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V-Moda's Crossfade 2 wireless headphones sound better, last longer
Nearly two years after V-Moda introduced a wireless version of its popular Crossfade headphones, the company's back with a set that promises to be much better all around. Looks-wise, the new Crossfade 2 Wireless model is almost identical to its predecessor, though the cushions and headband have been redesigned to be more comfortable and keep bad noise out of your ears. The new cans also have upgraded dual-diaphragm 50mm drivers, which V-Moda claims make for its best sound yet, and an improved battery life that can get you over 14 hours of music playback. For those keeping track, that's a couple hours longer than the original version.
V-Moda unveils a wireless version of its Crossfade headphones
Dig the look and sound of V-Moda's Crossfade M-100 headphones, but not the cord that comes with them? You no longer have to give them up simply because you don't like wires. V-Moda has released the Crossfade Wireless, which (as you might have guessed) gives you the option of going cord-free through Bluetooth. It's not just a straight-up adaptation of the heavily customizable gear you already know, though. Plugging in a wire automatically shuts off all the electronics, keeping the lag (important for DJs and creative pros) to a minimum. You're also getting a "refined" take on the M-100's 50mm drivers, and the Bluetooth antennas have been tuned with the Apple Watch and Android Wear in mind -- if you want to pair a tiny smartwatch with gigantic headphones, these may be ideal. You can snag a pair of Crossfade Wireless cans in chrome or silver for $299 right now, while more somber-hued black and red models are coming soon.
Engadget Giveaway: win a pair of V-Moda CrossFade M-100 headphones!
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer -- and if you're like us, that means it's time for some sweet summer sounds. It's fitting, then, that V-Moda is our giveaway partner this week. The headphone manufacturer has three pairs of wired CrossFade M-100s up for grabs. These $300 cans received top honors in our holiday gift guide, so it's well worth tossing your hat in the virtual ring in the hopes of grabbing one. As usual, sign up through the widget below. Good luck! Winners: Congratulations to Bryan H. from Simpsonville, SC, Eric Y. from Bellevue, WA and Michael H. from Big Lake, MI for winning this week!
Rock Band Weekly: The Band, Allman Brothers, NIN, Dragonforce, etc
Fun fact: The Band and The Allman Brothers Band were originally one group called "The The Allman Brothers Band Band." Their power was so great that a fellowship of 70s artists (Tom Petty, Neil Young, etc) was formed to split them asunder. Should they ever reunite, darkness will fall on Middle Earth.
V-Moda's M-100 audiophile headphones get ready for mass production, we go ears-on
V-Moda's been seriously edging for the audiophile crowd lately -- namely with its Crossfade M-80 on-ear headphones, the VAMP headphone amp for the iPhone 4/4S, and a soon-to-be disclosed followup dubbed as Vamp Versa. That brings us to its soon-to-be released M-100 headphones, which haven't really been a secret since their inception, making them a special set. Unlike many companies who strive for secrecy in regards to upcoming products, V-Moda's taken a drastically different approach with its latest cans, with owner Val Kolton stating that they're effectively the first crowd-sourced set of headphones. Many headphone lovers out there likely know that Kolton's been heavily in contact with the Head-Fi community, hoping to craft the best sounding, looking and fitting ear-gear possible. As he puts it, "the easter egg and inside joke is that the [M-100 headphones] can actually stand up. It is the first headphone that we know of that 'stands above the rest' and all others fall down/crawl. It also can stand on top of a few other new brand's models almost like Cirque De Soleil." It may be hard to tell based on the fashion-focused looks, but the company is adamant that its audio gear goes through more stringent research and testing than some of the biggest names out there, and that it'll show in the end products. Most notably, its TrueHertz testing where, for the M-100, "six points from 5hZ to 12kHz are measured to be within [its] obsessive quality control levels." According to Kolton, most companies only check at 1Khz, and allow for much wider variances. He followed up stating that "like fine wine, a headphone is only as good as its fit (taste buds) and its driver variances (grapes/cork). To us, all brands advertising 'HD' sound [aren't being forthright] unless they believe or even know these key components are "'fugazi.'" For perspective, the M-100 is essentially the third iteration of the Crossfade LP over-ear headphones. Aside from a few tweaks to the design, it's packing an audiophile-focused tuning (rather than DJ) that's based on blending the voicings of its M-80 on-ears and the LP2 over-ears. It wouldn't be unfair to say the company is aiming for a flat, yet fun sound -- all in a package that's fit to take to the streets like its earlier offerings. Those familiar may know that just under 150 of the first 200 production-quality models are currently floating around as early stock and test units for a final bit of real-world feedback before mass-production begins -- and this editor's been lucky enough to get his mitts on a set for some initial impressions. So, is the product shaping up to match all the hype? Click on past the break for our take.
IRL: ASUS Transformer Prime, Verbatim Dual USB Power Pack and V-Moda's Crossfade LP headphones
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. You love your gadgets because they're awesome. Or maybe you love them because you spent $500 and decided you'd better learn to like them. Whatever the case, chances are you've learned to forgive their flaws and enjoy them enough as they are, force-quits and all. That about describes this week's IRL, in which three Engadget editors make peace with their imperfect gadgets: an occasionally crash-prone Transformer Prime, the easily scratched V-Moda Crossfade LP headphones and Verbatim's Dual USB Power Pack, with its short little charging cables.
Engadget Giveaway: win one of five V-Moda Crossfade M-80 on-ear headphones!
Are your grandmother's decade-old earbuds just not cutting it any more? Time to get a pair of your own. V-Moda's got five pairs of its latest on-ear headphones, the Crossfade M-80, to give out to our dear readership. Each of them normally would run you $230, so this opportunity is a pretty sweet alternative to having to shell out a benjamin or three just to get some solid sound pumping into those fragile eardrums of yours. You know the drill: head below, read the rules and leave a comment to win!
V-Moda's Crossfade LP Custom headphones drop the Beat, make you the superstar
Why break Dr. Dre, Justin Bieber, 50 Cent or Ludacris off a 'lil somethin' somethin' when you can endorse yourself? That's a question that the engineers at V-Moda have found themselves centered on the past few months, and now they've got a solution: the Crossfade LP Customs. They're half gimmick, half hilarious, and 100 percent awesome. $199.99 nets you a customized set of cans, with seven plate colors to choose from and the option to add up to 11 characters of text. You know -- plenty of room for "BEATZ BY ME." Get at 'em in the source link below, but be prepared to wait two to three weeks for delivery. What, you expecting VIP treatment or something? %Gallery-117307%
