Comparison: Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000XM4

What comes to mind when you hear the name Master & Dynamic? You think of it as expensive. That is correct. Their units are top of the line in terms of cost. Likewise, we have some other models like the Master & Dynamic MW65, Bowers & Wilkins PX, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H8i, Denon AH-GC30, Bose QuietComfort 35, and Sony WH-1000XM3 headsets.

These headsets have one thing in common. They are very expensive. We are talking about a price range of $400 to $800 if you take the Bowers & Wilkins. Are they really worth it? What did the makers think when they priced the models so ridiculously expensive?

While we cannot answer that, we can review their models for you to know. In today’s post, we will be reading about two expensive models that have managed to make a name for themselves in the competitive market.

We are going to take a look at Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000WM4 headsets. The Master & Dynamic name is popular in several countries. The luxury headset manufacturer has managed to etch its name from several competitors, including Apple.

It is known for being priced among the top range models. The M&D MW65 model comes with stunning features, including a top-notch design that considers only serious money to it. However, we need to make sure that it is worth the price.

When you look at them, they look fantastic, the earpads are tremendous, and you can wear them for many hours. They come with leather and aluminum piece present on the sides of the earcups. These give them a distinctive appearance.

You can also notice grill plates on the open-back unit. The Sony WH-1000WM4 headset is a newer update to the WH1000XM3 noise-canceling headphones that it released in 2018. It came as no surprise when Bose released the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 headset.

We also saw Microsoft coming out with the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 headset that comes with sublime controls. Besides, Apple, Logitech & Jabra are releasing tremendous models too. The unit comes with a change in them.

That is a good change because you can pair 2 devices together and make better calls using the microphone. Otherwise, the rest is quite the same as it was previously. You can notice that the battery working life in the unit has 30 hours, which can be described as brilliant.

Is the Master & Dynamic headset worth the large amounts of money? Sony WH series is going to put up a solid fight for the Master & Dynamic headset. Without wasting further time, let us read more about the headsets and find out the winner at the end of the review.

Master & Dynamic MW65	Sony WH-1000XM4
PROS	PROS
The headset is very light & you can wear it for several hours without any discomfort. This model is designed nicely, giving you a premium look. It comes with exceptional noise-canceling features. It has the aptX HD feature in it, making it an easy choice. The earpads can be replaced as and when you want to.	The headset is exceptionally lightweight and comfortable to wear for prolonged hours. The unit comes with opulent audio and tremendous potential. It has a fantastic sense of timing that can blow your mind away. It comes embedded with stupendous noise-cancellation features. The headset has the wear detection feature in it, enabling users to know.
CONS	CONS
The disadvantage here is quite apparent; the unit is way expensive.	The unit does not come with aptX support.

SPECIFICATIONS	Master & Dynamic MW65	Sony WH-1000XM4
Name	MW65 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones	WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones
Brand	Master & Dynamic	Sony
Noise Cancelling Active	Yes	Yes
Sound Mode	Stereo	Stereo
Connection Type	Wireless	Wireless
Wireless Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth, NFC
True Wireless	No	No
Maximum Wireless Range	66 feet
Built-In Microphone	Yes	Yes
Microphone Features	Noise cancelling	Noise cancelling
Headphone Fit	Over-the-Ear	Over-the-Ear
Adjustable Headband	No	Yes
Battery Life	24 hours	30 hours
Warranty	2 years	1 Year

Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Design & Comfort

The design & comfort of the Master & Dynamic MW65 headset is visible. It comes infused crafted with anodized aluminum at the sides of the earcups. You can also find that it is produced from fine leather for ultimate comfort.

You can replace the earpads if you want to. The moment you unbox the model, you quickly notice that it is a premium device. Great features indicate that it is top-notch. Since it is not produced from plastic, you can see that it does not have a dull appearance.

The M&D MW65 model is embedded with the leather that is present in it, along with metal on the sides. It was found on their first M&D MH40 unit. Its surface looks opulent. You can also notice what the designers have done on the unit with attention to detail.

Its headband is produced from premium leather. You can notice the leather nicely placed on it, giving you immense comfort. It resembles the predecessors like their wired model, MH40 headset, over-the-ear MW60, and convertible MW50+.

