The following is the review I wrote for the V-MODA Forza Sport Hybrid In-Ear IEM, and I will leave it here as much of it applies to the tee for the Forza Metallo as well. After I picked up the Forza Sport, upon loving them so much, I decided to get the Forza Metallo as well and make the family complete. While I use the Forza Sport for working out, I use the Metallo to wear with my suits and other attire on the go. Below I have gone over the fit, comfort and SQ of both -- the only differences between the Sport and Metallo is that the Metallo's housing is metal (as you might tell by the name) and it comes with a great anti-tangle cable. Other difference is the leatherette case that comes with the Metallo. Can't wait to pick up some of the customizable housings to go with them -- I especially love the look of the old-school microphone. Badass, classic and fashionable. Also V-MODA is the only brand I have heard of to do this. Quite fun and innovative Anyway, for the price point, these are great and the biggest plus to me is the comfort and stability. I have always been more of a headphone person because I couldn't wear other IEMs every day -- these I can wear just about every day without any discomfort and throughout the day. Kudos to V-MODA.

'I have been in the market for a pair of workout IEMs for a while now. When I heard that V-MODA was going to come out with these, my interest was piqued, especially when I saw their design with the FINS. Have always wanted to try an IEM with this as I know it is said to improve comfort and stability. In the past with the IEMs I have owned (I come from owning Etys, Panasonics, UE, and my V-MODA Zn), fit and seal have never been quite perfect for me. Either it was not stable or comfortable.

I am happy to report that after owning these for the past couple of weeks, the Forza is by far, hands down, the most comfortable and stable IEM I have worn to date. I believe this is not only because of the fins (which come in three sizes, S, M or L -- I prefer M personally) but because of combination of the size of the ear-housing and tips. The comfort is out of this world -- to the point where I can happily forget I have them on and just enjoy the SQ. Speaking of the sound ---

DYNAMIC, PUNCHY BASSY GOODNESS. So the other thing that took me aback was that these sound way better than I expected. Going by V-MODA's reputation, I knew these were going to be built like a tank, which they are and that it'd be perfect for what they'll be used for -- working out, taking a beating, being sweat/water resistant. But being that this was a workout IEM, I thought perhaps SQ was going to take a backseat. But boy am I wrong -- they are a lot better than I anticipated. The Forza come very close to the V-MODA Zn in SQ and even with the smaller driver, there are no compromises made to the SQ. The bass is very rich, defined, punchy, textured and extends to very low. I can hear the deepest bass notes and it's nicely separated. The upper bass is a bit punchy and ever-so-slightly bloated, if you are more of a neutral-head. I tend to like different sound signatures depending on the mood and for what the Forza is made for, the extra body in the bass is called for. The mids are silky smooth and I don't feel they are recessed. They fall very much in line with the bass. Vocals sounds full and beautiful. The highs are softened, not sparkly, but not missing much information either. I think this is a good thing since we tend to blast our music during workouts or in loud settings like on the commute, and so the fact that highs are not sharp makes me feel comfortable turning up the volume a bit and not worrying about hurting my hearing. No sibilance to boot but still plenty of air and detail.

I will also note that these IEMs are great with phone calls. The mic does not pick up a lot of external sounds and so my fiancee has been able to hear me quite clearly on the other end, even while walking through loud NYC streets. Isolation is also impressive on these -- while much ambient noise is blocked out, like a loud trains and traffic, I still can hear some higher frequencies -- enough to be aware of traffic and my surrounds. A great balance. Many times I have encountered IEMs that either don't block out enough noise or it's too much isolation and I have to leave one ear out.

These days, because of the comfort, convenience, and SQ these have been getting more ear time even over a lot of my higher-end portable headphones. I don't feel like I am missing out on SQ and these are just damn fun with any genre I throw at them. The bass rumbles, the mids are beautiful, present and smooth, and highs have a pleasant softness to them.

