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Roland's V-Moda reveals its first true wireless earbuds
The Hexamove earbuds start at $130 and include a charging case.
V-Moda's M-200 ANC are its first wireless noise-cancelling headphones
V-Moda has introduced a new version of its M-200 headphones with ANC, the company's first model with active noise cancellation.
V-Moda's M-100 Crossfade headphones get a professional upgrade
V-Moda's heavy duty Crossfade M-100 headphones -- known for their 3D-printed personalization -- have been given an upgrade. The Crossfade M-100 Master has been engineered in conjunction with Roland in what V-Moda calls a "creators first" approach, making the headphones particularly suited to DJs, producers and video streamers. Roland bought a majority stake in V-Moda in 2016, so it's no surprise the two are closely working together.
Engadget giveaway: Win a V-Moda Remix speaker or Crossfade II wireless headphones!
V-Moda has long been known to provide great sound quality along with a unique and customizable designs. This year the company launched its updated Crossfade II wireless headphones, letting you roam free for up to 14 hours of listening (or unlimited when tethered). These also include the company's VAMP tech (a combo amplifier and DAC) for high-quality sound. If you like to personalize your gear, you can order 3D printable or laser engraveable Shield Kits to emblazon each ear piece, too. For the company's REMIX Bluetooth speaker, V-Moda includes the same VAMP technology along with a highly customizable exterior. It includes REMIXrings for a bit of flare, but also allows you to create 3D-printed panels to deck out the exterior. The REMIX can also be used as an amplifier for any quality headphones you plug in to it. This week, the company has provided one of each of these items as prizes for two lucky winners. Just head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning a pair of V-Moda Crossfade II wireless headphones or its customizable REMIX hi-fi Bluetooth speaker! Winners: Congratulations to John O. of Tucson, AZ and Eric W. of Versailles, KY!
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's Remix speaker can be customized with 3D-printed parts
V-Moda has been experimenting with 3D printing since 2015, when it started letting customers personalize their XS and Crossfade M-100 headphones with 3D-printed shields. Just in time to kick off the music section of SXSW, the company is now taking this a step further by introducing the Remix, a Bluetooth speaker that's customizable using 3D-printed parts made from different materials. They're sold separately and allow you to modify the speaker's housing, grille and sides, with prices ranging from $40 (fiber) to an insane $370,000 for a platinum version.
V-Moda's line of 'Forza' earbuds is meant for workouts
If you're familiar with V-Moda, you know that the brand is mostly known for making premium over-the-ear headphones. While it does have earbuds in its portfolio, that's never been the company's main focus. Today, however, V-Moda is introducing the Forza Series, a trio of in-ear headphones designed for people who love to work out on a regular basis. It's an interesting move for the company, which seems to be taking on Beats' fitness-oriented products, like the PowerBeats and upcoming BeatsX.
Roland buys majority stake in headphone maker V-Moda
In case you hadn't heard, today is 808 Day. To properly celebrate the occasion, audio gear maker Roland is padding its gadget lineup. Headphone company V-Moda announced today that it had sold a majority stake to Roland forming "a brand new partnership" that will "develop the next breakthrough music products." The press release announcing the deal calls it "a strategic investment," but Roland now owns a 70 percent stake in V-Moda and CEO Val Kolton will control the remaining 30 percent. Kolton will remain in his current role while also serving as a product design consultant for Roland's dance, DJ and electronic music division.
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.
V-Moda's 3D-printed headphones can cost you up to $40,000
From clothing to food, 3D-printed consumer goods are still hit or miss at this point. Even so, that hasn't stopped companies from trying to capitalize on the novelty of it. The latest to do so is audio outfit V-Moda, which has revealed plans to use new components for customization purposes. Starting today, V-Moda will let users personalize its XS and Crossfade M-100 headphones with 3D-printed shields made of different materials, such as fiber, stainless steel, sterling silver, solid 14 karat gold and platinum.
