Grasp & Dynamic ME05: Overview
10 years after their unique launch, the Grasp & Dynamic ME05 are again. Remastered for the fashionable period, these wired buds now embody a Hello-Res USB-C adapter, that means they’re in a position to seamlessly slot into your fashionable smartphone’s charging port. This revamped mannequin additionally goals to offer “extra expansive acoustics” and match choices, whereas nonetheless harnessing the strengths of their unique, high-caliber construct supplies. However do these re-released classics nonetheless maintain up?
Effectively, if we’re speaking audio high quality, the reply is sure – very a lot so. The re-released Grasp & Dynamic ME05 have an extremely satisfying sound signature: it’s elegantly balanced, however provides a touch of heat to make sure you get an thrilling, but tightly managed hear. Once I tuned in to I Need You by Moloko – a densely layered, all-action observe – the Grasp & Dynamic ME05 captured every factor with ease. The a number of synths, dramatic strings and thumping bass all sounded neatly separated and clear.
The small print on this observe weren’t misplaced both. For example, daring vocals within the introduction maintained their breathy tone and the resonance of the piano wasn’t misplaced. The sudden crash of cymbals roused pleasure with out sounding harsh too, one thing I all the time hear out for in my epic quest to find the best wired earbuds.
As I touched on earlier, there’s a satisfying diploma of heat to those buds, that means you’ll hear clear bass that by no means sounds torpid or muddied with lower-mids. When listening to Black Eye by Allie X, the hard-hitting drum machine may get admirably deep and sounded rhythmic and energetic.
For those who’re an enormous fan of bass-heavy bangers these may not fairly supply the large increase you’re in search of, although. For example, I threw on Splash Mountain by Yung Gravy and sub-bass didn’t have the uncooked energy that’s meant to command the observe. If that’s one thing you’re in search of, you could be higher served by a number of the best over-ear headphones, that are extra able to thunderous low-end output and customizable EQ.
Regardless, you’re getting incredible high-resolution audio from these buds, whether or not you’re utilizing the usual 3.5mm connector or the included USB-C adapter. This adapter helps as much as 32-bit / 384kHz decision audio, that means you may take pleasure in higher-than CD high quality sound with one of many best Android phones or best iPhones because the iPhone 15 swap to USB-C.
In addition to the USB-C connector, the ME05 now include a big number of extra ear ideas, together with each gel and foam variants. This was one thing we hoped for in our evaluate of the review of the original model again in 2017 – so kudos to Grasp & Dynamic for delivering! There’s additionally a premium-feeling carry case to maintain your buds protected, including some factors within the worth class.
On prime of their stellar sound high quality and beneficiant match choices, the re-released ME05 have commendable construct high quality. The 8mm drivers are enclosed in sturdy and trendy brass casing. The metallic controller additionally feels sturdy and has well-sized button controls. Perhaps some will discover its central place somewhat unorthodox, however I appreciated it – typically wired buds place their controller too near my cheek, which might be irritating when adjusting quantity. And though it’s not removable, the cable is up-to-scratch too – it is tangle-resistant and slim, and it actually checks all of the bins.
There’s additionally a mic that’s handily positioned increased up the cable. This consists of wind discount tech for clear calling, which I’m completely satisfied to report works nicely. To check mic high quality, I made a voice recording and located that there was a little bit of static within the background, although my speech was nonetheless extraordinarily clear-cut and natural-sounding.
At this stage, you could suppose I’ve little to no complaints about these remastered classics – and also you’d be proper. However they’re not fairly good. That’s primarily as a result of these buds aren’t supreme for if you’re out and about. I did expertise numerous cable noise – one thing that’s admittedly widespread with most wired buds – however they couldn’t mute this as successfully as fashions just like the Sennheiser IE 200.
And though they’re snug in-ear, they’re pretty heavy-feeling – to not point out the shortage a water-proof score, that means you could need to look elsewhere should you want some earbuds for exercises or runs.
Yet another small factor earlier than I begin gushing once more – don’t count on notably stand-out noise isolation from the re-released ME05. When listening to a bass-heavy observe between 40% and 50% quantity, the sound of typing in my workplace was dulled, however I may nonetheless hear it an honest quantity. That’s partly all the way down to the extra relaxed match of those buds, that means you’re not getting an ultra-tight seal. However nonetheless, there’s a silver lining right here – I used to be completely satisfied to hear with these for hours on finish. So, even when a mannequin just like the Shure SE215 has superior passive noise isolation, they have been nowhere close to as pleasing to maintain in for lengthy listening periods.
With that mentioned, I’d nonetheless class the Grasp & Dynamic as a top-drawer pair of in-ears. With superior audio high quality, eye-catching design and twin connectivity choices, there’s simply a lot to love. At $199 / £169 (about AU$320), they’re not low-cost however they’re good worth. Numerous audiophile-friendly buds will price double that quantity… or much more. And for the extent of element on supply, I believe these are nicely price your consideration.
Positive, if you’d like top-tier noise cancelling and waterproofing, you could be higher off with a pair of the best wireless earbuds as an alternative, however for these of you in search of a beautiful wired choice, I can advocate these with ease.
Grasp & Dynamic ME05 evaluate: Worth and launch date
- $199 / £169 (about AU$320)
- Re-launched in December 2024
The Grasp & Dynamic ME05 re-released in December 2024, nearly a complete decade after their unique launch in 2014. They’ve an inventory value of $199 / £169 (about AU$320), which is certainly not low-cost, however nowhere close to the value you’ll pay for extra premium fashions just like the Sennheiser IE 900 or the Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon. The re-released ME05 mannequin is out there in 4 elegant colorways: Gold/Black; Gunmetal (Grey)/Black; Palladium (silver)/Black; and Palladium/White.
Grasp & Dynamic ME05 evaluate: Specs
| Drivers | 8mm high-excursion |
| Weight | 23g |
| Frequency vary | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Waterproof score | Not acknowledged |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm; USB-C |
Ought to I purchase the Grasp & Dynamic ME05?
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Options | Twin connectivity, strong mic, high-quality controller, OK noise cancellation. | 4.5/5 |
| Sound high quality | Glorious element, good stability, pleasing readability, heat bass. | 4.5/5 |
| Design | Lovely brass casing, tangle-resistant wire however some cable noise. | 4.5/5 |
| Worth | Not low-cost, however well-priced towards audiophile buds, nice total high quality. | 4/5 |
Purchase them if…
Do not buy them if…
Grasp & Dynamic ME05 evaluate: Additionally contemplate
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Grasp & Dynamic ME05 | Sennheiser IE 200 | SoundMagic E80D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worth | $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 vary | 20Hz-20kHz | 6Hz-20kHz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Waterproof score | Not acknowledged | Not acknowledged | Not acknowledged |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm; USB-C | 3.5mm | USB-C |
Grasp & Dynamic ME05 evaluate: How I examined
- Examined for one week
- Used within the workplace and whereas on walks
- Predominantly examined utilizing Tidal
I examined the Grasp & Dynamic ME05 re-release over a one week interval. Throughout this time, I predominantly listened to music utilizing Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE through its USB-C port, however I additionally tried them out utilizing Spotify through my Home windows laptop computer’s headphone port. I examined these buds within the workplace and whereas out on walks in windy circumstances, with a purpose to check each noise isolation and wind noise-reduction capabilities
Once I threw on some music, I bumped tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which accommodates songs from a wide range of genres – although I additionally spent hours tuning into songs from my private library. The place applicable, I additionally used the Sennheiser IE 200 to check facets together with audio presentation, fashion and construct.
- First reviewed: February 2025
- Learn extra about how we test
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