V-MODA Crossfade M-80 Reviews
Jan 24, 2012 at 3:34 AM Post #886 of 2,828
 


Quote:
Over the weekend I've put my M-80 through a little bit more hell. Took it snowboarding and temps ranged from -5C to -15C. I further took it off-piste backcountry (not that I condone this! Please ride safely!!) :-
 


 
The M-80's held up well in the cold weather. Noted that it was dry snow so little condensation got in. Admittedly due to the poor isolation, I could hear a lot of wind noise whilst boarding. However, that also felt somewhat safer since I could hear people around me (useful whilst on-piste). It didn't fall off my head whilst riding; the clamping force was strong enough to keep it on but not painful to my ears.


Nice pic! I'm snowboarding Sunday and hopefully won't bite it too hard... it turns out we make action sport headphones after-all!  And with our immortal life program, there is little risk.
 
Reminds me of this recent article in Outside Magazine:

"BEST FOR ACTION SPORTS

There are headphones, and then there are headphones built from Kevlar and steel" 
 
read here:
 
http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/adventure-electronics/audio-players/headphones-and-speakers/Best-for-Action-Sports.html
 
 
in other news:
Airplane Today Met a Head-Fier!!!
Met a fellow head-fier, Luke, on the plane today on the way to San Jose.  He asked from across the plane "are those the V-MODA's, I was thinking about getting the M-80s".  I was wearing LP2s and M-100 prototypes switching to compare, he was shocked when I told him I own V-MODA!  It was fun and I let him borrow my prototypes - he offered to buy them right on the spot, haha.  I still have don't have ETA on M-100, M-80 took quite the time to fine-tune. As Tyll mentioned, the quick development times of these young brands is what is killing this industry's trust and quality.  
 
Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, 1825+ perhaps!
  
-v 
 
 
 
Jan 24, 2012 at 10:04 AM Post #890 of 2,828
Tested the V-Moda's with my CLAS Rig -> SR71B and it's not a good synergy.
 
Iphone/Ipod line-out is still better or the J3 DAP. Playing Adelle's Adelle 21 Album on these headphones with Iphone lineout are perfect.
 
Jan 24, 2012 at 10:27 AM Post #892 of 2,828
I clicked this interesting site and saw the Title "Best for Audiophiles" are the BOSE QC15? What the...it should be the V-Moda M80s!!! 
beerchug.gif

 
Quote:
Reminds me of this recent article in Outside Magazine:

"BEST FOR ACTION SPORTS

There are headphones, and then there are headphones built from Kevlar and steel"
 
read here:
 
http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/adventure-electronics/audio-players/headphones-and-speakers/Best-for-Action-Sports.html


 
 
 
Jan 24, 2012 at 1:54 PM Post #894 of 2,828

 
Quote:
I saw someone wearing the LP2s the other day on the train and I have to admit, it made me want one. Still curious to see how much the M100 will retail for...



 
I'm also looking to pick up the m100s. Last word was $300.  
 
Jan 24, 2012 at 2:31 PM Post #895 of 2,828
 



I'm also looking to pick up the m100s. Last word was $300.  


So I've read but I'm hoping they will fall closer to my buying range and the general consumer market. I can stretch to $200, maybe even $250, but I don't think I could ever justify more than that on headphones...$300 just seems so excessive for headphones marketed to consumers. Admittedly Bose has pulled it off, but then they occupy a high end consumer niche with noise cancellation. Beats have done it too, but they have Dr Dre, for whom people are obviously willing to overlook everything but style. VMODA makes excellent products, obviously, but without a clear niche, most buyers will likely undervalue their build quality and sound, which are what really makes the M80, and most lilely the M100, worth the price.
 