When you see closely, you can see that it is on par with the MW50+. The panels on the earcups are quite flat and not rounded like found on MW60. Its earpads are not magnetic found on most of the other M&D headsets.

Though it can be removed, you might not be able to swap them easily. It takes some time. You also notice onboard controls form a ring on the outside of the right earcup. These controls come in a circular section placed at the top.

The hinge connects it to the earcups of the headband. You might want to handle them gently. Its buttons are smooth and easy to use. One of the best features of this unit would be that. There is the Google Assistant integration on it.

When you press & hold the volume up button, the Google Assistant is able to read notifications that are unread aloud. The playback button is spaced nicely but comes small in size. You can find them easily, and on the left earcup, you can see the noise-canceling button.

Similarly, you have the Sony WH-1000XM4 headset that comes with spectacular features. We begin with the design. Well, it is quite the same as the WH-1000XM3 headset. Our tester did not notice any significant changes in the overall design & pattern.

That was quite a disappointment. When you are going to spend close to $349, you have the right to expect minor changes in the design or texture. Sadly, that is not there. Having said that, the comfort is sublime.

Yes, there are some crucial changes done with the microphone & audio. We will see them later. But, in terms of aesthetics, you may not find much of a difference. We had a tough time telling them from the other together, the WH-1000XM3 from the WH-1000XM4 headset.

Those of you who have seen or used the WH-1000XM3 will agree that the design was excellent. The same can be noted about the WH-1000XM4 headset. We can say that they are pretty minimalistic and functional, enabling you with a lot of flexibility.

You can find little plastic on it, but the polycarbonate & and the faux leather on the outside bring out the best from the headset. You can also find the earcups comfortable to wear for prolonged hours for listening to music, watching a video & playing games.

If you have long hair or wear glasses, then we have no problem with that. It is not often you get to use a headset that comes infused with tremendous comfort in it. There are 2 physical buttons around the headset used for power that can cycle between noise-canceling and eloquent audio.

Unfortunately, the unit does not come with a water-resistant feature, and that can be a drawback. The same can be said about it when you want to use it outdoors. We do not recommend that, primarily if you are residing in an incredible region.

Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Build Quality

Like we read in the previous segment, the design of the Master & Dynamic MW65 headset is opulent. The unit is produced from high-quality material. That itself highlights the fact that it comes with breathtaking build quality capabilities.

Besides, coming infused with the noise-canceling feature, it is the lightest model. It weighs under 250grams. The unit is more than 10grams more light than the Sony WH-1000XM4 headset. Though it is not much, the weight is noteworthy when you wear it for more than an hour.

Users have worn the headset for more than 2-3 hours and felt no discomfort whatsoever. They come produced from premium leather, hence the high price. They are quite stable for wearing several hours.

Our tester was pleased wearing it because he could feel the ring under the earpads. Besides, the fitting is tremendous, offering you with the right amount of flair. We entirely agree with them.

They come designed with sublime materials, an excellent warranty, and comfortable features to use. M&D model is a top-notch package to own for anybody with that kind of money. It goes without saying that those who can get it might want to think of having one.

But when you want something that is a value for money product, then the Sony WH-1000XM4 & the older Sony WH-1000XM3 would do a lot of good for you. It is worth noting that the skip tracks & volume present on the headset is retained the same.

The M&D MW65 unit has close to 3 buttons that are quite firm and heavy in there. You can feel them quickly, and that is a good thing. Yes, the headset comes with ample support for the use of Google Assistant, Siri & Alexa.

You would note that the model enables you to switch from several options easily. It can be done by pressing the ANC button. Unlike earlier models, this one comes with noise cancellation buttons that are dedicated.

Similarly, you can find that the Sony WH-1000XM4 headset is good. Again, we can say that the build quality features present in the WH-1000XM3 unit have been taken over here. That is a good thing for the unit.

You can notice that in the spiel itself. Sony has managed to increase the wireless noise-canceling feature. The noise cancellation is top-notch in here. That is because of the fit and design coming in the headset.

It has intelligent applications & control schemes in the noise cancellation feature. Additionally, it comes with the passive cancellation present in the earbuds that help take care of the other things in it.

