CMF Headphone Pro Review: A Surprise in Sound Quality at an Incredible Price

The sub-brand of Nothing, CMF has launched the CMF Headphone Pro, the company's second model of over-ear headphones. Its predecessor, the Nothing Headphone (1), It was the older and more expensive brother, which set the bar high in sound quality and design within its range.

Seeing that the CMF Headphone Pro cost barely a third of the price of the Headphone (1), I confess, I expected a substantially inferior product.. But upon trying them, the The surprise has been enormousThe audio quality is very close to that of its older sibling, and although the The design is more basic and the finishes simpler, a clear strategy to reduce costs and offer a more competitive price., The construction feels surprisingly solid.

Throughout this analysis, I will compare both models to help you decide which one best suits your needs and, most importantly, your budget.

You can read the Nothing Headphone review (1) here 🎧

Design, sturdiness and extra comfort

In terms of aesthetics, the CMF Headphone Pro feature a spherical design, modern and discreet, which feels perhaps a bit more youthful or generic, but with soft and harmonious shapes. While plastic predominates in the materials, I want to emphasize that They feel surprisingly robust and durable.. Manipulating the headband or adjusting the earcups gives no feeling of fragility; they feel built to withstand daily use.

They are available in three colors: black, white, and a distinctive teal. A key feature is the possibility of swap the pads, A very practical feature for maintaining hygiene and extending the product's lifespan. In terms of comfort, the earcups are softer and slightly larger than those of the Headphone (1). This provides me with a extra comfort, This is especially relevant for users who, like me, wear glasses or have larger ears. They fit perfectly, and in my experience, they are even more comfortable than Headphones (1) in prolonged listening sessions.

As an added detail, the headphones come with a pretty velvet fabric bag to store and transport them, along with the 3.5mm jack cable required for wired connection.

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Physical controls and usability

The physical controls They are functional and replicate almost all the actions of the more expensive model, although the feeling The feel is less refined. On the left earcup, we have the 3.5 mm jack, basic buttons, and a slider For bass and treble control. On the right, there's the USB-C port (for charging only), a customizable button, and the volume/playback control wheel. They work well, but the overall feel is less premium. premium, which is an understandable sacrifice. One minor detail to improve is the absence of a visual indicator to know at a glance whether they are turned on or not.

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Amazing audio

Audio is the point where the CMF Headphone Pro They shine and surprise. In a direct comparison with the Headphone (1), it's very difficult for an untrained ear to notice significant differences. The bass is deep, defined and pleasant, The overall sound curve feels very balanced. Although the equalizer isn't advanced, the simple mode with preset styles (I personally recommend using Pop or Techno mode, or customizing it to your liking) already offers remarkable sound quality.

He slider The energy efficiency feature is my favorite, as it allows Adjust bass and treble without distortion. At maximum volume, the bass is felt with a slight vibration in the ear, making the listening experience more engaging. enveloping, without the sound becoming blurred. The treble is marginally more metallic than in the Headphone (1), but the difference is minimal. My conclusion is firm: the The quality-price ratio in audio is unbeatable.. Achieving this quality for a third of the price of Headphone (1) is an accomplishment.

One point, however, must be made spatial mode. Personally, I don't recommend it. When activated, it adds a kind of echo or reverberation to the sound which, in my opinion, makes it sound bad. lose quality and I don't like it.

Regarding the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), It is suitable and effective for daily use, especially when combined with music, although it doesn't completely eliminate high-frequency noise. transparency mode I do find it considerably less polished than the Headphone (1). When trying to have a conversation, I can barely hear myself, which can be uncomfortable. One very useful feature is the double connection, which makes it easy to switch audio between two devices (like your mobile and your computer) without having to re-pair.

Notable autonomy

The battery life of the CMF Headphone Pro is, quite simply, solid. They offer up to 100 hours of playback With a single charge, you get about 50 hours of use, which is reduced to approximately 50 hours if you keep noise cancellation enabled. Fast charging is efficient: 5 minutes is enough to restore 4 hours of use, which is very convenient for those last-minute oversights. This reliable battery life means you won't have to worry about charging them daily.

Calls and connectivity details

Regarding Bluetooth calls, they work perfectly; the voice is clear, and only in very noisy environments might it sound a little robotic, but the conversation is still possible. There are two usability details to keep in mind: they don't have a mute sensor (the music It does not pause automatically. (when removed), and if you use them with the 3.5 mm jack cable, they must be turned on, consuming battery power. Furthermore, the USB-C port has only one function: charging.

An alternative with remarkable sound at a very competitive price.

The CMF Headphone Pro are a proposal with a I consider the quality-price ratio impressive.. For a very reasonable cost, you get audio performance that approaches notably The Headphone (1) offers outstanding comfort, customization options such as interchangeable ear pads, and the slider Energy efficiency, extended battery life, and the advantage of dual connectivity are key advantages. The compromises, such as the weaker transparency mode, less refined buttons, and the use of more plasticky materials, are perfectly justifiable and secondary in light of the significant savings.

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If your priority is an advanced equalizer, or if the design premium And if the sophisticated materials of the Headphone (1) have completely captivated you, those 300 euros will be a justified investment.

However, My clear choice would be the CMF Headphone Pro if you're looking for a sound performance surprisingly good, greater comfort for long days of use (a point where, I repeat, they have an advantage over their older brother) and a long-lasting battery, all without having to spend more.

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