Jan 24, 2012 at 3:54 PM Post #896 of 2,828


Quote:
I can stretch to $200, maybe even $250, but I don't think I could ever justify more than that on headphones...$300 just seems so excessive for headphones 



Famous last words 
 
 
Jan 24, 2012 at 5:29 PM Post #897 of 2,828


Quote:
So I've read but I'm hoping they will fall closer to my buying range and the general consumer market. I can stretch to $200, maybe even $250, but I don't think I could ever justify more than that on headphones...$300 just seems so excessive for headphones marketed to consumers. Admittedly Bose has pulled it off, but then they occupy a high end consumer niche with noise cancellation. Beats have done it too, but they have Dr Dre, for whom people are obviously willing to overlook everything but style. VMODA makes excellent products, obviously, but without a clear niche, most buyers will likely undervalue their build quality and sound, which are what really makes the M80, and most lilely the M100, worth the price.


I would love for M100 to be around $200-$250. $250 would sound just about right. They would have to sound better than the already awesome M80. I would love for them to them be like the M80's with more treble sparkle/more crisp, detailed highs, larger soundstage, and heavier bass w/ a clean  hard punch and sub-bass rumble. Basically like the Pro 900, but more portable and slightly darker to appeal more to consumers.
 
I believe the approx. $300 price tag is due to the larger driver.
 
I know I'm going to love how they look, the portability, and the durability. I hope to pick these up in white. If they sound like $300 cans, then I will purchase them.
 
Jan 25, 2012 at 1:03 AM Post #898 of 2,828


Quote:
I would love for M100 to be around $200-$250. $250 would sound just about right. They would have to sound better than the already awesome M80. I would love for them to them be like the M80's with more treble sparkle/more crisp, detailed highs, larger soundstage, and heavier bass w/ a clean  hard punch and sub-bass rumble. Basically like the Pro 900, but more portable and slightly darker to appeal more to consumers.
 
I believe the approx. $300 price tag is due to the larger driver.
 
I know I'm going to love how they look, the portability, and the durability. I hope to pick these up in white. If they sound like $300 cans, then I will purchase them.

 
It's funny you mention this, I was thinking the same thing today.  The prices of M-100 is due to the new driver that has more tech than M-80s, and more features.  
 
The only problem now is that the bigger driver requires an amp to surpass M-80, unamped it's SQ is < M-80.  What to do?!  Lock or try again w a new driver that can beat M-80 with an iPhone 4S?  Or go for diff sound signature.  I'm stuck in my head analyzing what will make the greater sound for the greatest amount of people, it depends who is buying it!
 
If anybody wants to test I can organize something soon in LA to get feedback and then I can lock.
-v
 
 
 
 
Jan 25, 2012 at 2:12 AM Post #899 of 2,828

 
Quote:
 
It's funny you mention this, I was thinking the same thing today.  The prices of M-100 is due to the new driver that has more tech than M-80s, and more features.  
 
The only problem now is that the bigger driver requires an amp to surpass M-80, unamped it's SQ is < M-80.  What to do?!  Lock or try again w a new driver that can beat M-80 with an iPhone 4S?  Or go for diff sound signature.  I'm stuck in my head analyzing what will make the greater sound for the greatest amount of people, it depends who is buying it!
 
If anybody wants to test I can organize something soon in LA to get feedback and then I can lock.
-v
 
 
 



Hmm, that can definitely sway either way.
In my opinion, as a flagship product I'd lean more towards the bigger driver since this would have the most potential. As a full-sized can and being at the $300 price-range, I figure most of these people would already have an amp. If not, a relatively cheap portable amp would be an easy purchase at this price range.
 
The M100 with its larger driver appeals to me because there's really be nothing like it in the higher-end, bassy, over-ear, portable class. Again, I've been searching and searching for something that would resemble the Pro 900, but more portable.
Being that the Pro 900's have a bassy (and bright) sound signature, the top choices for me would be the HFI-580 and the Pro700MK2.
 
The HFI-580's would be the top choice, but for me, I don't think they're bassy (specifically punchy) enough, compared to the Pro 900. The cable is also too long @ 10 feet. And the cable isn't detachable! The cable issue is one of the main reason why I didn't go with the HFI-580's.
I'm going with the Pro700MK2 because of the heavier bass (even though it doesn't sound as clean as the HFI-580's) and the portability. The design/look isn't that appealing though.
 
