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This week's best deals: Sony headphones, Surface Pro 7 and more
This week brought a great deal on our favorite pair of wireless headphones, plus a number of other good deals. Those who need to shut out the world can grab Sony's WH-1000XM3 wireless noise-cancelling headphones for $238, and those who need a new 2-in-1 can get a discount on Microsoft's Surface Pro 7 -- Type Cover included. Musicians can also still snag Native Instruments plug-ins for free. Here are the best deals from the week that remain available today. Sony WH-1000XM3 wireless headphones Newegg still has Sony's WH-1000XM3 wireless noise-cancelling headphones for only $238, which is $112 less than their usual price of $350. We gave these headphones a score of 94 and praised them for their excellent noise-cancellation capabilities and equally impressive audio quality. They have only a few downsides, one being finicky touch controls, but those can be easily overlooked when nearly everything else about these headphones is stellar. Buy Sony WH-1000XM3 on Newegg - $238
Readers explain why they like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds more than we did
Though he's reviewed more than a dozen audio products for Engadget this year alone, senior news editor Billy Steele hasn't found any he disliked more than Samsung's Galaxy Buds. They earned a pitiful 69 from Billy, who was endlessly frustrated by their tap controls and lack of features. They took too long to pair and he wasn't impressed by the audio quality either. However, our users actually rated the earbuds higher than we did, awarding the Galaxy Buds an average score of 74. Here's what they had to say about their experiences with the buds as long-term users.
Is Master & Dynamic’s MW65 worth its asking price?
Senior news editor Billy Steele has some serious experience reviewing headphones and earbuds. So when it came to Master & Dynamic's latest luxury headphones, he was pleased to see the same refined design, premium materials and trademark aesthetic details that mark the company's earlier offerings. As the first noise-cancelling headphone set from Master & Dynamic, the MW65 boasts great audio quality and intuitive controls in addition to a lightweight, comfortable fit. But it also comes with a sobering price tag of $499, which kept Billy from scoring it higher than a respectable 88.
Master & Dynamic's MW65 are its first noise-cancelling headphones
Last year, Master & Dynamic filled a gap in its headphone lineup with the MW07 true wireless earbuds, but the company was still missing one key feature: noise cancellation. That changes today as M&D has announced the MW65, a set of over-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC). The company's attention to detail is on display once more, with its trademark aesthetic that mixes leather and metal. The additions of ANC and a dedicated Google Assistant button do come at a cost, pushing the price tag on the MW65 to $499.
Louis Vuitton wireless earbuds will cost you almost $1,000
Louis Vuitton is bringing its luxury brand to the world of audio. The French fashion house is teaming up with New York City-based audio company Master & Dynamic to create Louis Vuitton's first branded earbuds. The Louis Vuitton Horizon Earphones will come in four different colorway designs and are expected to retail for $995, according to High Snobiety.
Master & Dynamic MW07 review: Premium sound, premium price
For about a year now, the true wireless earbud craze has been in full swing. Even the holdouts introduced sets this month. At IFA, both Audio-Technica and Sennheiser debuted their belated entries in this audio arms race. Now there's another company entering the fray: Master & Dynamic. The company revealed its $299 MW07 true wireless earphones today -- a set that exhibits the company's affinity for premium materials and stellar sound. In fact, these may be the best-sounding wireless earbuds I've tested, but crafting the perfect pair takes more than audio prowess.
MW50+ headphones let you choose between on-ear or over-ear
When it comes to buying new headphones, you typically have to choose between on-ear or over-ear before you make a purchase. And once you do, that's your option. Sure, there are few companies that offer the ability to change between the two styles, but that functionality is far from the norm. As of today though, you can add Master and Dynamic to that list. With the MW50+, the company lets you change the earpads on its MW50 wireless on-ear headphones to make them an over-ear set in a matter of seconds.
The best wireless headphones
Music is a necessity while I'm working. If it's not tunes from Spotify, there's at least a podcast chattering on in my ear. Of course, if you don't want to bother those around you with what you're listening to, you need a good set of headphones. The best options will also do a good job of blocking out the outside world. We've already offered some suggestions on the best wireless earbuds, so now it's time to examine the best over-ear wireless headphones. Each was selected for its mix of comfort, sound quality and effective noise cancellation. Because let's be honest: Audio is just one part of the equation when it comes to long listening sessions.
Master & Dynamic’s concrete speaker is equal parts sound and spectacle
If you're a fan of well-designed headphones that have a unique aesthetic, Master & Dynamic should be at the top of your list. The company has been pairing colored leather and metal accents for years now, creating some of the best looking audio accessories available. Earlier this year, the company ventured into another product category: wireless speakers. In true M&D fashion, it didn't cut corners on design, materials or sound and even opted to make its first model out of concrete. Sure, it's been done before, but concrete speakers are still a novelty. It looks great and, as I discovered after spending several weeks with one, the MA770 is more than capable when it comes to audio quality. But, it's not for everyone.
Master & Dynamic's new headphones take cues from Bamford watches
It's no secret that Master & Dynamic makes some of the best-looking headphones around these days, and the company routinely enlists other like-minded brands to join them. On heels of a Leica collaboration, M&D teamed up with UK-based Bamford Watch Department to re-imagine its wireless MW60 headphones. While Master & Dynamic's signature metal construction is still here with a matte black finish, it's the details from the luxury watchmaker that offer a new spin on the familiar over-ear headphones.
Master and Dynamic developed its own concrete for its first speaker
When a company moves into a new product category, it's important to make a statement with that first device. Master & Dynamic has been designing some of the best-looking headphones you can buy for just under three years; today it's introducing its first speaker, the MA770. This isn't just any wireless speaker, though. Rather than using wood, plastic or metal for the primary material on the MA770, Master & Dynamic chose concrete. That decision led the company to develop its own composite and collaborate with world-renowned architect Sir David Adjaye on the design.
M&D's wireless MW50 headphones aren't perfect, but they sound great
Master & Dynamic has dabbled in wireless sound before, but big cans like the MW60s aren't always the most convenient to lug around. People's needs change when it's time to pack up our gear and venture out into the world, and that's why the company recently released a new set of wireless headphones: the on-ear MW50s. At $449, they're currently the least expensive wireless option in Master & Dynamic's lineup, but that's still pretty dear for a pair of wireless headphones. That said, their blend of performance and style might be worth it for some of you.
Master and Dynamic adds the on-ear MW50 to its wireless lineup
Almost exactly a year ago, Master & Dynamic debuted its first wireless headphones with the over-ear MW60. Today, the company is adding to that product line with the on-ear MW50. This new model carries a similar look to last year's arrival with plenty of silver aluminum and your choice of black or brown leather. The MW50's ear cups are a bit rounder than the MW60, but that's really the only difference in design other than how you wear them.
Recommended Reading: Olivia Munn on why we're all nerds now
Putting on Her Game Face Connie Guglielmo, CNET Olivia Munn plays Psylocke in the upcoming X-Men: Apocalypse movie and CNET caught up with the actress to chat gaming, smart home tech and more. Munn says that there's no reason to continue to call folks geeks or nerds now that tech is everywhere. She also has a solid solution for how to remedy traffic jams.
Master & Dynamic's brass earbuds mix style with great sound
So far, I haven't had the best luck with the earbuds I've reviewed: The OnePlus Icons were unremarkable, and though Earin sold me on the idea of totally wireless earbuds, the execution left something to be desired. And so my ridiculous, Goldilocks-ian journey to find my perfect in-ears continues, this time with the $199 Master & Dynamic ME05.
The story behind Master & Dynamic's mix of sound and design
Master & Dynamic's latest headphones, the wireless over-ear MW60s, may have been announced ahead of CES, but that didn't stop me from getting the story behind the excellent aesthetics. I sat down with CEO Jonathan Levine to find out why design is so important to him and what the results are like when you aren't willing to compromise on materials and sound quality. By the end of our talk, I even got a hint of what we'll see from the company in 2016.
Master & Dynamic's MW60s are a stellar mix of style and sound
My first experience with Master & Dynamic's audio gear was the time I spent with the MH40 wired headphones this summer. I noticed the company's knack for stellar design a while back, but I hadn't been able to give the goods a try. Now, the company continues its aesthetic prowess with a new set of cans: the MW60. Keeping many of the striking design details from the MH40, the MW60s nix the required cable in favor of Bluetooth connectivity. Those same materials that give the MH40s their attractive look are back once more. The combination of leather and metal not only looks sophisticated, but maintains comfort and keeps the extra heft to a minimum, even with the added wireless components. However, the added Bluetooth feature does arrive with a $149 price hike. I took a pre-production unit for a spin to see if they lived up to Master & Dynamic's reputation for stellar audio products, and here's what I found.
Master & Dynamic's MH40 headphones sound as good as they look
When it comes to headphone design, the popular brands don't venture too far from the prescribed formula. Circular earcups, leather-like padding and a folding frame have become de rigueur for on-ear and over-ear models. Then there's Master & Dynamic. You may not have heard of the company -- I hadn't until a few weeks ago -- but if you're looking for headphones with some serious style, this is an eye-catching option. For me, looks can only go so far; the cans need to sound great, too. I put the company's $399 MH40 over-ear headphones through their paces for a couple of weeks to find out if the beauty was more than skin-deep.
