New V Moda Crossfade M100 Master

[Applehusky]

These reviews sound pretty good and made me interested. I don't really get people's absurd obsession with bass.

Different strokes for different folkes.

Sound is very subjective.

 

[bizkid]

Yeah sure sound is very subjective. But I think nowadays people are too sensitive.
"Oh this has not enough bass"
"The treble is just too much"
"Ew the mids are recessed I can't listen to this"

I get used to pretty much any signature and can enjoy each headphones strengths. I don't even use EQ. People are looking for this perfect personal signature which they will never find. Were getting a bit off topic but I hope the M100 Master will be avaible locally soon. I'll probably give it a try.

 

[Applehusky]

Yeah sure sound is very subjective. But I think nowadays people are too sensitive.
"Oh this has not enough bass"
"The treble is just too much"
"Ew the mids are recessed I can't listen to this"

I get used to pretty much any signature and can enjoy each headphones strengths. I don't even use EQ. People are looking for this perfect personal signature which they will never find. Were getting a bit off topic but I hope the M100 Master will be avaible locally soon. I'll probably give it a try.

I would recommend them. If you order off v moda's website, they have a return policy in case you don't like them.

I agree with what you're saying too. On one hand, it seems like people are being overly picky, but on the other, I understand being picky when spending hundreds on a headphone.

Let us know what you think if you end up getting them!

 

[Tetonpowskier]

No one has ever won an argument over sound being subjective, but I guess biz kid thinks he's smarter than everyone else. Just Kidding. But seriously BizKid, a 1000+ headfier and you don't understand why people are specific about the sound they spend their money on? I'm not rich, and can't just buy whatever headphone and morph my needs around that headphone. I buy a headphone to meet my needs.

I can enjoy any good headphone. I'm not mad at V-moda for doing their thing, and I bet it's a good set of cans, as the reviews say. However v-moda used to be considered somewhat of a basshead sounding company, and they have left their roots to compete in a market everyone competes in, sort of closer to reference and/or mid forward headphones. I am simply disappointed that V-moda left their roots, not because I love V-Moda but because no-one makes good bass cannons anymore and now Vmoda doesn't have an offering for people like me anymore.

To be fair, I prefer V-shaped headphones, especially for portable use. Even at home though, I prefer Fostex TH X00 over higher end reference cans. Different strokes for different folks.

Anyways, I just bought a pair of the older version off Amazon, sold by Amazon, for $199. I don't wanna be too risky and wait for them to drop to $150, and then completely miss out because of low stock or something. That has happened to me before.

 

[DiscoProJoe]

https://www.techhive.com/article/3409088/v-moda-m100-crossfade-master-review.html

Just read this review, and the sound guys review. Disappointed in V-moda, however at least I know which direction I need to head in myself, without having to contemplate it for another month. I am going to buy the old version new on sale. Sounds like they made the new version more reference sounding, which is fine, but it's not for me.

V-Moda, hit me up when you bring a bass cannon to the market. Otherwise, peace out.

Thanks for posting the link. I'd like to respond to a few lines I read in the article:

Gone is the midbass-dominant, boomy low end. Gone is the syrupy midrange.

As with the Crossfade 2 Wireless (in wired mode), I'm sure these new M-100s sound better without an EQ (and bass boosts), compared to the original M-100 without an EQ. However,..........my beloved EQ-preset app corrects this problem with the old M-100, so this change is no big deal for me.

Gone is the un-airy top end.

Huh??? One of the many strong points of the original M-100 for me is its treble. I can play it loud with it sounding nice and crisp, and yet, the highs don't hurt my ears. Weird comment in that article!

The voicing on the Crossfade M-100 Master is beautiful....The midrange is where these headphones really shine....There was a wonderful sensation of sound stage depth and solid instrument placement.

Same with my current portable setup -- when choosing the right preset (in my app) for the song that's currently playing. Strong, clear upper mids (1 kHz - 2 kHz) come through wonderfully in my system -- along with powerful sub-bass that in combination makes for a level of soundstage that's totally out of this world.

Bass is detailed and controlled without significant artificial boost.

