06 Nov
Blog

Sony Bravia XR Z9J Master Series 8K HDR TV Review

Sony Z9J TV with multicolored, glittering swirls on the screen.

Sony Bravia XR Z9J Master Series 8K HDR TVs

RRP $ 6,500.00

"The Z9J is one of the best televisions of all time."

advantages

  • Incredible brightness

  • Excellent control of the background lighting / black levels

  • Spot-on color

  • Excellent movement

  • good sound

disadvantage

  • It lacks high-end gaming features

  • Very expensive

The Sony Master Series Bravia XR Z9J is one of the most emerging TVs that you can buy today. Sure, LG has its $ 30,000 worth of $ 30,000 8K OLED TV, but among the LED / LCD TVs, the Sony Z9J is the most expensive commercially available TV you can buy. At around $ 6,500 on the street, the 75-inch Sony Z9J makes Samsung's $ 2,600 flagship 75-inch 8K Q900R look like a budget buy in comparison.

Do you need the Z9J? No. Do you want the Z9J? Yes sir. Will you ever own one I doubt it. But here's the thing: none of this really matters.

Allow me to explain.

Pure Sony flex

Streaming options on the Sony Z9J.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The Sony Master Series Z9J is the successor to a line of Z-Series TVs that represent the best that Sony can make. When we talk about "setting the bar" that is the purpose of the Z-Series. If the Z9J could speak on behalf of Sony, I think it would say something like, “Hi. I am the Z9J. I'm the best LED / LCD TV Sony has ever made, and I'm the best LED / LCD TV money can buy. Sony knows TV technology better than any other brand and I am proof of that. "

This Z9J – such a racket. But does it have the means to back up these claims? In most cases, yes.

While the Z9J doesn't quite reach TV nirvana (it seems to have too much self-esteem for an inanimate object), it comes very close to it. I've tested TVs that can get brighter, TVs that can get darker, and TVs with more advanced gaming features, but all in all, the Sony Z9J outperforms them all with the right…. Perhaps more importantly, though, the Z9J is just plain fun to see.

Oh, and the fact that it's an 8K TV? That's just a bonus.

How does Sony do it?

The XR processor is key to the Z9J's outstanding performance.

Details about the Sony Bravia XR Z9J

While we tested the 75-inch model XR75Z9J, our test also applies to the 85-inch model XR85Z9J.

Screen size Model no RRP
75 in

XR75Z9J

 $ 6,499
85 in XR85Z9J $ 8,999

Again with the processor

Image with colorful stripes on the Sony Z9J.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The latest generation of image processing chips from Sony is called the Cognitive Processor XR. For the sake of brevity – and undoubtedly to the chagrin of Sony – I will simply refer to it as the “XR processor” in the following. This processor is key to the Z9J's outstanding performance. In some ways I understand how it works and in others I am completely amazed. Look, I'm not an engineer, I just play one on TV.

What I understand is that the processor is supposed to understand how the human eye / visual system works and then actively maximize the performance of a television by using cognitive intelligence and doing a lot of processes per second. It's not just about how quickly this processor can make decisions, it's also about how meaningful those decisions are. For example, if we see an image of a cheetah on the screen in the grassy plains of Africa, with the cheetah in the foreground and the grasses in the background, the XR processor is likely to put its effort into resolving fine details in the cheetah coat for each Image it appears in instead of trying to add detail to a blurry grass background. That is smart decision making.

Another way to express the importance of this TV's processor: if the Z9J were a car, the XR processor would be its engine. Several other brands build TVs with many of the same parts as in the Sony Z9J, but they don't look like the Z9J because they don't have the Z9J's motor. In other words, you could build the shell of a McLaren 720S to specification, right down to the wheels, tires, mirrors, seats, and steering wheel – and it would look just like a McLaren 720s. But throw a Toyota Camry engine under the hood and that car has no hope of doing anything remotely like a McLaren 720s.

Now that I'm immersed in that auto metaphor, let me go ahead and beat her to death. If I put a McLaren 720s engine in our 720s-looking shell, but gave the car a Chevy Malibu drivetrain and suspension … well, you get it. It still won't work like the McLaren 720s. Likewise, Sony's XR processor needs some other premium mechanics to work its magic. That brings us to the backlight system.

Proven backlighting system

Beautiful starry sky over a bridge on the Sony Z9J TV.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Sony used to call its fancy backlight system "Sony Backlight Master Drive". This is the marketing language for Sony's Secret Sauce lighting system. While LG, Samsung and TCL are promoting mini LED backlight systems, Sony is sticking to a tried and tested system that remains a mystery to anyone who cannot physically disassemble and analyze it – it has simply left out the fancy name. Ask Sony what's going on behind the curtain and it will respond with something like, "We don't say, but it looks great, doesn't it?"

