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XS On-Ear Folding Design Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone (White Silver)
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | V-MODA |
Model Name | XS |
Color | White |
Form Factor | Over Ear |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
About this item
- M-Class 40mm Dual-Diaphragm Drivers (patent pending) -Inner and outer rings deliver vibrant bass, vivid mids & vivacious highs without overlap. Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Passive Noise Isolation - Cuts out noise. Exoskeleton Case - Fits in the palm of your hand and virtually anywhere. CliqFold Hinge - Folds to an impossibly small size with a satisfying click.
- No Batteries or Processing - Powerful clarity without two extra digital-to-analog conversions
- Obsessive Quality Control - 5+ years of R&D
- "Mind the Gap" Style & Comfort
Frequently bought together
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This Item V-MODA XS On-Ear Folding Design Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone (White Silver) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | |
Price | $212.30$212.30 | $99.00$99.00 | -15% $41.70$41.70 List: $49.00 | $39.99$39.99 | $199.99$199.99 | $249.99$249.99 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 11 - 26 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it Apr 2 - 4 | Get it Apr 3 - 4 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.0 | — | 4.6 | 4.5 |
Noise cancellation | 2.8 | 4.6 | 3.6 | — | 3.5 | 4.2 |
Comfort | — | 3.8 | 4.1 | — | 4.0 | 3.9 |
Quality of material | 5.0 | 3.7 | 3.7 | — | — | — |
Sold By | shitamachi Japan | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Alto Music | Happybabies | Amazon.com |
connectivity tech | Wired | Wireless | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
headphones form factor | Over Ear | On Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | On Ear | Over Ear |
connector type | Wired | wireless | 6.35mm Jack, 3.5mm Jack | 3 5mm Jack | 3 5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack |
noise control | sound isolation | — | — | sound isolation | sound isolation | sound isolation |
headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack | — | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
cable feature | Detachable | Without Cable | Retractable | Detachable | Retractable | Retractable |
control type | control | Media Control | Media Control | Media Control | Media Control | Media Control |
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Product information
Item Weight | 9.9 ounces |
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Product Dimensions | 3.5 x 5.5 x 6.5 inches |
ASIN | B00GO4GMHQ |
Item model number | XS-U-WSILVER |
Customer Reviews |
3.8 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #277,128 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #3,450 in On-Ear Headphones #5,775 in Over-Ear Headphones |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | March 26, 2014 |
Color Name | White |
Connector Type | Wired |
Material Type | Metal |
Size | One Size |
Color Screen | No |
Compatible Phone Models | Apple iPhone XS |
Item Weight | 9.9 Ounces |
Units | 1.0 Count |
Number Of Items | 1 |
Warranty & Support
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What's in the box
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V-MODA XS Product Video
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Product Description
Tuned and trusted by V-MODA's golden ears, editors, audiophiles, producers and DJs on the forums and around the globe. Our M-Class series has won a record 22 Editors' Choice Awards, are the top-reviewed by customers and voted #1 by the world's top DJs. Includes: XS headphones, exoskeleton carrying case, carabiner clip, durable Speak-easy microphone control sticker and more.
From the manufacturer
On-Ear. Foldable. Metal Headphones.
The classic V-MODA studio quality sound in a smaller package.
V-MODA, The Standard Of Quality
Why XS?
- Superior Sound
- Mind the Gap - Style & Comfort
- Travel Friendly
- Customizable Shields
- Six-Star Service
XS brings the same big studio-quality sound of the Crossfade series in a smaller, more delicate package. With 40mm dual-diaphragm drivers, passive noise isolation and customisable shields, the V-MODA XS is the practical fashion-meets-music accessory you can't do without.
