Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones

Introduction: A Pair That Commands Attention

I wasn’t expecting much when I first laid eyes on the Master & Dynamic MH40 headphones. Sure, they looked stunning, with their sleek metal chassis and luxurious lambskin ear pads, but I was sceptical. In a world full of headphones boasting noise-cancelling features and all-day battery life, could these minimalist, $399 headphones truly deliver?

Spoiler alert: they do, but not in the way you might expect.

These headphones don’t try to outdo the competition by piling on every tech feature imaginable. Instead, they focus on something more rare these days: style, comfort, and, above all, sound quality. So, here’s my deep dive into the Master & Dynamic MH40s—how they feel, how they sound, and whether they’re worth the premium price tag.

Technical: A Look Under the Hood

Let’s start with the basics—the specs. These are premium over-ear headphones, designed for the audiophile who values form as much as function. They’re not trying to win you over with flashy gadgetry, but the MH40s are certainly built with quality in mind.

The materials speak for themselves: stainless steel, anodized aluminium, and lambskin leather for the ear pads. It’s the kind of craftsmanship that immediately tells you these aren’t your average pair of headphones. They weigh about 360 grams, which puts them on the heavier side compared to lighter, plastic models, but this extra heft translates to a solid feel and a premium, durable design.

These headphones use 45mm custom neodymium drivers, which is a good size for delivering solid bass and clarity in the mids and highs. The frequency response stretches from 5Hz to 25kHz, and the impedance is a manageable 32 ohms. In simpler terms: they’re built to provide high-fidelity sound that can capture the subtleties of your favourite music, without distorting when pushed to high volumes.

One thing I immediately noticed about the MH40s is their focus on wired and wireless versatility. The wireless model uses Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, AAC, and SBC codec support, ensuring that sound quality remains pristine even when you’re untethered. I found pairing my phone with them was a breeze. Plus, they have a detachable cable for those times when you prefer to stay wired, and the included USB-C to USB-A adapter makes them usable with a variety of devices.

Battery life is also impressive, boasting up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge. And in those desperate moments when you’re running low, a quick 15-minute charge gets you about six hours of juice. That’s convenient, especially for frequent flyers or long commutes.

But of course, no product is perfect. The MH40s don’t have active noise cancellation (ANC), which is a bit of a letdown given their price point. If you’re used to ANC from other premium headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QC45, the absence of this feature might take you by surprise. However, the noise isolation provided by the dense ear pads is more than enough for most environments—just don’t expect it to block out all external sound like ANC would.

Experience: The Art of Listening

When you first put the MH40s on, it’s an experience. Not just because of their luxurious build, but because of how they fit. The ear cups are well-padded with memory foam, so they create a snug yet comfortable seal. The leather is soft and smooth, and over time, I’ve noticed that it moulds a little to my head, making the fit even more comfortable as I continue to use them. However, if you have larger ears or a larger head, you might find that they feel a bit tight, especially after a few hours of use.

The headband doesn’t offer quite as much padding as I would have liked. After an hour or so, I could feel the pressure on the top of my head, but it wasn’t unbearable. It’s definitely lighter than many of its competitors, so the weight feels more manageable overall. Plus, the solid construction and leather details just make them feel like an investment in quality.

Now, onto the sound quality—which, let’s face it, is why we’re all here. I’ve heard many headphones boast “balanced sound” or “clear mids,” but the MH40s really take it to the next level. These headphones lean into a bass-heavy profile, which for me, is exactly what I want. The bass is rich and deep—without becoming overbearing. I’ve listened to pop, hip-hop, and electronic music with these, and the bass hits hard in a way that’s both satisfying and immersive. It’s the kind of bass that makes you feel the music in your chest, but it doesn’t drown out the vocals or the mids.

The mid-range is warm, and vocals are crystal clear. On tracks like Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” I can hear every breath she takes, every subtle shift in tone. But it’s not just about clarity—it’s about texture. There’s a certain fullness to the sound that makes the MH40s stand out. It’s like the music is alive in a way that other headphones just don’t capture.

The highs are crisp and bright, but I do wish there were a touch more detail at the very top end. At times, certain high frequencies feel a little less defined than I would like, especially when I’m listening to more intricate orchestral arrangements or acoustic guitar solos. That said, the overall sound profile remains smooth, and these headphones won’t leave you with listener fatigue after long sessions.

The soundstage is fairly good for a pair of closed-back headphones, offering decent instrument separation. I’ve listened to everything from jazz to rock, and the MH40s offer a surprising amount of depth for headphones that seal you off from the outside world. You’re not going to get the expansive, open-air soundstage of some open-back headphones, but for what they are, the MH40s perform well in creating a sense of space.

If there’s one critique I can level against these headphones, it’s that the sound can occasionally feel a little narrow compared to some of their more feature-heavy competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5. But again, this is a minor gripe when the overall sound quality is this good. For the most part, I find myself lost in the details of the music rather than worrying about the stereo image.

Comfort with the MH40s is a bit of a mixed bag. The lambskin-wrapped ear pads feel incredibly soft against the skin, exuding a premium touch that’s hard to ignore. However, they aren’t as expansive as those on other headphones I’ve tested, which means they don’t fully envelop your ears. For shorter listening sessions, they’re perfectly comfortable. But, after a few hours, I started to feel a bit of pressure on the top of my head and along the sides of my ears. It wasn’t unbearable, but it did become noticeable. If you have a larger head or ears, this might be more of an issue.

On the plus side, the ear pads are magnetic and easily removable. This thoughtful design not only adds to the longevity of the headphones but also makes it much easier to replace them down the line. It’s a small but significant feature that speaks to the long-term value Master & Dynamic clearly has in mind.

Speaking of design, these headphones aren’t just functional—they’re a statement piece. The combination of anodized aluminium, stainless steel, and lambskin leather makes the MH40 feel luxurious, like something you might find in a high-end recording studio or luxury vehicle. The polished metal posts that mount the ear cups glide smoothly for easy adjustment, while the latticed exterior screens catch the light in a way that’s almost mesmerising, reflecting light like ripples on water. Every detail, from the fine stitching on the leather to the matte finish on the metal, contributes to an overall sense of timeless elegance.

Even the accessories reflect the attention to detail. The canvas carrying case is a step above the usual flimsy bags that come with most headphones, providing a sturdy, practical solution for storing the MH40s along with their detachable cables and USB-C adapters. It’s clear that Master & Dynamic’s commitment to quality extends well beyond the headphones themselves, offering a complete high-end experience from start to finish.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Investment?

When all is said and done, the Master & Dynamic MH40 headphones are an investment. They’re not just about sound—they’re about craftsmanship, design, and the sheer joy of owning something beautiful. Yes, they lack some of the modern tech features like active noise cancellation and touch controls, but in a world where everyone seems to be chasing the next big thing, the MH40s stand out precisely because they don’t.

For anyone who values aesthetics, sound quality, and longevity over the latest gimmicks, the MH40s are an excellent choice. They offer a rich, bass-forward sound that’s perfect for genres that rely on deep lows, while still providing a clear and detailed listening experience across the rest of the frequency spectrum.

If you’re after a more balanced, tech-heavy experience, the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Bose QC45 might be better suited to your needs. But if you’re looking for headphones that make a statement and deliver sound that you can truly get lost in, the MH40s are worth every penny.