All right, Sony. You won't tell. And you are right. It looks great.

HDR images, both in HDR10 and Dolby Vision, look spectacular.

I don't know how it can be that Sony can use a fraction of full-size LEDs with far fewer dimming zones than the competition and somehow create a TV that looks better than TVs with much more impressive specs on paper, but the company pulls that trick year round for year through. The result is excellent backlighting with minimal blooming and halo effects, excellent black levels, very impressive shadow details and really impressive brightness – all where it matters. HDR images, both in HDR10 and Dolby Vision, look spectacular.

That brings us back to the XR processor. Thanks to the intelligent decision-making of the XR processor, the backlight system does what it does when it has to. At least I think that's what happens. I end up seeing a stunning TV, and with Sony keeping its approach so secret, I can only make one smart guess.

Masterful color

Colorful picture of a major event on the display of the Sony Z9J.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Since it's not enough for me to simply say that the Z9J has impeccable color rendering, I use a Spectracal C6 colorimeter profiled on an X-rite i1 Pro spectrometer and Calman Ultimate software to measure TV performance to eat. In terms of color, the Z9J is an exemplary performer. I've only seen two other TVs with standard color accuracy that can stand up to the Z9J, and these two TVs were also made by Sony (the A90J and the A80J).

Flawless movement

Images of burning firewood on the Sony Z9J TV.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Historically, Sony's strength, cinematic and fluid movement with a minimum of artifacts, is one of the Z9J's more admirable features. There's a fine line between breaking down motion blur and introducing gross motion smoothing that makes an image appear artificial or what I believe to be the dreaded “soap opera” effect, and I've never seen a brand tread that line as neatly as Sony it does. Although to be honest, many of Sony's premium TVs do equally admirably in this category at a much lower price point.

Superior upscaling

With so little 8K content to enjoy (thanks, YouTube, for some amazing 8K footage for 8K TVs, albeit heavily compressed), it's important that every 8K TV is capable of 4K To upscale 1080p and 720p material to 8K resolution without it looking worse than its native resolution. While I feel like most TV manufacturers offer solid upscaling, I'll have to leave it up to Sony as it is cut off from the competition in this area. Pictures just look cleaner on Sony 8K TVs, regardless of the original resolution. But no TV is a miracle worker, and I contend that no 75-inch or taller TV looks good when playing 720p cable or satellite content.

Sound of stars

Close up of the bottom of the Sony Z9J's screen.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

For those of you who regularly read my TV reviews, I'm going to sound like a broken record here. I think a premium TV like the Z9J deserves an equally high quality sound system. Really, a television just doesn't have to sound terrible to be passable in my book. After that, an immersive, immersive audio experience is best delivered from a high quality soundbar (we have more than a few amazing suggestions for the best soundbars you can buy) or even better, a multi-speaker audio system powered by an A / V Device powered is receiver (an admittedly dying type of sound system).

All in all, the Sony Z9J delivers a surprisingly satisfying audio experience with punch, grunt, clarity, and musicality. It's one of the best sounding TVs you can buy. And it should be the price.

Performance metrics

In SDR without adjustments to the user-defined picture mode (automatic local dimming to medium and peak luminance to off). I measured 389 nits of peak brightness from a 10% window. With Auto Local Dimming on low, I measured 431 nits, and with that setting on high, I got 381.

With automatic local dimming to medium and low peak luminance, I achieved 784 nits. With medium peak luminance I reached 1422 nits and with high setting 1902 nits. This is for SDR folks. This is an incredibly bright SDR picture. You shouldn't take this TV outside with you, but you could take this TV outside and still see it in full sun.

With HDR there were variations depending on where the auto local dimming setting was, but the advanced contrast setting had a big impact on the TV's brightness output. At the medium setting, I have a peak brightness of 2,500 nits. Impressive.

I assume that the Z9J is likely to be able to achieve a peak brightness of 4,000 nits with small HDR highlights.

I just went into Vivid mode to grin and it zoomed in to 3,600 nits. Impressive.

Keep the following in mind: Measuring a test pattern with a 10% white window is not a fair measure of real content performance. I assume that the Z9J is likely to be able to achieve a peak brightness of 4,000 nits with small HDR highlights.

Is there something it can't do?

Caleb Denison plays a video game on the Sony Z9J.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Given the mountain of praise I've given the Z9J, one might wonder what its weaknesses might be. It has a couple.