Unrivaled Features
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Trusted Sound1) M-Class 40 millimeter Dual-Diaphragm Drivers - Inner and outer rings deliver vibrant bass, vivid mids and vivacious highs without overlap. 2) Passive Noise Isolation - Cuts out unwanted noise. 3) No Batteries or Processing - Powerful clarity without two extra digital-to-analog conversions. 4) Obsessive Quality Control - 5+ years of R&D. |
Versatility And Style5+ years of R&D have resulted in a wind tunnel-worthy design that contours evenly to the shape of your head. Discover why 'the fit is the sound'. 1) Mind the Gap - Sleek design frames your natural lines and minimizes the unsightly gap between the headband and the user. 2) Optional Custom Shield Kits - 3D Print or laser-engrave your logo, change your shield material and color. #EndorseYourself 3) Cable and Cushion Ecosystem – Get more out of your XS with the BoomPro Mic for gaming and communication and a variety of cables and accessories. |
Durability: Built To Last1) Virtually Indestructible Steelflex Headband. 2) Steel Frame 3) Exoskeleton Form-Fitting Case. 4) Tested to the strictest V-MODA durability standards 5) Durable Cable/Plug Bend - Cables and 45-degree plug can bend over 1 million times 6) Headband Bend - Steelflex can bend 10+ times flat. 7) Resistant to high and low temperatures, humidity, salt spray and UV exposure. |
Detachable Cables1) Dual Inputs & V-Cork - Mix two sources at the same time or daisy chain headphones with your friends; the included V-Cork seals and protects the unused input. 2) SpeakEasy Mic Cable - Specially tuned for voice recognition and calls in the noisiest of surroundings, the button controls work universally with all 3.5 millimeter smartphones and tablets including Apple, Android, Samsung, Windows, Kindle and Blackberry. 3) Optional BoomPro, SharePlay and 3-Button Cables - choose a state-of-the-art boom mic for gaming/Skype/Voice, an extended cable with built-in sharing or a 3-button mic cable for Apple products in a range of colors. |
XS | Crossfade LP2 | Crossfade M-100 | Crossfade Wireless | Crossfade 2 Wireless | Crossfade 2 Wireless Codex Edition | |
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Add to Cart
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Customer Reviews |
3.8 out of 5 stars
600
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4.5 out of 5 stars
1,597
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4.5 out of 5 stars
2,986
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4.3 out of 5 stars
1,217
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4.3 out of 5 stars
378
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4.2 out of 5 stars
323
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Type | On-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear Bluetooth | Over-Ear Bluetooth | Over-Ear Bluetooth |
Driver | M-Class Dual Diaphragm 40mm | LP2 Dual Diaphragm 50mm | M-100 Dual Diaphragm 50mm | Refined M-100 Dual Diaphragm 50mm | Crossfade 2 Dual Diaphragm 50mm ft. CCAW Japanese coil | Crossfade 2 Dual Diaphragm 50mm ft. CCAW Japanese coil |
Wireless | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Qualcomm aptX | - | - | - | - | Rose Gold Only | ✓ |
Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) | - | - | - | - | - | ✓ |
Passive Noise Isolation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Exoskeleton Case | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
CliqFold | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ |
Durable & Reinforced Cables | 1-Button SpeakEasy Mic cable | 1-Button SpeakEasy Mic cable + Extended Audio Cable | 1-Button SpeakEasy Mic cable + SharePlay Audio Cable | 1-Button SpeakEasy Mic cable | 1-Button SpeakEasy Mic cable | 1-Button SpeakEasy Mic cable |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality, quality and portability of the headphones. For example, they mention that the sub bass is there, the base sounds clean and that they fold up into a really impressively small size. They also appreciate the sleek, high-tech look and feel. That said, some complain about the adhesion and comfort.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the headphones. They mention that the sub bass is there, it has enough clarity and sound-stage, and the base sounds clean. They also appreciate the V-shaped sound and the ability to project bass frequencies that are clear and accurate. Customers also mention that noise isolation is superb and the headphones have excellent highs, mids, and lows.
"...TL;DR: These headphones have amazing sound and build quality and a very compact size. I wish noise isolation was a bit better. Would highly recommend." Read more
"...The XS has narrowed the sound quality gap between my headphones so much that I really don't regret spending most of my time listening to my workout..." Read more
"...The ME's had nice deep bass, and crisp but not harsh highs, with a mid-range that was good but probably not as good at the V-Moda..." Read more
"The headphones themselves are decent enough in regard to sound quality. I was very happy with them...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the headphones. They mention that the cable is very well built, the pods for the mic and the headphones are built to withstand the ages. They are impressed with the military level quality of materials and design. The headphones have a nice collapsible design and come with a hardshell case.