Overall, the Forza far exceeded my expectations. I got these, initially thinking, these are gonna be awesome beaters for working out and general phone call use --- I think these IEMs may end up just about replacing a lot of my collection. I have been a V-MODA fan for a while and judging by this product especially, I feel they only make products they themselves would use. You can especially tell by the quality of the product as a whole - from the SQ, comfort to the accessories (the mesh case for example, is a great breathable case that is perfect as it lets the IEMs breathe and air out while still being an enclose protective case -- love it, wish more IEMs would come with this kind of case), different size fins and tips, etc. They think of everything from the user's perspective and I think that's what sets them apart. On top of that, these are a steal at $100. Perfect gift for yourself or others. Glad I picked them up for myself, will most likely pick up a couple more pairs for Holiday gifts for loved ones.'

Just recently received the V-MODA Crossfade Wireless and I got to say, I think the team at V-MODA hit this one out of the park. Just a little on my background -- I have owned the M-80 (which I have since gifted), and I own the XS as well as the M-100 so I have a sense of the V-MODA house sound. I also have owned a bunch of other portable headphones (you can check my profile to see which ones), mostly because I appreciate a lot of different sound signatures and certain unique characteristics of each headphone I own. Which could also mean I can't make up my mind lol but I love them all for different reasons and wish I could just be the one-headphone kind of person but alas, I cannot. I also listen to all genres, mainly rock/alternative. I listen to most of my music on-the-go, being that I live in NYC and I am always on the move. So portability, great sound quality, and isolation are all paramount. I also appreciate style and comfort but not as much as SQ.
 
For a long time, I would be skeptical about BT headphones. Although every once in a while I'd see someone with a set of BT cans from well-known companies, and I'd think there must be a certain kind of liberty I am missing out on, not having to deal with cables. I thought to myself, I would love to try that and have that freedom on the go. But like I said SQ, is above and beyond, necessary for me as now my ears have been spoiled by good SQ. I don't claim to be an expert and don't have 'golden ears'. But I do go by what I hear and how I feel hearing it. And I'd like to think that I know what crappy, murky sound, sounds like. On that note...
 
I know I might be hyping these up, but I really really dig these cans and feel like they might be the ultimate portable solution for me. Because of the convenience of no cables as well as the awesome SQ, I am afraid it may make all my other cans a bit... obsolete. Only time will tell and there are some cans that I own that are staples in collection but some others could be on their way out soon (as I would hope to simplify and thin out the herd at some point) I do love different sound signatures and different characteristics that headphones have to offer this CFW takes the cake for my needs. To my ears, they are detailed, warm, pleasant, lively and enjoyable on the move or even at home. They are on the warm side and the low end boasts a full bodied beautiful clean bass. Compared to the M-100 I feel the CFW sounds a bit cleaner across the spectrum TBH. In wireless mode, they are very very similar, almost identical. In wired mode, it is slightly more improved with tighter bass and airier highs. Otherwise not a huge difference to the point where I would want to use these in wired mode. They sound too good in wireless mode! It's great however that they sound so good in wired mode, and that I have the option to use them and know I'm getting great SQ whenever the battery runs out, on the go. So being that I had been thinking about getting a BT headphone for a while but concerned about SQ and also any possible BT technology malfunctions that I read were happening with other cans recently, I was intrigued upon learning that V-MODA was coming out with a wireless headphone and keeping tabs on it. Count me a fan of the V-MODA house sound (as well as the beautiful aesthetics and BQ) and I was just hoping that the SQ was going to be up to snuff. I am happy to say that the CFW exceeded my expectations. 
 
So let's get into the sound:
 
Bass: The bass hits hard with plenty of impact, remains tight, and reaches deep. I have a deep appreciation for lower sub bass detail and can't stand anything that has that one-note bass. Anyone who has heard the M-100 knows how deep it reaches and these deliver all the same. It's definitely north of neutral but there is plenty of detail and texture, and for portable applications, it's the perfect amount of bass as the low end is the first part of the frequency to go when in a loud environment. The lows give the overall sound plenty of body and warmth, without sounding slow at the least. Good sense of PRaT and energy as well. Very tight and clean IMHO.
 
