A friend recently asked if I knew where to find the Sony headphones with orange pads that used to come with the Walkman in the 1980s. I searched all over eBay and Goodwill, but the prices were too high or the headphones were damaged. He wanted to carry the same pair he used when he was 12 years old. In the end, I suggested he get the new Nothing CMF Headphone Pro.
Sure, they aren’t exactly like the Sony MDR-006 (I had them at one point), but Nothing’s headphones have a retro-infused design while being modern in every sense. It’s crazy to think that there are people who want to revisit retro tech, almost as if nostalgia is having a moment. Nothing is already known for bringing back see-through, transparent designs, and I am a huge fan myself.
The CMF brand is no different: it focuses on fun products that evoke nostalgia while remaining accessible in terms of pricing. Apparently, a lot of people agree, including my friend, who until now didn’t even know that brands like this exist – brands that take them back to their childhood and the toys and gadgets they grew up with.
Here is my review of the Nothing CMF Headphone Pro.
What: Nothing CMF Headphone Pro| Price: Rs 6,999
Mixing a modern and retro aesthetic
I am someone who always gets excited when brands explore fun and creative design over the specs and utilitarian aspects of a tech product. In the case of headphones especially, the choices are far too bland. I comfortably carry pink and orange sneakers, and I am all for headphones that are a little eccentric, colourful, and playful. There’s really only one tech company that does gimmicks well today, and that’s Nintendo. But at one point, Sony and Apple also indulged in playful gadgets. Nothing, so to speak, is very much following in the footsteps of the brands I grew up with. However, there is a clear distinction between Nothing and CMF products.
There are no touch controls; instead, you get physical buttons. In fact, there’s a slider that lets you adjust the amount of bass as you listen. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
As I said before, the headphones on the market – regardless of price, are, well, designed for business executives, and I really wish that trend would quickly fade away. And when I see the CMF Headphone Pro, they are complete opposite.
The Light Green variant I have for review has a pastel tone that feels soothing to the eyes, a distinct design that sets it apart from mainstream headphones. Adding to this, the ear cushions are interchangeable and come in two colours: Orange and Light Green, letting you tweak the aesthetics and comfort.
The Headphone Pro’s physical design is an immediate standout. But the light green and orange ear cushions aren’t just eye-catching. The headphones are also constructed from high-quality plastic that feels great to the touch. The design carries a retro energy, reminding me of the vibe of the backpacks that United Colors of Benetton used to sell in the 1990s.
The build quality is impressive, with satisfying, clicky physical buttons. I like the tactile experience you get with physical controls. There’s a bass slider, a volume roller that doubles as an ANC control, and a customisable action button. Although I found the round earcups slightly large, they are incredibly comfortable over long periods. At 283 grams, the headphones don’t make you forget you’re wearing them, but they remain comfortable even during extended listening sessions.
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You get LDAC and Hi-Res audio support, custom EQ tuning and, even, spatial audio. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
I was also pleasantly surprised by how smooth the headband’s length-adjustment mechanism is. The earmuffs are soft and comfortable, and they do a good job of isolating outside sound. The headphones come with a velvet pouch, which is adequate for keeping them safe from everyday wear and tear. You also get a 3.5mm cable for wired use, but the headphones need to be powered on even when plugged in, as they aren’t passive, even with a cable attached.
How I used the Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
I replaced my standard cans with the CMF Headphone Pro for a week. In fact, I travelled with these headphones to Phuket, Thailand. During the trip, I went for morning runs, used them on the plane to test the ANC, and wore them for hours at a time. Even before flying to Thailand for the short trip, I used these headphones extensively while working at home and during my morning and evening walks. I also took calls on the Headphone Pro.
Crisp audio but don’t expect it to be as good as high-end cans
In terms of sound quality, what I liked most was its bass response. It hits all the right notes for me in terms of punch and bass extension. Listening to “Lose My Mind” (feat. Doja Cat) from the F1 movie, it delivers an overall energetic sound. The more you listen to music on the Headphone Pro, the more you realize that the mids are a little cold but not to the point of sounding bad.
The body is primarily made of plastic, but the design feels very retro. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Listening to “Lutt Le Gaya” from Dhurandhar, both the vocals and instrumental tracks sound clear. I use my Nothing Headphones (1) almost daily, and they sound very different from the CMF Headphone Pro. That being said, I listened to music across all genres on the Headphone Pro. While the soundstage is wide, it’s not exceptionally so, but these headphones are still great for movie watching and music listening. Overall, I would say the sound is pleasant, which matters to a lot of everyday users.
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The CMF-branded headphones pair with the Nothing X app and offer some sound-tuning options. Advanced EQ isn’t available, but you can still adjust settings using the Basic EQ.
For those curious about the technical side, the Headphone Pro support LDAC and Hi-Res audio, wired or wireless, and feature 40mm custom drivers with nickel-plated diaphragms and a dual-chamber design.
…but what about noise cancellation?
These headphones don’t cancel noise nearly as well as high-end models from Bose or Sony’s 1000X series. If you are looking for the best performance, check out those models instead. While noise cancellation isn’t the Headphone Pro’s strongest feature, they do reduce background noise in your environment with minimal pressure on your ears. In fact, during my return from Thailand, thanks to the Headphone Pro, they cancelled out the noise from crying babies, lowering it to a gentle background hum- exactly what I desperately needed. Honestly, I can’t ask for more from a pair of headphones that cost Rs 6999. These headphones also excelled in taking calls.
The Headphone Pro excel in battery life, offering up to 100 hours without ANC and 50 hours with it on. In my testing, these figures are accurate. A quick five-minute charge gives about five hours of playback, and the reverse charging feature allows your phone to top up the headphones in a snap.
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So, should you buy Nothing CMF Headphone Pro?
If you have never used high-end headphones, you’ll probably be impressed by the Headphone Pro. It would be unfair to compare them to premium over-ear cans that cost Rs 25,000 or more. The Headphone Pro aim to balance sound quality, comfort, and technology at an accessible price. While they lack the signature sound of Sony headphones, I love the way they sound – at least compared to anything else in this price range. Nothing focused on exactly the right things that a headphone needs: fun design, sound quality and comfort. In this price range, they are a great pick.