"...TL;DR: These headphones have amazing sound and build quality and a very compact size. I wish noise isolation was a bit better. Would highly recommend." Read more
"...The V-Moda's are built like a tank, with very high quality materials, and extreme fit and finish! I wish they sounded like they look!..." Read more
"...while i have to give them a 6 stars out of 5 if i could, for the build quality, not to mention the sex appeal, i do think they are the weakest of..." Read more
"...Sleek design and very solid structure, headphones fold up very securely, when you open them up you can hear they lock in nice and tight with no play..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the comfort of the headphones. Some mention they are super comfortable, while others say they feel tight around their ears.
"...constructed of metal hinges, kevlar covered wires, and a very flexible leather headband; all components feel like it will last for years to come..." Read more
"...They're considerably more comfortable than my old Philips cans and, thankfully, they stay on my head just fine...." Read more
"...The V-Moda's are considerably more comfortable than the ME's, even though they are heavier. They are supplied with a very hi-quality cord...." Read more
"...are mostly metal, they do feel heavy on you and can also feel tight around your ears if you are rather big-eared or have a big head...." Read more
Customers like the portability of the headphones. For example, they say it has a superb compact form, is light weight, and can be tucked into backpack pockets. Customers also mention that the design makes them coat pocketable.
"...I would rate these at 4.5. Excellent build and sound quality, superb compact form, and indestructible, -0.5 for isolation, so I rounded up and gave..." Read more
"...I'm so very impressed that such a compact, solidly built, stylish pair of headphones can produce such a full, detailed, spacious sound and still..." Read more
"...Sleek design and very solid structure, headphones fold up very securely, when you open them up you can hear they lock in nice and tight with no play..." Read more
"...That is so convenient and useful I have found boundless applications for that feature they did not overlook that many other headphone manufacturers..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the headphones. They mention that they are sleek, high-tech, and durable. They also appreciate the matching stylish accessories. The sound is excellent, and the headphones look mildly delicate. Overall, customers are happy with the design and functionality of the product.
"...In a quiet environment, the sound is clear, crisp, vibrant, and I can feel the gentle waves pulsating through my cranium...." Read more
"...I'm so very impressed that such a compact, solidly built, stylish pair of headphones can produce such a full, detailed, spacious sound and still..." Read more
"...Sleek design and very solid structure, headphones fold up very securely, when you open them up you can hear they lock in nice and tight with no play..." Read more
"...+ Compact (easy to travel with)+ Accessories (matching stylish accessories, exoskeleton and audio speakeasy cable)..." Read more
Customers like the performance of the headphones. They mention that the sound is excellent, works well for them for music, and streaming quality music. The durability seems very high as with all V-Moda headphones, and the on-ear phones are very portable and not at all bulky. The headphones have good mids and clean bass, and are perfect for small ears. They also say that the headphones work great at gigs and cut the noise well.
"...'s had nice deep bass, and crisp but not harsh highs, with a mid-range that was good but probably not as good at the V-Moda..." Read more
"...to my ears the dt1350's have the best of both worlds, superb, i mean just superb bass, sub bass, great mids and clarity and great on the treble...." Read more
"...sounds are superb listening to music and I find myself looking behind me when I watch movies as the sounds are all around you...." Read more
"...That is so convenient and useful I have found boundless applications for that feature they did not overlook that many other headphone manufacturers..." Read more
Customers find the value of the headphones to be superb, saying it beats out more expensive headphones. They also say the audio quality is great for the price and the headphones are a really good headset. Overall, customers are happy with the value and quality of the product.
"...such a full, detailed, spacious sound and still manage to be affordably priced...." Read more
"...in comparing them, other than to say that the S1's are a truly spectacular value in iems's - why they are not winning a bunch of awards is beyond..." Read more
"...They are worth the pain though, because 1)..." Read more
"...The audio quality is great for the price (ie. it's pretty low, but better than any other cans in this price range)...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the adhesion of the headphones. They mention that the headphones tend to slip around on their head and that the headband becomes too loose. Some say that the product is of good quality, but it easily slips off of their head.
