Update: added 'for a closed headphone' at the end of the first paragraph.

The above prototype Master & Dynamic's MH40 headphones fell into my hands earlier this week. They are comfortable, well made, and absolutely awesome. The leather pads attach magnetically, the band tighteners bear empirical marks, and there's more metal in them than any sub-400$ headphone out there. Sound-wise, they are smooth, with gobs of good bass, and plenty of space for a closed headphone.

I'll be reviewing them at Headfonia in a couple of weeks. I can't wait for that review to go public, but more than that, I can't wait to get back to reviewing them.

Actually, my wife can't either. Headphones that pass her litmus are few. One look at the MH40 and she was like, "hey, they don't look crap". It wasn't a slight. She knows all the brands, even likes the ortofon eQ8. But when it comes to putting on headphones, the most important thing for her is looks. Next is comfort. Me and my small head? Comfort first, looks second. Yep. Sound is incredibly important. I don't buy crappy sounding headphones or earphones. But I won't strap on ridiculous looking headphones. Nor will I lug around headphones that feel bad, no matter how good they sound.

Fortunately, these bad boys pass on all fronts.

This is what they look like next to a Nuforce DAC80 and the classic Graham Slee Solo Ultra Linear.