Short answer: the Master & Dynamic MW07, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #424 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.3/5, at $163.57. The Etymotic ER3SE ranks #430, rated 2.0/5, at $149.99, $13.58 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones, and the Truthear Nova, ranked #2 at $169.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
What the Master & Dynamic MW07 does well: 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. The tradeoff: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 53, far from the balance most listeners prefer.
What the Etymotic ER3SE does well: A single balanced armature at 22 ohms and 102 dB/mW reaches comfortable volume from any phone or laptop without an amp. Watch for: In oratory1990’s measurement sub-bass sits 9.9 dB below target and falls 6 dB short as high as 67 Hz, so bass lines sound thin and lack weight.
Buy the Master & Dynamic MW07. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $13.58 saving on the Etymotic ER3SE is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Master & Dynamic MW07 | Etymotic ER3SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $163.57 | $149.99 |
| Ranked | #424 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #430 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 53 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.61 dB standard deviation | 4.18 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.75 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.73 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | True wireless | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x balanced armature |
| Active Noise Cancelling | No | - |
| Battery Life | 3.5 hours (14 with case, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | - |
| Weight | 0 lbs (9 g) per earbud | - |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Falls 6 dB below target at 67 Hz (-9.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Impedance | - | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- 1MORE Penta Driver vs Etymotic ER3SE
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
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
Etymotic ER3SE: $149.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A single balanced armature at 22 ohms and 102 dB/mW reaches comfortable volume from any phone or laptop without an amp. Its tuning lines up best with listeners who lean toward a neutral or warm taste rather than a bass-heavy one. It carries a higher rating than the pricier Westone W10.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement sub-bass sits 9.9 dB below target and falls 6 dB short as high as 67 Hz, so bass lines sound thin and lack weight. The treble drops 9.5 dB under target from 6 to 10 kHz with a 13.8 dB dip near 11.8 kHz, leaving cymbals and detail dull, and a preference score of 49 with 4.18 dB of deviation means most listeners hear it as colored. There is no built-in microphone for calls.
Full Etymotic ER3SE review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.18 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 | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 67 Hz (-9.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.73 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | +6.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,528 Hz | +7.4 dB | 0.72 |
| Peak | 1,942 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.45 |
| Peak | 206 Hz | -1.6 dB | 0.65 |
| Peak | 837 Hz | +1.9 dB | 1.72 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +4.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,498 Hz | -1.8 dB | 2.74 |
| Peak | 1,388 Hz | -0.3 dB | 3.82 |
| Peak | 6,000 Hz | +0.9 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,933 Hz | -0.6 dB | 3.44 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons