KEF M500 Headphones and M200 Earphones Preview

One of the treats we've gotten the last few years we've visited CEDIA is seeing the KEF Blade speakers. They are works of art. Now, KEF has brought that type of workmanship to a pair of earphones and headphones in its new M-Series. The KEF M500's are over-the-ear headphones that are made with durable, light-weight aluminum frames and roll with a full-range 40mm neodymium driver. The equally impressive-looking in-ear M200s use what KEF describes as its DDD (Dual Dynamic Driver) tech. It's a two-way system that uses a 10mm driver for the bass and a separate 5.5mm dynamic neodymium driver for midrange and high frequencies.

There are strengths to both products, but let's take a look at each individually. The KEF M500 headphones are technically a mobile product since they come with iPhone and smartphone-compatible controls for the flat headphone cable. They are a closed-back on-ear design optimized for hi-fi playback. The design is rather elegant, with clean lines and smooth edges on the full aluminum frame that lack anything that would break their pilldrop characteristic shape. The padding on the headband looks to be very thick (and thus, comfortable) and the ear pads are a high-quality, sweat resistant, breathable synthetic, so they should last a lot longer than even some natural materials.

KEF used a Smart Hinge for the ear cups, which is a multi-angle hinge that adapts the headphones to better fit the shape of different users’ heads and the entire headphone folds down for travel. As we mentioned above, the 40mm full-range neodymium drivers use CCAW (Copper Clad Aluminum Wire) as part of the high quality voice coil. To top it off, the KEF M500 comes with a protective half-moon case and a flight adapter that should appeal to business travelers. At a retail price of $300 these look to be very sexy headphones that we hope sound as good as they look.

The KEF M200 earphones (or ear "buds" as KEF refers to them) are a really unique design in their own right, with an aluminum driver housing and an ergonomic shell designed to fit the concha of the ear with a tight seal, so you get a comfortable fit. They actually stay where you put them. To really make sure everything is properly sealed and sized, KEF opted to use ultra-thin silicone ear tips that actually adapt to your ear canal. The best bass response is only achieved when you seal the ear canal perfectly and the M200's look to not only accomplish this, but do it in a way that's easy to apply. With the pliable shell that holds the earphone in place you are apt to get a quick fit and not have to futz with it too much to get a proper seal. These earphones use the company's Dual Dynamic Driver (DDD) technology mentioned above with a 10mm bass and 5.5mm mid-high driver with crossover. Like the KEF M500 headphones, the M200's include Apple-compatible controls on the headphone cable to ensure full remote functionality on both calls and music. The M200's come with a protective case and a flight adapter.

These are expensive earphones. At $200 you won't see casual users flocking to buy them—but what stylish high-end product was ever held back by that?

If that's not enough info for you, then check out the new videos KEF posted of these phones:

KEF M500 Headphones

KEF M200 Earphones

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.