We previously reviewed Master & Dynamic’s MW08 In-ear earbuds and ended up recommending them. In fact, we can’t recall the last time we’ve discouraged you from buying an M&D product. Their audio peripherals are always premium-quality products, made with thought and care. Master & Dynamic’s models always incorporate improvements based on past critiques. Hence, I was stoked to see what the MW08 Sport would host that was lacking in the MW08.
Beautiful Packaging as Always
The most exciting part about unboxing an M&D product is seeing what the company has done differently this time. They make sure to change things a bit to keep their packaging unique and exciting. The MW08 Sport comes in a cardboard box with a Type-C charging cable, a Type-A flight adapter, some paperwork, five silicon ear tip sizes and two memory foam ear tip sizes.
As if the generosity in terms of additional ear tip sizes and the flight adapter wasn’t enough, the company delivered a beautiful Kevlar Fiber charging case. M&D has mostly offered plain metallic charging cases in the past. Though they looked stunning, the most common critique they used to receive was that they’re a fingerprint magnet. In the MW08 Sport, the company completely changed the look of the carry case by providing us with a magnificent textured case made of Kevlar Fiber. The material is smooth and the texture enhances your grip.
The case has an attractive pattern giving it a point in aesthetics. Sporting a USB-C port on its right and three battery-revealing LED lights on its front, the case has a simple design. Upon opening its magnetic lid, you come across a pair of buds from shatter-resistant Sapphire glass. The buds are tucked inside deep sockets with the help of pogo pins.
Earbud Ergonomics
The MW08 Sport seems like a delicate work of art. The bud has a D-shaped shiny glass exterior that bulges out in a plastic body at the area that goes inside your ear canal. They provide a snug fit and clasp onto my ears tightly. Even though M&D’s earbuds are usually criticized as chunky, you don’t really feel it when they’re in your ear. The company manages to keep the weight minimal. My ears didn’t feel exhausted even during my hours-long testing. The buds never moved or needed adjusting. They’d be ideal for your workout sessions considering how snug of a fit they provide.
Personally, I detest touch-enabled controls on earbuds because of how complex navigation can get. There’s a certain pressure you have to apply and a single misstep can mess things up. With physical controls, there’s no need to learn things like tapping pressure and duration, due to which navigation gets a lot faster and simpler.
The MW08 Sport hosts a multi-function button that’s used to play/pause, skip tracks and enable voice assistance. On the other bud, there’s a volume rocker that’s used to switch between ANC and ambient mode apart from its primary function. It doesn’t get any simpler than this. Controls on the MW08 Sport are easy to learn and incredibly intuitive. They also delivered fairly fast responses with almost zero input lag.
Music on the MW08 Sport
The MW08 Sport delivers loud, clear and powerful sound. Its 11mm Beryllium drivers come through with richness and clarity. Even when maxed out at 100 percent, the sound didn’t suffer. It retained that punch. The buds are definitely more treble-focused than bass. They deliver high notes with a tinny touch to them. Bass isn’t non-existent but it’s not the buds’ most prominent feature. The oomph in the low-end thump is lacking. Mids are sufficiently good, and the overall sound profile is cool.
The ANC mode not only muted the ambient sound but also gave my music a cool stereo effect. It put a megaphone sound filter on it giving it a little boom. It also significantly reduced all the noise around me which included my fan’s hum and my dryer’s buzz. I had no idea the latter could even be silenced. The Ambient Listening mode on these buds actually work, as opposed to the ones that are added merely as an accessory. Turning them on instantly emphasized what was going on around me, hence keeping in the loop on my surroundings while letting me enjoy the music as well.
Wireless Charging
M&D was generous enough to send us the MC100 Wireless Charge Pad along with the buds. The MC100 not only wirelessly charges the MW08 Sport but other compatible devices as well. It has a power output of up to 10 Watts and features a cast aluminum base that enhances heat dissipation for optimal charging efficiency. It is made of premium aluminum and coated canvas and comes with a 3.3 feet cable. The MC100 is an excellent accessory to add to your setup. It is well-designed, small, stowable and has excellent compatibility. It charged my iPhone 12 Pro Max pretty well too and charged the MW08 Sport in 45 minutes. The buds along with the case then gave me a total playtime of around 40 hours.
Miscellaneous
The MW08 Sport features an IPX5 water resistance rating so they really do have the potential to be your workout companion considering their fit and battery life as well. The left and the right earbud can be used independently. Their Bluetooth 5.2 features a 100ft connectivity range. The buds’ mics host the proprietary wind noise reduction feature. All in all, the MW08 Sport offers a lot. There is a heavy price tag attached to it, but it’s worth it.
Is It Hardcore?
Of course!
The MW08 Sport features an excellent fit, easy controls and great ANC. They’re pricey but if you’re looking for a good pair of buds to invest in, this is the one.