Mids: The mids align nicely with the rest of the spectrum. They are not in your face or pushed forward in any way, but they're not recessed in the least. To my ears, this is great because if the mids were any more forward they would be fatiguing, yet I don't feel like I am missing out on the detail with instruments and vocals at all. Male vocals sound deep and smooth and female vocals sound very natural and not overly bright. There is a great clarity and instruments have a nice sense of decay without ever sounding slow. Very smooth and natural-sounding overall. Feels like you're in the orchestra-section at a concert.
 
Highs: The highs are sparkly without harshness! They are smooth but not overly smooth and nicely extended. This is a great feat because you have to have some sparkle for high hats, trumpets, and brush strokes to sound accurate with the right timbre. At the same time, especially when if I am in a loud setting and want to increase the volume by a notch or so, these haven't fatigued my ears with the treble. Nice and smooth yet sparkly. 
 
Soundstage and imaging: I would say soundstage and imaging are about average. Good width and height. The M-100 sounds slightly deeper in comparison but for me, made things sound a little too far away. I like that these sound a bit more intimate yet still having the out-of-your-head experience. While the M-100 sounds like a deep hall, I'd say these sound like a deep and wide chamber orchestra room. Sounds like I'm at an intimate, unplugged (no pun intended) jam session with my favorite band. It's a delight to my ears, warm and sweet.
 
Isolation: Isolation is about average, not bad for a circumaural portable, better than the XS, not as good as my HD25 or DT-1350 which isolate a bit more. 
 
If I could characterize these headphones in a few words, I would say they are musical, detailed, euphonic, natural with a "fun" sound that any audiophile can enjoy. These, being wireless is incredible icing on the cake, as that is never at the expense of SQ to my ears. I have these on my head and still can't believe I am not connected to my DAP by a wire (using these with my iPhone 6 listening to ALAC and Spotify). They are highly convenient and if my fiancee doesn't permanently kidnap these from me, I can see myself using this headphone as my predominant headphone, only using the others that I have in case I miss a certain headphone's sonic sig/characteristics. 
 
This is my first BT headphone so I'm happy to see how easy and intuitive it's been to use. Also the buttons are well-placed while being nicely discreet. I love that there is no obvious, bright blue flashing light that tells the world this is a BT can. The small v-light that lights up on the bottom is nice and discreet. So far so good with the BT connection to my phone. I haven't heard any clipping or anything. I am very impressed. It appears V-MODA has taken a lot of time testing these out, which I expect no less. Build quality is great. Battery life is also great, I have only charged these once when I received them in the last few days (about a couple of hours a day) and they still have a full charge. I know some people wish that these had the clip-fold but frankly I am quite ok with it. This way I am a little more ginger with these cans -- I tend to be rough with the M-100 when I would fold them up throw them in my bag. I would rather less moving parts and so far they have been quite the travel buddy. The M-100 will be my beater, slightly more portable back-up. 
 
Lastly, these are at an amazing price point. Glad that V-MODA did not boost up the price to way more because of its BT capabilities, like a lot of other companies have. I think for anyone who have come to appreciate the V-MODA house sound with the M-100 and XS, these are a no-brainer. Plus it's great to know that V-MODA always has your back in case there is a problem with your gear and has outstanding warranty and customer service. All in all, I am a happy camper and these will be a permanent staple in my stable of cans. Happy listening and thanks for reading!
 
(Photos to come)

The XS is one of the most portable, best-built and packaged headphones you can find on the market today. Not to mention, it is the smallest headphone I've encountered that packs the biggest sound that is also incredibly balanced and neutral compared to many headphones out there. I thought the M-80, its predecessor, was amazing when it came out a couple years back, but I'm in awe at how much V-MODA was able to improve an already great headphone in basically every category.

Ergonomics and aesthetics:
The XS is extremely lightweight and more head-conforming. While I considered the comfort of the M-80 just fine, the XS takes it to the next level now that the headband, itself, is lighter weight than that of the M-80 and the XS basically hugs the head now that the gap has been reduced in between the head and the headband on each side. V-MODA's slogan for this headphone is 'Mind the gap' - it's about time, IMO, that a headphone company paid attention to this. Not only does it look better (as in thank goodness it doesn't look like I have a satellite dish on my head like with some other headphones, but it looks gorgeous and its stealth factor just sky-rocketed), and somehow while it feels snug and secure it never clamps with a vice grip the way many other supra-aurals do. I also feel the weight is very well distributed with the way it hugs the head - it's easy to forget I'm even wearing headphones. All in all best ergonomics hands down I've experienced in a headphone and I've had quite a few. Good job V-MODA!


