For the uninitiated, V-MODA is an Italian manufacturer of high end audio products since 2004. I confess I am one of the uninitiated. While I'd checked out the original model back in Sep 2015, this is the first V-MODA product I'm testing so I was relishing a chance to give these a go.
Their latest offering, the Crossfade 2 Wireless (SGD 559) is their second generation over-ears wireless headphones. What sets this apart from the crowd are its 3D printed shields that customize its looks. Let's dive into a full review to see what this offers.
Pros (+): Good sound quality; Comfortable, Solid exoskeleton case, Customizable 3D printed shields.
Cons (-): No app support.
Unboxing
There are 3 colors available - Matte Black, Matte White and Rose Gold, of which we were provided the third option for the review.
To open the package, you've to snip a maroon piece of ribbon, unlatch the top and then you pop open the top lid.
The packaging contents reveal:
Design
These are huge headphones (309g), as what you'd expect from a pair of over-ears. They are incredibly comfortable once parked on the ears with ovalish earpads. One feature that is a marked improvement from its predecessor is its highly flexible headphone design - its hinges allow it to be conveniently folded inward and the headband can be adjusted to your comfort level.
The exoskeleton case is really solid and looks like something from an Alien movie. Beyond that, it's highly functional - it allows the headphones to be stored in a compacted manner, has straps to park cables and comes with a carabiner cable on the outside to hang someplace of your convenience.
Features
You can connect up to 2 Bluetooth devices simultaneously and I had no problems linking up my smartphone. You just have to hold the power switch for 3 seconds downward and Bluetooth prompting will initiate.
You can play music either wirelessly or using the wired cable provided. With the audio cable, you can have an in-line remote that has a single button for playing or skipping tracks. The cable plugs to the headphones through a straight 3.5mm jack and to your device through an L-shaped 3.5mm jack.
Now, there are 3D printed shields that can be added (purchased separately online) that make these a more attractive proposition. There are some defaults that can be selected (Monograms, Vectory, Victory, Logo, Sculpture, Studs) and then you have the option to customize color and styling. You can find out more here.
One thing that can be improved is app support. In this day and age, there are many manufacturers that invest significantly in this area. This could be an opportunity that V-MODA could look into to future-proof its products.
Performance
Interestingly, only the Rose Gold variant supports the aptX codec, that promises high quality sound (the other 2 variants don't). A sample of The Eagles' epic Hotel California (Live) provided a glimpse of clear vocals with an emphasis on bass, which was reinforced when listening to Oasis' room-shaking The Shock Of The Lightning.
V-MODA claims 14+ hours of playback, a figure that is well average when considering the Bose QC35 (20 hours including ANC) or the Sony MDR-1ABT (28 hours). Of course, when you plug the audio cable in, you have access to limitless music enjoyment.
Overall
The V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless is a highly recommended selection in the over-ears category of headphones. While it may lag behind its peers in terms of technological advancement, it looks stylish and its sound quality is pleasantly warm with great clarity. If you need a classic pair, it's well worth the dough you'd fork out.
Where To Buy
If you liked what you read, do feel free to support us by buying from Amazon through this affiliate link.
Credit to V-MODA for a review unit.
Their latest offering, the Crossfade 2 Wireless (SGD 559) is their second generation over-ears wireless headphones. What sets this apart from the crowd are its 3D printed shields that customize its looks. Let's dive into a full review to see what this offers.
Pros (+): Good sound quality; Comfortable, Solid exoskeleton case, Customizable 3D printed shields.
Cons (-): No app support.
Unboxing
There are 3 colors available - Matte Black, Matte White and Rose Gold, of which we were provided the third option for the review.
To open the package, you've to snip a maroon piece of ribbon, unlatch the top and then you pop open the top lid.
The packaging contents reveal:
- V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones
- Audio cable (3.5mm to 3.5mm)
- Charging cable (micro-USB)
- Carrying pouch
- 1/4 Pro Adapter
- User guides
Design
These are huge headphones (309g), as what you'd expect from a pair of over-ears. They are incredibly comfortable once parked on the ears with ovalish earpads. One feature that is a marked improvement from its predecessor is its highly flexible headphone design - its hinges allow it to be conveniently folded inward and the headband can be adjusted to your comfort level.
The exoskeleton case is really solid and looks like something from an Alien movie. Beyond that, it's highly functional - it allows the headphones to be stored in a compacted manner, has straps to park cables and comes with a carabiner cable on the outside to hang someplace of your convenience.
Features
You can connect up to 2 Bluetooth devices simultaneously and I had no problems linking up my smartphone. You just have to hold the power switch for 3 seconds downward and Bluetooth prompting will initiate.
You can play music either wirelessly or using the wired cable provided. With the audio cable, you can have an in-line remote that has a single button for playing or skipping tracks. The cable plugs to the headphones through a straight 3.5mm jack and to your device through an L-shaped 3.5mm jack.
Now, there are 3D printed shields that can be added (purchased separately online) that make these a more attractive proposition. There are some defaults that can be selected (Monograms, Vectory, Victory, Logo, Sculpture, Studs) and then you have the option to customize color and styling. You can find out more here.
One thing that can be improved is app support. In this day and age, there are many manufacturers that invest significantly in this area. This could be an opportunity that V-MODA could look into to future-proof its products.
Performance
Interestingly, only the Rose Gold variant supports the aptX codec, that promises high quality sound (the other 2 variants don't). A sample of The Eagles' epic Hotel California (Live) provided a glimpse of clear vocals with an emphasis on bass, which was reinforced when listening to Oasis' room-shaking The Shock Of The Lightning.
V-MODA claims 14+ hours of playback, a figure that is well average when considering the Bose QC35 (20 hours including ANC) or the Sony MDR-1ABT (28 hours). Of course, when you plug the audio cable in, you have access to limitless music enjoyment.
Overall
The V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless is a highly recommended selection in the over-ears category of headphones. While it may lag behind its peers in terms of technological advancement, it looks stylish and its sound quality is pleasantly warm with great clarity. If you need a classic pair, it's well worth the dough you'd fork out.
Where To Buy
If you liked what you read, do feel free to support us by buying from Amazon through this affiliate link.
Credit to V-MODA for a review unit.
