Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless Gen 2 Review | 93 Data compared

The Master & Dynamic MH40 (2023)Go wireless headphones are praised for their elegant, vintage design, solid build quality, and accurate audio performance with rich, balanced sound. Retailing for $399, this updated model offers strong Bluetooth codec support, long battery life, and the versatility of both wireless and wired usage. However, PCMag notes significant drawbacks, including a lack of active noise cancellation (ANC), a potentially uncomfortable headband during long sessions, and a feature-light companion app. Due to these omissions, the review considers them expensive, suggesting alternatives like the Sony WH-1000XM5 for better overall value.

The Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless (2nd Gen) headphones offer a distinctive vintage, aviator-inspired design constructed from premium aluminum, coated canvas, and removable lambskin leather ear pads. This third iteration of the model weighs 280 grams and features highly reliable physical controls on the right ear cup for calls, music, and volume adjustments. In terms of performance, the headphones deliver a warm, natural sound profile across all genres thanks to upgraded 40mm titanium drivers that produce clearer highs and richer, non-heavy-handed lows. Additional pros include an improved microphone system that effectively filters out constant background noise, a useful "Sidetone" app feature to hear your own voice during calls, and an extended battery life of up to 30 hours with a fast-charge option providing six hours of playback in 15 minutes. Despite these notable design and audio improvements, the headphones carry a steep $399 price tag that is difficult to justify given their complete lack of Active Noise Cancelling (ANC). While the passive noise isolation is decent, competitors like Sony’s WH-1000XM5 offer flagship ANC performance and vastly superior software features at...

The Master & Dynamic MH40 (2023) is a luxurious, vintage-inspired pair of wireless headphones retailing at $399/£399, positioning them alongside top flagship models. Its standout features include a premium, highly durable construction made of anodised aluminium and genuine lambskin leather, offering great comfort at a relatively light weight of 280g. Audio performance is the headline strength, delivering a highly immersive, expansive soundstage and significant volume headroom with bright, detailed highs and a punchy low-end. Furthermore, they provide a solid 30-hour battery life with convenient fast-charging capabilities (15 minutes for 6 hours of playback) and come with helpful, travel-friendly accessories like a flight adapter. However, the headphones suffer from a severe lack of competitive features given their steep price tag, most notably omitting active noise-cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes entirely. The accompanying M&D Connect app is exceptionally barebones, restricting users to only four subtle audio presets without a customisable equalizer. Ethical and practical constraints are also present, as there is no vegan leather version available, and the minimal on-unit physical buttons take some time to locate by touch. Ultimately, while they...

The Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless (v2) headphones stand out primarily for their distinct, vintage aviator aesthetic, featuring premium materials like a leather-wrapped headband, hand-stitched detailing, and exposed metal grilles. They offer exceptional comfort for long-term wear due to a lightweight design, flexible headband, and magnetic, detachable ear cups. On the performance front, the headphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, aptX Adaptive support for high-bitrate audio, Google Fast Pair, and dual digital wired options via USB-C. Additionally, they boast a strong battery life of approximately 30 hours on a single charge. Despite these positive features, the v2 headphones come with notable drawbacks, particularly given their high price tag of around $400 (€449). They lack active noise cancellation (ANC) and automatic head/on-ear detection to pause music. While the sound profile is pleasantly warm with pronounced bass and vocals, it ultimately suffers from a narrow, flat soundstage and lacks the crisp clarity found in competing high-end models. Furthermore, substantial sound leakage prevents them from being suitable for public transit or commuting, cementing their role as an attractive option strictly for casual, at-home...

The Master & Dynamic MH40 wireless headphonesGo offer a premium, industrial design with high-quality materials and exceptional passive noise isolation, according to a SoundGuys review. Their custom 40mm titanium drivers, supported by the aptX Adaptive codec, deliver a highly accurate frequency response with low distortion, making them a strong choice for audio enthusiasts. However, the review notes significant limitations, including the lack of active noise cancellation (ANC) and spatial audio features, which impacts their competitiveness in the premium market. Additionally, potential users may find the ear cups small, and the companion app offers very limited customization options.

The Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless (2nd-Gen) headphones feature a luxurious, vintage-inspired design crafted from high-quality leather, canvas, and aluminum. Priced at $399, this model introduces custom 40mm titanium drivers that deliver an immersive, detailed audio experience marked by punchy, rich lows, crisp highs, and a highly clear mid-range. Its key strengths (pros) include a spacious, natural soundstage enhanced by its semi-open architecture, versatile wireless and wired playback modes, a boosted battery life of up to 30 hours, and highly reliable physical control buttons on the earcup. However, the headphones suffer from several distinct drawbacks (cons) that may hinder their value proposition. Most notably, they entirely lack active noise cancellation (ANC), which is a standard expectation for premium headphones in this price category. The semi-open design also causes sound leakage, making them less ideal for quiet public environments. Additionally, physical comfort is a potential issue; the headband features minimal cushioning, and the narrow earcups provide cramped physical space that can cause ear discomfort during long listening sessions.