Headphones can dramatically affect a
listener’s musical experience. A great pair can make music an
auditory pleasure, while a bad pair can make the source material
sound like it is being played underwater. Finding the right pair is
not always easy and the best way to test headphones is to listen to
them for your self.
Today we will look at the latest
release from a fairly new entrant in the headphone market – V-MODA.
This company focuses on the styling of the headphone, while retaining
a high quality acoustic experience. The V-MODA Vibe Duo is the latest
in the ear model from V-MODA and is designed to work with the iPhone.
In addition to acting as a headphone,
V-MODA can function as a headset in conjunction with the iPhone or
other similar device.
Let’s take a closer look.…
V-MODA Vibe Duo
Reviewed by: Tomas Ratas
Tech Specs,Features or the
Basic Info:
V-MODA’s Vibe Duo headset is the ultimate in mobility,
audio-enthusiast sound, and comfort. Featuring compatibility with
iPhone and amazing high-definition sound, Vibe Duo’s minimalist
all-metal design integrates a discrete microphone that blends
seamlessly with a durable black fabric cable and is remarkably
lightweight. The microphone’s convenient call/music control feature
can easily switch between chatting on the phone and listening to your
music library.
The ergonomic design is complemented by the comfortable and stable
fit of soft silicone fittings, making this headset/ headphone
well-suited for any active lifestyle. V-MODA’s highly regarded
V-MASQUE dynamic driver provides unparalleled clarity and
high-definition sound for optimum communication capabilities and the
ultimate music listening experience.
Maximum
mobility, convenience, and comfort
Hands-free microphone for extreme mobility and convenient
communication
Microphone call/ music control feature quickly answers phone calls
and operates music playback
Comfortably secure fit with three sizes of ultra-soft silicone
fittings (S,M,L)
Durable and lightweight fabric cable complements the ergonomic
design
Suitable for intense activity or calm relaxation
High-Definition
and Noise Isolating Technology
V-MASQUE dynamic driver for high definition clarity and 3-D
soundstage
Noise-isolating (BLISS) technology to reduce ambient noises and
enable deep bass
BLISS introduces no artificial sound into your music and requires
no batteries, unlike bulky active noise cancellation
Pinnacle
sound, sight, and touch
Vibrant bass, vivid mid-range, and vivacious highs
Solid alloy composition creates sculpted sound curve fashioned for
discerning music enthusiasts
Handmade premium metal craftsmanship and sophisticated design
accentuates the modern individual
Durability
Tested Strain Relief Plug
45-degree flexible design allows an optimal range of motion while
maintaining a sleek, sturdy metallic core fused to a 24-carat
gold-plated plug
Accessories
Vibe Duo headphones/ headset with microphone
Black designer pouch
Three pair (S,M,L) of clear and two pair (S) of black silicone ear
fittings
One-year premier replacement warranty
Specs
Frequency response: 12Hz-22kHz
Speaker driver: V-MASQUE dynamic technology, 9mm neodymium
rare-earth magnet
Cable length: 32 in./81.3 cm plug to y-connector; 13.5 in./34.3 cm
even-length earphone cables
Cable diameter: 0.09 in./2.2 mm (optimal for sport)
Plug: 24k gold-plated, 3.5mm (1/8″) dual standard
stereo/iPhone compatible plug
Weight: 13 g
A Better Look at Things
:
The V-MODA Vibe Duo comes in a brown
and silver cardboard box. There is a open window which displays the
ear buds and microphone within a plastic box. The V-MODA logo is on
the left hand side of the package and the Vibe Duo name is just below
this window. The back of the packaging lists some features of the
Vibe Duo and has three pictures of the headphone in action and the
contents of the box.
Removing the contents of the box, we
encounter a sealed plastic clamshell package. Why does it have to be
hermetically sealed if there is an outer card box? After cutting
through the box and invariably sustaining a sharp plastic edge wound,
we are able to free the contents of the package which include the
headphones, a black faux leather designer pouch, three black and two
additional clear silicone ear fittings.
The headphone/headset has a unique
design with a silver machined tip crown with a diamond patterned
etched along the perimeter of the ear piece. This provides a nice
weight to the ear piece and adds a little bit of style.
