In a market saturated with uniform, pill-shaped Bluetooth speakers, CMF—the sub-brand of the disruptive tech outfit Nothing—has decided that personality is the ultimate feature. Following the recent launch of the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro, CMF has officially entered the portable speaker arena with two distinct models: the Speaker S and the Speaker M.
These devices are already turning heads, not just for their competitive pricing, but for an unconventional, industrial design that evokes the silhouette of a milk carton. By blending high-utility audio features with a modular, DIY-friendly aesthetic, CMF is positioning itself as a brand for the creative enthusiast who wants their tech to be as expressive as their playlist.
The Main Facts: CMF’s Entry into Audio
The launch consists of two variants: the compact Speaker S and the more robust Speaker M.
- Speaker S: Priced at $59 (£49), this model is engineered for portability and on-the-go listening. It features a custom-tuned 45mm driver paired with two passive radiators to ensure that despite its small footprint, it maintains a punchy audio profile.
- Speaker M: Aimed at those looking to fill a room, this larger unit is priced at $109 (£99). It boasts a wider frequency range of 60Hz–20kHz, offering greater depth for those who prioritize immersion over pure portability.
Both speakers are available in a vibrant array of colors—white, dark grey, orange, and turquoise—sticking to CMF’s signature visual language that favors bold, primary-leaning aesthetics over the muted tones often found in competitor devices.
Chronology: The Evolution of CMF’s Audio Ambitions
The journey to these speakers has been rapid. CMF, established as a value-driven, design-forward subsidiary of Nothing, has spent the last year refining its ecosystem.
- Early 2024: Nothing solidified its commitment to the "CMF" brand, focusing on affordability without sacrificing the "Nothing" design DNA—characterized by transparent elements, bold geometry, and a heavy focus on user experience.
- Mid-2024: The launch of the CMF Phone and various wearables set the stage for a cohesive ecosystem. The announcement of the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro signaled that audio was the next vertical to be conquered.
- Late 2024 (Present): The debut of the Speaker S and M marks the brand’s first foray into stationary and portable audio hardware, effectively bridging the gap between personal audio and home entertainment.
Technical Specifications and Supporting Data
While the "milk carton" aesthetic is the primary draw, the internal hardware tells a story of modern engineering efficiency.
Performance Metrics
Both models share a common technical foundation. They offer an impressive 18 hours of playback time at 50% volume, even with the "Ultra Bass" feature enabled. The Ultra Bass mode is a software-driven enhancement designed to add weight to the low-end, providing a thicker sound profile for tracks that lean heavily on bass frequencies.
For the power-conscious user, CMF has integrated a rapid-charging solution: a 10-minute charge provides one hour of playback, a necessary feature for the modern, fast-paced consumer.
Connectivity and Range
Connectivity is perhaps where these speakers outshine their price-point rivals. Supporting the latest Bluetooth standards, both models offer a connection range exceeding 100 meters. This is a significant leap from the standard 10-meter range found in many entry-level Bluetooth speakers, allowing for expansive setup configurations in larger homes or outdoor party environments.
Furthermore, both speakers feature dual-connection capability. This allows two users to be paired to the speaker simultaneously, enabling seamless switching between audio sources. This eliminates the tedious process of disconnecting one device and pairing another, making the speakers ideal for social settings where multiple people want to share their music.
The Flexibility of Playback: Stereo and Party Modes
CMF has gone beyond simple mono-playback with two advanced software features:
- Stereo Mode: By pairing two units of the same model, users can designate them as independent left and right channels, creating a true stereo soundstage.
- Party Mode: This is the brand’s most flexible offering. It allows for the pairing of multiple speakers—including, in some instances, compatible units from other brands—to create a synchronized audio environment. This "daisy-chaining" capability turns individual speakers into a unified sound system, effectively allowing the user to scale their audio setup based on the size of the room or the event.
A New Frontier: The DIY and Modular Design
Perhaps the most disruptive aspect of the CMF Speaker S and M is the focus on user-led customization. In a move that aligns with the modern trend of the "right to repair" and DIY culture, CMF has designed the front panels of both speakers to be removable.
This serves two purposes:
- Aesthetic Personalization: Users can swap the front panels for different colored options, allowing the speaker to match the decor of a room.
- Community Creativity: CMF has explicitly encouraged 3D-printer enthusiasts to design and print their own custom panels and volume knobs. By providing a technical guide for these components, CMF is essentially inviting the community to contribute to the product’s evolution. This "extra" level of engagement is a masterstroke in brand loyalty, turning a simple Bluetooth speaker into a project piece for tech hobbyists.
Implications: What This Means for the Audio Industry
The entry of CMF into the speaker market has several implications for the future of budget-friendly consumer electronics.
1. The Death of the "Boring" Budget Speaker
For years, the sub-$100 speaker market has been dominated by generic, rubberized cylinders. By introducing a bold, geometric, and modular design, CMF is forcing competitors to reconsider their visual strategies. When consumers can buy a device that looks like a piece of modern art—and can be modified at home—the standard "black tube" design begins to look obsolete.
2. Community-Driven Development
By providing the blueprints for custom parts, CMF is bridging the gap between a consumer product and an open-source project. This reduces the risk of the product feeling "finished" or stagnant. As long as there is a community of makers, the design potential for the Speaker S and M remains infinite.
3. Price-to-Feature Ratio
At $59 and $109, these speakers are aggressively priced. By packing features like 100-meter Bluetooth range, dual-connection, and high-fidelity stereo pairing into these price points, CMF is putting pressure on established legacy brands to justify their higher costs. If a budget-friendly, quirky speaker can perform at this level, the "premium tax" on mid-range audio equipment will face increased scrutiny from tech reviewers and consumers alike.
Conclusion
The CMF Speaker S and Speaker M are more than just output devices; they are a statement of intent. Nothing’s sub-brand has successfully identified that the modern listener wants utility, but they also crave identity. Through their milk-carton design, modular customization, and robust technical performance, these speakers are poised to become a staple in the homes of design-conscious audiophiles and Gen-Z party-goers alike.
As we look toward the future of portable audio, the success of these speakers may signal a wider shift in the industry: one where the personality of the device is just as important as the quality of the sound it produces. Whether you are a casual listener looking for a splash of color on your desk or an enthusiast wanting to experiment with 3D-printed hardware, CMF has provided a platform that is as much about expression as it is about rhythm.
