companion software.
Master and Dynamic Control App
M&D Connect is the companion app for the MH40 and is available for iOS and Android. It prominently displays the battery level of the headphones and indicates if the firmware of the MH40 is updated. Tapping the gear icon shows additional options for sound, controls, and about the device.
Sound
The Sound section offers four EQ presets: Audiophile, Bass Boost, Bass Cut, and Podcast. However, it does not provide the option to customise the sound curve.
This tab also lets you toggle sidetone, which allows you to hear your voice in calls. It is a handy feature that prevents you from speaking too loudly when using noise isolation.
Controls and About Device
The Controls menu is where you can rename the headphones and change the automatic shut-off timer. Here, you can trigger a factory reset and keep the MH40 up-to-date with the latest firmware updates.
Audio Quality
We also tested its audio quality for our Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review. Based on experience, we can see that the company loves warm and natural sounds. Its audio avoids relying on powerful bass and excessively brilliant highs, regardless of the genre we listen to.
The sound signature of the MH40 is a sonic representation of its design. These headphones offer incredible detail with smooth, stylised dimensions on the soundstage.
Their soundstage exhibits amazing intricacy, offering a three-dimensional experience.
The MH40 exemplifies meticulous attention to detail in its sound profile. This quality becomes particularly apparent when listening to genres like bluegrass and jazz. These often feature intricate arrangements with different instruments emphasised at varying moments.
We deactivated the EQ function to assess its impact during our tests. However, we did explore the available presets.
As anticipated, enabling the Bass Boost option enhances the lower frequencies. And then, Bass Cut and Audiophile preset emphasises mid and high ranges to varying degrees. If the default audio profile disappoints you, you can experiment with its presets.
For tracks with intense sub-bass elements, the MH40 headphones truly shine by delivering a potent low-frequency punch. Even at higher volumes, the lows remain distortion-free and retain their robustness and fullness at more moderate levels.
M&D improved in the latest version by incorporating 40mm titanium drivers. The company claims it produces cleaner highs and richer lows.
Indeed, the treble exhibits a punchy character across diverse musical styles. Plus, the bass can be as deep and impactful as desired for any song.
We used these headphones for some gaming as well. Whilst playing games such as Destiny 2, Global Offensive, and Call of Duty, we were able to hear every inch of sound in the game. Footsteps were very clear and we were able to pinpoint directions with ease. We were treated to an immersive gaming experience thanks to the emphasis that these headphones put on the in-game audio. Grenades were punchy, gun sounds were quick and snappy, and it really did sound like the audio was come from around you.
During calls, the MH40 delivers a good experience. Its microphone setup reduces background noise efficiently and does not capture sounds from machines. Although it does not fully-eliminate background noise, we have no complaints since it still offers good call quality.
M&D promises a 30-hour battery life on the MH40. It is shorter than other headphone models but is more than enough for whole-day use without recharging.
During our tests for this Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review, it delivered what the company claims. We enjoyed 30 hours of calls and listening to music & podcasts, with our volume level around 75%. Of course, other users may experience different results since volume levels can affect power consumption.
Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones Review Summary
The MH40 wireless boasts an elegant appearance, providing robust codec compatibility and extended battery life compared to their previous models. Additionally, they produce a delightful and precise sound profile with subtle bass and treble response improvements.
During our tests, it performed remarkably, and we did not experience any faults that would make us not want it. Overall, we love the MH40 wireless, and we highly recommend it.
To learn more about the MH40 Wireless Headphones, visit the Master and Dynamic official product page.
