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HiFiMAN HE 400se Dual-Magnetic vs Nothing CMF Headphone Pro: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Nothing CMF Headphone Pro comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Nothing CMF Headphone Pro - Great overall at around $140.

Score breakdown

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

HiFiMAN HE 400se Dual-Magnetic
Sound8.0
Value8.5
Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.5
Battery9.5
Calls7.5
Value9.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of HiFiMAN HE 400se Dual-Magnetic vs Nothing CMF Headphone Pro
SpecHiFiMAN HE 400se Dual-MagneticNothing CMF Headphone Pro
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$109$140
HearWiki score76 / 100 · Great84 / 100 · Great
Released20212025
Audio
Driverplanar40mm custom nickel-plated dynamic drivers
Driver size80 mm40 mm
Drivers per side22
Frequency response20Hz-20kHz20Hz-20kHz
Impedance25 Ω16 Ω
Sensitivity91 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetooth-5.4
Bluetooth version-5.4
Codecs-AAC, SBC, LDAC
Multipoint pairingNoYes
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 cancellingNoYes
ANC type-hybrid
Transparency mode-Yes
Companion app-Yes
Custom EQ-Yes
Wear detection-Yes
Controls-both
Design
Weight390 g283 g
Water resistance-IPX2
Foldable-No
Detachable cableYesYes
USB-CNoYes
Balanced connectionYes-
Calls
Microphones-5
Call noise reduction-3-mic ENC architecture

What reviewers said

HiFiMAN HE 400se Dual-Magnetic

The HiFiMAN HE400se brings planar magnetic technology to an entry-level price, offering a detailed and natural sound signature that tracks well with reference curves. While it requires a capable amplifier to shine and has limited deep bass due to its open-back design, its overall clarity and value make it a strong contender for budget audiophiles.

  • Pro:Excellent value for planar magnetic sound
  • Pro:Natural, accurate midrange and treble
  • Pro:Detachable cable and balanced connection support
  • Con:Needs a powerful amp to perform at its best
  • Con:Deep bass rolls off noticeably
  • Con:Open-back design leaks sound and lets noise in

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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