by Since about 1926 Mercedes-Benz has operated under the motto “The best or nothing” (although we should not forget that Karl Benz introduced what was widely considered the first petrol-powered car as early as 1886), and that certainly seems to have been the approach here Chancellery.
A much younger company (founded in New York in 2014) and one that specializes in high-end headgear, Master & Dynamic is vying to be one of the best over-ear headphones we’ve had the privilege of testing. But both brands are in the luxury space – Master & Dynamic has even worked with Louis Vuitton in the past.
Now the companies are proud to announce the first fruits of their new partnership: not one, not two, but five various headphones and an inductive wireless charging pad.
Arguably the most eye-catching audiovisual treat are the MW65 Active Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones x Mercedes-Benz (main image), as these wireless headphones have a definite F1 look and You can decorate your ears with the iconic 3D chrome Mercedes Benz hood ornament – and I love it.
Although these cans are clearly based on the Master & Dynamic MW65, which only received three stars upon intensive review in 2019, it was the ANC that we demoted them to. The sound? We called it “excellent”.
And the MW65 Active Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones not only impress with the accents of the bonnet emblem and the embossed Mercedes-Benz lettering on the headband. You also get two active noise-cancellation modes suited to different environments, processed by dual ANC microphone arrays using a combination of feedforward and feedback hybrid technology to analyze both ambient noise outside the cone and outside noise perceived by the user – ie . on the inside.
Master & Dynamic also says that the weight of the headphones has been optimized to increase comfort during prolonged listening.
Want those classic accents and noise-cancelling but in a true wireless earbud design? Look no further than the MW08 Active Noise Canceling True Wireless Earphones x Mercedes-Benz (based on the four and a half star Master & Dynamic MW08).
Two 11 mm beryllium drivers offer brilliant sound, shielded by a hybrid solution for active ambient noise cancellation. And according to M&D, the headshell of the MW08 in-ear headphones is also exceptional, as it is made of particularly durable ceramic, as is normally used in high-quality watches.
A total of six microphones with proprietary noise cancellation ensure crystal-clear calls on the go, and the battery life is a competitive 12 hours – which can be extended by a further 30 hours with the included charging case (don’t worry, this is also indicated on the emblem).
Now the MW75 Active Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones x Mercedes-AMG. They offer 28 hours of battery life, three active noise-cancelling modes including Adaptive ANC (which automatically adjusts to ambient noise levels), and sound comes from M&D’s optimally angled 40mm beryllium drivers.
Here you get the Mercedes-AMG emblem as a chrome-plated 3D logo on the ear cups and as an embossing on the leather headband – and the black design is enhanced by fine red details.
Player? Big. The MG20 Wireless Gaming Headphones x Mercedes-AMG (above) promise to set new gaming standards – and if our four-star review of the original Master & Dynamic MG20 continues, they won’t disappoint. The luxurious MG20 headphones are made of magnesium, fine leather and Alcantara and feature a detachable boom microphone and an additional integrated microphone array for clear in-game communication.
50mm beryllium drivers and 7.1 surround sound support also promise brilliant acoustics, meaning you should be fully immersed in the game, and a low-latency adapter should make switching between console and PC games easier .
These headphones also offer 22 hours of battery life on a single charge and feature on-head detection to conserve battery power when not in use.
Finally, Sporty Mercs. The MW08 Sport True Wireless Earphones x Mercedes-AMG are billed as “shatterproof sapphire crystal earphones” with a metallic, scratch-resistant finish and an “ultra-tough carbon fiber charging case” (see our cheap Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport review). for reference).
The fit is very important: In addition to five different pairs of silicone attachments, two additional pairs of foam ear molds should ensure that they do not slip even during the hardest training.
Two noise-cancelling modes and two ambient listening modes are also on board, and the earbuds charge wirelessly to offer up to 42 hours of battery life with the charging case.
The ideal complement is of course the MC100 Wireless Charge Pad x Mercedes-AMG; It is compatible with the MW08 Sport Active Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earphones and other mobile devices, including the best Apple iPhones (iPhone 8 and up).
Opinion: They’re not cheap, but they’re certainly fascinating…
Master & Dynamic is a force to be reckoned with in the world of audiophile headphones, and while they’re yet to beat Apple’s AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM5 bang for their buck, it’s certainly only a matter of time…
Prices? Of course with these. Note: we’re in AirPods Max and Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 territory here, but Master & Dynamic’s collaboration with Mercedes isn’t quite as ambitious as, say, the Meze Audio Liric. Official fees for the US and Australia are not yet known, but we have provided approximate figures based on UK prices.
MW65 Mercedes-Benz – £449 (about $530, AU$784)
MW08 Mercedes-Benz – £279 (about $330, AU$478)
MW75 Mercedes-AMG – £549 (approx. $650, AU$959)
MG20 Mercedes-AMG – £429 (approx. $509, AU$749)
MW08 Sport – £329 (about $390, AU$574)
MC100 Charging Pad – £49 (about $58, AU$85)
Master & Dynamic informs us that all products in the collection are now available for pre-sale on the Master & Dynamic website (opens in new tab)and will be shipped by the end of July.
Could these Mercedes-Benz over-ears become the latest addition to our best noise-cancelling headphones roundup? Time will tell – but I’d love to try them and be seen doing it like I’ve just jumped out of the open cockpit of my F1 car.
As Janis Joplin once sang: “My friends all have Porsches, I have to make amends”…
