CMF Headphone Pro: An Affordable Option in India’s Headphone Market

CMF Headphone Pro is entering India’s budget headphone industry, which is currently dominated by well-known brands such as Noise, JBL, and Sony. This new offering from Nothing’s sub-brand CMF is priced at Rs 7,999 and is advertised as a premium headset available at a mass-market price.

Specifications and Features

The specifications of the CMF Headphone Pro indicate aspirations that exceed its price tag. With 40mm drivers, LDAC support, spatial audio, and a remarkable battery life of 100 hours, this over-ear headset targets the increasing demand from younger consumers. These users are particularly interested in longer battery life and immersive audio experiences for streaming and gaming.

Design and Build Quality

CMF Headphone Pro features a glossy plastic finish, standing apart from many matte designs in the market. The earcups and headband are cushioned with soft leather, providing comfort for extended listening periods. Its lightweight build and high-density memory foam enhance comfort further.

The headphones come in Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Light Green, with the lighter shades appealing to a younger audience.

Physical controls consist of a multifunction roller for volume, playback, and noise control, an Energy Slider for bass and treble adjustments, a power button, and a customisable Action Button. The layout is user-friendly and straightforward.

The CMF Headphone Pro is rated IPX2, offering some protection against sweat but limited resistance to rain or heavy splashes.

Sound Quality, ANC, and App Features

Equipped with 40mm custom drivers and nickel-plated diaphragms, the CMF Headphone Pro supports Bluetooth 5.4 along with LDAC Hi-Res and AAC codecs. The sound quality is both balanced and clear, featuring strong mids and crisp vocals. While the bass is satisfactory, it does not reach the deep levels found in some competing headphones, aligning more closely with neutral-tuned devices like the Sennheiser Accentum.

Spatial audio is supported with two modes: Concert and Cinema. Cinema mode adds depth for video streaming, while Concert mode amplifies bass and treble for music listening.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) can reach up to 40dB. In practical use, it performs well against consistent background sounds but is less effective in crowded or busier environments.

The Nothing X app empowers users to modify EQ settings, manage ANC levels, and toggle spatial audio modes through a clean and intuitive interface.

Battery Performance

Battery life is a standout feature for the CMF Headphone Pro. The manufacturer claims up to 100 hours of playback without ANC and up to 50 hours with ANC activated. With an average daily usage of five to six hours, users can expect close to a week’s worth of listening on a single charge, retaining substantial battery capacity. Charging the headphones takes about two hours.

Overall Assessment

The CMF Headphone Pro showcases an impressive range of features that are seldom found at its price point. This combination of unique design, extended battery life, physical controls, and app-based customisation imparts a premium feel in the under-Rs 10,000 segment. While the noise cancellation performance is merely average, and the bass may not satisfy all, the overall offering is competitive. Priced at Rs 7,999, CMF has introduced the Headphone Pro as a serious contender against established brands, especially for younger consumers seeking style, durability, and modern features.