The active noise canceling feature is much better than earlier models. You can notice that the new SoC comes with attractive noise cancellation. It works simultaneously with the processor found in the Sony QN1 to provide you with external sound.

Our tester noticed that it is an ingenious implementation. That is because it fits all the noise cancellation algorithms quickly produced by other makers. All in all, the build quality is stunning, and the buttons featured in it are functional & fabulous.

Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Audio Performance

The Master & Dynamic MW65 headset produces astonishing audio performance. This feature becomes the most crucial part of any model. It comes infused with the 40mm Beryllium drivers to get superb audio quality.

You would be amazed to know that the songs you heard before now sound much pristine. Yes, the M&D MW65 unit is that good. Frankly speaking, you do not require any other top-end model in the market, having this in your hands.

The items present in the package also make it appear tremendous. This is miles ahead of the Apple headset in the market. If you know somebody who owns one, then please take a look at the packaging and some of the images of this product.

You will instantly notice the major differences. This is precisely how a headset should be designed and built, minus the massive pricing. It also comes with a decent-looking pouch that makes it an excellent choice when you are traveling.

They are compatible with Google assistant enabling you to make use of the voice commands. Now, you can quickly use the voice commands for engaging your smartphone. You will be delighted to hear that the unit is good for listening to any kind of genre.

It has a minimal deviation from the frequency response of 0 figure. This gives optimal clarity. Though some makers tend to enhance the bass in their models, it is ideal only for pop & rock. The aptX supports eloquently well in them.

Sadly, it does not come in the iPhone because there is no AAC. Our tester noticed that a notable feature in the headset is that it has a dip from 3-4.5kHz frequency. You do not have to be an audiophile to notice the difference in the eloquent sound.

When you see these frequencies, the music quality sounds much better. Users will be delighted to know that the frequency range is got in the Sennheiser headsets. Sony WH-1000XM4 headset comes infused with similar audio quality to the earlier model, WH-1000XM3.

You can hear that it is balanced and comes with tremendous value. The wide soundstage is something that offers you with intense bass for any kind of music. It makes use of dual noise sensor technology that enables the microphone to analyze things quickly.

Though it does not have any aptX support, it comes with its own LDAC codec that does a phenomenal job. It is one of the first models that comes infused with the DSEE Extreme (Digital sound enhancement engine).

Your music sounds decent and makes up for not having hi-res audio support. The audio performance in the model has a surround sound ability. Our tester heard different kinds of music and was impressed with the results of it.

Though it is not on par with the M&D MW65 unit, the sound quality was good. You can hear some notes that you most probably won’t on other headsets. The noise leakage is not much either.

However, you may want to use it indoors. As we said before, they are not ideal for outdoor use. You will be glad to know that the maker supports fast pairs on android devices. It enables you to quickly setup.

You can make use of the connect app found on the device. It comes with wear detection that enables it to work without you having to do anything on it automatically. Then there are the other additions that pause the headset effortlessly.

It helps the music pause and then resumes when you have put it on the back or finished your call. Not to mention, when you have not used it for a few minutes, then it turns off to save battery. The multi-point connection allows the unit to switch intelligently between 2 devices.

Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Microphone Performance

 

The microphone found on the Master & Dynamic MW65 is a dual feature. Unfortunately, we felt that it forms the weakest link in the headset. Though the model enables the sound to get filtered nicely, there is not it can do.

You can hear your voice quite muffled and slim. That was not encouraging for the price range of the unit. Besides, there is sporadic crackling, and you do not want to continue on the model for long.

Instead, you may prefer using the smartphone you are talking on. We found this quite surprising for the price point. However, you can pick up the call as it comes, and the microphone does a genuine job.

You may want to switch off the noise cancelation feature on the other side to hear things better. Otherwise, you will listen to your own voice, which can be pretty annoying for most of us. You can find helpful features like speak-to-chat that can be used on the external microphone.

This is an exciting feature because the moment you open your mouth to speak, it works naturally. Now, you can have a conversation with others not having to remove your headset. However, you can do it manually.

The microphone has always been a strong point for Sony. Now, you can hear the voice quite clearly. The WH-1000XM3 headset was quite exponential, and so was the WH-1000XM4 model. However, unlike the M&D MW65 headset, the calls sound much better in here.

