Short answer: the Etymotic ER3XR, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #402 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.8/5, at $149.99; the Master & Dynamic MW07 ranks #424, rated 2.3/5, and costs $163.57, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Truthear Nova instead, ranked #2 at $169.99.
The Etymotic ER3XR is the better-sounding option. At 22 ohms and 102 dB/mW it runs fine from a phone, and its single balanced armature design keeps things simple. Watch for: In oratory1990’s measurement treble falls about 8.5 dB below target from 6 to 16 kHz, with a 13.1 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals sound dull and fine detail fades.
The case for the Master & Dynamic MW07: These true wireless earbuds support aptX alongside SBC for better quality from compatible Android phones, and an IPX4 rating protects them against sweat and splashes. Watch for: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 53, far from the balance most listeners prefer.
Buy the Etymotic ER3XR. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Master & Dynamic MW07 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Etymotic ER3XR | Master & Dynamic MW07 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $163.57 |
| Ranked | #402 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #424 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 59 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 53 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.48 dB standard deviation | 3.61 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.75 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 22 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | No |
| Battery Life | - | 3.5 hours (14 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| IP Rating | - | IPX4 |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (9 g) per earbud |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Etymotic ER3XR:
- Shure SE215 vs Etymotic ER3XR
- Tipsy Dunmer Pro vs Etymotic ER3XR
- Master & Dynamic MW07 vs Etymotic ER3SE
- Master & Dynamic MW07 vs Etymotic ER2SE
- Master & Dynamic MW07 vs 1MORE Penta Driver
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Etymotic ER3XR: $149.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: At 22 ohms and 102 dB/mW it runs fine from a phone, and its single balanced armature design keeps things simple. The warm, treble-shy balance fits listeners who are sensitive to sharp highs and want nothing glaring up top. It rates above the Jabra Elite Active 65t and Master & Dynamic MW07 at a similar price.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement treble falls about 8.5 dB below target from 6 to 16 kHz, with a 13.1 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals sound dull and fine detail fades. Sub-bass drops 6 dB below target by 30 Hz, and both the Shure SE215 and FiiO FH3 rate higher for less money.
Full Etymotic ER3XR review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.48 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 59 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,475 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.67 |
| Peak | 1,644 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 167 Hz | -3.3 dB | 0.48 |
| Peak | 877 Hz | +2.4 dB | 1.64 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +4.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,614 Hz | -1.8 dB | 1.69 |
| Peak | 5,600 Hz | +1.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 42 Hz | -0.2 dB | 1.75 |
| Peak | 4,774 Hz | -0.5 dB | 3.58 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Master & Dynamic MW07: $163.57 TWS Amazon eBay
Pros: These true wireless earbuds support aptX alongside SBC for better quality from compatible Android phones, and an IPX4 rating protects them against sweat and splashes. A built-in microphone handles calls, and the case extends total playtime to about 14 hours.
Cons: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 53, far from the balance most listeners prefer. Battery life is only about 3.5 hours per charge, there is no active noise cancelling, and Bluetooth 4.2 is dated. The Jabra Elite Active 65t rates higher at a similar price.
Full Master & Dynamic MW07 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | No |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 3.5 hours (14 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 3.61 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 53 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.75 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (9 g) per earbud |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,136 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.95 |
| Peak | 166 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.54 |
| Peak | 5,807 Hz | -6.3 dB | 3.42 |
| Peak | 938 Hz | +4.7 dB | 0.91 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,393 Hz | +1.8 dB | 1.52 |
| Peak | 6,798 Hz | -2.1 dB | 4.67 |
| Peak | 3,625 Hz | -1.6 dB | 3.21 |
| Peak | 2,736 Hz | +0.9 dB | 4.33 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons