KEF M500

134 reviews

Jan, 2025

Positive
sound (86)
comfort (58)
design (54)
usability (50)
portability (36)

Negative
soundstage (1)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 134 reviews of KEF M500. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Headphones for all reviews. Reviewers really like the portability and design. The comfort and usability are also mentioned favorably. There are some critical opinions about the soundstage.

sound, usability, comfort, design, portability

soundstage

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Headphones the KEF M500 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 86/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 134 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

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usability
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comfort
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design
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Showing 1 - 41 of 51 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (79)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for KEF M500

alaTest has collected and analyzed 31 user reviews of KEF M500 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Headphones on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the price and comfort. The design and portability also get good feedback, but there are some mixed comments about the usability.

sound, portability, design, comfort, price

94% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Jan, 2025

Expert review by : Tim Gideon (pcmag.com)

KEF M500

KEF's M500 headphones deliver rich, clean audio, plenty of features, and a comfortable on-ear fit, making them worth the high price.

Solid audio performance with rich lows, clean mids and highs. Inline remote and microphone for mobile devices. Comes with two detachable cables.

Doesn't block out room noise very well, making it hard to use in noisier environments, like airplanes.

If you're looking for a bass-heavier pair, the SMS Audio Street by 50 DJ brings an abundance of low-end, but you'll lose balance. Meanwhile, the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro has an adjustable sound signature, so you can go bass-heavy or flat-response....

Aug, 2013

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Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)

KEF M500 headphones review: A drool-worthy on-ear headphone

The ; on-ear headphones are sleekly and sturdily designed and offer a very comfortable fit. They also sound very good and come with two detachable cords, one of which has an Apple-friendly inline remote/microphone for smartphone use. The headphones...

Fairly expensive; some people may not find the sound detailed enough.

They're fairly pricey, but the combination of very good sound and a sleek, comfortable design, make the KEF M500s contenders in the $300 price class.

Aug, 2013

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Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)

KEF M500 headphones review

In case you've never heard of KEF, it's a British company that makes premium speakers that generally sound really good. Those speakers tend to be a bit pricey -- and some are very pricey -- but now the company has made a foray into the headphone market...

The KEF M500 on-ear headphones are sleekly and sturdily designed and offer a very comfortable fit. They also sound very good and come with two detachable cords, one of which has an Apple-friendly inline remote/microphone for smartphone use. The...

Fairly expensive; some people may not find the sound detailed enough.

They're fairly pricey, but the combination of very good sound and a sleek, comfortable design, make the KEF M500s contenders in the $300 price class.

Aug, 2013

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Expert review by : Tom Andry (audioholics.com)

KEF M500 On-Ear Headphone Review

Review: The KEF M500 on-ear headphones bring comfort, style, and fantastic sound quality to the on-ear headphone category. Some of the best sounding headphones we've reviewed. Highly recommended!

Comfort ; Sound Quality ; Looks

None

Feb, 2014

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Lauren Dragan (thewirecutter.com)

The Best On-Ear Headphones

After researching hundreds of models and spending 45 hours testing 53 finalists, we found that the KEF M500 are the best on-ear headphones for most people.

Jun, 2017

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Expert review by : Hurrairah bin Sohail (hardwarezone.com)

KEF M500 Headphones - A New Level of Comfort

The KEF M500 is a pair of on-ear headphones armed with 40mm drivers. With a 32 Ohm impedance, removable wires and a folding design, the headphones are also quite portable. Is its functionality also allied with top notch performance? We find out in this...

Great build and solid construction ; Excellent portability ; Very comfortable on-ears ; Strong mids and bass

Audio lacks finesse and subtlety ; Trebles lack clarity and presence ; Constricted soundstage

The KEF M500 is a relative new-comer to the Singapore market. As such it is hard not to compare it with another recent supra-aural headphone, the

Oct, 2013

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Expert review by : Justin Whitaker (topreviewshop.com)

KEF M500 On-ear Headphones

British hi-fi speaker manufacturer KEF has entered the consumer headphone market with its first pair of headphones, the M500, which retail for $299.99. They seem to have entered with a solid bang, with accolades and positive reviews from numerous...

Comfortable; nice sounding; fold flat for easy transport

Not as balanced of sound signature as other high-end sets

The KEF 500 headphones prove that KEF is here to stay in the consumer headphone market, and they make a great choice for those seeking style, comfort and great sound.

Sep, 2013

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Expert review by : Chip Chick (chipchick.com)

KEF M500 Hi-Fi Headphones Are Simply Masterful [Review]

KEF's M500′s headphones are simply masterful – they look and sound exquisite, and are crazy comfortable to boot. They may not turn on those bass lovers, but for traveling executives and well-heeled ladies, these headphones belong in the first class...

Fantastic Apple-like design with excellent build quality. These are luxury headphones that look more expensive then their price tag. Great balanced listening experience. Super comfortable, lightweight, and collapsible

Might be too balanced for some who are looking for a more intense bass audio experience. Not impressed with the design of the 3-button remote. Takes a while to burn in and appreciate

Aug, 2013

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Expert review by (t3.com)

KEF M500 review

Will the Kef M500 headphones sound as good as they look?

Peerless styling and comfort ; Quality build ; Detailed sound

Scuffable leather ear pads ; Wallet rupturing RRP ; Slippery headband

Partner Source

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Expert review by (whathifi.com)

KEF M500

KEF's debut in the headphone market is a strong one – the M500s have plenty of appeal

Rich, smooth sound ; Powerful delivery ; Weighty bass ; Snug fit ; Luxury, solid build-quality

Not the final word in sonic subtlety or timing

Considering KEF’s lack of experience in headphone design, the M500s are a fine starting point. They don’t quite have the timing or dynamics of the class-leaders, but their smooth and likeable sound is going to get them plenty of admirers.

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