I picked up a pair of the KEF M500 headphones because I wanted a lighter headphone to use with my portable player. I tried in ear headphones, including KEF and I just did't like the feel. They just feel uncomfortable to me. The on ear headphone is much more comfortable to me.

Anyway, the M500 are KEF's top of the line headphone and are very comfortable. They are also very reasonably priced, quite inexpensive actually. I am actually surprised how good they sound for the price. Very open and clear. Smooth and accurate with a solid bass if bass is present, however they do not over emphasis bass and certainly do not add bass. Their main emphasis is obviously smooth accurate mid-range and upper mid-range.

The more I listened the more I was surprised. Certainly not as full (especially in the bottom end) as the Audeze, but work better for me taking them to the office, traveling, going on walks, etc. So I researched into the back ground of the design of the headphone and this is when I discovered that these were designed by the same team that designed the LS50s. Ah ha............ now it became crystal clear as to how good they are for how reasonably priced they are.

I admit to being a huge KEF fan and truly love the KEF sound. The M500 are a nice addition to the KEF lineup. For use with my Pono they are almost ideal!