Darn it Roma you just made me seal the deal I tried so hard not to want these but i'm going to buy them when my in ear's die. I would love these since i no longer like taking my M-100's out and about, the ergonomics and size of this can make it perfect for travel for those who want to replace their in-ears. Great review, but does feel a touch empty without a couple of pictures. 

Tom22 - I look forward to your impressions! IME I have found that I value both headphones for different reasons. I would not put them against one another as I think of them more as a tag team of sorts in terms of two different enjoyable presentations. I'm just glad they're both portable.

Hey Tom/kyuuketsuki! I have the black matte and prefer black in general but these look immaculate in WP (had the M-80s in White Pearl and they looked very luxurious but I gifted them to a friend that didn't have any quality headphones. If I still had them I would put black matte shields on them! Would look fantastic I bet). On that note, when we meet up sometime I will totally bring them by so you can check out how they look in matte black and of course how they sound. But WP would be an excellent choice to go with the rest of your collection.

Audio addict19 - hope you enjoy them if you end up getting them! I still can't believe how small they are when they fold up. I will do my best to get some photos up by tonight or tomorrow!

We should meet up because I haven't seen you in forever and a half. But yeah, that's basically my reasoning. Do the Matte Black look similar to the M-100 Matte Black or the M80 Matte Black? I remember not getting matte black because I felt it looked cheaper (imho) than the Shadow and WP. Though in some ways I regret that because they are less versatile with shield customization than the Matte Black and White

Interesting feedback on colors, thanks. The matte black is very stealth and customizable.
 
The white pearl with Matte Black shields is a VERY great color combo too.  We almost made it the default color!  My brother is a pilot in the Air Force, which is very conservative but he swears by the white with matte black.  
 
I personally use the matte black with green shields and the orange cable.  The matte black with orange shields is out of this world too. But, then again, so are many of the color options. We are always surprised by new customs!
 
-V

Is the isolation on the same level as the M80? Thanks! 

Tom, it's the same matte black of the M-100 (M-80 only had Shadow and WP). The Shadow and WP definitely look very elegant while matte looks very stealthy - I've always preferred that look though.

Val - that's cool that was your bro's preference too! I'm also digging black matte with midnight blue shields for the M-100 - I may go for that next. You really cannot go wrong in customizing these.

Imackler - about the same as the M-80 for me in that the XS definitely doesn't isolate as well as the DT 1350 or HD25, but a couple notches below them. I've taken them on the train and can hear rails screeching and someone talking next to me but otherwise, the isolation was still good enough for me to enjoy my music. Since the highs are nonfatiguing also I was able to increase the volume slightly to turn down the drone around me, without hurting my ears.

Nice review, may need to get my hands on one of these!

This or the m100

Alex - here are some impressions I shared with another HFier who asked for a comparison between the two:

"...It's hard to choose between the XS and M-100 because they both fulfill certain purposes for me as portables. The XS is great when I wanna go very light and portable, while having a nice neutral yet fun sound (overall very similar to the M-80 sonically except more refined throughout the spectrum and a touch airer up top). They don't isolate as well as the M-100 (with XL pads) but I enjoyed them tonight on the train on my commute back home a lot. It's important to note that the XS is more intimate, mid-focused and more linear than the M-100. The M-100 is bigger-sounding, taller, wider and U-shaped with more prominent bass, mids and vocals that are at a distance and highs that are more sparkly than the XS. That said, I can't ever see myself letting any of these cans go as they both complement each other so well. When I want to be more isolated and jam to my music on the commute the M-100s are perfect. They allow me to just relax, enjoy the music and I find myself head-banging here and there with them.

Did you enjoy the sound of the M-80s when you had them? The XS is more refined and just a better and way more comfortable upgrade. The headphones just become a part of my head - it strikes a perfect balance with remaining stable on the head, does not clamp, and light and comfortable. Sound wise there's definitely improvement across the frequency. It's still an intimate experience and the mids are very prominent, especially in comparison with the M-100.

It's just a difference in presentation ultimately although I think because of the more neutral and balanced response of the XS, it is more coherent and technically the better headphone. BUT there are some thing that the M-100 do better (soundstage, isolation, a bit more lively, more sparkly treble).

Hope this helps. If anything you can always try the XS out and if it's not your cup of tea, V-MODA has a rock-solid return policy."

Thanks FunkyChina!!

Hi Roma:
 
got my XS last night and I was reading your review as I put it through its paces from just my iPhone (i.e. unamped). I found myself nodding in agreement as I listened to various bands with your views on the SQ. I was particularly apprehensive before listening  that the treble could be a little on the higher side (for my liking) but I was pleasantly surprised by the detail yet non-fatiguing nature. Fortunately, I've not heard any other V-Moda HP so I am completely unbiased on this one.

Hello,
How do these compare to the Audio Technica ATH-M50 in terms of soundstage and overall sound quality? Thanks!