First, the Sony Z9J is not the best choice for gamers who want the latest features supported by next generation game consoles like the Xbox Series X / S or PCs with hot rod graphics cards like the RTX-3000 series. At the time of writing, variable refresh rate (VRR) is not yet supported (at least not in the US) and firmware updates for VRR support in markets outside the US have been less than warmly received. The auto-low-latency mode was only recently (somehow) offered in a firmware update and is supposedly buggy.

While I don't see hardcore gamers opting for the Z9J, with so many other standout gaming TV options available at a fraction of the cost, I think anyone who pays that much for a TV should get everything. All the bells and whistles. The Z9J falls short in this regard.

Car video game on the Sony Z9J.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

In all honesty, I think the Z9J's biggest weakness is that it can't be enjoyed by very many people at home. To say it is prohibitive is a gross understatement. Fortunately, I expect the Sony X95J to match 95% of the Z9J's performance at a much more accessible price point (relatively speaking, of course – it's still pretty expensive). Does the Z9J really have to be that expensive? That's the harsh reality with luxury products, I suppose.

Why i love it

Sony Z9J TV with multicolored, glittering swirls on the screen.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

By the time I saw the Sony Z9J, I would have told you that the TV I was going to buy this year would be either the LG G1 Gallery Series OLED or the Sony A90J OLED – and it would be a tough call between the two. Now that I've seen this TV I'm not sure. No TV stopped me from OLED like the Sony Z9J. I think it's the HDR brightness beat and the way the image seems to jump off the screen into my room in a way I haven't seen from OLED before. Don't get me wrong, OLED is still the king of contrast thanks to its perfect black levels, but the Z9J does so well that I don't have to work too hard to forgive him for suffering a bit in the blacks department. It's just that good.

I spent hours just watching it because it was such an incredible joy to see.

The greatest validation I can give this TV is that I spent hours just watching it because it was such an incredible joy to see. Sure, I probably should have done other work, but I got myself a passport and watched for sheer pleasure knowing it would be a year or so before a TV like the Z9J crossed my test room again.

After all the hours I've spent watching, I want to see it even more. I said that about the few televisions in my life.

Our opinion

Is there a better alternative?

In terms of picture quality, in my opinion only the LG C1 and G1 OLED TVs, the Sony A90 or the Samsung Q900R can hold a candle to the Z9J, and for different reasons. Unfortunately, the blanket answer to this question is yes, as the price of this TV is unjustifiable.

How long it will take?

The Z9J is only held back by the lack of support for some functions related to HDMI 2.1, and these are reserved for advanced gaming problems. In terms of product quality and relevance, the Z9J will still be talked about in five or more years, just like the Z9D is today. Sony offers a one-year parts and labor warranty against defects in televisions used in the home.

Should you buy it?

If you have the resources, beat yourself up. The Z9J is a standout television. Just invite me to a watch party.

Editor's recommendations



13 May
Blog

Asus Zenfone Flip Review: The Selfie Master Returns

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip review

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review: The Selfie Master Returns

"The Zenfone 8 Flip's unique motorized camera module makes it the best selfie camera you can buy, but the rest of the phone goes unnoticed because of its sturdy body and recycled design."

  • Motorized camera means amazing selfies

  • Excellent audio

  • Ideal for playing

  • Fast, reliable software

  • No water resistance

  • No wireless charging

  • Big and heavy

If you expect the Zenfone 8 Flip to be a radical departure from the Zenfone 7 Pro, you will be disappointed as the phone is almost identical to the 2020 flagship on the outside. It's also not exactly Asus' big release for 2021, evidenced by the lack of a "Pro" suffix. This honor actually goes to the “compact flagship” Zenfone 8.

So should you even care? Yes, as some important changes have been made internally and the technically very clever motorized camera module means it's still one of the best smartphones you can buy if you really love selfies. Just don't expect the rest of the phone to delight you in the same way.

design

Give or take a few tenths of a millimeter, the Zenfone 8 Flip is exactly the same size and shape as the Zenfone 7 Pro. Asus may have kept the Zenfone 8's body less than 70mm wide to make it easy to use with one hand, but the Zenfone 8 Pro doesn't. It is 77 mm wide, 9.8 mm thick and weighs 230 grams. The back is made of glass, the body is made of metal, and the flip camera module is made of liquid metal for strength and lightness.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The flip camera is the reason you buy the Zenfone 8 Flip because it allows you to use the rear cameras for selfie tasks too. The motor – a wonderful piece of technology on a small scale – quickly flips the camera out and over the top of the phone so that the three cameras are pointed at you. It's a very mechanical experience as you can hear and feel the motors and gears working at the same time, a very unusual tactile feeling on a modern smartphone. It's fast and smooth, and Asus has upgraded the components to improve durability. Now it promises to last at least 300,000 flips compared to 200,000 on the Zenfone 7 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I like the flip camera. It's unique, works very well, and has features not available on any other smartphone. However, the entire Zenfone 8 Pro package is dated as the design hasn't changed at all from last year's phone, and it arguably isn't much different from the Zenfone 6 Flip either. The Zenfone 8 Flip is big, heavy, thick, and just not nifty or pretty enough compared to phones like the OnePlus 9 Pro, iPhone 12, and Samsung Galaxy S21. This makes the Zenfone 8 Pro more difficult to sell, despite the pull of the flip camera.

