# They Included a “Make it Worse” Button - CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro Unboxing & First Impressions

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csa9pGCMdyU
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/csa9pGCMdyU
Generated: 2025-10-07T21:31:05.003+00:00

---
## Quick Overview

The CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro offers a compelling feature set, including 40mm nickel-plated drivers, LDAC & Hi-Res certification, up to 100 hours of playback, and customizable sound profiles, all at a very aggressive price point of $84, though the build quality feels plasticky and the microphone quality is notably worse than the phone's built-in mic during calls.

**Key Points:**
- The CMF Headphone Pro is priced at a surprisingly reasonable $84.
- Key audio features include 40mm nickel-plated drivers and LDAC & Hi-Res certification for Bluetooth connectivity.
- The headphones boast an ultra-long battery life, claiming up to 100 hours of playback, with 8 hours provided after just a 5-minute quick charge.
- The design features unique, customizable ear cups and a highly flexible headband, which the reviewer notes is 'comically' bass-heavy when bent.
- The companion app offers advanced features like a Personal Sound Profile creator and an EQ slider, though the reviewer finds the lack of granular EQ controls disappointing.
- The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is effective, claiming up to 40dB reduction, and the transparency mode sounds natural.
- Call quality using the headphones' microphone is poor, sounding 'too clear' like a standard phone speakerphone call, unlike the superior quality when holding the phone directly.

![Screenshot at 00:01: The reviewer presents the CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro box in its light mint green colorway, setting the stage for the unboxing and feature review.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-00-01.png)

**Context:** The video is an unboxing and first impressions review of the CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro, a new pair of over-ear wireless headphones launched by CMF, the budget-focused sub-brand of Nothing. The reviewer compares the product's feature set and performance against its very low price point ($84), particularly contrasting it with more expensive competitors like the AirPods Max.

## Detailed Analysis

The reviewer unboxes the CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro, noting the expressive and modular design, highlighted by the ability to swap out the red ear cups (green/mint shown initially) which is a feature Apple only dreams of delivering. Key specifications highlighted on the box include 40mm nickel-plated drivers, LDAC & Hi-Res certification, and up to 100 hours of playback (8 hours after a 5-minute charge). The headphones include a 3.5mm AUX cable and a carrying sleeve, but notably lack a charging cable. Physically, the headphones are very flexible, allowing the headband to be easily tied in a knot, but the overall build quality feels plasticky despite using a metal headband adjustment mechanism. The reviewer also notes the clamping force is slightly higher than expected, leading to some discomfort. Connectivity is established via the Nothing X app, which prompts a mandatory firmware update. The app features include ANC with Low, High, and Adaptive modes (Adaptive mode is enabled by default), Spatial Audio (Concert, Cinema, Default modes), and a Personal Sound Profile creator that analyzes hearing. The built-in EQ is simplified to a single bass/treble slider, which the reviewer dislikes compared to granular EQs. In testing, the ANC is surprisingly effective, achieving a claimed 40dB reduction, and the transparency mode sounds natural. However, the microphone quality is significantly worse than the phone's built-in mic, sounding distant and unnatural during calls. Despite these flaws, the overall feature set for $84 is considered a very good value, though the reviewer jokes about the company name (Carl Pei's company) being overly ambitious.

### Unboxing & Design

- Headphone Pro box presents mint green headphones
- Includes 40mm Nickel-Plated Drivers and LDAC & Hi-Res Certification
- Modular design allows swappable ear cups (red/green shown)
- Headband is highly flexible but build feels plasticky overall.

### Key Specifications & Battery

- Claims up to 100h playback; 8h playback from 5-minute quick charge
- Includes 3.5mm AUX cable and carrying sleeve, but no charging cable provided.

### App Features & Customization

- Companion app allows firmware updates immediately
- Features Adaptive ANC (up to 40dB reduction) and natural Transparency mode
- Offers Spatial Audio presets and a Personal Sound Profile creation tool (takes a few minutes).

### Controls & Audio Tuning

- Features a single bass/treble slider for EQ, which the reviewer finds too basic compared to granular EQs
- Volume is controlled by a crown/dial on the earcup.

### Call Quality Test

- Microphone quality is notably poor, sounding distant and unnatural compared to using the phone's built-in mic or speakerphone.

### Final Verdict

- Excellent feature set for the $84 price point, especially ANC performance, but build material and microphone are clear compromises.

![Screenshot at 00:03: The reviewer holds up the CMF Headphone Pro box, highlighting the product branding and color.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-00-03.png)
![Screenshot at 00:10: The reviewer demonstrates the modular design by holding up a detachable red ear cup.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-00-10.png)
![Screenshot at 00:28: A graphic overlay displays the $84 price point for the headphones.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-00-28.png)
![Screenshot at 00:36: Text overlays summarize key features: 40mm drivers, LDAC & Hi-Res, up to 100h playback.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-00-36.png)
![Screenshot at 01:43: The reviewer shows the included 3.5mm AUX cable, noting its dual-ended nature.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-01-43.png)
![Screenshot at 02:13: A close-up shows the USB Type-C charging port located on the right earcup housing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-02-13.png)
![Screenshot at 03:31: The reviewer is wearing the headphones and tests the microphone quality by speaking into the phone.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-03-31.png)
![Screenshot at 05:27: The reviewer navigates the companion app, showing the settings for Personal Sound Profile creation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-05-27.png)
![Screenshot at 06:10: The app screen displays the Noise Cancellation options, including Adaptive, Transparency, and Off modes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-06-10.png)
![Screenshot at 08:55: A frequency response graph is displayed, comparing the headphone's output against the 'Average Listener Preference' curve.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csa9pGCMdyU/00-08-55.png)