REVIEW – In late 2019, I reviewed the first technology of Grasp & Dynamic’s MH40 Wi-fi Over-Ear Headphones. Aside from the wi-fi half, they have been visually equivalent to the unique wired MH40 headphone—an iconic design if there ever was one. It’s mid-2023, and M&D has determined to not mess with a great factor and is preserving that very same iconic design on their up to date MH40 Wi-fi Over-Ear Headphones. They’re additionally $100 lower than the earlier wi-fi MH40s value when new. Gotta love progress. Does this new model warrant a glance? Effectively, sure—and no. Let’s get into it.
What’s it?
The Grasp & Dynamics MH40 Wi-fi Over-Ear Headphones are the newest in a line of retro-looking headphones M&D began in again 2015. The WWII-styled design offers the MH40 collection a glance that by no means ages. The MH40 is without doubt one of the best-looking headphones obtainable at present—particularly within the Silver Steel/Brown Leather-based colorway. Different colours obtainable are Gunmetal/Black, Black/Black, Silver/Navy, and Silver/Silver.
Although it appears to be like the identical, the brand new MH40 has many inside enhancements. Externally, the MH40 sports activities the identical, aluminum and lambskin leather-based development. The construct is first-rate—by now, an M&D normal.
The MH40 comes with a canvas pouch, USB-C to USB-A adapter, the mandatory cables, and an airline adapter (do folks nonetheless use these?).
{Hardware} specs
- Dimensions: 8.07 in. x 7.9 in. x 2.8 in.
- Drivers: 40mm Titanium
- Weight: 9.87 oz.
- Bluetooth: 5.2
- Cables: USB-C to three.5mm; USB-C to USB-C for charging
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- 3.5mm to 1/4” Airline adapter
- Canvas pouch
- Two mics with wind discount
- Ear pads: Lambskin-wrapped reminiscence foam
- Battery: 30 hours, 6 hours in quarter-hour
Design and options
First issues first: If you’re within the M&D MH40 Wi-fi headphones, I like to recommend you learn my evaluation of the earlier technology right here. That model is 85% of what the newer one is, so I received’t be repeating a lot of its data however will take care of the enhancements.
Anytime Grasp & Dynamic releases a brand new headphone—even when it’s solely an improve, I concentrate. Simply opening the MH40 field is a enjoyable expertise. Packaging reveals the care M&D put into every headphone. Every element is about in its personal compartment constituted of eco-friendly supplies. There’s no plastic to be discovered wherever—both within the packaging or the headphones themselves.
You’d be hard-pressed to note any visible distinction between the 2 MH40 wi-fi variations—as a result of there aren’t any. The buttons and ports haven’t modified.
The variations are inside. The great sounding 40mm Neodymium driver has been upgraded to Titanium. Are you able to hear a distinction? I now not have the earlier MH40 headphones (I gave them away as a present), so I can not do a direct comparability. I must say that the titanium improve erases any hit to audio high quality the earlier MH40 Wi-fi took when M&D lowered the driving force dimension to 40mm—from the 45mm of the unique wired-only MH40. The underside line is that this MH40 headphone sounds actually good!
I lately had what we name a “Listening Social gathering” at my home for some associates. We shared dinner, then gathered to hearken to Pink Floyd’s “Darkish Aspect of the Moon” in 5.1 true Dolby Atmos encompass. It was streamed (hardwired) from our Apple TV in higher than CD high quality. The Atmos combine was a revelation even to me, who purchased the unique again in 1973. With the Atmos model recent on my thoughts, I re-listened to DSOTM on the MH40 headphones. There was no comparability. The true Atmos system was higher, which was anticipated. Nonetheless, the MH40 headphones did maintain their very own in stereo mode streamed from my iPhone.
Additionally, whereas it sounded enjoyable over Bluetooth, the MH40’s audio high quality improved when exhausting wired utilizing the included USB-C to three.5 mm cable related to my Apple iPhone by way of their easy $9 Lightning to three.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter. Sure, it was noticeable. However the superior audio high quality isn’t why we purchase headphones anymore, is it? It’s comfort we would like and wi-fi supplies that, so we settle for the audio tradeoffs.
Reality: Nearly as good as Bluetooth headphones have develop into through the years, ALL Bluetooth audio is compressed, or lossy. The solely option to expertise true hi-res audio is by being hard-wired to a music supply.
Bluetooth has been upgraded from 5.0 to five.2. Whereas this helps with transmission distance, energy financial savings, and a extra secure connection, I doubt you’ll have the ability to really hear any enchancment over 5.0.
Name high quality is an enchancment you can hear. The MH40s might be tuned in order that whereas on a cellphone name, you’re mic’d, which means you’ll be able to hear your personal voice whereas talking. What an idea! Individuals I talked to mentioned I sounded higher than with the earlier MH40 Wi-fi(I’ve a couple of associates I do headphone name testing with).
Battery life has improved to 30 hours of steady use. quarter-hour of charging purchase you an prompt 6 hours of use. Notice that quantity and different components have an effect on battery life.
The MH40’s lamb-skin ear pads supply the identical consolation as they beforehand did. They’re nonetheless magnetically held in place for straightforward alternative if essential. Total weight has elevated a few grams, although I doubt anybody will discover the incremental change.
As regular for M&D, a high-quality canvas pouch is included with the MH40 headphones. It’s not waterproof or crushproof, however it should assist hold the MH40s cleaner longer. The MH40s do not fold, so commuting with them might be a problem.
Sooner or later, I’d like to see M&D supply an open-back model of the MH40 headphone. To listen to the M&D sound signature in a vastly elevated soundstage that solely open-backed can present might be superb.
What I like
- Impeccable construct high quality with all-natural elements
- Nice audio—each wired and wi-fi
- Higher coloration decisions
- Upgraded driver
- Noticeably higher name high quality
What I’d change
- No energetic noise canceling
Last Ideas
Nearly as good as the brand new MH40 headphones are, have the enhancements made it a viable improve to those that already personal the earlier model? I’d say no. The earlier MH40 headphones have been—and nonetheless are—worthy headphones at present. Nonetheless, in case you’ve by no means skilled Grasp & Dynamic’s tackle wi-fi retro headphones, give these a strive. You could be as hooked as I’m.
Worth: $399.00
The place to purchase: Masterdynamic.com and Amazon
Supply: The pattern of this product was supplied by Grasp & Dynamic.