"...that made me a bit hesitant was that some reviewers said the headphones slid off when tilting their heads up or down...." Read more
"...The V-Moda's had limited bass, and rolled off highs which is not my personal preference...." Read more
"...Second, you'll notice in the photo that the headphone itself became unfastened from the head piece. This has happened twice now...." Read more
"...comfortable, but they weren't tight enough for me, they slid around on head a bit much, and i would say i have a pretty average size melon lol...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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-Sound-
I listen to mostly EDM, D&B, trance, dubsteb, etc. the bass heavy music, as well as alternative and rock. Again, I am not an audiophile so I do not really obsess over 100% sound reproduction. That being said, the sound is impressive coming from such a tiny device. In comparison to the ATH-M50s or the klipsch s4i (only headphones I own as you might have guessed), these are up to par, and if not, better. In a quiet environment, the sound is clear, crisp, vibrant, and I can feel the gentle waves pulsating through my cranium. As for more in-depth comparison, I think others have done a better review on sound. There is not really much more that can be described better than as experienced in person.
-Build-
This was one of the main points I looked at when looking for headphones to replace my earbuds. I still think earbuds are awesome, but their durability will always be surpassed by headphones of similar quality range. I wanted something to last me for a while, and provide me with access to good quality tunes for hours of daily use. The V-Moda XS is constructed of metal hinges, kevlar covered wires, and a very flexible leather headband; all components feel like it will last for years to come with proper care. They also have beyond military-level MIL-STD-810G quality standards according to their website. I have no idea what this means, but this is exactly what I want when I am using these daily, in danger of bending or pulling the cord, dropping the headphones on concrete, or zip-lining down a building on fire using the headphones and cables while blasting some Hans Zimmer.
-Comfort-
Priced at $200, I expect these to be the most comfortable thing to put on my head, and they are. I had used and unused? headphones many times before because they began to hurt my ears after an hour of wear. These come nowhere close. I used these headphones for approximately 4 hours straight, listening to music, and my ears were fine. I believe this is where most of the resources were spent on trying to get the clamping force and cushioning just right in perfect equilibrium, and I believe they have achieved it. I consider my head to be average, and these cans felt natural on my head right out of the box. I have yet to find how long it will take for my ears to begin feeling discomfort, but at this pace, I may never reach that point.
-Size-
These things are tiny. The case fits into my average size palms, and the cans are cute (lost all my man cred here). I can comfortably throw these in my backpack, not adding any bulk or fearing it will break. They conform to my head very well and does not make me look like a Cyberman. I knew that they would be small from the reviews and descriptions, but I was still surprised when I received them.
-Noise Isolation-
The only complaint I have about the V-moda XS is noise isolation. I knew beforehand what I would be sacrificing isolation for comfort and durability, but I do miss the isolation of my in-ears. As expected of on-ear headphones, the noise isolation is not as good, and although on the average side of on-ears, I wish the XS somehow had better isolation. They seemed to keep the "v-vents" in the design which apparently improves the sound stage, but if it were up to me, I would rather sacrifice the sound stage for isolation. At 50% iPhone volume, I still hear mainly music, but noises such as the rumbles of the bus still penetrate. I was also concerned for the sound leakage as I get very irritated by people who ignorantly blast their music for the world to hear, and I also hate being a hypocrite. There is a good test video on this on youtube by UrAvgConsumer, but from my personal tests, up to 50% seemed like a safe level with a good seal, while more than 50% starts to leak quite a bit, so 50%-75% should be used accordingly to the environment, and well, just never go to 100% unless you're looking to get stares on the bus. In positive light, I will be less likely to miss a bus stop or get ran over.
-Price-
As of now, the XS runs around $200, and I figure it will for quite some time. It is a lot of dough for such a tiny thing, but considering the amount of research that must have gone into perfecting the comfort, and the quality (both build and sound) of the overall product justifies the price. They also provide a very nice hard shell case which includes a v-strap for holding cords.
-Miscellaneous-
-Trivial problem, but I wish the cord had a volume rocker.
-I love the color orange, but I still wish the cord had been black, since they are going with the low profile/stealth theme anyway
-The sliders and the cliqfold hinge clicks. I love clicks.
-Would have been nice if the cord plugs could click lock. Did I mention I love clicks?
-Matte finish resists fingerprints!
-OVERALL-
I would rate these at 4.5. Excellent build and sound quality, superb compact form, and indestructible, -0.5 for isolation, so I rounded up and gave it a 5.
