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KEF M500 Headphones

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KEF M500 Headphones

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Product Description

From highly regarded British loudspeaker manufacturer KEF, the M500 headphones are lightweight, robust, and built for travel. Thanks to the company’s multidirectional Smart Hinge, the aluminum alloy frame automatically conforms to the shape of your head—sitting neither too tight nor too loose—and folds down for easy storage in the included carrying case Read More

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naviicam

Nov 15, 2017

I’ve owned these since they came out and love them.
But it the ear pads fell apart after minimal use and I had to go to the trouble of having them shipped to Australia from the US as KEF won’t do it. They are easy to replace, but add to the cost of the headphone and I never had to do it with another brand of headphone.

bennettp123

Nov 15, 2017

naviicamThis really is the only downside of these headphones. Spare parts are all difficult to obtain in Australia. Headphonic seems to order them in every few months though, http://headphones.com.au/product/kef-m500-spare-parts/
I tend to be fairly rough with my headphones, so I'm onto my second set of pads, and probably my 4th or 5th replacement cable.

naviicam

Nov 15, 2017

bennettp123yup, the iPhone control buttons stopped working on my cable ages ago.
thabks for the link :)

itsShu

Nov 15, 2017

Although I will not be joining this drop, I feel the need to share my review considering the fact that I've been an owner of these for nearly 2 years now. First of all, they are incredibly comfy, this is the best implementation of on-ear headphones I've ever encountered. The pads are made from a very supple leather (or leatherette) and are well padded such that the only issue you encounter from prolonged use is ear sweat. The sound is fantastic, detailed and punchy. A little bit on the warm side, but mostly neutral. The part that will take most people by surprise is how they're not voiced like headphones but rather they sound like they're full speakers. It's a truly unique listening experience and will make a lot of people happy.
Not to mention that they're the super good-looking, perhaps the most attractive "portable" or "out-of-the-house" kind of headphone. Makes me feel like an audiophile in disguise.
Hope this helped someone who's on the fence, and good luck everyone!

Al3mbic

Nov 16, 2017

itsShuThank you so much for mentioning that these are on-ear headphones. They looked like it, but I couldn't decide if they really were. I wanted them, but on-ear headphones give me migraines.

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itsShu

Nov 16, 2017

Al3mbicUnderstandable. That said, the clamping force is really quite soft and the pads are immensely plush so perhaps these might not affect you in the same way.

dice32

Nov 15, 2017

They are awesome headphones you will not be disappointed. They are very comfortable, very unique looking and sound great. They have light clamping force and very soft earpads.
highly recommended.

derzulya

126

Nov 15, 2017

dice32I owned a pair of M400's but those were so uncomfortable and i had to send them back, even though i like the design and sound. Other than that, they were too small for my big head :/ Can you compare M500 with M400 in this regard? I want to know before i eventually join the drop.

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OZ.Bloody.Rabbit

192

Nov 16, 2017

derzulyaI heard ya, the ergonomics can really kills the joy of listening. I heard many good things about the Grado and I got myself a sweet deal on the 325e, however, I tried changing pads (they sell these "hybrid" pads on evilbay), tried bending the headbands in various way, doesn't help. Another one is the V-Moda crossfade M-100, out of the box they are marginally conformable, only after 3-4 years now it starts to loosen up a bit.

Shalakazaam

597

Nov 15, 2017

the ear pads look impractical, but goddamn those headphones look sweet

Niro

Nov 20, 2017

I've had a pair of these for nearly 2 years now, and I started using them again after sending in my 2nd pair of B&W P7s for repair (right driver failed on both models for me). First of all, I think the P7 is the better pair of headphones, hands down. But the KEF M500s are easily the best pair of on-ear headphones I've ever used - they just disappear once you put them on, and there's surprisingly very little noise leakage.
The sound characteristics are where they start to lose me a bit. I like my bass, and the M500s are more tuned for midrange. Vocals are really up and front on these. The thing is, it's actually capable of very good, nuanced bass, but are constantly playing second fiddle to the midrange. With an equalizer, you can actually bring out the bass more and it does sound really nice. If you're looking for a pair of headphones that are balanced with an emphasis on vocals, look great and are lightweight, this is your pair right here. Great carrying case too.

Helpbot

310

Dec 9, 2017

I received mine a week ago. They are amazing for the price, but the pads are not durable as people have stated on Amazon. I would not buy this to use as a daily driver, nor would I buy them if you want them to last more than a year or two, since the pads are outta stock more of the time.

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Helpbot

310

Dec 9, 2017

really? I thought the cables would be okay, that's good to know. Maybe I'll be less reserved with my use of them, I just wish the pads were just in stock. I would replace them however many times if necessary!

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bennettp123

Dec 10, 2017

HelpbotThe cables are pretty good, but I'm pretty rough with them, and they're my daily drivers so they get a lot of use. I don't think I've ever had a headphone cable last more than 9 months of daily use; most die in 6 months or less.

wcg66

139

Keyboard Club Member

Dec 9, 2017

For Canadian users, these are $200 on amazon.ca right now. Given shipping and import charges, it's cheaper.

Keth

760

Dec 13, 2017

wcg66Huh, a US based bulk buy site that caters predominantly to US buyers, go figure. I assume international shipping kills most deals from US sellers.

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wcg66

139

Keyboard Club Member

Dec 13, 2017

KethNot always. The HD6XX have reasonable shipping and are much cheaper even with exchange, taxes and fees compared to local Canadian prices for HD600 or HD650s.

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jaybattle

Nov 19, 2017

I have owned these headphones since last year and I can't recommend them more. They are very comfortable and sound great-a little on the mellow side.They have good bass for a on-ear/fashion can. I haven't listened to many portable headphones, but I think they sound better than the HiFiMan Edition S and the Bower & Wilkins P5 which I have listened to. I use them a few times a week and they are holding up well so far.

Vangeli

120

Nov 15, 2017

Aww, I was hoping the first KEF drop was gonna be a collaboration with Racing Red color options, seeing as KEF doesn't do any portable audio in Racing Red and this was a perfect opportunity!
Not enough proper red tech, but I'm glad to see KEF on Massdrop now!

MusicLvr

Nov 15, 2017

Wow! I’ve been waiting years for this drop and when it arrives; I have exhausted my resources on Audeze LCD-X’s! I think it’s great that other colors are being offered too. I own the Kef M200 iem’s and found them to be so liquid in sound. I bet the M500’s are just a bit more neutral...hmmmm

Showing 21 of 27

Recent Activity

DarrylG

It would be nice to be able to get the black or silver/black ones at the same price the white ones go for on Newegg these days.

Helpbot

After about a couple weeks of having these, I realize I prefer the thinksound on2's better. Mainly because of my commuting in nyc, those do better job of isolating at any volume. Im going to sell my kef m500 for $170 as I've hardly used them. If you're interested just reply and maybe we can work something out.

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