Presentation, features and accessories:
I'll be quick with this part - basically V-MODA always packages their products with the utmost love and care, as if a precious gift to their customer. I love this and cannot commend it enough. They also pay attention to the smallest of details; when this headphone was designed to fold up this small, they kept the case in mind to make sure it was small and slender enough to fit in just about any bag. I wish many more headphone manufacturers kept this in mind - many a time even though a headphone came with a case I end up not using the case because most cases out there are so bulky and so I just end up keeping my headphones in my own bag on its own. Even though the XS, like all other V-MODA headphones, is built like a tank and I know it can withstand just about anything, I am now using its case because it is so small and discreet. (I recently found out they're making a chain for it in different sizes so you can actually carry it like a bag also - pretty innovative) The headphone comes with detachable speakeasy cable that can be used with your smartphone or DAP. The documentation is good stuff, very informative and well-designed. And who doesn't love to cut that ribbon before you hear some amazing cans? And on that note, let's get to the sound....

Sound description:
The beauty of this headphone, besides its aesthetics, is the SQ. It's balanced, neutral, detailed and fun all at the same time. It also works for just about any genre. I'm listening to some metal as I write this and I am indeed head-banging quite a bit. I listen to pretty much all genres so it's important to me that a headphone sound good with just about anything, from all kinds of rock to R&B to electronic, etc.

Bass: deep, punchy, extends to very low octaves and is wonderfully layered. The bass is tighter to my ears than its predecessor's yet it still has plenty of power and impact. With the way the XS conforms so easily on the head, it's much easier to get a seal also which certainly helps with the bass. It's also very fast while still remaining full-sounding.

Mids: This was the highlight of the M-80s: rich liquidy beautiful mids with great vocals that are tonally very natural. The mids on the XS are all that yet a bit more detailed to my ears. This may be due to how nice and tight the bass is. The resolution is pretty amazing so if you're a mid-head and love a balanced sound with some punch in the low end, this is your ticket.

Highs: My only slight issue with the M-80 was that the highs were a bit too soft. They extended nicely but just weren't sparkly enough. I still loved the fact that they were non-fatiguing still at the top there was not enough sizzle for me. The XS has improved in that respect as well and sounds much airier up top while still remaining non-fatiguing. Cymbals and high-hats have more detail and overall the highs have slightly more energy and a bit more sparkle. (If you want even more sparkle the M-100 may be a better option for your preferences.)

The XS is incredibly dynamic and one thing that has always impressed me, with both the M-80 and now the XS, is the spacious sound and better-than-average imaging (placing of the instruments around you) for such a small supra-aural. The fact that it's such a small headphone would, I think, attract a lot people who usually go for IEMs. But at the same time, I can see a lot of full-size-headphone-users loving this headphone for its big and balanced sound in such an ultra-portable package. I am someone who finds the M-100 very portable for example  (another great V-MODA headphone that exhibits more impactful and powerful bass, a wider soundstage, and more sparkly highs with mids that are also detailed but slightly further back in presentation - to my ears, XS = intimate lounge/club while M-100 = spacious concert hall) and so naturally this is why I call the XS 'ultra-portable.' It's as compact as it gets.

IME while the XS sounds great out of a DAP or smartphone, it sounds even better when amped. Out of my VAMP VERZA, the resolution goes to the next level: better separation, soundstage expands, imaging improves, more detail across the spectrum to my ears.

Conclusion:
If you want a rich, smooth, warm yet detailed, big and dynamic sound in a crazy small portable package I strongly recommend trying the XS out. V-MODA just keeps getting better and better with the quality of their products and they should really be proud of this one.
 