From reading forums, it seems like v-moda listens to a lot of its fans' opinions, so I am excited for their next iteration. As for now, although still testing, I think these will be my primary commuting headphones.
TL;DR: These headphones have amazing sound and build quality and a very compact size. I wish noise isolation was a bit better. Would highly recommend.
Recently, it dawned on me that I listen to music while exercising far more than any other time. My previous workout cans ("The Construct" by Philips/O'Neill) were OK, but a big step down in sound quality from my other headphones, which I certainly wouldn't want to use while exercising. They're just way too fragile. It got me wondering why nobody seems to make great sounding headphones designed to accommodate an active lifestyle. Determined to find something better, I scoured the web.
That's when v-moda showed up on my radar. Previously, I never knew that v-moda's products were specifically designed to be durable. I didn't know about their two-year warranty either, or their "Immortal Life" trade-in program which replaces your broken headphones, regardless of condition, at half price. Surprisingly, my search turned up very few people who actually use v-modas for exercising, but I did come across a post on a headphone forum by v-moda's CEO who says he and other v-moda employees use their products quite often while running, hiking and climbing. I also found many reviews saying great things about the sound quality and comfort of the XS, so I was eager to give them a try. The only thing that made me a bit hesitant was that some reviewers said the headphones slid off when tilting their heads up or down. Many people made no mention of it at all, however, so I went ahead and placed my order.
I'm really glad that I did! The first thing I noticed was how solid and artfully crafted they were. Photos don't really do them justice. Hooked up to my Fiio X5, they sounded great right out of the box. They're not what I'd call neutral; the bass is definitely more present than in any of my other headphones, but it's detailed and doesn't overpower the overall presentation. After listening critically for a while, I decided that I preferred a bit more detail in the top end. A slight bit of EQing later, I was smiling from ear to ear. Honestly, I don't think I could be happier with my purchase. The XS is so solidly built and backed by such a fantastic warranty and trade-in program that I have no reservations about wearing them during my workouts. They're considerably more comfortable than my old Philips cans and, thankfully, they stay on my head just fine. Aggressively shaking my head around would likely cause them to shift or maybe even fall off, but I don't generally make those kinds of movements. For that, you'd probably need a fairly uncomfortable set of headphones with a vice-like grip.
I'm so very impressed that such a compact, solidly built, stylish pair of headphones can produce such a full, detailed, spacious sound and still manage to be affordably priced. These might not be the absolute best sounding headphones I own, but they're certainly the most versatile, and they do sound great. The XS has narrowed the sound quality gap between my headphones so much that I really don't regret spending most of my time listening to my workout cans anymore. I'll be using these things a lot, even when I could be listening to my other, more expensive cans.
Top reviews from other countries
Cómo dj aíslan lo sufriente para poder empatar y la calidad de audio es tan buena como cualquier otro modelo de Vmoda.
Al ser más ligeros son más llevaderos durante el set, son increíblemente portátiles.
Me encantan
Reviewed in Mexico on July 26, 2022
Cómo dj aíslan lo sufriente para poder empatar y la calidad de audio es tan buena como cualquier otro modelo de Vmoda.
Al ser más ligeros son más llevaderos durante el set, son increíblemente portátiles.
Me encantan
Sensible, avec un bon rendement, il est à l'aise aussi bien sur du jazz, du classique, et du folklore Irlandais.
Très beaux médiums, des basses très lisibles sur Duende de Avisha Cohen, beaux timbres sur instruments anciens, et des aigus présents sans être envahissants. Fonctionne bien branché sur une tablette, encore mieux avec un ampli Dac en OTG. J'ai acquis ce casque pour le brancher sur un Cowon Plenue 1, trés bon baladeur "à l'ancienne" donc sans Android ni bluetooth. Très bonne association.
Facile à transporter dans son bel étui, câble standard 3.5mm, donc facile à changer si celui d'origine lâche ou ne vous convient pas.
Pas idéal pour marcher dans la rue ou courir car le serrage est très léger, comme je l'aime, à l'opposé d'un MSR7 que j'aimais bien mais qui serrait trop fort.
Le choix d'un casque filaire nomade de qualité est de plus en plus restreint , ce modèle est un très bon choix.
