KEF Mu7 Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Charcoal Grey

Product Information

So far, it’s a feature-set that’s entirely appropriate for a product of this type and cost – but there are a couple of blanks on the KEF’s spec-sheet. Unlike almost every price-comparable rival (and quite a few that are fair bit more affordable, too), there’s no control app accompanying the Mu7. This means no adjustable EQs, no sliding scale of ANC, no firmware upgrades or any of the other stuff I’ve come to expect where wireless headphones of all types are concerned. They’re rather more adept at identifying the harmonic dynamics present in a solo instrument or an unaccompanied voice, though, and do good work in making them apparent without getting all prissy about it. The Mu7 are quite convincing where tonality is concerned, too - even though their low-end reproduction in particular is trying hard not to give offence, it’s tonally natural and neutral. There’s no transparent mode which allows you to have a conversation while wearing them and there’s no automatic pausing when you either lift an earcup or remove them from your head. They don’t sound like major problems, but when you’re used to experiencing them on rival products it’s surprising how much they can elevate the user experience when executed correctly.

For the design of the Mu7, KEF has enlisted the services of long-time collaborator Ross Lovegrove. Anyone familiar with this work for the company, from the huge Muon loudspeakers to the grabbable Muo wireless speaker, will know what to expect here (beyond a model name that starts ‘Mu’) - the Mu7 are an organically flowing combination of bumps and recesses. Or, at least, they are as far as the earcups are concerned - that’s about the only area of a pair of over-ear headphones that doesn’t have its form utterly dictated by its function. Of course, this sort of sonic attitude will be absolutely fine for those listeners who aren’t interested in this sort of shouty, pimply nonsense in the first place. But there are enough price-comparable rivals around to make the KEF sound slightly one-paced and less than adaptable. The KEF Mu7 are solidly built, though. The aluminium casework feels robust and premium, which is just what you want from headphones at this price point. The arms that attach the headband to the earcups don’t feel flimsy and they also allow for a good amount of movement, so you can get the 40mm full-range drivers angled properly and fit over the whole of your ear without any gaps where sound can leak out and noise can leak in. With such a long battery life, it’s good to see that KEF has ensured that there’s comfort to match. Memory foam ear cushions fit to perfection while the padded headband clamps to your head with just the right amount of force – not too tight but tight enough to ensure a good seal with the earpads. The way any piece of audio equipment sounds is ultimately a judgement call. Someone (or some group of people) has decided on the ‘voice’ a pair of headphones (for instance) is going to have, and then fingers are crossed as to whether or not it finds favour. In the case of the KEF Mu7, it’s not difficult to picture the wish-list: five minutes inside these headphones and words like ‘judicious’, ‘precise’ and ‘mature’ all start to muscle their way to the front of the mind…Now in its seventh decade, KEF has an enviable reputation for speaker design. From BBC studios to high-end home systems, KEF are considered one of the world’s leading speaker companies. When it comes to KEF Mu7 headphones, KEF have applied similar care and rigour to their speaker design, ensuring that these headphones are amongst the very best sounding at their price. Oddly enough, the Mu7 manages to combine similar traits when it comes to the way they deal with external sounds. Switch ANC on or (Smart on if you’re out and about) and there’s no two ways about it: they do a very decent job on all ambient noise short of ear-splitting. They’re certainly a crisp-sounding pair of headphones. There’s a decent amount of space around instruments and vocals. Detail levels are fine for the money, and tonally they’re pretty well-balanced with no end of the frequency spectrum favoured over the other. Low frequencies are lean and agile, which you’d think would help deliver a dynamic, lively sound… And in our opinion, the result is a distinctive-looking pair of over-ears. The headphones have a liquid metal vibe and feel about them. The teardrop shape of the earcups looks refined and sophisticated, while the smooth surfaces are nice to the touch.

Thanks to a battery that lasts for up to 40 hours, you get to enjoy the Mu7’s for longer. What’s more, its 40 hours even with Bluetooth and Smart Active Noise Cancellation engaged, meaning you don’t have to make compromises to get this generous battery life. Fast charging means that just 15 minutes of charging is enough for a further 8 hours of use.

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KEF’s pedigree as a loudspeaker manufacturer is unquestionable, but has this helped them produce a pair of wireless headphones capable of going toe-to-toe with the very best? Renowned for his sculptural, flowing forms, Ross Lovegrove is a visionary designer. The Mu7’s have a purity of design that reflects their sound quality. The smooth, seamless design is available in a choice of Silver Grey or Charcoal Grey finishes. Just as with their reference speakers, KEF have tuned the Mu7 headphones to deliver a pure, consistent sound. The 40mm drivers are voiced to produce realism and tonal accuracy, rather than an overwrought bass response. Suitable for use with all types of music media, but especially impressive with Hi-Res music files, the MU7’s deliver music with polished precision.

Matching KEF’s class-leading ability for sound quality with outstanding design and functionality, the KEF Mu7 headphones raise the bar for noise-cancelling headphones. Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 2nd November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.)

However you choose to get it there, once the audio information is on board your Mu7 it’s delivered to your ears by a pair of 40mm full-range dynamic drivers. A frequency response such as KEF is claiming, of 20Hz – 20kHz, is both ample and eminently achievable. It’s difficult to know for sure, of course, but if the words good taste and grown-up weren’t as high on the list of Mu7 sonic requirements as detailed and high-fidelity then I’ll eat my metaphorical hat.