The converted Audio, a superior ambient noise mode and a reliable Multipoint Bluetooth are the strengths.

Master & Dynamic hasn’t gotten off to a great start with its true wireless headphones, but the company’s last two efforts have been greatly improved. After getting in shape with the MW08 Sport, M&D has returned with the MW09: headphones with a familiar design but improvements in sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC) and call performance. As always with the Company’s audio equipment, high-quality materials are on display, although the starting price is higher than most competitors.

Design

Master & Dynamic did not make too many changes to the design. The same D-shaped base matter is kept for the outer part of each bud. The company has added a circular element on the outer coating, on which the “M” mark is located, but this is purely aesthetic. There is no additional touch screen or body catch there. The controls are always at the top with a volume rocker on the left and a multifunction catch for playback and calls on the right. The volume controls also turn ambient noise and ANC on/off with a long press at both ends, but this is just an on/off function that retrieves your last preset selection. It will not go through all the available options of the MW09.

One of the business cards of M & D is the use of high-quality materials. Usually a mixture of leather and metal, but these do not trans after well into headphones. As with the MW08 Sport, the company opted for a mixture of aluminum and sapphire crystal with a shiny Aluminum powering matter. There is also a Kevlar option for the matter, and some colors are only available with it, but this material will cost you 50 more. Despite the high-end details, the MW09 is IP54 certified against dust and moisture, while the housing is IPX4. Master & Dynamic also offers more customization options than most headphone manufacturers, including five sizes of silicone tips and two sizes of foam tips in the box.

Software and features

All the settings and customizations available on the MW09 are made via the m&d Connect application. The software displays the battery life of the headphones (a number for both) and the matter on the main screen after selecting the connected device. A gear icon at the top right gives you access to sound presets, a fully customizable equalizer and ambient sounds, all displayed in the Sound menu. Sidetone, the ability to hear your voice during calls and the ability to disable audio prompts are also available here.

Further down in the settings menu, Master & Dynamic allows you to disable in-ear detection and set the automatic shutdown timer. There is a spill test of acoustic earplugs and the ability to manage Bluetooth connections. Multipoint is supported here and works fine. The company doesn’t overload you with options, and none of them are particularly refined, but all the bases are covered and there is a solid level of customization. For example, there are three settings each for active noise cancellation and ambient mode, so you don’t need to stick to a default configuration, even with these settings.

Sound quality and noise cancellation

What I like the most about the consistent tuning of the Master & Dynamic is its affinity for a balanced and natural sound. They have also always had great clarity, so it is easy to hear them for long periods of time.

This talent for details comes back on MW09 and is fully highlighted on albums like Chris Stapleton’s higher. You can hear every bit of texture in the singer’s bluesy rock riffs and things like the subtle disintegration in the snare drum rattle get easily lost with other headphones. The MW09 really shines with genres like Stapleton’s Country Rock, Nickel Creek’s bluegrass and classic Jazz. Even more explosive styles like metal are thick and layered instead of appearing flat and compressed. The living proof of Drain, for example, is just as furious, dark and noisy as on a range of over-ear cans. The serial setting is fine, but personally I prefer the audiophile sound preset, which emphasizes the highs and mids.

Master & Dynamic says that it has “optimized” the placement of the microphone and the sensor of its ANC configuration on the MW09 with new adaptive noise blocking algorithms for improved performance. The company offers three presets – Max ANC, All Day ANC and Adaptive ANC — two of which are designed for high and low noise settings, and the third is designed to automatically adapt to environmental changes. I found the Max Option to be the best overall to action distractions, but it was clear to the company that it had an impact on battery life. In addition, all three have difficulty keeping up with volume levels below 50%, with things like white noise machines and human voices always present at less than 50%.