CMF Headphone Pro Review: Great Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation

Explore how CMF Headphone Pro delivers impressive sound and noise reduction at an affordable price.

If you've ever hunted for headphones that marry professional-grade features with wallet-friendly pricing, the CMF Headphone Pro might just be the surprise underdog you didn't expect. This sleek, multifunctional headset is making waves with a bold claim to quality sound and effective noise cancellation—yet it costs significantly less than many rivals. Let’s dive in and see what these headphones bring to the music-loving table.

From Budget Accessories to Pro-Level Innovation

CMF, a brand born out of the innovative company Nothing, has been on a thrilling growth trajectory. Started as a maker of affordable accessories with a dash of style, CMF quickly evolved into a brand that spans the whole price range, reaching into the mid-tier segment with real ambition.

Today, CMF’s portfolio proudly flaunts several “Pro” tagged devices: the Phone 1 smartphone, the Watch Pro smartwatch, the Buds Pro earbuds, and now these over-ear Headphone Pro headphones. Retailing for just €99 (about $105), they undercut many competitors while offering a remarkably professional look and feel. Judging by the frequent “Sold Out” labels on the official site for the dark grey and light green models, they’re clearly resonating with buyers.

What’s in the Box? A Lean but Stylish Package

CMF keeps the retail packaging straightforward and practical. Inside, you’ll find the headphones themselves, a 3.5mm audio cable, and a soft, suede-like pouch for carrying. To add some flair, CMF offers optional replacement earpads in bright orange or light green—perfect if you want to match your headphones to your mood or outfit.

Availability and Use in Local Markets

While CMF products by Nothing are available through distributors and marketplace platforms like Yandex.Market, Ozon, DNS, and M.Video, the Buds Pro 2 earbuds are just starting to appear. Prices hover around $120-$160 locally, though you can find better deals importing them from international stores, sometimes dropping to $90-$110—just prepare for a wait.

The companion app, Nothing X, is fully functional with no regional restrictions, and the headphones support the LDAC codec, favored on many modern Android smartphones. Plus, the warranty period for purchases in major retail chains is one year.

Design and Comfort: Minimalist Meets Practical

The CMF Headphone Pro headphones sport a simple yet refined design with rounded ear cups, cushy earpads, and an adjustable headband padded for all-day wear. At 283 grams, they're lightweight enough for marathon listening sessions at the office or on the go.

One small trade-off: these headphones don’t fold like some competitors (think Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones), resembling more the AirPods Max headphones or Sony XM5 headphones in structure. That means they’ll hog more backpack space and need some extra care to avoid damage—though a sturdy third-party case can help solve the protection issue.

All controls are physical buttons—no touch panels here. While the buttons might feel a bit small for those with larger fingers, they offer unambiguous feedback. The earpads are crafted from synthetic leather, and the matte plastic cups look sleek but can attract fingerprints. The headphones carry an IPX2 rating, making them resistant to light sweat or drizzle but not heavy moisture.

Overall, the Headphone Pro pulls off the illusion of a pricier device through colorful options and a unique industrial vibe, even if it falls short of premium icons like Apple’s AirPods Max.

Sound Quality, Features, and Battery Life That Impress

Think of these headphones as a treasure trove of modern tech: they support Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, plus multipoint connectivity—meaning you can connect simultaneously to two devices. Inside, dual 40mm drivers cover 20Hz to 20kHz, paired with active noise cancellation (ANC) up to 50 dB using five built-in microphones.

They handle AAC, SBC, and the high-quality LDAC codec, and users can tweak audio settings via the Nothing X app, which also manages firmware upgrades.

The setup process is a breeze, taking just 2 to 3 minutes. It includes playing various sounds into each ear to tailor the sound profile uniquely to your hearing. This personalized touch genuinely enhances the listening experience.

A power button on the left cup turns the headphones on, confirmed by a gentle voice prompt. Nearby, a slider controls bass by default—though you can switch it to adjust the treble. It’s firm enough to stay put even through rough handling in your bag, and it genuinely impacts the audio character; I found a 60% bass level to be just right.

On the right cup, a multifunction “Assistant” button sits alongside a volume slider. Single presses play or pause music, double skips forward or rejects calls, and triple presses jump backward. You can customize the press-and-hold function—by default, it toggles between noise-canceling modes, including ANC and transparency, with options to disable ANC completely.

Despite the small buttons, the controls feel intuitive and responsive in daily use.

Sound-wise, the CMF Headphone Pro headphones deliver a wide, well-differentiated soundstage. Vocals and instruments come through lively and energetic. Enabling the spatial sound mode simulates a concert hall vibe, which is a thrilling experience.

The equalizer presets are solid, with “Pop” standing out as a versatile favorite. Switching from AAC to LDAC on a compatible phone noticeably improves sound fidelity—clearer highs and deeper lows without losing quality.

However, volume levels aren’t quite on par with some premium earbuds like Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds, feeling a bit quieter overall. Bass is decent but not overwhelming, and at higher frequencies, the sound tends to mellow out, lacking some brightness and vibrancy no matter the EQ adjustments.

Passive noise isolation is outstanding, creating a solid foundation for enjoying music and boosting the effectiveness of ANC. Speaking of which, the active noise cancellation impresses, especially with low-frequency rumbles like engine noise or air conditioning hums. It even tackles typical office sounds, often trickier due to their higher frequencies, with surprising efficiency.

Battery Life That Goes the Distance

Now here’s a real game-changer: battery life. The CMF Headphone Pro packs a 720mAh battery that CMF claims can deliver up to 100 hours of playback at 50% volume with ANC off, and about 70 hours when using LDAC. That’s a marathon session with plenty of juice left in the tank.

After a 5-hour listening test with ANC on and volume near 70%, the battery dropped only around 10%. Imagine the freedom of not worrying about daily recharging!

Final Thoughts

The CMF Headphone Pro headphones are an outstanding option for those seeking a balanced mix of sound quality, effective noise cancellation, stylish design, and extraordinary battery life—all at a very approachable price. A quick glance at competitors shows similar features often cost one and a half to twice as much.

In essence, these headphones mark a worthy step from Nothing’s CMF sub-brand into the full-sized headphone arena, making a solid first impression.

“The biggest advantage of the Headphone Pro is their solid battery life. These headphones easily deliver more than 50 hours per charge—a feature many competitors can’t match.”

• What is the price range of CMF Headphone Pro?
  The headphones retail around €99 (about $105), making them very affordable compared to many competitors.
• Do the CMF Headphone Pro support wireless connectivity?
  Yes, they support Bluetooth with Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and multipoint connection for two devices simultaneously.
• How effective is the noise cancellation?
  ANC performs excellently, especially for low-frequency noises like engine hum and office background sounds.
• What is the battery life like?
  Up to 100 hours of playback with ANC off and 70 hours with LDAC and ANC on, which is exceptional for headphones in this class.
• Are the headphones comfortable for long use?
  Yes, with soft padding and an adjustable headband, they are lightweight and comfortable for extended wear.

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