Master & Dynamic ME05 review: refreshed wired earbuds classics that have a lot more to give, thanks to dual USB-C and 3.5mm connectivity

A classic remastered for the modern era

Master & Dynamic ME05 on block against pink background
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

The re-released Master & Dynamic ME05 maintain the original’s amazingly articulate audio and excellent build quality, but now offer Hi-Res USB-C connectivity for the modern era, as well as a 3.5mm jack. You’ll have to deal with a bit of cable noise and noise isolation won’t blow you away, but otherwise, these are a stellar pair of wired earbuds.

Pros

  • +

    Beautifully balanced, detailed audio

  • +

    Dual 3.5mm / USB-C connectivity

  • +

    Great design and build quality

Cons

  • -

    Some cable noise to contest with

  • -

    Limited noise isolation

  • -

    Not the lightest buds about

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Master & Dynamic ME05: Review

10 years after their original release, the Master & Dynamic ME05 are back. Remastered for the modern era, these wired buds now include a Hi-Res USB-C adapter, meaning they’re able to seamlessly slot into your modern smartphone’s charging port. This revamped model also aims to provide “more expansive acoustics” and fit options, while still harnessing the strengths of their original, high-caliber build materials. But do these re-released classics still hold up?

Well, if we’re talking audio quality, the answer is yes – very much so. The re-released Master & Dynamic ME05 have an incredibly satisfying sound signature: it’s elegantly balanced, but adds a dash of warmth to ensure you get an exciting, yet tightly controlled listen. When I tuned in to I Want You by Moloko – a densely layered, all-action track – the Master & Dynamic ME05 captured each element with ease. The multiple synths, dramatic strings and thumping bass all sounded neatly separated and clear.

The details in this track weren’t lost either. For instance, bold vocals in the introduction maintained their breathy tone and the resonance of the piano wasn’t lost. The sudden crash of cymbals roused excitement without sounding harsh too, something I always listen out for in my epic quest to discover the best wired earbuds.

As I touched on earlier, there’s a pleasing degree of warmth to these buds, meaning you’ll hear clean bass that never sounds lethargic or muddied with lower-mids. When listening to Black Eye by Allie X, the hard-hitting drum machine could get admirably deep and sounded rhythmic and energetic.

If you’re a massive fan of bass-heavy bangers these might not quite offer the big boom you’re looking for, though. For instance, I threw on Splash Mountain by Yung Gravy and sub-bass didn’t have the raw power that’s meant to command the track. If that’s something you’re looking for, you may be better served by some of the best over-ear headphones, which are more capable of thunderous low-end output and customizable EQ.

Regardless, you’re getting fantastic high-resolution audio from these buds, whether you’re using the standard 3.5mm connector or the included USB-C adapter. This adapter supports up to 32-bit / 384kHz resolution audio, meaning you can indulge in higher-than CD quality sound with one of the best Android phones or best iPhones since the iPhone 15 switch to USB-C.

As well as the USB-C connector, the ME05 now come with a large selection of additional ear tips, including both gel and foam variants. This was something we hoped for in our review of the review of the original model back in 2017 – so kudos to Master & Dynamic for delivering! There’s also a premium-feeling carry case to keep your buds safe, adding some points in the value category.

On top of their stellar sound quality and generous fit options, the re-released ME05 have commendable build quality. The 8mm drivers are enclosed in sturdy and stylish brass casing. The metallic controller also feels durable and has well-sized button controls. Maybe some will find its central position a little unorthodox, but I liked it – sometimes wired buds place their controller too close to my cheek, which can be irritating when adjusting volume. And although it’s not detachable, the cable is up-to-scratch too – it's tangle-resistant and slim, and it really checks all the boxes.

There’s also a mic that’s handily positioned higher up the cable. This includes wind reduction tech for clear calling, which I’m happy to report works well. To test mic quality, I made a voice recording and found that there was a bit of static in the background, though my speech was still extremely clear-cut and natural-sounding.

At this stage, you may think I have little to no complaints about these remastered classics – and you’d be right. But they’re not quite perfect. That’s mainly because these buds aren’t ideal for when you’re out and about. I did experience quite a lot of cable noise – something that’s admittedly common with most wired buds – but they couldn’t mute this as effectively as models like the Sennheiser IE 200.

And although they’re comfortable in-ear, they are fairly heavy-feeling – not to mention the lack a waterproof rating, meaning you may want to look elsewhere if you need some earbuds for workouts or runs.

One more small thing before I start gushing again – don’t expect particularly stand-out noise isolation from the re-released ME05. When listening to a bass-heavy track between 40% and 50% volume, the sound of typing in my office was dulled, but I could still hear it a decent amount. That’s in part down to the more relaxed fit of these buds, meaning you’re not getting an ultra-tight seal. But still, there’s a silver lining here – I was happy to listen with these for hours on end. So, even if a model like the Shure SE215 has superior passive noise isolation, they were nowhere near as pleasing to keep in for long listening sessions.

With that said, I’d still class the Master & Dynamic as a top-drawer pair of in-ears. With awesome audio quality, eye-catching design and dual connectivity options, there’s just so much to like. At $199 / £169 (about AU$320), they’re not cheap but they are good value. A lot of audiophile-friendly buds will cost double that amount… or even more. And for the level of detail on offer, I think these are well worth your consideration.

