Master & Dynamic MW50 Review | 93 Data compared
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Master & Dynamic MW50 Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£400
  • Avg. price in US: ~$450
  • Form factor: on-ear/over-ear
  • Connectivity: wireless
  • Battery life: 16 hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Master & Dynamic MW50 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

6.7

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.

Score components:

80.0%

6.7

Technical Score

20.0%

?

User score

Good
6.7

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

7.1

Sound

20.0%

5.1

Features

10.0%

6.8

Design

8.0%

7.1

Connectivity

6.0%

7.1

Battery

4.0%

8.6

Calls & Controls

Good
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 7.6
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    ?

    Audio latency

    25.0%

    4.0

    Low-latency game mode

    20.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    12.0%

    10

    Noise-canceling microphone

    8.0%

    ?

    Battery life

  • 6.6
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    4.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    ?

    Battery life

    18.0%

    ?

    Weight

    16.0%

    10

    Multipoint support

    14.0%

    4.0

    Ambient sound mode

  • 8.8
    Calls

    Score components:

    28.0%

    10

    Noise-canceling microphone

    24.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    18.0%

    10

    Multipoint support

    16.0%

    ?

    Battery life

    14.0%

    4.0

    Companion app

  • 7.3
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    ?

    Weight

    24.0%

    4.0

    Water resistance

    20.0%

    ?

    IP rating

    16.0%

    ?

    Battery life

    12.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £400

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Master & Dynamic MW50 is a premium wireless headphone featuring 40mm high-performance beryllium drivers that deliver a rich, warm sound signature across a broad frequency range of 5Hz – 30,000Hz. Crafted from luxury materials including heavy-grain cowhide leather, lambskin-wrapped memory foam ear pads, and machined aluminium, the MW50 weighs approximately 240g and utilizes Bluetooth 4.1 with aptX for high-quality audio streaming. Key pros include its exceptional build quality, an innovative external aluminium antenna for extended signal range, and a 16-hour battery life with rapid USB-C charging. However, notable cons include its high price point, the lack of active noise cancellation (ANC), and a non-folding design that may limit portability for some users.

Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Master & Dynamic MW50

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

?

Sound

20.0%

?

Features

10.0%

?

Design

8.0%

?

Connectivity

6.0%

?

Battery

4.0%

?

Calls & Controls

6.7
Master & Dynamic MW50 has a technical score of 6.74 points, which is higher than that of 72.6% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
1.0
Master & Dynamic MW50 has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 73.4% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

6.7

Overall score

40.0%

8.4

Price

7.2
Master & Dynamic MW50 has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.2 points, which is lower than 52.3% of products in this category.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

no
Master & Dynamic MW50 does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used
When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: HIGH

dynamic
Driver size
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: HIGH

40 mm
Master & Dynamic MW50 uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

1
Master & Dynamic MW50 uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

5 Hz
Master & Dynamic MW50 reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: LOW

yes
Master & Dynamic MW50 supports a noise-canceling microphone. 61.1% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: LOW

yes
Master & Dynamic MW50 is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

2
Master & Dynamic MW50 has 2 microphones, more microphones than 77.9% of headphones and equal to 8.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

no
Master & Dynamic MW50 does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone
When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

?
Show more
Connectivity
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: LOW

wireless
Master & Dynamic MW50 supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported
When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=5.0

4.1
Master & Dynamic MW50 uses Bluetooth version 4.1, newer Bluetooth version than 62.3% of headphones and equal to 5.4% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device
When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

?
Audio latency
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <60 ms

35 ms
Master & Dynamic MW50 has audio latency of 35 ms, lower audio latency than 93.8% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Multipoint support
What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: LOW

yes
Master & Dynamic MW50 supports multipoint. 69.4% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness
When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Master & Dynamic MW50 does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
Companion app
What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates
When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Master & Dynamic MW50 does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels
When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4

N/A
Voice assistant support
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

yes
Master & Dynamic MW50 supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
What it is: Playback time on a single charge
When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >45 hours

16 hours
Master & Dynamic MW50 offers battery life of 16 hours, lower battery life than 77% of headphones and equal to 2.3% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >40 hours

N/A
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: LOW

Good value: <=2 hours

2 hours
Master & Dynamic MW50 needs 2 hours to charge, lower charging time than 47.8% of headphones and equal to 39% of headphones.
Quick charge
What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: LOW

yes
Master & Dynamic MW50 supports quick charge. 67% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery
When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=720 mAh

?
Show more
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: LOW

Master & Dynamic
Form factor
What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)
When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: LOW

on-ear/over-ear
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <150 g

240 g
Master & Dynamic MW50 weighs 240 g, heavier than 57.6% of headphones and equal to 1.5% of headphones.
Acoustic design
What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)
When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: LOW

closed-back
Clamp force
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: LOW

4.4
Master & Dynamic MW50 has a clamp force of 4.4, higher clamp force than 50.9% of headphones and equal to 4.2% of headphones.
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Master & Dynamic MW50 vs the average pair of headphones

  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
    What it is: Certified for high-resolution audio playback
    When it matters: When official support for high-resolution playback matters to you.

    Importance: HIGH

    Master & Dynamic MW50 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=10 Hz

    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 115 ms lower audio latency
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower audio latency than the average pair of headphones (35 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
    When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <60 ms

    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower audio latency than the average pair of headphones (35 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.35 ms vs 150 ms
  • Multipoint support
    Master & Dynamic MW50 supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
    What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
    When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

    Importance: LOW

    Master & Dynamic MW50 supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    Master & Dynamic MW50 offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
    When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

    Importance: LOW

    Master & Dynamic MW50 offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.wireless vs wired
  • Clear call microphone
    Master & Dynamic MW50 offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
    What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
    When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

    Importance: LOW

    Master & Dynamic MW50 offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • Quick charge support
    Master & Dynamic MW50 supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
    What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
    When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

    Importance: LOW

    Master & Dynamic MW50 supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • On-device controls
    Master & Dynamic MW50 includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
    What it is: Physical controls available directly on headphones
    When it matters: When you need playback, volume, or call controls to be easy to reach without pulling out your phone.

    Importance: LOW

    Master & Dynamic MW50 includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • 10,000 Hz higher treble extension
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1% vs 0.3%). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3%.
  • 4 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
  • Quick charge support
    Master & Dynamic MW50 supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • USB-C charging
    Master & Dynamic MW50 uses USB-C charging, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.5% of headphones use USB Type-C.
  • Removable battery
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a removable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.8% of headphones have a removable battery.
  • Rechargeable battery
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • 115 ms lower audio latency
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower audio latency than the average pair of headphones (35 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
  • Multipoint support
    Master & Dynamic MW50 supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    Master & Dynamic MW50 offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
  • AAC codec support
    Master & Dynamic MW50 supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • AptX support
    Master & Dynamic MW50 supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • Multipoint connections
    Master & Dynamic MW50 supports multipoint connections, while the average pair of headphones does not. 30.2% of headphones support multipoint connections.
  • Clear call microphone
    Master & Dynamic MW50 offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • On-device controls
    Master & Dynamic MW50 includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 1 more microphones
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has more microphones than the average pair of headphones (2 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
  • Wind noise reduction
    Master & Dynamic MW50 reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.

Total
Sound
Battery
Connectivity
Calls & Controls
  • 10.1% higher weight
    Master & Dynamic MW50 is heavier than the average pair of headphones (240 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Master & Dynamic MW50 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 14 hours shorter battery life
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (16 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
  • 14 hours shorter battery life
    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (16 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    What it is: Playback time on a single charge
    When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >45 hours

    Master & Dynamic MW50 has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (16 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.16 hours vs 30 hours
  • 4.44x more expensive
    Master & Dynamic MW50 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£400 vs £90).
    Master & Dynamic MW50 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£400 vs £90).£400 vs £90
  • 5.87x less popular
    Master & Dynamic MW50 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1.00 vs 5.869).
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
    Master & Dynamic MW50 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1.00 vs 5.869).1 vs 5.87
  • 10.1% higher weight
    Master & Dynamic MW50 is heavier than the average pair of headphones (240 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the headphones
    When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: <150 g

    Master & Dynamic MW50 is heavier than the average pair of headphones (240 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.240 g vs 218 g
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Master & Dynamic MW50 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
    What it is: Cable designed to resist tangling
    When it matters: When you often carry wired headphones in a bag or pocket.

    Importance: LOW

    Master & Dynamic MW50 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
Total
Overall
Design
Battery

Graphic comparison of Master & Dynamic MW50 and other products in the Headphones category

Attribute category
Attribute
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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Master & Dynamic MW50?

  • Premium build quality featuring authentic cowhide and lambskin leather
  • Extremely comfortable memory foam ear cushions for long listening sessions
  • Detailed, rich, and warm sound signature with excellent vocal clarity
  • Strong and reliable Bluetooth wireless signal range
  • Modular magnetic design allows easy swapping between on-ear and over-ear pads
  • Beautiful and stylish aesthetics made from aluminum and stainless steel
  • High-quality braided cables and luxurious accessories included in the packaging

What customers dislike about Master & Dynamic MW50?

  • Very expensive retail price compared to other consumer headphones
  • Earcups do not fold flat into a compact form factor for easy travel
  • Onboard physical control buttons are small and difficult to use
  • Average battery life of 16 hours falls below competitor standards
  • Noticeable sound leakage and poor passive noise isolation
  • Over-ear cups can feel somewhat cramped or small for users with larger ears
  • Microphone struggles with background noise and wind rejection during calls

Video reviews

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