KEF M500
KEF is famous for its speakers, but the M500 headphones
(and the KEF M200 in- ears) are the company's first attempt at tackling the headphone market.
(and the KEF M200 in- ears) are the company's first attempt at tackling the headphone market.
It’s a bold move going straight in with a £250 pair of headphones, but out of the box the KEF M500s make a good first impression.
The precision-tooled and sandblasted aluminium frame feels sturdy and weighty – we wonder if it’s any coincidence that they look good next to an Apple laptop.
Both have a 3.5mm connector for your smartphone, tablet or music source and
a 2.5mm jack which fits in to the corresponding hole in the rear of the left earpiece;
you’ll soon know if you’ve got the cable the wrong way round.
you’ll soon know if you’ve got the cable the wrong way round.
KEF’s ‘Smart Hinge’ rotates on two axes to help them fit to your head: they sit snugly
but don’t feel vice-like. Adjusting the headband length could be smoother
though – it’s a very stiff sliding action for both ear-pieces.
but don’t feel vice-like. Adjusting the headband length could be smoother
though – it’s a very stiff sliding action for both ear-pieces.
There are two tangle-proof 1.3m cables in the box.
One has an in-line mic and three-button control for iPhone users, and the other is a plain cable.Otherwise, the left-to-right movement of the earpads helps to angle the drive units
depending on the shape of your ears, and helps keep them secure.
Sat on your ears, the pads add a good degree of isolation from outside noise
, although they’re no match for a pair of active noise-cancelling headphones such as the Bose QuietComfort 15.
, although they’re no match for a pair of active noise-cancelling headphones such as the Bose QuietComfort 15.
KEF M500: sound qualityimage:
The KEFs favour refinement and solidity above mega-enthusiasm, but that does prevent them conveying the intent in this track.
Play Adele’s Skyfall and the track sounds suitably dramatic. Vocals are smooth and refined
, too – an M500 tonal trait that means the M500s can still be your friend when it comes to harsh recordings.
, too – an M500 tonal trait that means the M500s can still be your friend when it comes to harsh recordings.
However, there’s a slight lack of subtlety. Even more affordable headphones such as
the excellent AKG K551 cans bring dynamic subtlety, fluidity and a neutrality that the KEF M500s can’t quite match. [left side bar]
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