TONEAudio Magazine
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<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-13417" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-m500-headphones/attachment/1-136/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13417" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/1159.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="641" /></a>Though traditionally a loudspeaker manufacturer KEF has joined the likes of B&W and Martin Logan, extrapolating in-house expertise to the personal audio market.* The M500 (US$299) are KEF’s first supra-aural (on-ear) headphone; it rides tandem with the M200 IEM to form KEF’s M-series.</strong></p>
<p>KEF has always been a company that makes products true to sound, and as music lovers they wanted to make a product that reflects the sound of their speakers.* As a speaker manufacturer, the ‘phone was designed in-house by the same team that produced the award winning LS-50 and Blade speakers.* “We were after a look that was stylish but not bling-y,” comments KEF US marketing manager Stephanie Scola. A quick comparison to these speakers easily reveals the lineage.</p>
<p>Right out of the box there are no positioning quirks or foibles with the M500.* It’s comfortable and unfussy about placement – just unfold, plug in and go.* The nicely padded headband doesn’t grip the head too tightly. However, Audeze owners will know that keeping your head upright is essential at all times.* Although not as heavy as LCD-2/3, the M500 is similarly susceptible to gravity’s pull – hunch too far over a laptop and the M500 will tumble off your noggin.* Similarly – and head-size depending – you won’t find yourself rocking out to the M500 during super-vigorous gym workouts, but you should be fine with a more gentle treadmill regime.* Flipping this loose fit on its head: here is a headphone that’s the just the ticket for long-haul flights.</p>
<p>KEF clearly intended the M500 to be a comfortable and durable product. A cool, industrial aesthetic means this is not your son’s Beats by Dre.* The all-aluminum structure behind the “smart hinge” technology means the M500 won’t fall apart after a few months’ use – there is no plastic shell to crack.</p>
<p>Listening to L.S.G.’s <em>The Unreleased Album</em> via Resonessence Labs Concero HP and Macbook, the KEF cans are not quite the last word in low bass definition, especially when compared to my budget reference AKG K-702.* However, the AKG can’t run on iPhone juice – it’s best suited to home listening with dedicated headphone amplification.* In contrast, the M500 is for folks on the go.* The closed-back design ensures minimal sound-leakage – that’s good news for regular users of public transport.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-13418" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-m500-headphones/attachment/2-128/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13418" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/2145.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="453" /></a>Our publisher reveals that the M500 does provide more heft in the lower registers when paired up with other headphone amplifiers, the Bryston and the new Studio Six from ALO in particular.* It also makes an incredible mate for your favorite vintage ’70s receiver, turning in an incredible performance with a freshly restored Marantz 2270.</p>
<p>Unzipping the clamshell carry case reveals the M500 (neatly folded), airline adaptor,
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-m500-headphones/]
<p>KEF has always been a company that makes products true to sound, and as music lovers they wanted to make a product that reflects the sound of their speakers.* As a speaker manufacturer, the ‘phone was designed in-house by the same team that produced the award winning LS-50 and Blade speakers.* “We were after a look that was stylish but not bling-y,” comments KEF US marketing manager Stephanie Scola. A quick comparison to these speakers easily reveals the lineage.</p>
<p>Right out of the box there are no positioning quirks or foibles with the M500.* It’s comfortable and unfussy about placement – just unfold, plug in and go.* The nicely padded headband doesn’t grip the head too tightly. However, Audeze owners will know that keeping your head upright is essential at all times.* Although not as heavy as LCD-2/3, the M500 is similarly susceptible to gravity’s pull – hunch too far over a laptop and the M500 will tumble off your noggin.* Similarly – and head-size depending – you won’t find yourself rocking out to the M500 during super-vigorous gym workouts, but you should be fine with a more gentle treadmill regime.* Flipping this loose fit on its head: here is a headphone that’s the just the ticket for long-haul flights.</p>
<p>KEF clearly intended the M500 to be a comfortable and durable product. A cool, industrial aesthetic means this is not your son’s Beats by Dre.* The all-aluminum structure behind the “smart hinge” technology means the M500 won’t fall apart after a few months’ use – there is no plastic shell to crack.</p>
<p>Listening to L.S.G.’s <em>The Unreleased Album</em> via Resonessence Labs Concero HP and Macbook, the KEF cans are not quite the last word in low bass definition, especially when compared to my budget reference AKG K-702.* However, the AKG can’t run on iPhone juice – it’s best suited to home listening with dedicated headphone amplification.* In contrast, the M500 is for folks on the go.* The closed-back design ensures minimal sound-leakage – that’s good news for regular users of public transport.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-13418" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-m500-headphones/attachment/2-128/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13418" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/2145.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="453" /></a>Our publisher reveals that the M500 does provide more heft in the lower registers when paired up with other headphone amplifiers, the Bryston and the new Studio Six from ALO in particular.* It also makes an incredible mate for your favorite vintage ’70s receiver, turning in an incredible performance with a freshly restored Marantz 2270.</p>
<p>Unzipping the clamshell carry case reveals the M500 (neatly folded), airline adaptor,
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-m500-headphones/]