KEF M500 Review | 93 Data compared

The KEF M500 is a $300 on-ear headphone model that stands out for its exceptional build quality, sleek aluminum frame, and superb comfort. Reviewer David Carnoy highlights it as one of the most comfortable on-ear models he has ever tested, rivaling the Bose OE2i due to its breathable memory foam earpads and a multidirectional "Smart Hinge" that folds flat for mobile storage. It provides a warm, well-balanced, and highly musical soundstage with strong, throbbing bass synth that makes it pleasant for long listening sessions. Additional pros include two detachable, tangle-resistant flat cables—one featuring an Apple-friendly inline microphone/remote—and a protective carrying case. However, the headphones come with notable downsides, primarily their premium $300 price tag and a slight lack of sonic depth. Sound enthusiasts looking for extreme precision may find that they lack the crisp midrange detail of competitors like the Bowers & Wilkins P5, or the rich body and fullness of the Sennheiser Momentum. Furthermore, a physical defect was noted when a tiny Torx screw in the Smart Hinge began backing out after two weeks of testing, requiring manual tightening....

The KEF M500 headphones mark a strong debut into the headphone market for the renowned speaker manufacturer, offering a luxurious and solid build quality featuring a precision-tooled, sandblasted aluminium frame. Designed for a comfortable fit, they feature a "Smart Hinge" that rotates on two axes and ear pads that provide effective passive noise isolation. The package includes two tangle-proof 1.3m cables—one plain and one with a three-button iPhone control and microphone—though the inline controls are noted to be quite small and fiddly. Sonically, the headphones deliver a rich, smooth sound with a powerful delivery and a weighty, authoritative bassline that handles harsh recordings well. On the downside, the M500s are not the final word in sonic subtlety, timing, or dynamic fluidity compared to rivals like the AKG K551 or Beyerdynamic T50p. The reviewer also noted that using the cable with the inline microphone introduces a slight rough edge to the performance compared to the purer-sounding plain cable. Additionally, adjusting the headband length can feel stiff and unrefined. Ultimately, while they fall slightly short of class-leading audio dynamics and timing, their...

The PCMag KEF M500 review gives the on-ear headphones an "Excellent" 4.0 out of 5 rating due to their solid balance of high-end comfort and rich, clean audio profile. Priced at a premium MSRP of $299.99, the headphones boast a variety of design and functional pros, including a durable and sleek aluminum structure with perforated, highly cushioned leather earcups that stay comfortable during long listening sessions. Audio-wise, their core strengths lie in delivering boosted, distortion-free sub-bass and clear midranges that preserve vocal and instrument definition. Additionally, the retail package provides great value by including a zip-up hard shell case, an airline adapter, a 1/4-inch jack adapter, and two detachable, tangle-resistant flat cables—one featuring an inline remote and microphone for mobile device use. However, the review outlines several prominent drawbacks to consider before purchasing. The primary con is that the supra-aural (on-ear) design fails to block out ambient room noise effectively, making the headphones poorly suited for noisy environments like airplanes or bustling public transits. From a performance standpoint, audio purists seeking a flat, uncolored frequency response may be disappointed by...

The KEF M500 is a lightweight, on-ear headphone option designed for both indoor and portable outdoor use, featuring a sleek, hi-tech aluminum design with a clever folding mechanism for easy transport. Retailing at $299.99, it offers notable physical advantages including a highly comfortable fit achieved via memory foam ear cups, a secure headband that applies moderate pressure without slipping, and a generous accessory package. Users receive two flat, tangle-free detachable cables (one featuring an inline remote and microphone for iPhone users), an airplane twin-plug adapter, a 1/4-inch standard adapter, and an empanada-shaped hard carrying case. A major positive of the M500 is its strong passive noise isolation, which effectively blocks outside noise better than competing on-ear or over-the-ear models while still allowing the wearer to remain safely aware of their surroundings. This isolation performance is complemented by its versatility, as its 32-ohm impedance and 208-gram weight make it easy to drive using either a desktop DAC or mobile devices. On the downside, the aesthetic may not appeal to traditionalists, as the review notes that fans of anti-modern design might think...

The KEF M500 on-ear headphones stand out for their exceptional comfort, premium build quality, and high portability. Moving away from traditional ring-shaped ear-cups, KEF utilizes rectangular ear-pads with rounded edges to distribute force evenly and eliminate any tight clamping sensation. Designed for young professionals, they feature an elegant sandblasted aluminum chassis paired with plush black cushioning. Their "Smart Hinge" design allows the ear-cups to rotate flat and fold compactly into an included hard carrying case. Additionally, they offer high utility for travel and mobile use with a 32 Ohm impedance that pairs easily with smartphones, detachable flat tangle-free cables, a three-button in-line control pod, a flight adapter, and a 6.35mm converter. While the headphones excel in ergonomics, their audio performance presents notable drawbacks. On the positive side, the M500 delivers deep, controlled bass, well-defined lows, and strong, weighty mid-frequencies that handle hard rock well. However, the sonic experience is hindered by weak trebles that lack clarity and impact, alongside a constricted soundstage that limits atmospheric musical elements. Its transient response and attack on high notes are also slightly off the...