Well, there we go. It's the admission that the new M-100 has less bass sensitivity than the original, which I'm assuming is true for both the midbass and sub-bass -- especially with the larger earcup enclosure space, due to the larger pads. And I'm assuming the X-max is the same for the new drivers as for the old, but with a larger interior earcup space that the sub-bass has to fill.

Imagine Dragons “Believer”

This has been one of several good songs that I've refused to add to my music collection, because of its utterly pathetic mastering quality (including Alan Walker & Miley Cyrus' "All Falls Down," and many others). Loudness-war mastering shenanigans gone totally off the rails with audible distortion galore.

I am absolutely dumbfounded that the author of that article would use this song as any kind of reference material for testing sound equipment. Unbelievable.

 

[Applehusky]

I've received the og m100. Gonna spend the next couple days testing, but I'll let you guys know what my thoughts are.

 

[dbdynsty25]

The Master's are available via Amazon now...hmmm.

 

[Tetonpowskier]

I've received the og m100. Gonna spend the next couple days testing, but I'll let you guys know what my thoughts are.

Initial Impressions?

What do these compare to now? Like a Momentum or a less V-Shaped HD-25? Some have said it's still a great sound signature for Electronic music, so I'm assuming it's still punchy and fast, and now with better resolution.

 

[DiscoProJoe]

I don't really get people's absurd obsession with bass.

Being able to actually feel the music...adds a sensation of depth, detail, soundstage, realism, immersiveness, and outright fun...that a lack of sub-bass simply can't deliver. If the sub-bass can be boosted to sensational levels in a way that's done right -- that is, without excessive midbass, without muddying up the midrange, and without audible distortion -- then the result is an experience that's just totally incomparable to the norm.

In fact, when I hear most other expensive headphone systems (while being used to mine), it sounds like going back to the Stone Age. That's the difference I'm talking about.

Anyway, you should post your same question (or comment) on this "extreme basshead" topic thread. You might get a lot more answers there.

I don't even use EQ. People are looking for this perfect personal signature which they will never find.

I'll admit that the majority of the songs in my music collection...I can't make sound absolutely perfect with my extreme EQ-preset app and portable setup, but...most songs...I can make sound at least 90% perfect. And I have very, very, very picky SQ tastes. And...there's actually quite a few songs I actually can make sound perfect, as well!

You change the song, you change the sound settings. That's the way it's been for me since I was 16 and had my first "little big" car stereo. So I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same....

 

[Applehusky]

Initial Impressions?

What do these compare to now? Like a Momentum or a less V-Shaped HD-25? Some have said it's still a great sound signature for Electronic music, so I'm assuming it's still punchy and fast, and now with better resolution.

My brother and I spent a couple hours last night A/B testing the Masters vs the M100’s, as well as his Sennheiser HD8 DJ.

In a nutshell, the Masters offer a slightly more balanced sound signature over the M100, with tighter response and more clarity. They fell somewhere in-between the HD8 and the M100 as far as technical performance goes; while not being as loose or “sloppy” as the M100’s, they were considerably more fun than the HD8, which was sterile by comparison.

In other words, the Master’s sound is still just as punchy as the M100’s in my opinion, but it’s a more enjoyable listen because the punch is very well controlled. For example, on the M100, a snare drum will sound like biting white noise while the Masters seem to smooth over the harsh aspects of the sounds and bring out the nuance.
Oddly enough, the HD8 seems to be a better pick for electronic music, but the Masters’ sound is more favorable for acoustic performances.

I want to listen a little more, and maybe write up a more comprehensive opinion, but as it stands right now, the Masters are more comfortable out of the box and have a much more appealing sound (At least to me). Even if the M100 drops to $200, I don’t see it as a compelling product without the XL cushions, which are currently $20. Choosing between the Masters at $250 and the M100 with XL Cushions at $220, I think the sound of the Masters is absolutely worth the extra $30.
I hope this helps.

 

[KavaJava]

I spent a couple hours with my brother A/B testing the M100 and the Master and


My brother and I spent a couple hours last night A/B testing the Masters vs the M100’s, as well as his Sennheiser HD8 DJ.

