Wheeeeee. Have been enjoying the V80 since two weeks. Love them, love them!!! So happy they finally arrived and was able to try them out.
The senn HD 598 was my first decent over ear headphone and I thought they were the best until I got the V- modas. I don't know what exactly causes the great sound (the dual driver maybe?) because otherwise it kind of goes against logic (cause the senns have bigger drivers) but the v-moda's sound clearer to me :s.
I also have the AKG K 701 for at home and yeah, those are more analytic/detailed and are also very dreamworthy still, but the bass on the v-moda kicks their ass any day. And when I compare all three, the senn somehow loses badly, it sounds the loudest/muddiest and bassiest (but in the bad way) of all. Before I had the means to compare, it wasn't that obvious!! I thought the 598 were the cat's ass.
Anyway, the v moda are the ultimate portable solution, even though they are on ear they do get comfy after a while after adjusting to your ears/head a bit, I was surprised (having a not fully healed industrial piercing on the right I was fearing the clamping), but I'm very happy with that, I do feel it, but it's not really a pain in the ass.
In conclusion: the headphones sound great, even better than I expected after reading all the reviews. No tinny cavern sound as I read somewhere but a big! clear moderately bassy sound, and the treble isn't very pronounced but I like that, since modest treble is less fatiguing/head-ache inducing.
As for the looks: I must say the fact that they don't look huge and are very very pretty + true blood edition (oh yes yes) also were reasons to buy. When they arrived somehow the look dissappointed me though, but only a bit, because the pictures built up impossible expectations haha and I think it has something to do with the chord being a bit flimsy (in comparison to big headphones - not to other portables) and the grey black not fitting the red of the v 80 completely. Still, I've gotten over it. They somehow look very steampunk/similar to advanced technological artefacts from the past. They are very beautiful in their own punk way though and fit small heads.
Anyway: aesthetics: subjective and de gustibus .... I do like them a lot, the earcups are ideal, the headband maybe could still improve as far as looks are considered, comfort is ok.
As for the customizing: I would love to, but very impractical since buying/sending from USA to EU mostly gives grief. Customs tends to keep stuff + extra shipping cost.
Any Belgian ppl here ordered custom shields? I'd love to hear if it went well or not?
Oh, also why doesn't the eternal life warranty include the EU?
. So sad.
Anyway. if the M-100 will sound even greater, consider another body turned.
I also hope that the v-modas will hit the European market in retail shops too... will they be available in Europe?? So we can look and try it out maybe instead of having to rely on internet buying? I'd do it either way, but my preference goes to be able to try it out!
Afterthought: no burning in effect IMO.
Second afterthought: veni vidi vici is total win. Latin <3.