The Gaming headphone industry is booming with premium brands like Bang & Olufsen entering this market alongside brands such as JBL & Edifier. In which we reviewed the following JBL Quantum 610, JBL Quantum One, JBL Quantum 300 & Edifier GX High Fidelity.
In this review, we are looking at Master & Dynamic MG20 which are firmly in that premium end of the market especially considering the price at £429. They are available in two colours black & white. We got sent the white version and I will be honest first impressions they look really nice in design.
Who are Master & Dynamic?
Master & Dynamic was created by Jonathan Levine and his son Robert saw a gap in the market to create premium design paired with quality audio. They got the idea after seeing some world war 2 aviator headphones and it was that timeless design that gave them the inspiration for Master & Dynamic.
They have a passion for building timeless but sophisticated audio products using the finest materials. They aim to have headphones that sound as good as they look.
Design
Master & Dynamic are a brand that is known for premium-priced headphones and the latest MG20 model is no exception they look really good with a clean, simplistic look but with some really stylish details to add to the overall look.
The MG20 is made of a combination of aluminium in the frame and magnesium in the ear cups making these very lightweight. The earcups come baring the Master & Dynamic logo on the outside. As well as Lambskin leather and breathable fabric in the insides of the earcups to add to that premium finish. They also use a soft Alcantara coating inside the headband to add to the overall comfort.
The headband has a sturdy build on the outside and faux suede on the inside. The earcups rotate 180 degrees and this all adds to a premium build.
On the left earcup is where most of the controls are located as well as the USB-C port and port for the boom microphone. You will see a volume wheel and Bluetooth and power button. Last but not least you also have a toggle for 7.1 surround sound. The controls are really easy to use and add to that premium feel.
This pair of headphones has a removable boom microphone which means the headphones can be used in most settings. If you saw someone on a train using them to listen to music you would not think they are a pair of gaming headphones.
The boom microphone is silver in colour with a cylindrical metal capsule on a flexible metal arm. It also comes with a built-in pop filter and an indicator light that shows when the speaker is muted.
Something to consider if you were to use these as a pair of headphones for your commute as well as when gaming is they are not IP rated meaning they are not waterproof. So considering the cost as well as the fact they are not IP rated keep them at home!
In addition to the Headphones and that boom mic, we have discussed you also get the following a small USB receiver for connecting to a PC. Also provided a USB-C to USB-A cable and female to male 3.5mm splitter. Last but not least you also get a canvas carrying bag that closes with magnets for easy access. You also have pouch zips that allow you to store all the accessories provided.
Overall the design is premium however there is a big but! In testing, they are not very comfortable for long periods of use. You get a tightness in the band which does create a bit of headphone fatigue if used for long periods. If you use them for just a few hours you will be pleased with the comfort but let’s face it which gamer only wants to play for just a few hours.
Features
As we have seen with the likes of the JBL Quantum One that has added RGB lighting. You won’t get that with the MG20 they have kept the features fairly simple it’s designed to offer a premium gaming experience it does not need to look like a flashing Christmas tree.
In the box, you are also given a low latency dongle that can be used in a wired capacity but also wireless via a Bluetooth signal and can also handle some distance. The MG20 also uses an aptX codec which is useful if you’re a mobile gamer.
The headset also comes with a built-in mic so this allows you to talk to friends online or take calls without the need for the boom microphone. Yes, the boom mic makes you feel more like a gamer and it’s fantastic quality it’s not a game-changer without.
7.1 Surround Sound Feature
As mentioned there is also a 7.1 surround sound support which is designed for the PC gamer with a PC that can perform to this level. It’s not advised if you are a PlayStation or Xbox user you won’t benefit.
The feature can be toggled directly by pressing the surround sound button on the left earcup but apart from a click of a button you can’t tell if it’s switched modes. When you have got the surround sound feature on you will experience a bassy response when required. When playing COD you will notice gunshots are punchy and forceful without feeling too much.