In a nutshell, the Masters offer a slightly more balanced sound signature over the M100, with tighter response and more clarity. They fell somewhere in-between the HD8 and the M100 as far as technical performance goes; while not being as loose or “sloppy” as the M100’s, they were considerably more fun than the HD8, which was sterile by comparison.

In other words, the Master’s sound is still just as punchy as the M100’s in my opinion, but it’s a more enjoyable listen because the punch is very well controlled. For example, on the M100, a snare drum will sound like biting white noise while the Masters seem to smooth over the harsh aspects of the sounds and bring out the nuance.
Oddly enough, the HD8 seems to be a better pick for electronic music, but the Masters’ sound is more favorable for acoustic performances.

I want to listen a little more, and maybe write up a more comprehensive opinion, but as it stands right now, the Masters are more comfortable out of the box and have a much more appealing sound (At least to me). Even if the M100 drops to $200, I don’t see it as a compelling product without the XL cushions, which are currently $20. Choosing between the Masters at $250 and the M100 with XL Cushions at $220, I think the sound of the Masters is absolutely worth the extra $30.
I hope this helps.

This is the most useful review I've seen so far. Thanks for putting in the time. I'll probably immortal life my way on up to the Masters eventually. Sounds like it addresses my minor qualms with the M100 pretty well.

 

[Applehusky]

This is the most useful review I've seen so far. Thanks for putting in the time. I'll probably immortal life my way on up to the Masters eventually. Sounds like it addresses my minor qualms with the M100 pretty well.

Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad it helped.

 

[Tetonpowskier]

My brother and I spent a couple hours last night A/B testing the Masters vs the M100’s, as well as his Sennheiser HD8 DJ.

In a nutshell, the Masters offer a slightly more balanced sound signature over the M100, with tighter response and more clarity. They fell somewhere in-between the HD8 and the M100 as far as technical performance goes; while not being as loose or “sloppy” as the M100’s, they were considerably more fun than the HD8, which was sterile by comparison.

In other words, the Master’s sound is still just as punchy as the M100’s in my opinion, but it’s a more enjoyable listen because the punch is very well controlled. For example, on the M100, a snare drum will sound like biting white noise while the Masters seem to smooth over the harsh aspects of the sounds and bring out the nuance.
Oddly enough, the HD8 seems to be a better pick for electronic music, but the Masters’ sound is more favorable for acoustic performances.

I want to listen a little more, and maybe write up a more comprehensive opinion, but as it stands right now, the Masters are more comfortable out of the box and have a much more appealing sound (At least to me). Even if the M100 drops to $200, I don’t see it as a compelling product without the XL cushions, which are currently $20. Choosing between the Masters at $250 and the M100 with XL Cushions at $220, I think the sound of the Masters is absolutely worth the extra $30.
I hope this helps.

Nice! Great review. I have heard the HD8 DJ sounds veiled in the Treble compared to the M100, maybe you like that? I like a lot of treble presence. Do the M100 Masters have less treble sparkle than the originals?

I cancelled my amazon order. When I ordered, it said there were 4 in stock, but now they are telling me they are waiting for more by the end of this month. I cancelled. I absolutely hate amazon, this always happens to me and shipping for me is a clusterF, but maybe I'm alone on that one.

 

[Dash Lambda]

Nice! Great review. I have heard the HD8 DJ sounds veiled in the Treble compared to the M100, maybe you like that? I like a lot of treble presence. Do the M100 Masters have less treble sparkle than the originals?

I cancelled my amazon order. When I ordered, it said there were 4 in stock, but now they are telling me they are waiting for more by the end of this month. I cancelled. I absolutely hate amazon, this always happens to me and shipping for me is a clusterF, but maybe I'm alone on that one.

The HD8 DJ are indeed veiled in the treble, though it's really a functional thing. They're made to overpower club/concert speakers for hours at a time, so they have to roll off a bit in order to not be too fatiguing to listen to. That is one of the things that makes the M100 Masters better for acoustic/vocal stuff. Another thing that contributes to that is the sound stage, which is wider on the Masters.

 

[Tetonpowskier]

HD-25s don't have that veiled sound, which is arguably one of the best DJ headphones of all time. I see your point on why they would do that though, to reduce fatigue over hours of listening.