Three weeks ago, I gave my first impressions of the CMF Headphone Pro, asking myself if they were the perfect, budget-friendly solution for video editors such as myself who wear glasses:
I’ve used them almost every single day since then, and the answer is… complicated. My biggest complaints turned out to be non-issues, but I found one new, major flaw that could be a dealbreaker for you.
And honestly, two of the features I didn’t even test last time are the ones that surprised me the most.
In my first video, my number one priority was comfort, specifically the “glasses pinch”. I said at the time that I anticipated the initial clamping force would fade… and I am happy to report it absolutely has.
These are now even more comfortable than they were out of the box. The flexibility is fantastic.
I’ve actually seen other creators stretch these things to incredible lengths, and they just snap back into shape. For all-day editing sessions, they are a 10 out of 10.
The earcups are also holding up great. The original black ones get a little of my makeup on them, but it comes right off with a wipe.
Also, I now have a pair of the light green replacement cups, sold by CMF, and found them incredibly easy to swap. It proves the modular design isn’t just a gimmick—it’s practical.
The only downside on the build quality is that after three weeks of being careful, the matte plastic has picked up a few tiny scuffs here and there, which is to be expected for headphones at this price, but just know it is unlikely that they will stay perfectly pristine — unless you are super careful with them.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. My initial “quibbles” have basically all been solved.
First, the “Wired Woes.” I complained about the short cable and the fact they have to be powered on even when wired.
Since then, I swapped to a longer cable that I already had lying around, which solved problem number one.
The battery drain? I found that it really wasn’t an issue for me. The battery on these turned out to be phenomenal after all. I used them for a full week of editing, and I only recharged them again yesterday. I’m even going to try just leaving them plugged in all the time, so I won’t have to worry about checking the battery level, though I’m not sure what that’ll do to the battery long-term. We’ll just have to see about that.
And my other complaint—the lack of wear detection? I’ve honestly just gotten used to hitting the spacebar whenever I need to step out, and it has not been a huge deal for my workflow at all.
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Now for the two things that completely surprised me, starting with the microphone. I didn’t test it last time, but I have now and found that my voice came in clear regardless of having a very loud fan noise in t he background (see video for demo). I find that it’s more than good enough for video or audio calls.
But the biggest shock? Wireless editing. Every video editor will tell you “never edit over Bluetooth” because of latency. However, the CMF Pro claims a low-latency mode, so I put that to the test in DaVinci Resolve, and honestly, I was shocked. I noticed no delays while scrubbing the timeline, and I could make pretty accurate cuts.
Now, I still don’t recommend this as your primary method as connections can vary—but in a pinch if you happen to forget your 3.5mm audio cable, it’s 100% viable.
And the multi-device connection? It works almost instantly, switching seamlessly between my Mac and my phone, which is a huge workflow win.
So, after three weeks, what about the software features?
In my first review, I stated that I couldn’t really hear a difference in bass or treble when adjusting the Energy Slider. Three weeks later, I’m doubling down on what I first said. This slider… to my ears, does nothing. I find it to be more of a fidget toy than a pro tool.
But I will reiterate that this isn’t the opinion held by everyone that’s used these, and it could just be a me thing.
The “Personal Sound” profile, however, is great. I’ve kept it on this whole time and find the sound is much better suited to my own hearing, which is the whole point.
But that brings me to the “Gotcha.” The one new flaw that I found.
In my first look, I called the Active Noise Cancellation “average.” And I still find it to be that way. It’s fine for the price, but it’s not getting any awards or beating more premium headphones.
However, the real problem I found with them is sound leakage.
If you’re in a quiet office or on a commute, people near you will hear what you’re listening to. This is a non-starter if you need privacy.
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So, after three weeks, are the CMF Headphones Pro the perfect headphones for video editors on a budget?
My final verdict is that they are perfect for that purpose.
They absolutely nail the two most important things: all-day comfort for glasses-wearers and incredible battery life. They surprised me with a great microphone and shockingly usable wireless latency.
Yes, the Energy Slider I found to be more of a gimmick, to me at least, and the sound leakage makes them a poor choice for a public office or public transportation. But for me, working at my home setup, that is really a non-issue.
The “quibbles” I had are gone, and the strengths have only gotten stronger.
