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AKG K 500 vs Nothing CMF Headphone Pro: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the AKG K 500 vs Nothing CMF Headphone Pro, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

AKG K 500

No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.

Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.5
Battery9.5
Calls7.5
Value9.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of AKG K 500 vs Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
SpecAKG K 500Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$129$140
HearWiki scoreNot scored84 / 100 · Great
Released19912025
Audio
Driver-40mm custom nickel-plated dynamic drivers
Driver size-40 mm
Drivers per side-2
Frequency response-20Hz-20kHz
Impedance120 Ω16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth-5.4
Bluetooth version-5.4
Codecs-AAC, SBC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing-Yes
Latency-120 ms
Wireless range-10 m
Battery
Battery life-100 h
Battery life (ANC on)-50 h
Full charge time-120 min
Quick charge-5 min = 8 h
Wireless charging-No
Features
Active noise cancelling-Yes
ANC type-hybrid
Transparency mode-Yes
Companion app-Yes
Custom EQ-Yes
Wear detection-Yes
Controls-both
Design
Weight230 g283 g
Water resistance-IPX2
Foldable-No
Detachable cable-Yes
USB-C-Yes
Calls
Microphones-5
Call noise reduction-3-mic ENC architecture

What reviewers said

AKG K 500

The Austrian K 500 is a lightweight open-back over-ear model from the early 1990s, offering a high-impedance 120-ohm design with a wide frequency range. It delivers an airy, natural sound signature typical of open-back headphones, but its older design may require a dedicated amplifier for optimal performance.

  • Pro:Very lightweight at only 230 grams
  • Pro:Open-back design provides a spacious, airy soundstage
  • Pro:Extended frequency response from 15 Hz to 27 kHz
  • Con:High 120-ohm impedance may need a powerful amp
  • Con:Open-back leaks sound and offers little isolation
  • Con:Older design may lack modern comfort features

Nothing CMF Headphone Pro

The CMF Headphone Pro from Nothing is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that punches well above its price point, offering a robust feature set including hybrid ANC, LDAC support, multipoint Bluetooth, and an impressive 100-hour battery life with ANC off. Its sound is lively and well-tuned for the price, while the build and controls feel solid for the cost, though some compromises exist in water resistance and EQ customization. Overall, it's a standout value pick for anyone seeking long battery life and capable noise cancellation without spending a fortune.

  • Pro:Exceptional battery life of up to 100 hours
  • Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC codec
  • Con:Basic IPX2 water resistance only
  • Con:EQ customization is limited
  • Con:Not foldable for easy portability

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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