Battery Life
The battery life with these are mentioned by the manufacturer to give you 22 hours but on testing, we found you would be lucky to get 19 hours which is a slight disappointment. When the battery is running low you are warned with an alert but this comes basically 3 or 4 minutes before they power down so be quick.
You are given a USB-C to USB-A cable for charging but with many of my devices already using USB-C. I did not need to connect an additional cable to my charging set up and used what I have already set up in the office. What you will benefit from is the fast charge element you can get 50% battery life in just 30 minutes.
Sound Quality
Audio Quality when Gaming
The MG20 provide you with impressive sound which is a bonus considering the comfort is a little bit of a letdown. The MG20 comes with 50mm beryllium drivers with an additional 7.1 surround sound.
The 50mm drivers provide massive power if you want to crank up that volume but it also has a good level of balance that can also be adjusted via the EQ settings in the M&D connect app.
When testing the MG20 it offered a broad soundstage that lets you hear louder sounds with warmth and depth but also comes in with a good level of detail. When playing something like Call of duty their sound quality will also allow you to hear enemies approaching but does not help my poor gameplay so I will get shot regardless.
My Son is a big Spiderman fan so we tested the MG20 with that game on the PS4 and the audio allowed every part of the game to be heard clearly. The 7.1 surround mode won’t give you a clear sense of what direction the risks in the game are coming from but the 7.1 surround mode does offer a better feel than the stereo mix would offer.
The Master & Dynamic MG20 also comes with an app the M&D connect app that is compatible for both iOS and Andriod and unfortantly its if want to adjust the EQ. The app is a little of a disappointment as it only allows you to switch to one of the preset EQ settings which are – esport or bass boost. This is very questionable as you can not customise the EQ seems crazy if you ask me. The esport option just drains any warmth and bass from the sound which I would avoid. The Bass Boost does exactly what it says on the tin and is accptable.
Please note when you use these for the first time the EQ is switched off so you need the app otherwise the sound is just dull. Also via the app, it controls any firmware updates and also has a option for you to set for when the headphones switch off once you have removed them.
Audio Quality when listening to Music
As long as it’s a sunny day you can take these headphones out and use them to listen to music. I am a big fan of Alice Merton as you might be able to tell if you have read my other reviews. When using the MG20 for music listening you have a strong bass with impressive highs paired with warm tones to offer a really enjoyable listening experience.
As you might expect this pair of headphones when it comes to audio quality is excellent as Master & Dynamic are a headphone company after all. When listening to No Roots by Alice Merton the headphones provide plenty of power across all frequencies giving you a real balanced audio performance.
Receiving Calls via the MG20’s
The MG20s do offer dual connectivity so you could connect to both your console and mobile phone at once. However, this feature is a little limited the headset is unable to play audio streams from both simultaneously. So if you wanted to listen to some music while playing a game just does not work.
What does work is when the MG20 is connected wirelessly to the source via USB and the calls will come in via Bluetooth. To answer a call simply press the multi-function button and that will allow you to answer & hang up calls when on calls I was impressed with the voice quality on calls.
Verdict
The MG20s offer a simple design that looks stunning without the need of RGB lighting or any other fancy additions they scream premium and offer excellent sound quality especially when gaming.
The use of beryllium drivers, magnesium ear cups and Lambskin leather earcups scream premium but I can see the price tag putting some gamers off especially when you consider the comfort could be better and the battery life is bang average.
When considering the audio performance when gaming this is where they shine and considering the price that is to be expected. They will please most audiophiles, especially with their Bluetooth, Wired or wireless USB connection options it allows you the chance to listen to them anywhere as long as you are not near the rain.
The 7.1 surround sound feature is good but needs improving and the comfort and battery life are the only areas in which further development is required. I would have also liked to have had an ANC option especially when just using these to listen to music.
So if style and audio quality are the most important factors to you then will love these but it’s that eye-watering cost that prevents me from fully being able to recommend them but if budget is not a factor am sure you will love them.
Product Rating:
Design: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Features: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Battery Life: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
Audio Quality: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Overall Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
The Master & Dynamic MG20 Available from www.masterdynamic.co.uk for £429
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