If the M100 was the way I would like for it to be, as I described in the earlier post, it would be a clear winner!
"I would love for them to them be like the M80's with more treble sparkle/more crisp, detailed highs, larger soundstage, and heavier bass w/ a clean  hard punch and sub-bass rumble. Basically like the Pro 900, but more portable and slightly darker to appeal more to consumers"
It would basically take the pros/appeal of the M80, LP2/Pro700MK2, HFI-580 (which I believe outperforms the M50's in almost every way); a hybrid of those popular headphones.
 
With excellent SQ, Heavy bass, portability, design/looks, customization/more than 1 color option, plus what I stated above, it'd be headphones to beat.
 
(I feel like the design is already set, but it'd be nice if the M-100's can swivel left and right)
 
*EDIT*
Can all that be achieved with a smaller driver?
 
 
 
Jan 25, 2012 at 2:28 AM Post #900 of 2,828


Quote:
So I've read but I'm hoping they will fall closer to my buying range and the general consumer market. I can stretch to $200, maybe even $250, but I don't think I could ever justify more than that on headphones...$300 just seems so excessive for headphones marketed to consumers. Admittedly Bose has pulled it off, but then they occupy a high end consumer niche with noise cancellation. Beats have done it too, but they have Dr Dre, for whom people are obviously willing to overlook everything but style. VMODA makes excellent products, obviously, but without a clear niche, most buyers will likely undervalue their build quality and sound, which are what really makes the M80, and most lilely the M100, worth the price.


 
As someone who has been interested in the hobby but has never been able to reach out to own an actual "audiophile tier", V-Moda can benefit as a bridge to the consumer market and the existing audiophile market. People like me were worried owning such a thing because we want something worth the value but will last long enough for the value to be worth. In simple, something that sounds great, is built great, and will stand the test of time and the normal every day life. V-Moda got my attention because of the sound quality and of all the build quality even going as far as having a reinforced (but detachable) cable, which is a great deal of relief to me seeing that I have cats, and they have chewed lots of wires in many years including some mid range consumer IEMS that I had for only 2 days before becoming useless. Knowing that my investment for greater sound will also be protected and can (if it ever happens, again reinforced cable) be replaced easily without any modifying is a great feeling knowing that I will be able to use them for years to come until it is time to upgrade.

 
Quote:
 
It's funny you mention this, I was thinking the same thing today.  The prices of M-100 is due to the new driver that has more tech than M-80s, and more features.  
 
The only problem now is that the bigger driver requires an amp to surpass M-80, unamped it's SQ is < M-80.  What to do?!  Lock or try again w a new driver that can beat M-80 with an iPhone 4S?  Or go for diff sound signature.  I'm stuck in my head analyzing what will make the greater sound for the greatest amount of people, it depends who is buying it!
 
If anybody wants to test I can organize something soon in LA to get feedback and then I can lock.
-v
 
 
 



Well I do have an idea or two..
 
1.) Make a type of AMP that can be built into the cable somehow (perhaps at one of the plug ends so it does not disrupt the way it can catch on the clothing. Doing so you could sell it as either an accessory for those who do not already have amps and/or make it a combo pack with it included and label it as a (premium or total experience) package. This way those who do not already own an amp can easily buy that.
 
2.) Perhaps integrate a type of AMP into the headphones themselves. I would imagine its not impossible but considering that I am also not 100% sure on how everything is designed on the inside of the M-100's I am sure there will be issues about, not including powering (which can be done by a recharge cable and Lithium Ion, but eventually the battery itself will need to be replaced after it wears down.) Weight, materials, and price.
 
3.) Same as 1 basically, but make it just a mini amp just designed to power the M-100's. Also can be sold the same way as 1.
 
Again these are just ideas I am tossing about, I have always had a mind for design and technology so stuff like this gets my mind rolling constantly.
 
Also, I would absolutely love to test them, sadly I am based in Jersey. Hopefully things come out for the best!
 

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