That is because of the precise voice pickup technology. The headset can opulently control the microphone and uses the right amount of signal to ensure that the calls are eloquent. On the whole, the microphone segment clearly belonged to the Sony model.

Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Compatibility

Both the units come infused with wireless Bluetooth technology. So, how did their fair with each other? To be honest, they both did well with the help of the wireless Bluetooth technology in them.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 headset came with a Bluetooth range of 20 meters. You will be glad to know that the battery’s working life is more than 22 hours. You can press the volume button and hold it for some time to compactible with Google assistant.

The messages that were not read can be brought aloud through this feature. Besides, you can now read all the news that was not done by the Google app. On the left side of the earcup, you can see the noise-canceling button making it suitable for low, high & off settings.

You can notice the power slider that activates the Bluetooth pairing mode. It takes close to 2 hours to complete charging. They make use of the Bluetooth firmware 4.2 & 5.0 that can make things drag a bit.

It comes with a flight adapter with it. The battery life on the Sony WH-1000XM4 headset does not come at a higher time, but it is quite powerful at almost 38 hours without noise canceling. Those of you who are concerned about the battery life might want to take note of it.

The unit comes with speech detection and new sensors on it. Though the changes on the external are nil, the internal ones are fantastic. Like the feature where the unit switches off automatically is a real boon for those who do not turn off the headset when not in use.

Users can use the smart voice assistant through the touchpad if they want. In our opinion, it is an affordable noise-canceling headphone. The unit comes with extraordinary powers to have in any arsenal. Users want to own a versatile unit that has eloquent sound, is it not?

They might not be an apt choice for working outdoors. It does not have water-resistant. Sadly, the microphone capabilities were not up to the mark. That was quite a surprise because the WH-1000XM3 was quite good for making & receiving calls.

Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Price

The Master & Dynamic MW65 headset is priced at less than $630. It not only costs more than the Bose QC35 II but expensive models like Sony 1000XM3. Besides the sublime design value found on the Master & Dynamic model, nothing else can support the price point.

Our tester felt that the noise cancellation on the Sony & Bose models is better than found infused in M&D models. The Sony WH-1000XM4 headset is priced at less than $349. There is a massive difference between the prices of both models.

So, if you are price conscious like most users, then you might be inclined to the Sony model. When you look at the price, then it is on par with some models, including Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless at $400 & WH-1000XM3 at $350.

They both can be purchased on Amazon. But price-wise, the Sony model is way cheaper than most others. Besides, it is a feature-rich model. This aspect is something that most cannot deny. The only thing that it lacks is the aptX support.

Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Verdict

Hope that you found our comparison helpful post. Were you able to make up your mind? The Master & Dynamic MW65 headset comes with tremendous potential and capabilities. This model is definite if you want to own a top-notch headset that can make heads turn.

Additionally, it would help if you had some extra cash too to own it. That is because it does not come cheap at all. The audio quality is stunning with the aptX support. We read a few reviews from users justifying the price point due to the elegant build quality in it.

Likewise, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headset is a splendid model that comes with decent audio. However, there is no aptX support. It is a little costly to the WH-1000XM3. However, the model comes with ANC and powerful sound performance in it.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 headset is the better model because it is 9g lighter, 10m greater wireless connectivity range, and has a 0.3m longer cable. You can find that the unit is infused with having a straight plug.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headset could be the ideal unit as it comes with 6Hz lower low-frequency, 20000Hz higher high-frequency, and 6 hours longer battery life. You can also find that the unit has 16 Ohms lower impedance, comes with a noise-canceling microphone, 0.8 newer Bluetooth version, and 3 more microphones.

You will also be delighted to be folded, which makes it an ideal companion during traveling. Our winner in this comparison review between Master & Dynamic MW65 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 headsets is the Sony model.

The decision was quite obvious, not because of the price. But due to the fact, the Sony unit came with several features over the Master & Dynamic headset. The Master & Dynamic model is good in its own ways as it comes with aptX support.

But you cannot deny the fact that the Sony model is value for money compared to the counterpart. During our review, we did not find any justification whatsoever about the price range of the former unit.