screen

The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen on the front of the Zenfone 8 Flip, made by Samsung, is not interrupted by a punch or notch, as the flip camera makes something like that irrelevant. It has a refresh rate of 90 Hz, a touch sampling rate of 200 Hz, a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits and special features such as a DCI-P3 color gamut. Asus claims the bezels are smaller than the Zenfone 7 Pro, but I don't see much of a difference.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's the popular 20: 9 aspect ratio that's shared by phones like the Galaxy S21 and OnePlus 9. As you'd expect, it's great for watching videos and games. It's an FHD + resolution, but I didn't miss the higher resolution that phones like the OnePlus 9 Pro offer under normal circumstances, and it also extends the battery life. It doesn't have an extreme curve on either side, so it's mostly flat, which can be attractive too.

For lengthy viewing sessions, the size and weight made the Zenfone 8 Flip more tiring than lighter and more compact devices, and while the screen is bright and colorful, the lack of a front-facing selfie camera cutout isn't enough to excite me about having it over one of the other really impressive phone screens like the iPhone 12 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro, and Galaxy S21 +.

camera

The Zenfone 8 Flip has a total of three cameras, all of which are in the same module. The main model is a 64-megapixel Sony IMX686 with an aperture of f / 1.8, phase-detection autofocus and 8K video recording with electronic image stabilization. The second is a 12MP Sony IMX363 wide angle camera with f / 2.2 aperture and auto focus, and the third is an 8MP camera with 3x optical zoom.

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review Mirrored CameraAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review Flip Cam BackAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip review cam angleAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

For a rear camera, the Zenfone 8 Flip's setup is decent but not outstanding, but for a front camera setup, it's about the best you can get. All of the above features, as well as various video modes, are ready for selfies too. That means wide-angle selfies, 3x zoom selfies, and even 8K video selfies if that's what you really want, and absolutely no other phone offers the same functionality in its front-facing camera.

Even the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, with its tiny rear screen, isn't as easy to use as the Zenfone 8 Flip for high-quality selfies, as you're staring at the full 6.67-inch screen as you shoot. The Asus camera app is great too and offers plenty of speed to suit its functionality. The flip module can be set to different angles via a context menu that allows you to take photos from unusual angles. The motorized flip camera has an automatic panorama mode where it moves for you instead of moving the phone and a tracking mode.

All of this is very good, but does the camera take good photos? It's technically very similar to the Zenfone 8's camera, which means the photos are very easy to share due to the strong HDR effect and bright, eye-catching colors. I think they look great, and I prefer this to an underexposed shot that I have to edit before I want to share it. It's not very consistent, however, and the wide-angle camera struggles with difficult lighting. I stuck to using the main camera and 3x optical zoom, which adds to the versatility of the Zenfone 8 Flip's camera.

You can choose different angles for the flip module with the push of a button, but I'm having trouble finding a scenario where this makes a lot of sense. The auto panorama mode is effective and improves sewing because there is no camera shake when panning. The motion tracking also uses the motorized module and keeps up very well, provided the subject isn't moving too fast. While all of these fun little features work well, they are a little tricky and probably won't get used very often.

The Zenfone 8 Flip has a good rear camera that takes photos that you love to share without messing around with a lot of editing and an amazing front camera that takes better selfies than any other phone. It's a strange statement when you know the back and the selfie camera are one and the same. Compared to other phones like this one, the Zenfone 8 Flip's unique camera feature ensures that it stands out from the selfie crowd.