Après plusieurs semaines d'utilisation, la très bonne qualité de ce casque se confirme , très confortable et une excellente qualité sonore. VModa est plus connu pour des casques basseux genre Beats mais ce petit VModa est un modèle d'équilibre.
J'avais essayé le renommé Sony MDR-1am2 qui ne me convenait pas, moins à l'aise sur de grands orchestres, bien fabriqué mais très plastique et livré avec un étui souple.
Delivered to my local collection point at the time promised & in a sturdy, attractive product box. The included zip-up travel case, which snugly holds folded headphones & cable, fits in the palm of my hand & seems solid enough for a kick-about at Twickenham. It’s hard, contoured design minimises wasted space & benefits from the natural structural integrity of the clam shell it resembles. I’ve removed the mini carabiner supplied but it could easily clip onto bag, belt-loop or bike if that’s how you roll.
The headphones themselves are very compact, folded or unfolded. Their strikingly unique design is aggressively modern with a nod to retro-aviation, while the engineering & quality displayed by the all-metal framework, hinges & screws exceeds high-end equivalents at twice the price from long-established manufactures. The hinges make a reassuringly satisfying metallic click when opened or closed, which sounds pure class & lets you know they’re ready for business. There’s a good amount of padding on the headband which fits my small head well with arms fully retracted. Each arm extends about an inch so all but the most boffin-sized noggins should be off to the races. While the headband lies evenly across my head without gaps, it’s not particularly grippy so not suited to sports use but listening on the bus/at home/work/studio should pose no problems. The on-ear cups fit perfectly & snugly over my wee ears but the larger over-ear V-Moda headphones may be more comfortable for prolonged listening periods if overall size isn’t an issue for you.
There’s enough flex & memory in the headband for DJ’s to use off-the-neck, though the cups themselves don’t swivel on left/right axis – only up/down ensuring a good seal with ears. I’m no DJ so personal preference is advised. Overall weight & bulk are surprisingly low considering all that lovely aluminium, giving comfort in use or at rest around the neck.
Although bass-heads may prefer a louder headphone with bias towards a fuller low-end drive, this wasn’t important to me & I found the bass clean, punchy & well defined without interference to other frequencies or vice versa. My reference audio files have never sounded better & I’m able to pick out all the small nuances that give me a kick from song to song, though I’ve only had other on-ear headphones for comparison. Incoming & outgoing noise isolation through the closed-back cups is good enough for me but not 100% so use in extremely noisy or silent environments may be semi-problematic to some.
A medium length & highly visible orange braided cable is included, which features in-line mic & call button for use with phones + natty 45degree angled jack at source end – bit of a gimmick but one of several USP’s which represent the attention to detail breathed over every inch of this product. Some have mentioned cable sends noise through mic when rubbed on clothing but personally untested nor relevant to how I’ll use these headphones so either way I couldn’t give a monkey’s myself.
The cable is fully detachable/replaceable (essential for pro cans) but what makes this model stand out are the twin inputs on left & right cups, meaning you can choose which side to plumb into: sounds like another gimmick but in reality, I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been distracted in the past by a cable trailing across my ever-changing workspaces & sound desks. It’s also good having the back-up port if one fails outside warranty. Equally impressive is the option to use the second port as a pick-up for your BFF’s cans too if you feel like sharing, or at a push send a monitored feed from your desk if running short on outputs. The ports can be blanked-off with small plastic bungs, which are fiddly for large fingers but worth having & using all the same. I’m a huge fan of the standard jacks supplied, which firmly push-in/pull-out without needing a twist – I’ve found locking cables a weak point on other headphones & a frustration when cables can’t be interchanged nor quickly uncoupled for moving about the studio. I’m surprised no ¼ inch jack adapter supplied & would prefer inclusion of longer coiled cable option as standard but these are my only negatives, which I’m happy to accept if helps keep unit cost of such thoughtfully produced kit this low. The fixed cable linking left & right cups, although fully braided itself, is partly exposed either end between headband & cups so needs a certain amount of respect (i.e., zipped away during storage or in transit).