The included ear fittings are either
clear or black silicone. V-MODA includes a selection of small,
medium and large ones in both colors.
The cord itself is a fabric cable with
a clear plastic coating for additional protection. The cord measures
32 inches from the plug to the Y-connector and an additional 13.5
inches for each earphone cable. The headphone cord is symmetrical on
both the left and right sides. God Bless, V-MODA. I personally
detest the asymmetrical cords used by some other manufacturers. The
Vibe Duo weighs in at a lithe 13 grams.
The right headphone cord has a
microphone that resembles a silver metal bullet. On one side of the
microphone is the speaker and on the opposite side is a button that
is used for call control such as answering and hanging up.
Also on this side of the cable is a
removable and adjustable clip for attaching the cable to your
clothing to provide the best positioning for the microphone.
At the opposite end of the cord, we
find the headphone jack plug. This plug comes off the wire at a 45
degree angle, as opposed to straight off of it or at a 90 degree
angle. By angling the plug this way, V-MODA reduces the tension on
the connector to prevent damage at this structure point. The plug
fits both the recessed ear phone jack of the original iPhone and the
standard jack found in most other devices including the iPhone 3G.
Finally, to protect the Vibe Duo when
carrying it around, V-MODA has included a faux leather carrying pouch
with the company logo embossed near the opening.
Installation, Testing and
Comparison:
For testing I compared the V-MODA Vibe
Duo against headphones designed by Shure and Seinheisser. Both of
these models are in ear versions with silicon style ear buds. The
Shure E2C and Sennheiser CX300B were the comparison models. For
testing I used both an iPhone 3G and a fourth generation iPod. I
listened to various styles of music from heavy metal to jazz to
classical.
I graded the headphones in three
categories: Comfort, Appearance and most importantly, Sound Quality.
Comfort: The Vibe Duo was definitely
the most comfortable of the three models, as the ear fittings fit
snuggly in my ear without exerting external pressure. This made
wearing the Vibe Duo for extended periods a pleasure. The Shure E2C
requires the ear fitting to sit deep within the ear canal, while the
Sennheiser rested on the outside of the ear canal, making it more
prone to being pulled out. The Shure did have an adjustable
Y-comnnector that reduced excess wire hanging from ones neck towards
the ear pieces. While the Sennheiser’s featured the dreaded
asymmetrical wiring, which mandates stringing the right ear bud
around the back of one’s neck.
Appearance: Out of the three models
tested, the Vibe Duo is definitely the most stylish, with polished
silver metal components. The Shure has a more anatomical design for
the ear buds, allowing the ear fittings to sit deep in the ear canal.
This makes the Shure E2C appear almost stethoscope like. The
Sennheiser model is a basic black headphone that is designed for
function over style.
Sound: This is the most important
category and unfortunately, the one where the Vibe Duo does not stand
out over the others. In fact, the Vibe Duo has a very prominent
bass, which actually is over powering in most forms of music. The
audio is crisp, but is just too saturated by the bass end of the
spectrum. Acoustic songs tend to sound muddy with this pair of
headphones. On the other hand, the Shure and Sennheiser both sound
crisp and rich and were acoustically similar, with the Shure edging
out the other two in audio fidelity.
What makes the V-MODA Vibe Duo stand
out from the other two earphones is the fact that it doubles as a
headset. V-MODA employs a technology called BLISS that reduces noise
and enables deeper bass. While using the Vibe Duo as a headset, the
other people on the phone call remarked about the clarity of the
call. Of course, using a directly plugged in headset will always be
clearer than a Bluetooth solution.
Summary and Comments
The V-MODA Vibe Duo is an excellent
headphone for listening to music. As long the buyer is aware that
these in ear headphones are bass heavy. In addition to being
earphones, the Vibe Duo functions as a headset for answering phone
calls when used in conjunction with a product such as the iPhone.
Besides being stylish, the Vibe Duo is comfortable to wear for
extended periods.
DragonSteelMods gives the V-MODA Vibe
Duo a 4 out of 5 score.
Pros:
-Well designed
-Stylish Appearance
-Plenty of cable length
-Excellent as a headphone
-Comfortable.
Cons:
-Price
-Bass Heavy
I would like to thank V-MODA for the chance to review the Vibe
Duo and for their support of DSM.
review#515