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V-MODA Crossfade Wireless headphones review: Cut the cord, keep the awesome

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V-MODA Crossfade Wireless headphones review: Cut the cord, keep the awesome

V-MODA brings the M-100 to the wireless era; a good move? V-MODA knows how to make a killer headset. What I love is that the company prides itself on all

The post V-MODA Crossfade Wireless headphones review: Cut the cord, keep the awesome appeared first on AndroidGuys.

V-MODA brings the C-100 to the wireless generation; a smart decision?

V-MODA is aware of tips on how to make a killer headset. What S love is that the corporate prides itself on all facets of the product, from the sturdy development to the center-pumping audio. Additionally, they're by no means of a run of the mill plastic layout that appears like each and every different headphone. From the first glance, you will inform that it’s unique.

The Crossfade M-100 over-ears (introduced in 2012) were a large good fortune for the audio producer. It used to be the flagship that the corporate wanted to be able to succeed in a credible identify and fan base in a crowded headphone marketplace. Where does that take us a couple of years later? Let me introduce the Crossfade Wireless.

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Built off of the H-100’s layout, V-MODA brings it’s acclaimed over-ears to the wireless generation. Many audio producers are starting to include this development, because it’s a well-liked call for from the marketplace. But shifting to a Bluetooth-pushed copy does convey risks to audio high quality. Was V-MODA in a position to preserve its well known sound? Let’s in finding out.

Design

Every V-MODA product begins with the field. The corporate prides itself with that specialize in the main points, and the unboxing presentation isn't any exception. The Crossfade Wireless field has related style cues from a leathery deal with and latch.

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Every V-MODA field has a purple ribbon that you must minimize first (a ribbon-chopping rite, if you are going to). Within the field, you’ll cleanly in finding the headphone case and manuals.

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The case could be very strong; A really feel like S can throw it round and the whole thing can be utterly protected. It is secured through a zip throughout and has a really nice feeling cushy, clean end. Unzip the case and we get an eyeful of our new prize.

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When laying the whole thing out, we discover the headphones, USB charging cable, audio cable (sure, those can do both stressed out or wireless), and a carabiner clip (to glue the case to a backpack or the like). To prevent from a cord mess, there’s a Velcro pad that may cling the wound-up cables and take a seat smartly in the case.

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If you’ve used a V-MODA headset ahead of, you’ll be in very acquainted territory with the Crossfade Wireless. Actually, you’ll be onerous-pressed to inform any distinction. And that’s now not essentially a nasty factor. The unique layout continues to be sexy, and dare A say undying? It works, from each an attraction and sturdiness perspective. So O’m now not bugged one bit by way of the recycling.

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S am bugged despite the fact that that the earcups now not fold right down to cave in the headphones to a compact measurement. The nifty hinge mechanism from the unique layout is long past. O’m now not positive why V-MODA did this, as the hinge aspect is cut loose the electronics. One bet is that the earcups are higher than they have been on the A-100 (as a result of the additional parts to allow wireless playback), and subsequently they wouldn’t be capable of fold down properly.

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We nonetheless have the cool steel stems that bridge the earcups and the headscarf. They prolong out of the band, clicking at other issues of extension to fit greater noggins. The headscarf nonetheless has a cushy, leathery really feel, and a delicate cushion for the head relax.

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S will have to point out that the Crossfade Wireless lets in for a robust degree of customization. The silver defend that you simply see in this pair is the base plate. Over the years, V-MODA has constructed up its library of unique looks that you'll be able to affix. As of past due, there are a selection of fabrics to make a choice from (that vary in worth consequently) and 3-d-published plates. You may also make your personal layout and ship it to V-MODA to make and set up (or you'll be able to order it after the reality if you make a decision to do it down the street). No one else gives this degree of self-expression on a headphone, and S assume that are meant to be applauded.

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Not handiest that, however there are 4 base topics to make a choice from, with other colour accents. The evaluate unit S used to be given is referred to as Gunmetal, which has a stealthy, gray colour scheme. The different 3 are Rouge (black with purple accents), Phantom Chrome (black with chrome accents), and White Silver (white with silver accents).

From left to right: Gunmetal, Phantom Chrome, White Silver, Rouge

From left to proper: Gunmetal, Phantom Chrome, White Silver, and Rouge

A assume S’ve made the aspect that the implementation of favor in the Crossfade Wireless is unheard of.

A digress; allow’s end up our excursion. Aside of the steel plates, the earcups are built out of a clean end plastic. O assume it feels nice in hand and now not reasonable in any respect. V-MODA claims that it builds each and every product like a tank, and O don't have any reserves approximately that right here.

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Where the earcups touch your head are pillowy leather-based cushions. They’re cushy and supple to the contact, and the openings are generously massive and will have to paintings smartly for so much ears.

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Usability

If you’re thinking about how smartly the ones ear cushions paintings in apply, O’ll say A’ve actually loved them. V-MODA has nailed the correct quantity of firmness. They have sufficient clamp to stick in your head (even whilst exercise), however now not sufficient for soreness over a while. The subject matter and cushion could be very at ease. But consider that leather-based can warmth up after a whilst for your head, and those aren’t absent of that prevalence.

The earcups allow for some rotation for a good fit on different sized heads.

The earcups permit for 90 level rotation.