 
**Hope this review has helped. Please keep in mind these are my personal impressions to MY ears, YMMV.**

Hey guys, so I recently had the pleasure of receiving a review sample of the recently released RHA SA950i (can be found at Apple stores and online for only $60) and wanted to share my thoughts on this can. Here are some impressions:


 


Bass: Starting with the low end, these give a nice tight bass response without being overpowering at all. Plenty of punch, impact, and decent extension/articulation also. Not on the level of a DT 1350 extension-wise, but for a can that cost 5x less, I was pretty impressed with the SA950i and how they do quite a great job of delivering some nice detail and texture down low. I'd say it's the right amount vs. something like the K81DJ/K518 which I feel overpowers mids and highs a bit. In comparison, SA950i sounds fun, textured and more controlled. I was pleasantly surprised to find how good drums and piano sound on these. Very nice sense of decay and power. 


 


Mids:  My favorite part about these headphones. The mids on these are smooth, lush and full-bodied. Vocals sound very rich and there's very good detail/layering in the mids. I find that strings sound great and fairly natural with no fatigue. Love these with rock and acoustic especially but I feel these are a good all-rounder with just about any genre.


 


Highs: So while there is decent extension up top (I can hear cymbals and other high frequencies quite clearly), there is a bit of roll-off which might give a slight sense of murkiness/lack of air. I find it quite acceptable however because I can still hear plenty of detail up top. I normally never EQ my headphones but just for kicks while they were plugged into my iPod, I boosted the treble a bit and found that the 950i responds very very well to EQ. Plenty of air and sparkle up top. 


 


Soundstage/Imaging: Again, very impressive for a small portable. They've got better soundstage than the HD25 - very similar to the M-80 in this respect. Imaging is pretty decent as well to my ears as I have a pretty good sense of instrument placement around my head. 


 


Isolation: Doesn't deaden outside sound like my DT 1350, but I have to say they isolate pretty well. I would say they isolate a couple of notches below them, which is good so you're also aware of your surroundings. I can easily wear them out and about, on trains and buses and still be able to enjoy my music. The impactful bass also helps in those environments.


 


Comfort: Very, very comfortable for an on-ear. Probably the most comfortable on-ear I've tried since the M-80 and ES10. They have the right amount of clamp and I can easily wear these for a couple of hours. Not bad indeed. The only gripe I can see people having with the ear cups however, is that they don't really swivel horizontally. This doesn't bother me in the slightest though.


 


BQ/Style: I think these look and feel more expensive than they are. These could have been priced much higher to the consumer public and I think this is where RHA makes a big statement about what they're about. Not only does the SQ impress at the price point, but it's in an elegantly stylish portable package and looks way better and more luxurious than a lot of headphones at this price point. The only quibble I have that reveals that it could be less expensive are the ear pads. The quality is pretty cheap - it would have been better if they used some better-quality pleather pads. Otherwise though, I could care less. They look great, sound great, and feel great with good isolation. Not bad at all. 


 


So overall, I can't tell you how impressed I am with this little sweet portable that sounds pretty balanced across the spectrum with pretty natural timbre. I think the titanium-coated drivers make a substantial difference in the lush, natural tone. I call it my favorite grab n go can 'cause I constantly find myself reaching for them around the house. They're just so easy to handle and throw in a bag. For a mere $60, if you're looking for a can with great features (detachable, iPhone cable really comes in handy and those features usually tend to come with more expensive headphones) without breaking the bank, that's light, comfy, and stylish (I find them very elegant-looking and I have ALWAYS been a fan of a head-conforming, understated black/silver or plain black cans) then I really feel these will be your best bet. To my ears, these sound better than headphones like the K81/518, RP-HTX7 and the more expensive Philips Downtown just to give a few examples. Obviously, at the price tag these are not going to be the most refined headphones you've every heard but I find myself grabbing these more often than some of my more expensive cans just because they're a lot of fun to listen to while also remaining comfortable, uber-portable and light.


 


Now for some photos:


 


 





 





 





 





 


 


 


 


 





 


Thanks for reading and feel free to share your thoughts or impressions of your own.