Spare cables, ear pads & other accessories are available as options, as are personalised side plates which look seriously tempting but may not be easily available in the UK. The slightly cheaper silver & white XS option will look good to the Mrs or out on the street but my industry is black all the way & mine are proper, full-on stealth-bomber black. 2-year warranty + Immortal Life guarantee tells me this product is built to last & that V-Moda is a serious audio player I want to do business with. It’s no surprise design, style & engineering come from California, Italy & Japan respectively, though I note final assembly (whatever that stretches to) occurs in China. Pretty standard I guess but still disappointed my hard-earned is funding a kleptocracy.
You can buy cheaper, smaller headphones that are basic, ugly, tinny & will fall apart or plush, all singing, all dancing studio cans at the expense of valuable space & cost. The V-Moda XS seems to take the best from all these worlds & is like nothing else I’ve seen. Great sound & features, ridiculously portable, beautiful design & build quality that genuinely raises the bar. In an ideal world, headphones would last me 5 years plus: This is the first set I’ve owned that look like they could actually deliver that small slice of utopia. I commend V-Moda for producing a set of headphones absolutely unique to the market at a price I’m happy to pay…I’d probably pay a little more if I knew production took place alongside design or engineering. Very much looking forward to using in anger at a sound desk or video camera near you all soon…
UPDATE: Used for a few weeks now & these cans just keep making me happier! Absolutely no ear pain experienced even after 3+ hours constant use. The headband makes contact across the width of my cranium, which disperses weight well. Great sound quality across the board. Small solid case fits any nook & cranny in bag & kept headphones in perfect condition on working road trip across Europe. I can confirm the cable does send noise to cans/mic during calls when rubbed on clothing but I think this is a trait of all braided cables - I still prefer braided for durability & this doesn't bother; if it did I would just swap out the cable. I've tested these with other jack to jack cables & they all work fine. Phones are comfortable around neck & cable easy to plug-in whilst wearing. Even at full volume I've found little distortion to sound. I don't use for pleasure listening - If I did I'd definitely want louder drivers & would opt for larger over-ear model.
UPDATE 2: A couple of months of professional use have exposed an issue. Cups started to wobble, on closer inspection 7 of the 8 hinge screws were very loose, the 8th was missing completely. Ordered replacement screws (M1.6 x 3mm) from auction site then tightened with allen key (1.5mm) using threadlock. 2 further weeks of use & threadlock is doing its job well - cups feel firm once more. Problem rectified & still in love with these cans, just sad & surprised to find a major fault so soon after purchase.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2022
Delivered to my local collection point at the time promised & in a sturdy, attractive product box. The included zip-up travel case, which snugly holds folded headphones & cable, fits in the palm of my hand & seems solid enough for a kick-about at Twickenham. It’s hard, contoured design minimises wasted space & benefits from the natural structural integrity of the clam shell it resembles. I’ve removed the mini carabiner supplied but it could easily clip onto bag, belt-loop or bike if that’s how you roll.
The headphones themselves are very compact, folded or unfolded. Their strikingly unique design is aggressively modern with a nod to retro-aviation, while the engineering & quality displayed by the all-metal framework, hinges & screws exceeds high-end equivalents at twice the price from long-established manufactures. The hinges make a reassuringly satisfying metallic click when opened or closed, which sounds pure class & lets you know they’re ready for business. There’s a good amount of padding on the headband which fits my small head well with arms fully retracted. Each arm extends about an inch so all but the most boffin-sized noggins should be off to the races. While the headband lies evenly across my head without gaps, it’s not particularly grippy so not suited to sports use but listening on the bus/at home/work/studio should pose no problems. The on-ear cups fit perfectly & snugly over my wee ears but the larger over-ear V-Moda headphones may be more comfortable for prolonged listening periods if overall size isn’t an issue for you.
There’s enough flex & memory in the headband for DJ’s to use off-the-neck, though the cups themselves don’t swivel on left/right axis – only up/down ensuring a good seal with ears. I’m no DJ so personal preference is advised. Overall weight & bulk are surprisingly low considering all that lovely aluminium, giving comfort in use or at rest around the neck.
Although bass-heads may prefer a louder headphone with bias towards a fuller low-end drive, this wasn’t important to me & I found the bass clean, punchy & well defined without interference to other frequencies or vice versa. My reference audio files have never sounded better & I’m able to pick out all the small nuances that give me a kick from song to song, though I’ve only had other on-ear headphones for comparison. Incoming & outgoing noise isolation through the closed-back cups is good enough for me but not 100% so use in extremely noisy or silent environments may be semi-problematic to some.
