I’ve tested many Master & Dynamic headphones and most of them are big on-ear or over-ear cans. The manufacturer actually has some in-ear models and the Master & Dynamic ME05 is considered the best one at the moment. Let’s check it out.
Unboxing
Design & Features
Similar to other Master & Dynamic products, I’m very impressed with the packaging of the earphones. Inside the box, we have the earphones wrapped neatly in a case, silicone ear tips in different sizes, acoustic filters, a cable clip, a polishing cloth, a canvas case, and a leather storage box.
The earphones themselves also have a premium look with a brass body and a tangle-free rubber cable.
As these are wired headphones with a 3.5mm plug, I couldn’t use them directly with my iPhone, so I used a Samsung phone for the test. The in-line controls don’t work well for Android as I can use only the Play/Pause button; The volume rocker/track skipper buttons don’t work at all.
Another problem is that I experimented with all the ear tips but none of them fits snugly on my ears. Hence, I ended up with the smallest ones since they are the most comfortable. I’d recommend you to use the cable clip, otherwise, the earpieces could easily drop out when you’re walking.
Audio Quality
The sound of the earphones is quite muddy for my taste. I can hear a significant boost in the low frequencies, therefore, it makes the bass boomier and less punchy.
The ME05 is absolutely not a good choice for audiophiles. The overall sound is too warm and the laid back mids won’t be able to reveal details in instruments and vocals.
Having said that, I believe many people would love the V-shaped sound signature. A great advantage is that the earphones sound good and entertaining when you listen to Pop/EDM tracks. Besides, there is almost no distortion when I crank up the volume; Everything still sounds clear and frequency ranges don’t blend together. The soundstage of the ME05 is also pretty good as the treble is bright yet well controlled.
Conclusion
Pros
- Premium design
- Full or accessories
Cons
- Expensive
- Sound is too warm
The Master & Dynamic ME05 might be a good choice a few years ago but it is totally an overpriced tech this year. If you’re a fan of Master & Dynamic, you should hold on a little more until they release wireless versions that could work better on both iOS and Android devices.
