Greg turned me on to Master and Dynamic headphones at CES a few years ago. He loved the MW60 wireless over-the-ear headphones he reviewed. The company sent me a pair, and I agree; they’re awesome. Their $49 USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Cable is great when I need a wired connection to my iPad Pro.
The MW60 offer a strong wireless connection, great battery life, and awesome sound. There are, however, times when a wired connection is preferable. The problem is the headphones ship with two cables. One is a USB-A to micro-USB cable for charging the headphones. The other is a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable. That’s great except for the fact that, except for my laptop, none of my primary devices have a 3.5mm headphone jack any longer. My iPhone has a Lightning connection, and my 2018 iPad Pro has a USB-C connector. That eliminates the option for a wired connection.
Thankfully, Master & Dynamic offer some different cables that can be purchased accessories. They offer a 3.5mm to Lightning Cable in black or white for $39. They also offer a 3.5mm to USB-C cable in the same white or black. It costs $49 and, while that might seem like a lot for a cable (especially when the headphones work well wirelessly), I purchased one to make sure I have the option available to me.
The 1.2m cable is a simple, braided affair that gets the job done. The woven fabric covering the wires is thick enough to offer long-lasting use and, as a bonus, it has a tangle-free design.
In addition to the 3.5mm connector on one side and the USB-C connector on the other, the cable has a three-button in-line controller 1/3 of the day from the 3.5mm connector. That places it at the ideal location for easy access while listening to the headphones.
There is also a microphone built into the cable. It is positioned a few inches from the 3.5mm connector. This places it right next to your mouth while using the headphones.
This would, in and of itself, be enough to make this a great accessory for your MW60s or any other headphones that accept a 3.5mm connector. There is, however, more to this cable than meets the eye. Built into it is a digital to analog DAC that helps ensure you get the most from your music. As the company notes:
Our USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Cable optimizes the connection between our headphones and your Android device. An advanced digital to analog (DAC) converter provides acoustic benefits while heavy-duty woven fabric ensures durability. Cable includes a remote and voice control-enabled microphone, and is compatible with MW60, MW50, MH40 and MH30.
Master & Dynamic note that the cable is intended for Android devices that have a USB-C connector, but I found that it worked just fine with my iPad. The audio is excellent, and the three button controller worked as intended despite being connected to an iOS device.
The Master & Dynamic USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Cable is a terrific accessory for your M&D headphones. No, I don’t expect to use it that often — after all, these are wireless headphones — but I do like knowing that I can still enjoy my music and video even when a wireless connection isn’t advisable, or the battery in the headphones has run down. Check it out here.
Source: Personal purchase
What I Like: Thick, braided cable won’t tangle and will last a long time; three-button controller works well and is nicely placed along the cable; Microphone is built into the cable and is just a few inches down from the 3.5mm connector placing it in the perfect position for conversations; Built-in DAC ensures you get the best possible sound
What Needs Improvement: Required an additional purchase since the included cable assumes you still have a headphone jack; Designed for Android so may not always work with non-Android devices