Performance and software

Asus' ZenUI interface is based on Android 11 and roughly corresponds to the experience you get with a Google Pixel phone. It is therefore relatively free of unnecessary apps, functions and functions. It's clean, easy-to-use software with a lot of Android features that I like, including a great dark theme, simple settings menu, standard notifications without changing the notification shade, and an easy turn-off screen when you hold down the power button. It may sound silly, but these make the phone logical and pleasant to live with on a daily basis. It was completely reliable too.

asus zenfone 8 flip review appsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review AngleAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review Refresh RateAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review Screen HandheldAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

I really enjoyed playing on the Zenfone 8 Flip thanks to a combination of the monster performance of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, the 20: 9 aspect ratio screen, and the superb audio I'm used to from Asus. It's not quite on par with the ROG Phone 5, but it's pretty close with a deep, melodic, and distortion-free sound at almost any volume. I've played Asphalt 9: Legends for more than an hour in one session (shhh, don't tell my editor) on the Zenfone 8 Flip, and this is where the weight and size can give the phone an edge as the weight makes it easy to grip.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The 5,000 mAh battery is much better than the cell in the Zenfone 8. It took up to two days with moderate use with Wi-Fi, and is slightly longer than a day even with some lengthy gaming sessions and WhatsApp video calls. The phone supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0 and Asus' 30 W HyperCharge with the included network block. Wireless charging is not possible.

Price and availability

The Asus Zenfone 8 Flip has 8 GB of RAM and either 128 GB or 256 GB of storage space and costs $ 972 from 799 euros. US price and availability have not been confirmed at the time of writing. The Asus Zenfone 7 Pro sold for around $ 800 in the US. So if the Zenfone 8 Flip makes it too, we're assuming it will be somewhere near that cost.

Our opinion

Living with the Zenfone 8 Flip was like going back to early 2020. The design wasn't really a winner before, it's just too heavy, and seeing it again in 2021 is unhappy and makes the phone look and dated feel. The size and weight will put some people off, but I found it works in favor of the phone when gaming, especially when combined with the excellent sound. However, you definitely know you have a 230 gram phone in your pocket.

The Zenfone 8 Flip lives and dies from how badly you want the flip camera. If you take a lot of selfies, the features and specs on paper are second to none, and you'll get great results compared to any phone with a single front camera. However, if you are serious about mobile photography in general, better phone cameras are not available for much more money.

It might be an impressive piece of technology, but the flip module means the Zenfone 8 Flip is not water-resistant, nor can the phone be charged wirelessly. Asus makes a good case for not including wireless charging. It helps control the battery life with wired charging and special modes. Sometimes it helps, and both it and an IP68 rating are generally considered a basic data sheet these days.

Where's the Zenfone 8 Flip? It's typical of Asus: a well-made, well-designed and well-equipped device that serves a niche with a unique function. It's the same offering as the ROG Phone 5 for gamers and the Zenfone 8 with its compact flagship design. You'll know right away if you are going to love the versatility of the Zenfone 8 Flip's flip camera, but if the selfie skills don't excite you, there are better phones for you.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. Based on the Zenfone 8 Flip for around $ 900 (we don't yet know the official US price), the OnePlus 9 Pro for $ 969 or the Apple iPhone 12 Pro for $ 1,000 are our top recommendations. Both have a lot of power to play with, beautiful screens, and very powerful cameras. They're generally better all-rounders than the Zenfone 8 Flip, with helpful everyday features like very fast wired charging, wireless charging, and more attractive, lighter designs.

When you shop for everything to do with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, sometimes it still can be found for around $ 1,000and it's an amazing value for that. Usually it wouldn't be an alternative to a phone that costs less than $ 1,000. If you're looking to spend less than $ 980, both the $ 699 Google Pixel 5 and the $ 830 Apple iPhone 12 are great.

How long it will take?

Asus includes a special case for the Zenfone 8 Flip, which can be used to lock the flip module so that it is not activated unexpectedly. The company says the mechanism is stronger than before and capable of at least 300,000 flips. It is also automatically retracted if a fall is detected. The module makes any kind of water resistance impossible. So you need to be careful if you want the phone to last a long time.

Asus promises two Android system updates as well as 5G on board if you use the fast network now or plan in the future. There are several battery charging modes, including a scheduler, to keep the battery performing for years to come. The only thing preventing the hardware of the Zenfone 8 Flip from feeling fresh in two years is the design, which is already a year old.

Should you buy it?

No. Unless you're really into selfies and can envision a scenario where you might want an 8K video selfie, the Zenfone 8 Flip doesn't have the general appeal of many of its competitors.

Editor's recommendations




27 Mar
Blog

Master & Dynamic MW08 Review: Revel In The Sublime Sound

Master & Dynamic MW08

Master & Dynamic MW08 Review: Indulge in the sublime sound

"The wonderful sound quality makes the MW08 an excellent choice for audiophiles."

  • Beautiful design and materials

  • Very convenient

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Really long battery life

  • Effective transparency mode

  • Good call quality

  • Simple and intuitive controls

  • Expensive

  • Limited customization

  • No wireless charging

  • No EQ adjustments

  • Poor ANC performance

Master & Dynamic (M&D) may not have the brand awareness of Sony, Apple, Bose, or Sennheiser, but the New York City-based boutique audio company has made some really standout headphones and earphones. The latest of these is the $ 299 MW08, the successor to the excellent MW07 Plus, which is now set to drop to $ 249 in price. With new materials, better Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and improved battery life, here's what you can expect from the MW08.

