KEF MU7 in the test: over-ear headphones as an AirPods Max alternative?
The British electronics manufacturer KEF is best known for its large hi-fi loudspeakers. Now the company is also trying its hand at the headphone industry. We tested and put the latest model, the KEF MU7 wireless over-ear headphones to the test.
Contents
Over-ear headphones KEF MU7: the scope of delivery
The scope of delivery of the KEF MU7 Over-Ear Headphones is relatively extensive. In addition to the headphones themselves, there is also a high-quality travel bag, a charging cable, a 3.5 mm jack cable and an airplane adapter in the package. Theoretically, no accessories have to be bought later, which is to be expected given the price. But more on that later.
The KEF MU7 comes with a protective case and cable. (Image: BASIC thinking)
KEF MU7: design and finish
In the first hands-on, the headphones feel very high quality. They are mainly made of aluminum and plastic, appear to be well-made and have a modern design. The memory foam used as ear pads can also be pressed in well.
The KEF MU7 have a high-quality, classic headphone design, including an aluminum frame. (Image: BASIC thinking)
Our test unit was a “silver-grey” model, which might be a little too flashy for some. As an alternative, KEF also offers its wireless over-ear headphones in the color “anthracite grey”, which looks almost like black.
wearing comfort
The KEF MU7 fit really well, because the soft cushion adapts to the ears. Thanks to the aluminum, I wasn’t afraid of changing the size, because it doesn’t break as easily as a plastic frame. Even after a few hours, the headphones don’t press on the ears. This could be an advantage, especially on very long flights.
The KEF Mu7 sit snugly and securely on both ears and don’t pinch even after a few hours. (Image: BASIC thinking)
KEF MU7: Battery life
The KEF MU7 are also impressive when it comes to battery life. After fully charging the headphones, I got by for a week with hours of daily use. The manufacturer speaks of 40 hours of use with ANC, which I can confirm. With ANC deactivated, the battery life should be even longer.
That will also be a factor in the 308 grams that the headphones tip the scales. This means that the weight is significantly higher than that of many headphones from the competition. For comparison: the Sony WH 1000 XM5 weighs 250 grams, Bose’s QC45 only 240 grams.
Sound quality and ANC
But how do the KEF MU7 actually sound? Connected to the smartphone for the first time, I listened to a few playlists and different genres. The headphones were surprisingly “bright”, with little bass, but with very clear mids and highs. Something completely different than what I am used to from my Sony WH-1000XM4, for example.
The bass is only turned up at higher volumes and provides a real “thump”. I booked a trial subscription with Tidal for the test period and also used the headphones in cable mode. KEF’s sound expertise is particularly noticeable with hi-fi music, because guitars and voices sound excellent.
The situation is different with the ANC, which is disappointing for the price. I’ve been using the headphones in local and long-distance traffic, as well as driving in the car. The background noise of an engine or train can be completely filtered out by the ANC, but not the beeping of S-Bahn doors or the gong of a subway. Sony thus continues to retain its ANC crown in the over-ear market.
The KEF MU7 have a cable connection and two buttons. (Image: BASIC thinking)
You can also make phone calls with the headphones – and they are surprisingly clear. In a phone call on the subway, my voice was clear to the person on the phone, despite a lot of ambient noise.
apps and features
We can actually skip the first point of the headline because there is no KEF app for the headphones. It’s a shame because it doesn’t allow new software to be installed to get new features or improvements. In addition, no equalizer can be set. Also, the controls cannot be changed and the headphones cannot be set up in the Find My system.
KEF MU7 price and availability
After all, there is the possibility of connecting the MU7 to two devices and switching back and forth between them. Gesture control is also possible, with which songs can be fast-forwarded and rewound.
You can also adjust the volume or start the language assistant. The KEF MU7 meanwhile costs 399 euros in the RRP and is available directly from the manufacturer as well as from Amazon or Tink available.
KEF MU7 in the test: conclusion
The KEF Mu7 convince with a very good workmanship, a clear sound and a good audio quality. Weaknesses can be found in the software of the headphones. Both the mediocre ANC and the missing app make for an incomplete overall package.
If you can do without it, you get expensive but beautiful headphones with a very good sound. Everyone else should look around for cheap alternatives like the Sony WH-1000XM4/5 or the Bose QC45.
This post contains affiliate links for which we receive a small commission. However, this has no influence on the selection and content of our test reports.
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