Even though I love headphones, I have to admit that apart from that there isn’t much new in this area.
For once, the MW-75 Neuro headphones from Master & Dynamic are something new. Its headphones are equipped with electroencephalogram (EEG) monitors that can measure the user’s brain activity.
I wore it for two weeks to see if the brain activity tracking was a gimmick or not. Here’s what I found.
A BCI in a helmet
First, let’s clarify the technology of the MW75 Neuro. Master & Dynamic launched the MW75 headset in 2022, so the hardware is not new.
Human machine interface (HMI) technology was created by Neurable, a company specializing in BCI (Brain Computer Interface), neuroscience and machine learning.
The two companies joined forces and Neurable’s proprietary BCI was integrated into the MW75 headset, resulting in the MW75 Neuro.
The three takeaways from the Master & Dynamic MW-75 Neuro headphones
- The Master & Dynamic MW-75 Neuro headphones are up for pre-order at $700 (at the time of writing).
- It’s an interesting way to add value to the quality of your daily work.
- At this early stage of the technology, only certain professionals will find these headphones useful.
How it works
Metallic conductors woven into the shells collect electrical signals from your brain. These signals are sent to receivers located at the bottom of the hulls, which transmit the information to chips. These use AI and machine learning to run Neurable’s algorithm, which deciphers signals from your brain. Signals you can read in the companion app.
The conductors must be in contact with the skin around your ears to accurately receive electrical signals from your brain. The MW75 Neuro is therefore a circum-aural headset.
The ears are rather cramped and the clamping force is stronger than I would like, so much so that I had to wear this headset without my glasses to avoid any discomfort.
The MW75 Neuro comes with noise reduction and transparency mode. So it can be used as a normal headset when the brain reading software is not activated.
The app experience
To use the MW75 Neuro’s brain reading technology, you need to download the Neurable app. It was still in beta when I tested it. But I didn’t encounter any problems. In the app, you can start a Focus session, check your headset battery, read your Focus Insights (concentration data), and receive tips to improve your daily workflow.
After your first three focus sessions, the app will deliver feedback based on your previous focus habits. You can find out what time of day you are most focused, what activities hold your attention best, and accumulate Focus Points based on your attention.
If you have sessions with periods of intense concentration, you will receive more points. And sessions with lower concentration levels will receive fewer points. You must stay in a Focus session for at least ten minutes for the app to record your results.
Feedback on your concentration at work
Once the session is over, you will see how long you stayed focused, medium focused, or low focused. Neurable explains that the headset deciphers brain activity and that the wearer’s brain waves determine how “engaged and stimulated” they are when trying to complete a task.
- High concentration means you have focused on a task, giving it all your attention and brain energy.
- Average concentration means you are focused on two or more tasks, while regularly switching between things. For example, write a text and respond to an email or a Slack message.
- Poor concentration probably means you’re distracted. I was in this state when I was thinking about how I was going to write this article. My brain was jumping from one idea to another.
The Neurable app is the hub of your daily brain performance. Jada Jones/ZDNET
According to Neurable, the main goal of MW75 is to help people avoid mental burnout. Office workers and students often subject themselves to periods of mental exhaustion.
Alerts to take your foot off the gas
The MW75 Neuro headset is supposed to identify lapses in attention and concentration before the brain realizes it needs a break.
When the headset detects that you need a break, you’ll hear a notification prompting you to take a 10-minute “brain break.”
There were times when I ignored the brain break messages. Soon after, I noticed that my attention span and the quality of my writing were declining. I generally refuse to interrupt a task before I have completed it. I ignored the notifications because I felt like I could keep going.
Results on my concentration at work
However, the quality of my work improved when I gave in, took a brain break, and returned to my work instead of trying to push through. After the ten minute break, I would pick up where I left off and usually complete my task shortly after.
You may be thinking, “Isn’t taking a break when you feel mentally tired just common sense?”
It is. But I can guarantee you that most people don’t know When they have to do it. And that’s where the MW75 Neuro comes in handy.
When I took a brain break immediately after hearing the notifications, I got back to work with real mental clarity. And I worked intensely until it was time for the next break. These breaks also helped me find more time throughout the day to drink water, eat a snack, or go to the bathroom.
Who is this headset for?
According to Neurable, the MW75 Neuro headset is ideal for professionals who sit at a desk all day. And this to carry out tasks requiring great concentration. However, I think it can also be useful for students.
The MW75 Neuro is equipped with anodized aluminum, tempered glass and lambskin for a luxury look and feel. Jada Jones/ZDNET
Neurable also claims that the MW75 Neuro is ideal for people who want to learn more about their attention span and concentration level.
My results with the Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro
After two weeks of wearing the MW75 Neuro during my workdays, I found that I was able to be productive in the afternoons. Before the headset, I often worked continuously until lunchtime because I didn’t allow myself to interrupt a task.
However, the 3 p.m. slump hit me. And I was losing a lot of productivity in the last two hours of the day. As a result, I would go back to working in the evening to finish my workday.
Knowing when to take breaks throughout the day has helped me stay focused throughout the workday. Due to my high productivity during work hours, I rarely worked after work hours, as was the case before. Since I no longer felt as tired and didn’t have to work late, I was more motivated to exercise, socialize, or do household chores right after work.
Purchasing advice for the Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro headphones
The Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro headphones are not for everyone. If your job requires physical exertion or interaction with customers, you probably won’t use it to its full potential. On the other hand, if your job requires you to concentrate on a task for hours, they will be of great use to you.
Additionally, this headset costs $700 (pre-order from the US store). Yes it’s expensive. I therefore recommend purchasing it only if you plan to use Neurable software regularly. Especially since effective noise reduction technology can also help you reduce distractions and stay focused on your work.
If you want a headset with excellent noise-canceling properties and less expensive than the MW75 Neuro, consider the Sonos Ace, Sony WH-1000XM5, or Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
Source : “ZDNet.com”
