Milk Carton Speaker: Sound, Style, and Surprise!

The CMF Speaker M, from Nothing's budget sub-brand, makes a striking entrance into the portable speaker market with its whimsical, milk carton-inspired design. This eye-catching aesthetic is complemented by a practical top handle and a dial resembling a milk carton cap, available in vibrant Turquoise and Orange options with swappable front panels.

Beyond its looks, the CMF Speaker M boasts impressive functionality. It features an IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating, comparable to high-end devices, and supports Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC, SBC, and LC3 codecs for versatile connectivity. NFC Fast Pair simplifies the pairing process, while the intuitive Nothing X app allows for EQ customization and mode selection (Stereo or Party Mode).

Sound quality is generally good, with a slightly neutral tuning and a 35W output that handles vocals and lighter tracks with detail. However, the speaker struggles with heavy rock and metal genres, where sound can become muddy. Battery life, rated at 18 hours at 50% volume with Ultra Bass EQ, is middling and falls short of some competitors.

Retailing at $109, the CMF Speaker M is positioned at a higher price point. While its unique design and durability are strong selling points, its performance limitations with bass-heavy music and average battery life make its value proposition debatable when compared to similarly priced or cheaper alternatives like the JBL Go 5.