Photo by Bonus Action
When looking at premium headphones, I am typically searching for two things: A stunning and comfortable build and the best sound I can get at whichever price point I am aiming for. Unfortunately, the bar gets high once a pair of headphones goes above $400. The PSB M4U 9 wireless headphones soar above this premium baseline, and while the sound quality is fantastic, the rest of the build leaves something to be desired.
The PSB M4U 9 wireless headphones are described as a premium set of headphones that offer top-notch active noise canceling. They offer app control as well as manual controls on the body of the device. They also include two built-in microphones to improve phone call audio. However, when a pair of headphones gets this overwhelmed in features, it can become a bit of a kitchen sink.
Key Details
- Developer: PSB
- Wireless Features: Yes
- Battery Life: 18-25 hours
- Connection Types: USB-C and 3.5mm
- Cost: $579
- Review Sample Provided: Yes on loan
A Slew Of Accessories Make For a Good First Impression
When first opening the M4U 9 headphones, it feels a bit like Christmas. The box for the headphones is large, and inside, a hard case is fitted into the center. Inside this box, you will find everything you could need for any type of listening. This includes an airplane adapter, 1/4 Stereo adapter, cloth earpad replacements, braided 3.5mm cable, USB-C cable, and the headphones themselves.
I always appreciate it when a premium item comes with everything needed to use the device. Headphones can be tricky, especially if they have unique connection points, but the M4U 9s are ready to go the second you unbox them.
However, this is where using the headphones takes a surprising turn for the negative. When you first pick up these smooth, black headphones, they are heavy. Much heavier than the Sennheiser Momentum 4, and they are very stiff.
I was also shocked at how much of these premium, $579 headphones were plastic. The earpad adjusters are plastic, as well as much of the lower part of the earpad body. This gives the headphones a clunky appearance and a cheap feel when adjusting them to wear. Most headphones in the price bracket rarely use plastic in the build, offering a much higher quality and a sleek design. This can be seen with the Kithara/HiFiMan open-back headphones. Even the Sennheiser, which comes in at $200 less and includes plastic attachments, has done so in a way that is less bulky and looks nicer when being worn.
In addition to this, all the manual controls are tucked on the right earphone body, and there are so many toggles that it can appear overwhelming. There are four control buttons that, when worn, can’t be seen and are difficult to navigate. It is also possible to bump them while adjusting the headphones, making them more of a hindrance than a help.
Stiff to Wear and Very Pinchy
Unfortunately, first impressions weren’t incorrect with these headphones. The M4U 9 headphones are not very comfortable to wear. While the earpads themselves are lovely, built of soft, premium leather, the headphones are very heavy, and the plastic of the adjusters catches my hair and pinches. It is also difficult to get the headphones to sit correctly, which leads to outside sound leaking in when using ANC mode.
After wearing these headphones for about an hour, my whole head begins to ache from the tightness of the headband. There isn’t any way to distribute weight, so it digs into the top of your head instead. That, and the pinching and crushing of the earcups on the ear, makes headphone fatigue kick in rapidly.
These headphones are also bulky. They are the bulkiest and most intrusive set I’ve worn in recent memory, making them cumbersome and awkward to wear. It feels like I’ve got two bucks stuck to the side of my head held in place by a plastic hula hoop. It’s not comfortable, and that makes wanting to use them difficult.
Excellent Sound Quality Despite the Flaws
The tragedy of the above critiques for the M4U 9 is that the sound quality of these headphones is incredible. While in wireless mode, they are average at best, but when plugged in, they sound stunning. The audio is clear and crisp; it layers nicely, and even small details are captured with fidelity.
I do wish the headphones had a 4.4 output option, and I would encourage users to skip the wireless connection. Wireless and Bluetooth sound muddy and thin without a good amp, but when hooked up to a desktop, it sounds really great.
The ANC makes acoustic music sound particularly nice, as it creates an isolated sound stage where each note carries.
I attempted to listen to music while on the move a few times with the M4U 9 headphones, and each time I had issues. The manual controls are clunky, and I found the headset slips forward when moving around in it. This, mixed with the poor wireless performance, makes it a desktop-specific option for my lifestyle.
Final Score – 4/10
I really wanted to like the PSB M4U 9 Wireless Headphones. They come with everything you need, the case is fantastic, and they seem to try to cover all the bases for a solid set of headphones. Unfortunately, they feel like a budget pair at best, lacking many of the improvements of cheaper models while presenting a bulky, uncomfortable body that pinches ears and eats your hair.
At the $580 price tag, it’s just too much. If you like a bulky pair of headphones or prefer manual controls, these might be for you. The sound quality is great when you have them set up correctly, and they do cancel noise well if you can get the fit on the earpads just right. However, there are too many negatives for it to really be a worthwhile purchase at the price.
PSB makes incredible speakers, but these just feel like a miss in comparison to the amazing products also featured by the same developer.
**Bonus Action was loaned a pair of PSB M4U 9 Wireless Headphones for the purpose of this review**
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