I know this might be too far-fetched but being a newbie who likes a bit of treble, how would this compare to the response on the Beyerdynamic DT 880, if you or somebody else is aware? i know its like comparing apples and pears but it'd be great to know because Tyll Hertsens over at Innerfidelity has not been able to measure them yet and I am not sure when Goldenears or about.com will be doing theirs. 
   On a separate note, do you guys know of any other website/resource apart from the above three that offer frequency measurements on headphones?
Thanks  

kothganesh, glad you're enjoying them and that the review was helpfu!

Feilong4, it's funny you ask this because just this past week I pulled out my M50s after a long time. The M50 is a different animal from the XS because it's pretty V-shaped, with a big emphasis on treble which I found to be especially grating with certain music with a lot of high frequency notes (electronic/synth). Mids are further back so vocals and a lot of musical info are pushed back and bass is impactful but still with good extension. Overall to my ears, the XS is way more balanced and coherent overall. There is no grain to the sound and what's great is the bass, mids, and highs are all there for you to enjoy. The highs of the XS are no where near as emphasized as the M50 and are very non-fatiguing while still having air. I find the XS to have a slightly bigger soundstage as well. After listening to good cans like the XS, M-100, and other good cans in my collection it's very easy to spot certain flaws of the M50 quite easily. While isolation, instrument separation, and the bass is good the overall SQ is not as refined and balanced as a headphone like the XS. Definitely no where near as portable either.

ashutoshp, I have only auditioned the DT880 a couple times and that was a long time ago. What I know is that since it's semi-open it has a bigger soundstage and I remember the treble being very sparkly - overall it's a bright can with a lot of energy. I would say the while the XS extends well it is still not as sparkly as the DT880 and is warmer overall in flavor. The DT880 is a bit cooler sounding. It would certainly serve as a great complement to your DT880 if you want something a bit less fatiguing in a very portable package. As for headphone measurements, you can check headphone.com (headroom).

The talk about Vmods are just HYPE, i was fool enough to buy into this BS, i bought some of the most expensive Vmods, and was stupid to buy Two different versions, one that was Inear for the road, and Closed for my profession as a dj and producer.
 
NEVER AGAIN, i agree the design is perfect, so is the build quality, but the sound, no way, comparing to my HD25 or HDJ 2000, they are thin, dull, grey, clouded and brittle in comparrison.
 
So my conclusion is that most people buying into this is either naive or daft like i was!
 
I could have bought something more fun for £500, like a PS4!
 
Fkk Vmoda!

Head-fi is a bit of a hype machine and buyer beware and all that.
I can understand personal preference, but to say they're garbage and dismiss the whole company?  That's a stretch.
I bought my M-80s used from roma101 a year or so ago and they've been top notch!!  The XS has me very excited.  They're on my wish list no doubt.  Would love to audition a pair soon to see about the new fit and sound.

Master of Coin... Having listened to HD25s, HD26s, HDJ 2000s, M100s, M80s, XS, DT1350,and many other portables, I can honestly say that the V-Moda line up is not all just hype and BS. They may not be the sound for you, but that is not cause to call a product BS or to write off an entire company. Also, as much as I love the HD25 sound (I know Roma does too) the highs are too much for me, and I prefer the HD26. You know what though? I'll probably not own them. Know why? They are less portable. Yes, objectively they sound better to my ears than the V-Moda XS. Yes the build quality is stellar on the HD26. But you know what? They are less portable, and in all honestly don't sound THAT much better. Now you may think different and find both of those vastly superior, but to me the V-Modas sound excellent for the price, and are a complete portable package that sounds great. Something that Senn couldn't give me in their HD26. 

Based on these reviews, I bought a pair of V-Moda XS and they sound awesome. They are white silver with red shields engraved with the number '10' (I love football/soccer) and they look stunning. I can post photos if anyone cares.
    I am using them amped (Fiio E07k) and un-amped directly from a PC and an LG G2 and they sound divine. As Roma101 said, they represent all the frequencies exquisitely overall. Being a treblehead, I was concerned based on what I'd heard about the M-80s but boy are these cans good. Balance is what comes to mind. The bass, oh my word, the bass...liquid gold!!! Part reason I got these phones is because I love me some jazz and these 'phones evoke new emotions that most here at Head-fi will understand, even if people in your immediate vicinity will not. My opinion is that the vocals are ever-so-slightly recessed BUT only at high volumes and interestingly enough, when un-amped. for the tv/movie buffs, I used them with movies this weekend and they were quite good. Not as good as my Beyer DT880s but considering that I was watching some gory stuff, I didnt want to get my little boy too curious!        
   My only question was regarding their fit. I am new to on-ears but i have issues with positioning. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance. 

I just received mine and paired them with my Fiio X5, result is amazing, simply beautiful.

Master Of Coin What? I have never heard that before. Love my M80 and I am quite sure I am neither naïve or daft. You should speak for yourself.