Porsche Design Space One Review
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
It's a big shame because the sound was out of this world.
Our reviewerGreat Sound, Undone by Comfort
Bought through Zola to unlock a $50 signup credit, these $419.99 KEF Porsche Design Space One headphones were meant to solve a specific problem: the noise of frequent flying. After a month on backorder, they arrived to high expectations.
On style and sound, they delivered. The case slips neatly into a laptop bag, the earpieces rotate to fit inside it, and the kit includes a spare noise-cancelling battery and a bonus splitter. Sound quality was a genuine step up from anything owned before — clear, with bass that hadn't been experienced from headphones previously.
Comfort is where the review turns. Significant inward pressure from the sides, plus a flat, hard strap pressing down at the top of the head, made them unwearable for more than about 15 minutes at a time — with real relief felt every time they came off. They were ultimately returned.
Stacking a $50 Zola signup credit with a 3% Ebates cashback trims $61 off the $419.99 price for anyone still willing to try them, which explains the 7.5 rating: full marks for sound, a real penalty for comfort.
Why We Love It
- Sleek, travel-friendly case and design
- Genuinely excellent sound quality with real bass
- Comes with a spare noise-cancelling battery and a bonus audio splitter
- Up to $61 in stacked savings through Zola + Ebates
Considerations
- Significant inward pressure from the side cushions
- A hard, flat headband strap that presses down at the top of the head
- Only wearable for about 15 minutes at a time before needing a break
- Ultimately returned over comfort
Our Hands-On Review
The sound alone would earn a 9 or 10 — clear highs, real bass, and a noticeable step up from anything under $50. Style holds up too: a sleek case, rotating earpieces, a flat cord, and a spare battery and splitter in the box.
Comfort never caught up. Pressure pushed in from both sides and down from a flat, hard strap at the crown of the head. For an average-sized head, 15 minutes was the ceiling before the relief of taking them off outweighed the sound quality.
Why We Sent Them Back
The combination of side pressure and a hard top strap made these headphones uncomfortable to wear for any real stretch of time — ultimately the deciding factor in returning them despite loving the sound.
We Recommend This To Readers Who:
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Prioritize sound quality above everything else
The audio genuinely impressed, with clarity and bass rarely found under $50 headphones.
-
Are buying through Zola anyway
Stacking the $50 signup credit with Ebates cashback brings the price down by $61.
A Closer Look
What's In the Box
Beyond the headphones themselves, the kit is built for travel.
Carrying Case
Slips into a laptop bag; earpieces rotate sideways to fit more snugly inside.
Spare Battery
An extra battery included for the noise-cancelling feature.
How to Save $61
The retail price is steep, but stacking two credits brings it down meaningfully.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Retail Price | $419.99 |
Good to Know
The Bottom Line
The sound alone would earn a 9 or 10, but persistent side and top pressure made these headphones unwearable for more than about 15 minutes at a time — enough to send them back despite the stacked $61 in savings.
