KEF is a shocking stalwart of the Hello-Fi world, providing a broad vary of audio system for many who wish to hear music as it’s meant to be heard: loud and in crystal clear readability.
Its latest team-up with Lotus proves it is a model that understands luxurious and magnificence in equal measure, so I jumped on the probability at attempting its noise-cancelling headphone vary, which have been designed in collaboration – like many a KEF product – with good designer Ross Lovegrove.
Enter the KEF Mu7, a pair of headphones full of KEF’s audio understand how and designed to not solely look nice, however are extremely comfy to put on as nicely.
I have been utilizing the KEF Mu7 headphones each day for over a month now – listed below are 5 issues you’ll want to know…
1. Smooth, distinctive design
Straight from the unboxing, it is clear that there is been quite a lot of dedication to element. The carry case seems to be good and completely fashioned for the headphones. There is a compartment for the cables that has a stunning magnetic cowl to maintain all the things in.
The headphones themselves are nestled neatly within the center and look unbelievable. The brushed aluminium of the egg-shaped ear cups is modern and ridiculously clean to the contact.
The underside half headband is product of the identical materials and the ear cups are on hinges which implies they don’t seem to be too tight on the ears, working properly with the contours of my head. The highest half of the heaband and the inside a part of the cups are coated in a tender fake leather-based.
2. KEF brings the consolation issue
Make no mistake: these are extraordinarily comfy headphones that I’ve worn for hours with little-to-no ear fatigue by any means.
The fake leather-based encases the ears properly and having it on the highest of the band as nicely signifies that the consolation ranges are very good.
The maintain nicely on the top as nicely, because of the angled ear cups – having them on a hinge makes an actual distinction and meant they weren’t shifting up and down after I was strolling on my commute.
3. Setup is easy, however software-free
The KEF Mu7 use Bluetooth 5.1 to connect with your gadgets and it’s totally quick and straightforward to stand up and working. Apparently, KEF has determined to not provide an accompanying app to tweak ranges and improve the audio.
Given most different headphones corporations like to bundle in an app, it is a unusual selection however I did not actually miss this performance that a lot.
They do provide high-res, although, so if the tunes you’re listening to are mastered in SBC, AAC, aptX or aptX HD codecs, the you possibly can stand up to 24 bit audio (extra so when you use the accompanying cable and a DAC).
There are additionally contact controls – no voice, although – on the appropriate ear cup. These labored rather well in my trials, however did take a bit of getting used to. Additionally, it is a bit of factor however I’m left handed and them being simply on the appropriate felt a bit of unnatural to me, as I caught myself reaching over with my left hand to make use of them.
4. Sound high quality is great and balanced
Given there is no such thing as a accompanying app to spice up or cut back bass and the like, it is nice that KEF has tuned these headphones to be pretty impartial. The raga bass in Nitin Sawhney’s Darling Boy danced round however did not overpower the observe. There was actual heat within the sitar, too.
The haunting piano of The Beatles’ Now And Then enveloped me, whereas the crunching guitars of Bombay Bicycle Membership’s I Need To Be Your Solely Pet had been on the forefront all through.
Vocals had been crisp and clear in all my listens. Romy seemed like she was sitting in the identical room as me after I listened to Mid Air, with Stuart Worth’s manufacturing sounding because it ought to – impeccable.
KEF actually has nailed the main points within the KEF Mu7‘s audio, with the sound readability up there with the most effective headphones now we have tried.
ANC-wise, it is first rate however not Bose stage. Not many headphone manufacturers can attain that stage so we weren’t shocked.
That is to not say that there is not loads of noise suppression happening – there actually is and I like which you can select between Sensible ANC and simply pure ANC however we might nonetheless hear a number of the exterior world.
Additionally, there is a tiny little bit of strain whenever you change the ANC on, like you’re on a aircraft or underwater. This does disappear but it surely was definitely noticeable.
5. Battery life is good, charging is quick
KEF has achieved nicely with the battery life on the Mu7s. You stand up to 40 hours’ listening out of them on a full cost, which is loads and up there with the most effective in its class.
There’s normally a caveat that you need to flip ANC off to get that form of battery life however that is EVEN with Bluetooth and ANC on. It is spectacular stuff.
Charging is speedy, too. If you happen to solely have quarter-hour then it is all good as that form of cost will imply round eight hours of playback which is a reside saver for somebody like me, who by no means remembers to cost issues earlier than huge journeys.
It is price noting which you can additionally use these as wired headphones which implies you possibly can hook these headphones as much as a DAC, and there may be an alternative choice on easy methods to use them when the battery is depleted.
KEF Mu7: Last Verdict
I really like the modern design of the KEF Mu7. All the things from the case they arrive in to how they seems to be screams premium.
Couple this with a balanced, high-end audio expertise and spectacular – however not fairly class beating – ANC and what you might have is an actual noise-canceling headphone contender that deserves to show heads away from the likes of Sony and Apple.
The KEF Mu7 Wi-fi Lively Noise Cancelling Headphones are in the stores for £349. The evaluation unit we tried was the Charcoal Gray color however Silver Gray can be out there.