What's in the box?

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

First of all, I would like to take a moment to praise the MW08's box itself. It is a master class how to create an elegant package for a high-end product from 100% easily recyclable materials. It even has a book hinge design that stays closed without the use of embedded magnets. This is how all the electronics should be shipped.

The extremely sustainable box contains the earphones, your charging case, a cord denim carrying case, four sizes of silicone rubber earplugs (in addition to the pre-installed set) as well as a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a USB -C to USB-A adapter (thanks M&D!) And some quick guides in paper form.

design

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Master & Dynamic attaches great importance to the appearance of its products. The MW07 Plus was available in a wide range of 10 colors and styles (28 if you include M & D's partnerships with brands like Nike and Leica), most of which had a unique pattern and gave them a handmade feel. The MW08 continues this tradition, but places greater emphasis on simplicity: It is available in four single-color combinations of earphones and charging case: black ceramic / matt black stainless steel, white ceramic / stainless steel, brown ceramic / stainless steel and blue ceramic / graphite gray stainless steel.

Attention to detail is everywhere.

The black ceramic earbuds we tested have a subtle M&D logo and a high-gloss finish that exudes sophistication (despite being a giant fingerprint magnet). If you look closely, you will see a small black aluminum tape encircling the ceramic surface, which serves as both an antenna and a frame that holds everything together. This design approach was made famous by the iPhone 4.

While not as light as some other models, the earbuds are very compact and even smaller than any other high-end earbud, with the possible exception of Apple's AirPods Pro. The MW08 retains the same tiny physical control buttons as the MW07 Plus, making it look like a touch-based set of earbuds, but with the precision of real buttons.

The matt black stainless steel charging case is heavy and sturdy and has a hinged lid that can be opened and closed with the authority of a luxury car door. When you put the earbuds back in your pocket, you'll feel like you're putting them in a protective vault, not just a carrying case. Now, if I were to pick the best looking charging case, it would be a dead heat between the MW08 and the Zippo-inspired design of the Klipsch T5 II.

Attention to detail is pervasive, from the smooth movement of the hinge, to the way the earbuds are angled slightly towards you – so you can pull them out with ease – to the fact that the only thing that breaks the steel surface is three indicator LEDs are. You won't find any text or even a logo on the outside.

Wireless charging would have been a nice touch, but to my knowledge, steel and wireless charging are not happy companions, and M&D would have had to create a plastic charging window to achieve this.

It was easy to get a comfortable and secure seat.

The earbuds are rated IPX5 – more than enough for handling sweat and rain – while the case is rated IPX4, which we've only seen on a handful of other products like the Marshall Mode II.

Convenience, control and connections

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Thanks to the ergonomic shape of the MW08 and the generous number of silicone earbud sizes in the box, it was easy to get a comfortable and secure fit. M&D dumped the rubber wing tips of the MW07 Plus, which meant a compromise.

The MW08 are more comfortable for longer periods of time, but they don't lock in with the same level of security. As long as you're not trying to break sprint records, they should stay fine.

While you can definitely use them while running, I don't recommend it. Despite their small size, the earbuds are surprisingly heavy at 0.31 ounces each. For comparison, the AirPods Pro and Jabra Elite Active 75t are both 0.19 ounces.

Most of this mass is on the outer part of the earbud (that beautiful ceramic and aluminum) where it is least supported. As your feet pound on the sidewalk, that weight can be felt with every step, which I found tiring after a while, although they were still very comfortable overall.

The MW08's tiny control buttons are at the top of each earbud – a single button on the right and a double rocker button on the left. They work effortlessly, with very little travel and a pleasantly precise click when you press them.

They require you to put your thumb on the bottom edge for leverage, and I found that sometimes while jogging this can interfere with the position of the earbud in my ear. The bigger concern (at least for those who live in wintry conditions for half a year), however, is that the buttons can be difficult to operate with gloves on – a surprise given M & D's NYC headquarters.

Still, you get everything you need: volume, play / pause, answer / end, track forward / backward skip, access to voice assistant and ANC / transparency mode.

"Audiophile Quality" is being overused, but if there has ever been a line of true wireless earbuds worthy of the term, it is the MW08.

There's no way to change these (even though M&D created their very first smartphone app for these buds), but they're so intuitive that I wouldn't change them even if I had the option.

You can use each earbud independently if you want, but only the correct earbud can be used for calls.

