
Nothing CMF Headphone Pro vs Philips Fidelio X2: 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Nothing CMF Headphone Pro | Philips Fidelio X2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $140 | $115 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2025 | 2014 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm custom nickel-plated dynamic drivers | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 50 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 5Hz-40kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 30 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 100 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | - |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC, LDAC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
| ANC type | hybrid | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | both | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 283 g | 380 g |
| Water resistance | IPX2 | - |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 5 | - |
| Call noise reduction | 3-mic ENC architecture | - |
What reviewers said
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
Philips Fidelio X2
The Philips Fidelio X2 are open-back over-ear headphones that deliver a smooth, balanced sound with a warm tilt and satisfying low-end punch, all wrapped in a highly comfortable and well-built design. They're easy to drive thanks to their low impedance and high sensitivity, making them a versatile pick for both home listening and portable use, though they face stiff competition in their price range. While not the last word in audiophile refinement, they offer strong performance and value for most listeners.
- Pro:Comfortable and well-padded design
- Pro:Punchy bass with a warm, spacious sound
- Pro:Easy to drive from most devices
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers little isolation
- Con:Faces stiff competition from other high-end models
- Con:Not fully resolving for critical audiophiles
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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