John Darko’s review highlights a highly portable, budget-conscious audiophile setup for travel, featuring the HRT microStreamer DAC/headphone amplifier and the KEF M500 headphones. A major strength of the HRT microStreamer (US$199) is its ultra-compact form factor, which easily slips into a jeans pocket, alongside its superior crispness and dynamic agility compared to a standard laptop output or competing models like the CEntrance DACport. However, its key limitation is that its PCM decoding caps out at 24-bit/96kHz, meaning it cannot handle higher-resolution files like 24-bit/192kHz or DSD. Additionally, when compared to high-end desktop hardware, the microStreamer can sound somewhat "wire-y" in the treble margins. Complementing the DAC, the KEF M500 headphones (US$299) are praised for their superb midrange clarity and an overall balanced sound that effortlessly exposes subtle treble intricacies. From a design perspective, they excel in transit durability due to a robust aluminum backbone and "Smart-Hinge" folding mechanism, allowing them to pack safely into a dedicated protective carry case. On the downside, the reviewer notes that the M500s require high-quality source hardware to truly thrive, as a lesser source makes...

The KEF M500 on-ear headphones are highly regarded for their refined, balanced sound signature, exceptional imaging, and wide soundstage for a closed-back design. Featuring a durable, lightweight aluminum frame and comfortable memory foam pads, they are lauded for their premium, functional design. Conversely, some users report a relaxed, less energetic sonic presentation that may lack punch for certain genres, alongside a loose clamping force that can compromise stability during movement. Despite breathable materials, extended use can result in heat buildup, and the original high price point positions them as a luxury option. Read user reviews at Head-Fi. YouTube

The KEF M500 headphone review by Stephen Shenefield outlines a product defined by its distinctively mellow tonal balance and elegant technical design, making it highly compatible with everyday music sources like iPhones and standard MP3 or CD files. A major pro highlighted in the review is the headphone's exceptional capability with articulate bass and punchy percussion, which beautifully grounds rougher or minimally processed tracks like those from The Rolling Stones or Violent Femmes. Additionally, the review notes that the headphone's unique rolled-off high frequencies make it incredibly forgiving on non-optimal, imperfect recordings. When paired with high-resolution, lushly mixed tracks such as the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty, the M500 excels by successfully balancing its internal acoustic features against the music. Conversely, the review identifies several notable cons, primarily centered around a lack of openness, air, and perceived spatial depth. Because of its heavily rolled-off treble, the M500 falls short on tracks that rely on natural room ambiance—such as a cappella gospel singing—resulting in a smooth but muddy sound that the author describes as "covered with a blanket". Furthermore, the reviewer notes...

The KEF M500 is a stylish, ultra-durable pair of on-ear headphones crafted with an all-aluminum structure and smart-hinge technology, avoiding the cheap plastic shells found on competitors. Designed by the same in-house team behind KEF's acclaimed LS-50 and Blade speakers, these closed-back headphones deliver a balanced, "distinctly British" sound signature that favors exceptional midrange clarity and treble delicacy over artificially boosted bass. They are true sonic all-rounders, treating heavy metal and acoustic folk with equal fidelity, while drawing listeners in with a subtle, non-fatiguing presentation rather than cheap sonic fireworks. Engineered specifically for commuters and people on the go, they run efficiently directly off smartphone juice, isolate sound exceptionally well, and ship with a comprehensive accessory bundle including a clamshell case, an airline adapter, and two flat ribbon cables. Regarding limitations, the M500's comfortable, lightly clamped headband can be too loose for some, causing them to fall off if the wearer leans forward too far. While excellent for long, stationary listening sessions, they are not ideal for intense, active workouts. Additionally, when used directly with mobile devices, the headphones may...

The KEF M500 on-ear headphones feature a durable, all-aluminum design with a "Smart Hinge" system, allowing for excellent portability and a comfortable fit due to lightweight construction and breathable memory foam pads. Included accessories are robust, offering two detachable flat cables and a hard-shell case. Acoustically, the 40mm drivers deliver a warm, balanced sound with clear mids and an open soundstage. Cons include a slight, sometimes loose bass response compared to studio monitors and a lack of high-treble energy for listeners favoring intense clarity. Additionally, as an on-ear design, passive noise isolation is only average.

The WIRED review by Tim Moynihan highlights the KEF M500 on-ear headphones as a premium, highly durable personal audio solution that justifies its $300 price tag. Shifting away from cheap, disposable earbuds, the reviewer praises the device's premium build quality, which is primarily constructed from a supreme, lightweight aluminum alloy. The physical design is optimized for travel and longevity, featuring a convenient fold-and-swivel hinge above the earcups that collapses into a sturdy, hard-shell taco-shaped carrying case. Comfort is another major highlight, driven by pleasant oval-shaped, memory-foam earpads that stay cool and do not squeeze tightly against the user's ears. Acoustically, the review emphasizes that the KEF M500 sounds fantastic due to its two 40mm neodymium-magnet drivers. These drivers deliver a rich sound profile with deep, distortion-free bass that remains sharp even at demanding low ends. The headphones genuinely excel in the mid-range and high-end frequencies, providing crisp, tight, and clear audio. However, the reviewer notes two distinct weak spots: the high asking price for everyday, casual music listeners and the tendency for the sound to leak slightly at high volumes....