Earphones and headphones are at a premium in the MR PORTER office. If you happen to be the proud owner of pair, you better hold them tight. Keep them under lock and key. Because they have a tendency to go… missing. They are often borrowed, sometimes without the permission of the owner, and not returned. We are not a nasty, thieving bunch here. But we can be careless and forgetful. Which does not bode well when there is a scarcity of listening tools – especially if you need to transcribe an interview, listen to some white noise to drown out the office hum or distract yourself from the fundamental absurdity of your existence. At present, there is one closely guarded pair of headphones for the entire editorial desk. The market value has soared incomprehensibly.

One solution to this situation is to buy more headphones. You could invest in something cheap – forgoing listening quality and embracing tinnitus in the knowledge that they will soon disappear. Or you could buy a pair of headphones that are so damn good you make absolutely sure they never leave your sight. Which brings us on to What’s New on MR PORTER today and, more specifically, these striking things by Master & Dynamic.

We say “things” because they seem to be a fascinating hybrid of headphones and earphones. Discreet, super portable earphones with some of the muscular heft of headphones, and, presumably, the sound quality to match. They do not balance in your ears as precariously as Apple’s Airpods appear to, for example. And yet they have the same wireless capabilities. And, it would seem, vastly superior specs. The product description speaks of “10mm beryllium drivers”, “expansive acoustics” and “silicone Fit Wings”. We’re not sure entirely what any of this means, but, with Master & Dynamics pedigree, we do know these are worth the investment. If you can keep hold of them, mind.