Tom22
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2012
- Posts
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I purchased these straight from V-Moda. The following is a summary of my youtube review ( i will provide links below be sure to check it out as well the other videos in my channel!
The V-moda XS is a replacement for the V-Moda M80s, the #1 on ear headphone on a biggest headphone enthusiasist community head-fi.
Features and Accessories
The headphone folds up it easily fits in your coat pocket and fit snuggly in the carrying case. There are two input jacks (cables are detachable= easily replaceable). So you can plug the cables in on either side. Daisy chain them- share your audio with others by plugging their headphones into the empty input. The earcups are on ear and are on the smaller side, so when you have it around your neck, its not going to hit your chin when your turning your head in different directions. Comes with 1 , one button smartphone compatible cable, kevlar reinforced.
Build quality and design
The V- Moda XS are built like a tank like all V-Moda headphones are built to a military grade standard. The headband band is made of a very flexible "steelflex headband", easily able to take basically any abuse you put it through. The overall construction is made up of metal and high quality plastic. The XS come with "Clique fold" hinges similar to the V-Moda M100s allows the headphones to collapse to a size that can easily fit in your coat pocket, and unlike most hinges, it looks a feels substantial and doesn't look like a point of weakness. The shields are customizable, to different colours and you put custom designs on it to make as individualized and unique as you want it. Lastly, these are very form fitting on your head, as advertised by V-moda's slogan for them "Mind the Gap".
Weight
At a weight of 190g it basically disappears on your head and around you neck
Comfort & Isolation
The single most comfortable on ear headphone i've ever tried. Typically on ears are not the most comfortable because their pressing against your ears, but V-moda found a perfect balance between comfort and secure. i use them straight off my ipod/iphone at about 6/16-7/16 (31%-43%) and they work well walking around downtown, on bus. Their efficent no amp required Decent when in cafeteria, just okay for subway use. So if your a heavy commuter and need completely silence the XS won't help you there. (i don't recommend turning up the volume to block out noise, thats asking for permanent hearing damage) At home i use it about 4/16 or 5/16 (25%-31%) and its perfect for me. i don't listen to my music loud at all and i hear everything. Take care of your hearing guys!
Sound Quality
Its a great balance between fun, exciting, yet smooth relaxing all while staying fairly balenced through the sound spectrum.
Bass-
Bass is emphasized but no where near the standard in most consumer headphones. Its fairly linear from the Sub-bass (subwoofer, rumbling, bass you can feel) to the mid bass (the punchy bass, you hear in most music). With a slight more punch > rumble. Both nonetheless great extension especially for an on ear headphone
Mids-
The Midrange is at the forefront, (its forward) vocals are pure and lush, and absolutely natural yet very clear. Male and female vocals shine and command attention. So your Adeles, Mariah Carey, Adam Levine, Celine Dion all the way to Gangnam Style will sound amazing.
Treble-
Treble is articulate with decent extension yet laid back but never harsh or fatiguing. I do wish there was a bit more sparkle and a bit more extension but that might make it harsh so its okay.
Soundstage
Sounds like its being played in a small room. Which is good for an on ear but nothing like a full size open headphone so be sure to keep that in mind
Are they worth it? Yes! They are easily worth their msrp, making them class leading in their respective category (on ear headphone). Along with the custom shields (colours and designs) + collapsing design + great comfort + small footprint makes these a winner in my books
The following are just some pictures i've taken of my xs.
XS in the case - able to store 2 cables easily but you can't use the included vstrap (case doesn't close properly)- have to store them as shown
my xs with gold shields
size comparison with the m100s
here is where you can store the v-cork at the v-strap (prevents accumulation of dust in the unused jack)- when your sharing a portable device (daisy chaining with others)
If you would like a more indepth review here is the link
Be sure to check out the other videos on my channels- i had made a comparison between the V-Moda XS and the well renowed V-Moda M100s here as well
heres the links
quick comparison-
sound quality comparison-
The V-moda XS is a replacement for the V-Moda M80s, the #1 on ear headphone on a biggest headphone enthusiasist community head-fi.
Features and Accessories
The headphone folds up it easily fits in your coat pocket and fit snuggly in the carrying case. There are two input jacks (cables are detachable= easily replaceable). So you can plug the cables in on either side. Daisy chain them- share your audio with others by plugging their headphones into the empty input. The earcups are on ear and are on the smaller side, so when you have it around your neck, its not going to hit your chin when your turning your head in different directions. Comes with 1 , one button smartphone compatible cable, kevlar reinforced.
Build quality and design
The V- Moda XS are built like a tank like all V-Moda headphones are built to a military grade standard. The headband band is made of a very flexible "steelflex headband", easily able to take basically any abuse you put it through. The overall construction is made up of metal and high quality plastic. The XS come with "Clique fold" hinges similar to the V-Moda M100s allows the headphones to collapse to a size that can easily fit in your coat pocket, and unlike most hinges, it looks a feels substantial and doesn't look like a point of weakness. The shields are customizable, to different colours and you put custom designs on it to make as individualized and unique as you want it. Lastly, these are very form fitting on your head, as advertised by V-moda's slogan for them "Mind the Gap".
Weight
At a weight of 190g it basically disappears on your head and around you neck
Comfort & Isolation
The single most comfortable on ear headphone i've ever tried. Typically on ears are not the most comfortable because their pressing against your ears, but V-moda found a perfect balance between comfort and secure. i use them straight off my ipod/iphone at about 6/16-7/16 (31%-43%) and they work well walking around downtown, on bus. Their efficent no amp required Decent when in cafeteria, just okay for subway use. So if your a heavy commuter and need completely silence the XS won't help you there. (i don't recommend turning up the volume to block out noise, thats asking for permanent hearing damage) At home i use it about 4/16 or 5/16 (25%-31%) and its perfect for me. i don't listen to my music loud at all and i hear everything. Take care of your hearing guys!
Sound Quality
Its a great balance between fun, exciting, yet smooth relaxing all while staying fairly balenced through the sound spectrum.
Bass-
Bass is emphasized but no where near the standard in most consumer headphones. Its fairly linear from the Sub-bass (subwoofer, rumbling, bass you can feel) to the mid bass (the punchy bass, you hear in most music). With a slight more punch > rumble. Both nonetheless great extension especially for an on ear headphone
Mids-
The Midrange is at the forefront, (its forward) vocals are pure and lush, and absolutely natural yet very clear. Male and female vocals shine and command attention. So your Adeles, Mariah Carey, Adam Levine, Celine Dion all the way to Gangnam Style will sound amazing.
Treble-
Treble is articulate with decent extension yet laid back but never harsh or fatiguing. I do wish there was a bit more sparkle and a bit more extension but that might make it harsh so its okay.
Soundstage
Sounds like its being played in a small room. Which is good for an on ear but nothing like a full size open headphone so be sure to keep that in mind
Are they worth it? Yes! They are easily worth their msrp, making them class leading in their respective category (on ear headphone). Along with the custom shields (colours and designs) + collapsing design + great comfort + small footprint makes these a winner in my books
The following are just some pictures i've taken of my xs.
XS in the case - able to store 2 cables easily but you can't use the included vstrap (case doesn't close properly)- have to store them as shown
my xs with gold shields
size comparison with the m100s
here is where you can store the v-cork at the v-strap (prevents accumulation of dust in the unused jack)- when your sharing a portable device (daisy chaining with others)
If you would like a more indepth review here is the link
Be sure to check out the other videos on my channels- i had made a comparison between the V-Moda XS and the well renowed V-Moda M100s here as well
heres the links
quick comparison-
sound quality comparison-
