CMF has launched its new CMF Headphones Pro in India at a starting price of ₹6,999 with bank offers. Globally these headphones sell for around $100, so the India pricing looks quite aggressive.
Budget headphones in this segment usually look and feel similar. Most brands focus only on basic features and average design. CMF is trying to do something different here. After spending some time with these headphones, here is a simple and honest look at what works well and what could be better.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing you notice about the CMF Headphones Pro is the design. Most headphones around this price range look very similar. Usually black or beige plastic designs with nothing interesting. CMF has clearly tried to break that pattern.
These headphones come in fresh pastel colors including a light green variant that matches the design language of CMF products. It gives the headphones a more modern look that feels targeted toward younger users.
The headband is wrapped in soft faux leather. It is not very thick but it remains comfortable during daily use. The headphones fit securely on the head and feel stable even during longer listening sessions.
The earcups are soft and also use faux leather. During testing, wearing them for around three hours continuously did not cause any discomfort. The headphones weigh 283 grams, which is heavier than some competitors like the Sony WH-CH720N, but the weight distribution is good enough for regular use.
Another interesting detail is the chrome finish on the adjustable arms. It looks metallic and gives the headphones a more premium appearance.
One limitation is that the headphones do not fold. Instead, CMF includes a soft carry pouch in the box for portability. The headphones also come with IPX2 water resistance, which means they can handle light sweat during workouts.
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Replaceable Ear Cushions
One unique feature here is the ability to twist and replace the ear cushions. The cushions can be removed easily and replaced with different colors. This also makes it easier to replace them later if they wear out. It is a small feature but something rarely seen in this price segment.
Connectivity and Controls
The CMF Headphones Pro supports Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity. There is also a 3.5mm audio jack, so you can use them in wired mode if needed.
Charging happens through a USB Type-C port, but the USB connection is only for charging. USB audio playback is not supported. Where these headphones really stand out is the control system.
Roller Control
The headphones include a roller control that lets you adjust the volume by simply rolling it. Pressing the roller controls playback.
Single press pauses or plays music while a double press skips tracks.
Action Button
There is also an action button that can trigger a voice assistant or activate other features depending on how you configure it in the companion app.
Energy Slider
Another interesting control is the Energy Slider. This lets you adjust the bass level in real time. If a song feels too bass heavy you can reduce it instantly. If you want stronger bass you can increase it without opening the app.
It is simple but very practical during daily listening. One missing feature is wear detection. The audio will not automatically pause when you remove the headphones.
Sound Quality
The CMF Headphones Pro uses 40mm custom drivers with nickel-plated diaphragms and also supports LDAC high resolution audio.
Out of the box, the sound tuning is warm and easy to listen to. The headphones perform well across different music genres including hip-hop, pop, and mainstream music.
Bass is present but controlled. It does not feel overly heavy or messy. The sound has decent depth and does not feel flat. Vocals are clear enough and do not sound hollow. Treble is smooth and avoids harsh peaks or sharp hissing sounds.
Overall, the sound profile is comfortable for long listening sessions. Even after several hours of use, the headphones do not feel fatiguing.
CMF Headphones Pro vs Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N is one of the most popular headphones in this price category, usually priced around ₹8,000. When comparing both models, the differences are small but noticeable.
Sony delivers slightly punchier sound and a bit wider soundstage. It can also get slightly louder. However, the CMF Headphones Pro offers stronger bass response and still maintains good clarity.
In real world listening, the overall experience between the two is quite close. The Sony model still has a slight edge in sound balance, but the difference is not dramatic.
App Features
The headphones work with the CMF companion app which includes several useful features.
Spatial Audio
The app offers spatial audio modes like cinema and concert. These create a wider surround style effect which can make movies and certain music tracks feel more immersive.
Equalizer
There are five preset equalizer options along with a basic custom EQ. It is not as advanced as the parametric EQ seen on more expensive headphones, but it is good enough for basic adjustments.
Personalized Audio
One of the more interesting features is personalized audio tuning. The app analyzes your hearing and adjusts the sound profile accordingly. In testing, this feature made some instruments more noticeable in certain tracks.
Gaming Mode
There is also a low latency gaming mode that reduces audio delay to around 120ms. This works best with Nothing phones but still performs reasonably well for casual gaming.
Dual Device Support
The headphones support dual device connection, allowing you to stay connected to two devices at the same time.
Active Noise Cancellation and Microphone
The CMF Headphones Pro uses a hybrid ANC system that claims to reduce up to 40dB of noise.
In real use, it works well for constant background sounds like air conditioners and fans. However, it cannot completely remove nearby conversations or sudden noises. The transparency mode allows outside sound to pass through, though the effect does not sound completely natural.
For calls, the headphones include five microphones, with three dedicated to voice calls and noise reduction. Call quality is generally clear for everyday conversations. One limitation is that the microphones do not work in wired mode.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the strongest features of the CMF Headphones Pro. The headphones include a 720mAh battery and CMF claims:
| Feature | Battery Performance |
|---|---|
| Playback without ANC | Up to 100 hours |
| Playback with ANC | Up to 50 hours |
| Fast Charging | 5 minutes charge gives around 3–4 hours of playback |
| Full Charge Time | Around 2 hours |
In testing, about six hours of listening with ANC reduced the battery by roughly 10 percent, which suggests the battery life claims are realistic.
For most users, charging once a week should be enough. One limitation is that you cannot use the headphones while charging.
Final Verdict
The CMF Headphones Pro is a strong option in the ₹7,000 price segment. It focuses on design, practical controls, and long battery life while still offering solid sound quality.
The headphones feel well built and look more interesting than most competitors in this range. Features like the energy slider, roller control, and replaceable ear cushions add real usability.
Sound quality is good for the price, even if some competitors like Sony still have a slight advantage in tuning. Active noise cancellation is decent but not exceptional.
For buyers looking for stylish headphones with excellent battery life and useful controls, the CMF Headphones Pro is definitely worth considering.
