After creating a breakthrough with the Nothing Headphone (1), the CMF sub-brand launches a more cheerful and stylish budget alternative with the CMF Headphone Pro. CMF features these headphones with a contemporary design and a choice of striking colors, while setting a retail price of RM429.
CMF focuses on modern style, smart functionality, and overall value in their debut product. The question now is, can the CMF Headphone Pro match the Nothing Headphone (1) in terms of audio experience and value?
Specifications
CMF Headphone Pro
Type Closed-back earphones
Driver 40 mm (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
Diaphragm – Dome material: PEN+PU
Coating – Nickel plating
Tuning NOTHING
Microphone 5 microphones
Battery 720 mAh
Up to 100 hours (ANC OFF)
Up to 50 hours (ANC ON)
Charging port USB-C
Wireless charging None
CODEC AAC/SBC/LDAC
Supported operating systems All
Supported virtual assistants All
Control pad Multi-function Roller
Customizable Button
Energy Slider
Waterproof IP52
Price RM429
Design and Use – Modular Design
We tried the CMF Headphone Pro because we were attracted by its modular design. The Light Green version we received featured a fresh and unique style. The color highlighted our daily look and caught the attention of anyone who looked at it.
These headphones weigh about 283g and feel lightweight once worn. We enjoyed immediate comfort without excessive pressure on the head or ears. The combination of ergonomic design and quality finish also made every listening session more enjoyable.
One of the most prominent features of the CMF Headphone Pro is the interchangeable ear cushions. The replacement process felt neat and practical as it allowed us to customize these headphones according to our needs. We had the opportunity to replace the original pads with orange pads sold separately for RM89.
Replacing these pads was very easy as we only had to twist the old pads counterclockwise to remove them. After that, we installed the new pads by twisting them clockwise. This process not only saves time due to its comprehensive design but also provides a user-friendly usage experience.
However, we realized that the use of plastic as the main component could raise questions about long-term durability. Although this material makes the headphones lighter and more comfortable to wear, its strength is not comparable to the aluminum construction. Therefore, it may be an important consideration for users who prioritize physical durability in daily use.
The ear cushions are also soft and comfortable, like a layer of foam mattress that provides support without sinking. During long listening sessions, these headphones remain comfortable and lightweight. In addition, they do not put pressure on the head, making them suitable for continuous use.
The control section of the CMF Headphone Pro is designed with ease of use in mind. In our experience, each control function operates smoothly and allows audio adjustments to be made directly without any interference.
One of the main features is the Energy Slider that allows us to easily adjust the sound balance. We can adjust the bass and treble levels to our liking and this feature also supports other configurations via the Nothing X app. This feature is not just a gimmick as each sound adjustment produces a clear and noticeable change to the overall listening experience.
The Multi-function Roller provides precise and easy-to-use physical controls. Each rotation feels responsive as it allows us to adjust the volume, play back audio, and change ANC modes with ease. In addition, the Customizable Button allows us to assign functions according to our needs. We chose to use it to quickly switch between ANC and Transparent Mode. As a result, the controls feel more comprehensive because the control layout is user-friendly and easy to understand, making it easy to use in everyday life.
CMF Headphone Pro supports fast tethering via Bluetooth 5.4. It also comes with Dual Connection function that allows simultaneous connection to two devices within a range of up to 10 meters. It also supports various audio codecs such as AAC/SBC/LDAC to ensure consistent sound quality across multiple platforms. Smart integration support such as Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair makes connection easy. The headphones also receive an IPX2 rating that guarantees resistance to dust and splashes of water.
Connection App – NOTHING X
CMF Headphone Pro can be paired with the Nothing X app to open up more comprehensive access to a variety of additional control features. Through this app, we can adjust the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) level with settings such as Low, Medium, High or Adaptive mode that automatically adjusts the sound according to environmental conditions.
The app provides a Spatial Audio mode that is capable of creating a surround sound effect that resembles the atmosphere of a live concert or movie theater. The EQ settings offer several options such as Pop, Rock and Custom that allow us to manually adjust the audio profile according to our own taste. In addition, we can fully customize the function of the buttons and control wheel including setting the Energy Slider to adjust the Treble level according to our own needs.
Audio Experience – Focus on Bass
We found that the CMF Headphone Pro comes with a V-profile sound that emphasizes bass and treble frequencies deeply. Meanwhile, mid-frequency such as vocals and guitars are slightly reduced so that the sound of the vocals or main instruments sounds further from the center of the performance. In terms of audio staging, we felt it was quite limited due to its dense sound arrangement although there are still layers that help create a slight sense of space in the overall sound presentation.
Bass
We felt that the bass section of the CMF Headphone Pro was more focused on the sub-bass than the mid-bass. As a result, the bass sounded clearer and did not drown out the vocals. When we raised the Energy Slider, the bass effect became deeper and more energetic. However, we found that the bass sound still felt a little soft and less responsive to fast and layered music beats. This bass character is suitable for genres such as pop, R&B and hip-hop. However, it is less ideal for audio that requires high bass precision and control.
Mids
We found the mid-range of the CMF Headphone Pro to sound a little drowned out. This caused the vocals to feel distant from the listener. Male and female vocals were still clearly audible but the lack of power in the delivery made them less prominent. However, we found that the overall tone still retained its natural character. The clarity in the high frequencies also helped to add balance to the overall sound profile.
Highs
The highs on these earphones have a soft and not too clear character that makes them comfortable to listen to for long periods of time without causing ear fatigue. Although sounds like cymbals and snare sound a little blunt, the treble still offers comfort to listeners who don't like high tones that are too sharp or piercing. This approach makes for a more relaxing listening experience, especially for long audio sessions.
ANC Performance
The active noise cancellation (ANC) performance on the CMF Headphone Pro is basic and average. Sounds like engines and air conditioning are slightly reduced, but still audible. High frequencies remain clear with minimal dropout. This ANC feature is adequate for everyday use or when riding public transport, but is not suitable for long-haul flights that require more comprehensive noise filtering.
Battery Life – 100 Hours
CMF states that the CMF Headphone Pro battery can last up to 50 hours with ANC enabled and up to 100 hours without ANC. However, the actual durability still depends on usage patterns, especially audio volume levels, but the performance has proven to be impressive.
To date, we have not charged it since the first day we received it about a week ago. The battery level is still at 45% with continuous use during work at a volume level of between 50% to 60%. This shows that the battery efficiency is very good for daily use.
Conclusion
At RM429, the CMF Headphone Pro offers a pretty fun, stylish and colorful audio experience. It may not be the top choice for hardcore listeners or audiophiles but it is quite satisfactory for normal daily use.
The powerful bass, long battery life and interchangeable ear pads make it more attractive than most other budget headphones. Although the ANC features are quite limited and the audio quality is not very detailed for vocals or orchestral music, the CMF Headphone Pro still stands out with a cheerful and relaxed style. Suitable for the taste of the modern generation who dares to be different.