A medium length & highly visible orange braided cable is included, which features in-line mic & call button for use with phones + natty 45degree angled jack at source end – bit of a gimmick but one of several USP’s which represent the attention to detail breathed over every inch of this product. Some have mentioned cable sends noise through mic when rubbed on clothing but personally untested nor relevant to how I’ll use these headphones so either way I couldn’t give a monkey’s myself.
The cable is fully detachable/replaceable (essential for pro cans) but what makes this model stand out are the twin inputs on left & right cups, meaning you can choose which side to plumb into: sounds like another gimmick but in reality, I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been distracted in the past by a cable trailing across my ever-changing workspaces & sound desks. It’s also good having the back-up port if one fails outside warranty. Equally impressive is the option to use the second port as a pick-up for your BFF’s cans too if you feel like sharing, or at a push send a monitored feed from your desk if running short on outputs. The ports can be blanked-off with small plastic bungs, which are fiddly for large fingers but worth having & using all the same. I’m a huge fan of the standard jacks supplied, which firmly push-in/pull-out without needing a twist – I’ve found locking cables a weak point on other headphones & a frustration when cables can’t be interchanged nor quickly uncoupled for moving about the studio. I’m surprised no ¼ inch jack adapter supplied & would prefer inclusion of longer coiled cable option as standard but these are my only negatives, which I’m happy to accept if helps keep unit cost of such thoughtfully produced kit this low. The fixed cable linking left & right cups, although fully braided itself, is partly exposed either end between headband & cups so needs a certain amount of respect (i.e., zipped away during storage or in transit).
Spare cables, ear pads & other accessories are available as options, as are personalised side plates which look seriously tempting but may not be easily available in the UK. The slightly cheaper silver & white XS option will look good to the Mrs or out on the street but my industry is black all the way & mine are proper, full-on stealth-bomber black. 2-year warranty + Immortal Life guarantee tells me this product is built to last & that V-Moda is a serious audio player I want to do business with. It’s no surprise design, style & engineering come from California, Italy & Japan respectively, though I note final assembly (whatever that stretches to) occurs in China. Pretty standard I guess but still disappointed my hard-earned is funding a kleptocracy.
You can buy cheaper, smaller headphones that are basic, ugly, tinny & will fall apart or plush, all singing, all dancing studio cans at the expense of valuable space & cost. The V-Moda XS seems to take the best from all these worlds & is like nothing else I’ve seen. Great sound & features, ridiculously portable, beautiful design & build quality that genuinely raises the bar. In an ideal world, headphones would last me 5 years plus: This is the first set I’ve owned that look like they could actually deliver that small slice of utopia. I commend V-Moda for producing a set of headphones absolutely unique to the market at a price I’m happy to pay…I’d probably pay a little more if I knew production took place alongside design or engineering. Very much looking forward to using in anger at a sound desk or video camera near you all soon…
UPDATE: Used for a few weeks now & these cans just keep making me happier! Absolutely no ear pain experienced even after 3+ hours constant use. The headband makes contact across the width of my cranium, which disperses weight well. Great sound quality across the board. Small solid case fits any nook & cranny in bag & kept headphones in perfect condition on working road trip across Europe. I can confirm the cable does send noise to cans/mic during calls when rubbed on clothing but I think this is a trait of all braided cables - I still prefer braided for durability & this doesn't bother; if it did I would just swap out the cable. I've tested these with other jack to jack cables & they all work fine. Phones are comfortable around neck & cable easy to plug-in whilst wearing. Even at full volume I've found little distortion to sound. I don't use for pleasure listening - If I did I'd definitely want louder drivers & would opt for larger over-ear model.
UPDATE 2: A couple of months of professional use have exposed an issue. Cups started to wobble, on closer inspection 7 of the 8 hinge screws were very loose, the 8th was missing completely. Ordered replacement screws (M1.6 x 3mm) from auction site then tightened with allen key (1.5mm) using threadlock. 2 further weeks of use & threadlock is doing its job well - cups feel firm once more. Problem rectified & still in love with these cans, just sad & surprised to find a major fault so soon after purchase.