Bluetooth speakers are mostly black cylinders that blur together on a shelf. Nothing’s budget sub-brand CMF just launched two that look like milk cartons, come with a pop-off volume knob you can swap, and cost $59 and $109. They also differ from what the pre-launch leaks said, which is worth knowing if you read those.
Speaker S versus Speaker M
Both launched October 12 in white, dark grey, orange and turquoise, through Nothing’s website and select retail partners. The smaller Speaker S is $59. Reports on the launch describe a 45mm driver with two passive radiators and about 10W of output. The Speaker M is $109 and, per those reports, uses a 25W woofer plus a 10W tweeter for 35W combined, so it is the one for a living room or a patio rather than a desk.
Both are claimed to last up to 18 hours at 50% volume with the Ultra Bass mode on, and a ten-minute charge is said to add around an hour of playback. Bluetooth 6.0 is listed for both. Those figures come from launch coverage by SoundGuys and Android Headlines rather than a lab test, so treat battery numbers as a manufacturer claim until reviewers measure them.
The leaks missed on specs and price
Earlier reports, based on retailer listings, suggested roughly $80 and $120, Bluetooth 5.4, a 40mm driver in the S and an IP54 rating on the M. The launch coverage says $59 and $109, Bluetooth 6.0, a 45mm driver and an IP68 rating, which would mean dust-tight and able to survive brief submersion. That is a good reminder that regional retailer leaks are a rough guide at best. The IP68 claim is also the one I would double-check on Nothing’s own product page before taking a speaker to the pool.
The 3D-printing angle
The most unusual part is customization. The volume knob and side panels can be pulled off and swapped, and CMF has released STL files so owners can 3D print their own parts. Party Mode uses Auracast to sync several speakers, and CMF says it works with other brands’ gear. Stereo pairing of two matching speakers is supported too, with a Wide Soundstage mode for single-speaker use.
This fits a pattern of gadgets getting cheaper and more repairable at once; the new Fitbit Edge with its replaceable battery is another example from the same week, and our Techtember roundup covers where the phones are heading.
Bottom Line
At $59, the Speaker S looks like the easy pick for a desk or a backpack, and the $109 Speaker M is the better value if you want room-filling volume. Nothing’s design approach clearly wins on personality, but sound quality is the part no spec sheet settles. Wait for independent reviews if you plan to buy two for stereo.
FAQ
How much do the CMF Speaker S and Speaker M cost?
The Speaker S costs $59 and the Speaker M costs $109 in the US. Both went on sale October 12 through Nothing’s website and select retail partners.
Are the CMF speakers waterproof?
Launch coverage lists an IP68 rating for both, but earlier leaks said IP54 for the larger model. Check the official product page for the rating before relying on it near water.
Can I connect more than one CMF speaker?
Yes. Two matching speakers can be paired as a left and right stereo set, and Party Mode uses Auracast to sync several speakers, including ones from other brands according to CMF.
Featured image: Photo by Nicolas J Leclercq on Unsplash.