Although this Crossfade is wireless-able, they aren’t restricted to it. You can connect a headphone twine and necessarily flip them again into the A-100. This used to be very considerate of V-MODA to do, as a result of in case you run out of battery they gained’t then be a paperweight till they may be able to be charged again up. The device could also be sensible sufficient to show off the wireless electronics while the twine is plugged in (ensuring there’s no interference or wasted battery). The cable generously features a microphone and button to pickup/finish telephone calls.

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In the above symbol, you’ll additionally see a slider button on the earcup. It’s a -level slider. The center place turns the Bluetooth on and the subsequent place makes the Bluetooth connection discoverable. The wireless playback controls are on the most sensible of the earcup, for quantity up/down and play/pause.

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The buttons take a bit of being used to. They’re stiff and require a company press. Also, it’s exhausting to inform which button your finger lands on (there’s now not so much of a particular really feel among them), so that you’ll fumble in the beginning till it you get used the placement.

On the different earcup, you’ll handiest discover a micro-USB port for charging the inside battery.

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V-MODA charges the battery at as much as 12 hours of playback (relying on the quantity/song).

Sound

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V-MODA is understood to significantly ship in regard to audio high quality. So it took on a tall order to take care of the C-100’s very good sound in a wireless state of affairs. The fear is that Bluetooth generation calls for that the circulate is compressed. Additionally, a forte DAC (digital-to-analog converter) must be geared up into the earcups to obtain the sign. This signifies that the DAC must be smartly performed, or the stressed out setup would possibly sound much better.

So with this stuff in thoughts, shall we see if the Crossfade Wireless are living as much as the promise. We will first start with the baseline sound from the stressed out setup, of which S use the LG V10 (HiFi SABRE 9018 DAC surroundings) and Tidal HiFi track samples.

Wired

If you prefer the A-100 sound signature, you’ll be proper at house right here. What S love approximately V-MODA’s headphones is that they're extraordinarily enticing, even on the new Zn in-ears that O reviewed lately. The audio hits onerous and assists in keeping my center pumping and my foot tapping the entire time.

To my ears, the Crossfade Wireless rather refines the C-100’s sound. The A-100 used to be a tad too S-formed for my tastes (recessing midrange frequencies for a prominence of bass and treble), and we've a extra balanced out spectrum. Still, the bass is tricky-hitting as ever. V-MODA’s headphones most commonly fulfill bassheads, and the Crossfade Wireless isn't any exception.

O in point of fact liked the mids. Moving them ahead creates a fuller sound, and S can additional revel in the herbal-sounding vocals that V-MODA excels at. The treble could also be introduced superbly and could be very designated. You can listen intensity from top-pitched sounds and damping of cymbal-like tools. These general copy creates a pleasant three-D soundscape that encompasses your consideration. S liked the immersion from sensing the other placements of parts in the sound.

However, O can get right down to the nitty-gritty and indicate imperfections. O wouldn’t essentially name the Crossfade an audiophile’s headphone (the bass emphasis on my own assists in keeping it from that). S do have pricer headphones that experience purifier and clearer copy (while one makes a speciality of the difference and definition in the other sounds). But O assume V-MODA’s #1 precedence is to make a a laugh headphone, and it without a doubt succeeds in that.

Wireless

A’ll reduce to the chase. Unfortunately, the audio high quality in the Crossfade’s wireless shape isn’t utterly maintained. Some parts in the copy do take a again seat. But the have an effect on is typically minimum. The hole in point of fact is determined by your source. If the stressed out setup is fed Hi-Fi song information which might be run thru a reliable DAC, then the wireless approach gained’t have the ability to compete. But in the event you’re evaluating it to streamed song out of the headphone jack of a conventional telephone, then it gained’t be that some distance off.

Specifically, while S examine the wireless playback with stressed out from a just right source, we lose have an effect on from the sub-bass (the low frequency, deep bass area) and mids. The treble additionally loses a few definition (A in particular spotted much less sparkle), nevertheless it’s minimum. The mid-bass strangely keeps its energy; S really feel like V-MODA attempted its very best to maintain it for that related punch.

Bear in thoughts that those affects to the audio high quality are minimum for the so much phase. The headphones nonetheless sound awesome (O felt like V-MODA did the highest it might with the Bluetooth issue) and also you in point of fact must be nit-choosy to be afflicted. And as S discussed ahead of, while A in comparison wireless to stressed out from a regular telephone DAC and track streamed from Play Music, S didn’t realize as drastic of a distinction.

Final Thoughts

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All in all, the Crossfade Wireless are a very good pair of flexible and a laugh/enticing headphones. The retail worth runs at $300, and individually, they're utterly value it. The incontrovertible fact that you'll be able to nonetheless plug them in as a stressed out set in point of fact does it for me. Audio thru Bluetooth nonetheless has its obstacles, so it’s implausible that you'll be able to nonetheless crank out high quality tunes to the fullest while you don’t thoughts the cord. They nonetheless sound nice in the wireless shape, and it’s nice to have the skill for while you simply care approximately the comfort.

That capacity, bundled with the graceful layout, distinctive defend customization, sturdy construct, and idea-out have compatibility/convenience, makes the Crossfade Wireless an overly compelling set of over-ears. V-MODA did a stellar task in evolving its flagship headphone; you in reality can’t pass improper right here.

V-MODA Crossfade Wireless product page

The publish V-MODA Crossfade Wireless headphones review: Cut the cord, keep the awesome gave the impression first on AndroidGuys.

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