Sure, if you want top-tier noise cancelling and waterproofing, you may be better off with a pair of the best wireless earbuds instead, but for those of you looking for a wonderful wired option, I can recommend these with ease.

Master & Dynamic ME05 with USB-C adapter and carry case

(Image credit: Future)

Master & Dynamic ME05 review: Price and release date

  • $199 / £169 (about AU$320)
  • Re-launched in December 2024

The Master & Dynamic ME05 re-released in December 2024, almost an entire decade after their original launch in 2014. They have a list price of $199 / £169 (about AU$320), which is by no means cheap, but nowhere near the price you’ll pay for more premium models like the Sennheiser IE 900 or the Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon. The re-released ME05 model is available in four classy colorways: Gold/Black; Gunmetal (Gray)/Black; Palladium (silver)/Black; and Palladium/White.

Master & Dynamic ME05 review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Drivers

8mm high-excursion

Weight

23g

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

Waterproof rating

Not stated

Connectivity

3.5mm; USB-C

Master & Dynamic ME05 USB-C adapter

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Master & Dynamic ME05?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Dual connectivity, solid mic, high-quality controller, OK noise cancellation.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Excellent detail, brilliant balance, pleasing clarity, warm bass.

4.5/5

Design

Beautiful brass casing, tangle-resistant wire but some cable noise.

4.5/5

Value

Not cheap, but well-priced against audiophile buds, great overall quality.

4/5

Buy them if...

You’re an audiophile that doesn’t want to spend a fortune
If you’re on the hunt for some high quality, yet still affordable wired earbuds, the Master & Dynamic ME05 are an awesome option. At less than $200 / £170, you’re not splashing out the kind of cash that some audiophile-grade buds demand. For instance, quality options like the Sennheiser IE 600 come in at around $500 / £500 / AU$1000… when on sale – yikes!

You want something with style
These earbuds are a good-looking option thanks to their metallic casing, premium-feeling controller and tangle-proof cable. They’re also available in four shiny color options, all of which ooze class.

Don't buy them if...

You’re seeking workout-ready earbuds
If you want some earbuds to accompany you on runs or through workout sessions, these aren’t going to be the best. They have no waterproof rating and aren’t the most snug fitting in-ears I’ve ever tried either. If you’re a fitness fanatic, I’d personally recommend checking out our guide to the best open ear headphones.

You want amazing noise blocking
These earbuds assume a decently loose and gentle fit rather than forming an ultra-noise resistant seal. That was fine by me, but if cutting out external noise is a key priority, you could instead opt for some wired buds with top-tier passive noise isolation, like the Shure Aonic 3. If you’re open to nabbing some wireless buds, you could pick an option from our list of the best noise-cancelling earbuds and enter into the world of active noise cancellation.

Master & Dynamic ME05 review: Also consider

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Header Cell - Column 0

Master & Dynamic ME05

Sennheiser IE 200

SoundMagic E80D

Price

$199 / £169 (about AU$320)

$149.95 / £129.99 / AU$239.95

$44 / £39.98 / AU$66

Drivers

8mm high-excursion

7mm dynamic

10mm dynamic

Weight

23g

4g (per bud)

16g

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

6Hz-20kHz

15Hz-22kHz

Waterproof rating

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Connectivity

3.5mm; USB-C

3.5mm

USB-C

Sennheiser IE 200
If you want even more affordable audiophile-grade audio, the Sennheiser IE 200 could be the perfect fit for you. With fantastic all-round sound, brilliant build quality and a lightweight design, you’re getting an incredible package. There’s no in-line mic or controller included with these and they use a 3.5mm connector, but if that’s okay with you, then the IE 200 are easy to recommend. Read our full Sennheiser IE 200 review.

SoundMagic E80D
And if you’re looking for an even cheaper option, look no further than the SoundMagic E80D. They have a USB-C connector with an onboard DAC, meaning you get a surprisingly detailed listen for some sub-$50 / £40 buds. The built-in controller isn’t as good as the ME05’s and audio won’t be quite so premium, but if great value is what you’re after, the E80D are well-worth considering. Read our full SoundMagic E80D review.

Master & Dynamic ME05 review: How I tested

Controller of Master & Dynamic ME05

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for one week
  • Used in the office and while on walks
  • Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Master & Dynamic ME05 re-release over a one week period. During this time, I predominantly listened to music using Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE via its USB-C port, but I also tried them out using Spotify via my Windows laptop’s headphone port. I tested these buds in the office and while out on walks in windy conditions, in order to test both noise isolation and wind noise-reduction capabilities

When I threw on some music, I bumped tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs from a variety of genres – though I also spent hours tuning into songs from my personal library. Where appropriate, I also used the Sennheiser IE 200 to compare aspects including audio presentation, style and build.

  • First reviewed: February 2025
  • Read more about how we test
Harry Padoan
Staff Writer

Harry is a Reviews Staff Writer for TechRadar. He reviews everything from party speakers to wall chargers and has a particular interest in the worlds of audio and gaming. Harry has a background in business tech journalism, particularly around the telecoms industry.

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