Each earbud has a wear sensor that allows it to pause and play automatically when you remove or reinsert it. The response time is a bit slow: it can take up to three seconds for the sensors to register a change and then stop / start the music. You can deactivate this function in the M&D Connect app.

Sound quality

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

M & D charges a premium price for the MW08. If the company's choice for exotic materials and workmanship doesn't justify the $ 299 it cost, the sound quality should make you a believer.

Just like the MW07 Plus, the MW08 is a treat for your ears. The term "audiophile quality" is becoming increasingly popular, but if there has ever been a line of true wireless earbuds that deserve it, it is the MW08.

Take one of your favorite songs – you know, one of those songs that will never get old no matter how many times you listen to it – and the MW08 will breathe new life into it. Details hidden at the very end of a note, possibly the slightest click of a piano key or the vibration of a string while plucking or selecting, all become audible and put a smile on your face.

M&D doesn't offer EQ tweaks in the app, but if a sound signature is that good, who cares? The output of the MW08 is a clever balancing act, bright and precise through the upper mids and highs and warm and resonant in the mids and lows. The bass? Oh, there is plenty of it, but you will not hear it until asked, and then it cannot be ignored. The sound stage has an open and airy quality and is somehow intimate.

I owe the ventilated design of the MW08 to this achievement. Letting a small amount of air move between the outside world and your inner ear has a positive effect on openness – not to mention comfort, as it partially eases the sucking sensation of some earbuds – but it can also cause unwanted noise.

This is where the MW08's noise cancellation comes into play. Without them, you'd have to seek a quiet, controlled environment. But turn it on and almost any room can be your concert hall.

At the forefront of the true wireless market, it can be very difficult to pinpoint the best sound among giants like the Sony WF-1000XM3, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, the KEF Mu3, the Grado GT220, and the Bose QuietComfort earbuds. But I would argue that the MW08 can easily hold its own against these other models, and in my opinion they are the current market leader.

Noise cancellation and transparency

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Master & Dynamic MW08 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/master-and-dynamic-mw08-00001-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Master & Dynamic MW08 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/master-and-dynamic-mw08-00009-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Master & Dynamic MW08 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/master-and-dynamic-mw08-00014-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Based on what I just said above, you probably expect me to give M&D praise to the ANC of the MW08, but it's not that straightforward.

There are two settings of ANC – "max ANC" and "all day ANC" – the latter being designed for less intrusive environments.

When it comes to creating a calm floor for indoor music enjoyment, max ANC is really good. But as a focus tool, it can't compete with the AirPods Pro or the Bose QuietComfort when you want to escape roaring noises like the fans, machinery, or engines of an airplane (not that this has been much demanded lately) earbuds. It also struggles to suppress the daily commuting noises like traffic.

There are also two modes of transparency (or ambient mode, as M&D calls it): language and awareness. Think of these as zoom modes – voice enhances nearby sounds like conversations, while the mind tries to bring in sounds from further away. Both work very well, depending on what you need right now.

The MW08's fast charging capabilities are downright insane.

The biggest downside to both ANC and Transparency modes is that you have to press and hold the corresponding left earbud rocker button to activate it, rather than being able to instantly switch from one to the other. The Jabra Elite 85t can do this and is ideal for quick calls. The other thing I could do without is the sultry female voice announcing these mode changes every time. It gets old very quickly.

Battery life

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The MW07 Plus was already an outstanding performer in terms of battery life with 10 hours per charge and three additional full charges for a total of 40 hours. M&D claims the MW08 has even more juice: 12 hours per charge and an additional 30 hours in the case for a total of 42 hours of playtime.

Unfortunately I was unable to verify this. In my tests, the M&D Connect app showed 22% remaining battery life after eight hours of continuous playback. If this is accurate, it means the total playing time is closer to 10.4 hours, not 12.

When I reached out to M&D staff with these results, they were surprised and offered to review them at the end. I will update this review with their answer as soon as they have had a chance to run their own tests.

What I can confirm is the MW08's fast charge capabilities which are downright insane. If you put the earbuds back in the case for just 15 minutes, they will be charged to 50%. This is class leading in every way.

Call quality

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Calling the MW08 is very good. I found that the microphones did a great job of making my voice sound natural, without the compression that can plague other earbuds. In quiet places, it almost sounded like I was speaking directly into my phone's microphone. This is the holy grail for earphone call quality.

They also did a good job of blocking out background noise like traffic as I walked through some busy intersections. Some particularly loud noises still managed to drown out my voice, but that's not surprising – only the Bose QuietComfort earbuds turned out to be far better for calls.

Our opinion

The MW08 is beautifully crafted, offers great sound quality and battery life, and is an excellent choice for those who want to get the most out of their music. Just keep your noise cancellation expectations in check and you won't be disappointed.

Is there a better alternative?

I don't think you'll find a lineup of true wireless earbuds that look better, sound better, or last longer than the MW08, but that doesn't mean there aren't any worthy alternatives, especially if you're looking to save some cash.

The $ 230 KEF Mu3 have very comparable sound quality and I would argue that they are very attractive in their own unique way. But their ANC is mediocre, they have a larger and less pocketable charging case, and their call quality wasn't very impressive.

Sennheiser's $ 300 Momentum True Wireless 2 They also have great sound and very effective ANC, but are larger and bulkier and only get around six hours per charge.

If noise cancellation is a top consideration, the $ 280 Bose QuietComfort earbuds are amazing with sound quality that will not disappoint. However, they are significantly larger and less comfortable than the MW08 and have the shortest overall battery life of any of the alternatives.

How long will they last?

Master & Dynamic grants a two-year guarantee on all headphones. With IPX5 water resistance and great materials and build quality, I expect the MW08 to last for many years.

Should you buy it?

Yes. They have the best sound quality of any earbud we have tested. Reason enough to consider them for your next set of headphones.

Editor's recommendations




01 Mar
Blog

Best Way To Master The Bulgarian Split Squats

What is a Bulgarian Split Squat?

Bulgarian split squats are a variation on the squat. It's a one-legged squat where one leg rests on a raised surface in the back. This squat exercise requires a great deal of balance because all of your weight will be felt on one leg and the stretch from the squat will also be felt on the same leg.

Therefore, it would be helpful if you had a balance during this exercise. If balance is difficult, start with squats first. They are the best squat for learning balance.

This exercise is primarily aimed at your front leg as the hind leg resting on the raised surface is only for support.

Benefits of the Bulgarian squat:

The benefits that you can get from the Bulgarian Split Squats are listed below:

● Aiming at the lower body:

This exercise targets your lower body by targeting your glutes, calves, spine erectors, quads, hamstrings, and abs. So this is an ideal exercise for your legs and buttocks day.

● Focuses on the quadriceps muscle and core:

In addition to targeting your lower body, this exercise also focuses more on the quadriceps muscles and core.

● Aim at one side of the body at the same time:

This exercise allows you to concentrate on only one side of your body while allowing the other part to rest. This can be helpful if you have pain in one leg. At this point, you can allow your sore leg to relax and exercise the other leg.

● Improves balance:

This exercise will also help you learn the art of balancing as all of your body weight will be shifted to one leg. This makes it harder to crouch and balance with the same leg. So don't feel bad if you can't do this exercise at first. You will do them gradually.

● Improves mobility:

This exercise will also help you improve flexibility. It also makes your core stable. This is important because it allows you to keep your balance if you become unbalanced.

How do you do a Bulgarian split squat?

The following steps are for performing a basic version of the Bulgarian Split Squat:

  1. Place a bench or other elevated surface two feet away from you or in a place where your knee must swing as you place your leg in the air.
  2. Stand straight with your back and neck straight and look straight into the distance.
  3. Place your left leg on the raised surface and shift your body weight onto your right leg. It is difficult to maintain perfect distance and posture in this exercise. It takes some trial and error to find the right position that suits you.
  4. Your hands should be folded in front of you.
  5. Now bend your right knee until your right thigh is parallel to the floor.
  6. As you do this, your left leg should bend naturally and your left knee should almost touch the floor.
  7. Stay there for 10 seconds.
  8. Return to your starting position.
  9. Repeat with the other leg.

First, try to do about ten repetitions of this exercise. Then gradually increase the repetitions and set both of them. Do as much as you can, don't force.

Common mistakes to watch out for:

  1. Putting your back leg right in front of your front leg can shake your balance and cause you to fall. Your legs must be positioned a safe distance apart. However, remember not to place them too far away as this will throw you off balance as well.
  2. People tend to stand on tiptoe during this exercise. This can throw you off balance and hurt you. So don't get up on your toes.
  3. Don't let your front knee get out of alignment. This can put too much stress on a single muscle and cause muscle injury.
  4. Don't lean your body too far away from your hips. This can place undue stress on your front knee.
  5. Do not engage your back leg in this exercise. This leg is only there to improve balance. Your back leg should be in a fully resting position during this exercise.

Changes and variations of the Bulgarian split squat:

After mastering this basic version of Bulgarian split squat, you can continue challenging yourself by adding weight to this exercise. You can also hold dumbbells or kettlebells in your hand. To further increase the level of difficulty, you can place a barbell (loaded or unloaded) on your shoulders during this exercise.