I’ve at all times been drawn to manufacturers that do extra with much less. One of many causes OnePlus smartphones grew to become my absolute favourite is the truth that the corporate nonetheless manages to ship stable worth for its merchandise, although the future seems to be somewhat shaky for the model proper now.
One other model that matches this ethos completely is Nothing’s CMF. CMF is Nothing’s budget-focused sub-brand that doubles down on Carl Pei’s unique OnePlus imaginative and prescient of delivering nice worth.
The CMF Telephone 2 Professional was among the finest finances smartphones we examined final 12 months, and now the corporate has stepped into the over-ear audio area with the CMF Headphones Professional.
Identical to its earbuds, which outperformed nearly each finances pair on the market, I have been utilizing the CMF Headphones Professional for over two weeks now, they usually’re about pretty much as good because it will get for the worth.
The design of the CMF Headphones Professional feels stable and much from finances
One of many core issues with finances over-ear headphones has at all times been their construct and design. Manufacturers on this phase typically go overboard with flashy styling to make the product really feel premium, however that normally comes at the price of a flimsy, cheap-feeling construct.
The CMF Headphones Professional take the precise reverse strategy. They persist with a easy, understated design, however again it up with a stable construct that feels sturdy each in hand and in your head. And like different CMF merchandise, there may be nonetheless a intelligent contact right here that allows you to swap issues up.
Identical to CMF’s different merchandise, the Headphones Professional are modular. You may swap out the ear cushions with a easy twist, and the model sells alternative cushions individually. This implies you’ll be able to simply exchange them as soon as they put on out or simply change the look with out a lot effort.
Past that, the CMF Headphones Professional get all of the fundamentals good. The padding on the headscarf is snug, and these are among the many few headphones I’ve used that truly cowl my complete (big) ears.
The ear cushions strike a pleasant steadiness, too, comfortable sufficient to really feel safe with out inflicting discomfort over longer classes. At 283 grams, they’re a bit on the heavier aspect, however I truly like that added weight because it makes the headphones really feel extra confidence-inspiring total.
Sound high quality is spectacular and customizable with out the app
What I really like most in regards to the CMF Headphones Professional is that they allow you to tweak the sound on the fly with out ever opening the app. CMF has included what it calls an Vitality Slider, which helps you to management the quantity of bass instantly from the headphones. You simply slide it up or down, and that’s it, no app required.
Most finances headphones lean closely right into a bass-heavy sound profile, and when you can normally modify issues via an app, the CMF Headphones Professional helps you to do that totally on the {hardware} itself.
For me, that is genuinely helpful. I like extra bass when listening to music, however I typically dial it again when watching TV exhibits or movies.
I already just like the default tuning right here, however having the ability to modify the sound immediately utilizing the slider is surprisingly enjoyable and sensible. For context, these headphones use customized 40mm drivers with nickel-plated diaphragms, which CMF says assist ship clearer and deeper audio.
Past that, CMF has packed in loads of bodily controls. You get a quantity knob that adjusts quantity and will also be pressed to regulate playback and ANC, together with a devoted energy button that doubles because the pairing button. There’s additionally an excellent outdated 3.5mm headphone jack right here, and CMF even consists of the cable within the field, which is at all times good to see.
There are a couple of drawbacks it is best to nonetheless learn about
ANC, nonetheless, is one space the place these headphones fall a bit quick. CMF claims as much as 40dB of noise cancellation, however in real-world use, it feels pretty weak, particularly in the event you’ve used one thing like Sony’s WH-1000XM6 sequence. To be truthful, these price considerably extra.
The ANC right here is not unhealthy, however in the event you plan to make use of these on flights or noisy commutes, you will nonetheless hear some ambient noise, although the music does a good job of masking it.
There are a few different drawbacks, too. You aren’t getting put on detection, so playback does not pause whenever you take the headphones off. The headphones additionally do not fold, which suggests they take up a bit extra space in your bag. The included case is made of fabric, which does not really feel notably sturdy both.
That stated, all of that is pretty anticipated at this worth level. What makes the CMF Headphones Professional stand out is how properly they nail the core expertise. These aren’t deal-breakers a lot as compromises you’ll be able to simply dwell with, particularly when the basics are accomplished this properly.
The CMF Headphones Professional can be found in three shade choices, Darkish Gray, Mild Gray, and Mild Inexperienced. They begin at $99 within the U.S., although you’ll be able to presently decide them up for $79. Within the UK, they’re priced at £79, whereas in India they retail for Rs 7,999.
At these costs, in my view, they’re simply a few of the greatest low cost over-ear headphones you should buy proper now.
- Battery Life
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As much as ~100 hours
- Model
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CMF by Nothing
- Weight
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283 g
- IP score
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IPX2
- Driver measurement
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40 mm customized drivers
- Supported codecs
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AAC, SBC, LDAC
The CMF Headphones Professional punch properly above their weight the place it truly counts. The design is straightforward, snug for lengthy classes, and doesn’t scream for consideration. Noise cancellation works reliably, battery life is stable, and controls are straightforward to dwell with.Â
