Master & Dynamic MH40 Measurements

ultrabike · May 31, 2016

Special thanks to Gelocks for sending these out!

SEE HERE FOR MORE IMPRESSIONS: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/master-dynamic-mh40.1957/
SEE HERE FOR @logscool MEASUREMENTS: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/master-dynamic-mh40.1957/#post-55294

Sound

I like the mids and treble from these. Felt these were pretty smooth. Not harsh or ear splitting at all IMO. The bass can be punchy, but is also a bit bloated and muffled. Did not spotted sibilance or brilliance. The cans were not particularly airy either though. I feel these are like almost open, almost closed sounding... weird. Not bad at all.

Comfort

Pretty good, but can get a bit warm. Also would prefer a little more padding up the top.

Presentation

Elegant. This particular ones are not black, but they offer black, and I like black. For some reason these remind me of Grados, except these look much better, are comfier, and are not totally open.

Price

$400. Dunno. Maybe Ok. If John Grado can charge $1700 for a POS1000e why not. They look well made.

Overall

They are OK. Like them better than Grados...

Measurements

Master & Dynamic MH40 Frequency Response

Master & Dynamic MH40 Distortion

Master & Dynamic MH40 CSD

Master & Dynamic MH40 Impedance

ultrabike · May 31, 2016

Tyll said:

I think the weird thing about these cans is that they are very seal dependent in their bass response.

Also, I get a lot of cable noise that turns not a strong low frequency rumble due to the seal. I think it's a bit too air-tight and could use some controlled leakage in the pads.

Overall I think they're okay sounding. Build quality (other than the course cable cover) is pretty damned good.

The engineer used to work for Bose on the mech engineering side. Seems like a nice guy, but maybe a bit green when it comes to headphone acoustics.

The serious acoustics work was done by the China OEM.

I might review it, we'll see.
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Quote:

I have heard both the MH40 and the MH30 (the on-ear version) a few times at local dealers and audio shows (including out of an ALO Studio Six, which was kind of ridiculous amping for these cans). I kind of like them and would tend to think their laid-back sound signatures (IMO) would have been to your tastes, Tyll. Having spoken with the M&D folks a bit, I think they nailed the sound they were looking for and I think that sound will appeal to many. While I enjoy them, they are just a little too laid back for my tastes and think they are over-priced based on sound quality alone. Factoring in looks and build quality I think maybe gets you to $300-350 range tops.

I will say that both the MH40 and MH30, and particularly the MH30, provide excellent passive isolation. If the best possible passive isolation in a portable was a high criteria, I think the MH30 should be considered seriously. However, for me that is a minus. I would be terrified to wear the MH30 in public in NYC. When I have worn them I cannot hear any outside noise and to me that is a dangerous thing walking the streets of NYC.

I think both models are attractive and pretty well built.
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Yes. They do need good seal to get the bass out. I measured them as closed cans with non-leaky baffle because otherwise the results would be much less bass than what I actually heard. Additionally the pads are sealed and the back of the driver is completely blocked. Fortunately I didn't have much of a problem with seal. I would agree these are a little laid-back. It's kind of interesting given the design sort of reminds of certain Grados which are IMO fairly lively.

The cable is sliver-ly nice, but noise from it could be an issue indeed.

The price might be a little steep, specially considering that I was not aware of the brand at all. I'm also surprised that the driver appears to be 45mm. I would have guessed smaller.

gelocks said:

Definitely. Pads are not entirely huge either so it's something that users will have to "play with" until they get the mix of comfort/sound they like.

I believe that for these (MH30/40) being their FIRST headphones, they did a pretty damn good job with build quality and sound quality as well!!

A review would really be excellent for them to get more visibility and who knows, maybe their second generation headphones will provide a more articulate and detailed sound sig.

Still, I liked what I heard.

Yeah, thought the same thing but considering the competition like the BeoPlay H6 (same price), NAD Viso HP50 ($300), Beyer T51 ($300), Focal Spirit Classic ($400, Professional $350), and the bunch of others from Beats to Senns, I think they are quite Ok. Maybe the price will come down if they ramp up production and start selling via Amazon or other stores....

Thanks for testing and measuring these G!
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Master & Dynamic MH40 Measurements

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