V-Moda XS On-Ear Headphones provide comfort, incredible sound
With apologies to the folks at Apple-owned Beats, I think V-Moda makes some pretty nice headphones. I've been using a pair of custom Crossfade LPs for years, and the sound quality and comfort of the 'phones always makes me glad I've got 'em. Today I tried out a pair of the company's new XS On-Ear Headphones (US$212.00), a model that's made for the "Modern Audiophile." Are they better than the V-Moda Crossfade LPs? Let's give them a test. Specifications Driver: M-Class Dual Diaphragm 40mm Cable: 1-button SpeakEasy Mic cable, Kevlar-reinforced Warranty: 2 year + 50% "Immortal Life" warranty Dual inputs Cliq-fold design with Exoskeleton carrying case Sound character: Balanced, precision bas, vivid mids, crystal clear ultra wide highs, 3D sound stage Design Highlights One thing you can say about V-Moda's headphones is that they are durable. In the three years or so that I've had my Crossfade LPs, I've dropped them countless times, smashed them into backpacks and suitcases, and they still look brand new. Compared with the "over-ear" Crossfade LP, the XS headphones look tiny. They're made to ride on the ear, not to enclose it, so the ear cups are much smaller. The Steelflex headband is also not as wide as that on the Crossfade LP, and it's padded just as well as its bigger brother. The XS comes in two colors -- matte black and white silver -- but audiophiles can customize the 'phones with metal shields that go on the ear cups in 14 different colors, 15 different designs, or you can send in your own design. The Kevlar-reinforced cables are orange, so you probably want to find a color that compliments that tone. I love the little turtle-like Exoskeleton carrying cases that V-Moda provides, and the XS folds neatly into the case for secure carrying. Functionality Highlights Enough talk about how they look; what about the sound quality and comfort? To make the call, I compared the XS headphones to the Crossfade LPs, listening to the same music on both pairs of headphones. In terms of sound quality, I'd rank the XS headphones higher than the Crossfade LPs. The sound quality was solid across the range, with kicking bass tones and crisp highs. It didn't matter what genre of music I was listening to; the XS headphones gave me consistently better sound quality. Of course, sound is somewhat subjective, so your mileage may vary. When it came to comfort, I think the XS headphones really stood out. I wasn't initially thrilled about the idea of on-ear headphones since I find the over-ear type to be very quiet. But having less weight to carry around really made the XS 'phones more comfy in the long run. Wearing on-ear and over-ear headphones in public seems to have caught on, so if you're still stuck with your pair of earbuds, you need to stop. Spend the quid on some decent headphones like the V-Moda XS and you'll increase your listening pleasure for years. Conclusion The V-Moda XS headphone is the latest of the company's M-class series, which is aimed at modern audiophiles who appreciate what the best electronic equipment can do with sound reproduction. These headphones are incredibly comfortable and produce sound that will surprise and delight you. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
V-Moda wants you to ditch earbuds for these extra-portable XS headphones
I've long been a fan of V-Moda's headphones. They're well made, customizable with engraved plates and, most importantly, they sound great. If anything has stopped me from wearing the company's over-ears consistently, though, it's that they're a tad too bulky for on-the-go use. That's where V-Moda's new XS cans come in -- as the name implies, these over-ears are slim and portable. The "CliqFold" hinge lets you collapse the headphones into a small carrying case, but even without folding them they are small enough to fit into a briefcase, smallish bag or even a particularly deep jacket pocket. Speaking of deep pockets, the XS costs $212 (including customizable plates), which is $100 less than the over-ear M-100s, but still not exactly cheap. In any case, I've spent the last few weeks wearing the XS in the office, on long-haul flights and during commutes. Head past the break for a closer look.
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!
V-Moda's Val Kolton on the Atari 2600, upgrade woes and deep sea expeditions
Every week, a new and interesting human being tackles our decidedly geeky take on the Proustian Q&A. This is the Engadget Questionnaire. In the latest installment of our weekly bout of answers, the owner and CVO of V-Moda Val Kolton reminisces about rotary dials, programming on the TI-99 and tethering for free burritos. All of the responses await your perusal on the reverse side of the jump.
V-moda unveils Vamp Verza: a dockable, device-agnostic headphone amp and DAC for mobile audiophiles (update: video)
Last we heard from V-moda, the company was appealing to audiophile sensibilities with its $300 Crossfade M-100 portable headphones. Continuing in that respect, today it's officially unveiling the Vamp Verza as a followup to last summer's $650 iPhone 4/4S-purposed Vamp spy tool headphone amp, DAC & case combo. The aluminum-clad Verza is a device-agnostic solution that uses a sliding dock system with special $100 Metallo cases to give any supported devices a similar all-in-one feel to the original. At launch, a GS III case is available, with an iPhone 5 model a few weeks out -- the company is aiming to get GS IV and Note II cases out next. The unit's 150mW x 2 amplifier will bypass your iDevice's audio output via a USB port on its bottom, while an adjacent microUSB port can take advantage of the external sound card profile found in Android Jelly Bean. V-moda notes the microUSB port acts like a traditional USB audio device, so it'll work with mostly any device. As you might guess, both ports have their own specific DACs routing audio at different power levels to its op-amp.
Win a pair of V-Moda Crossfade LP Custom headphones
TUAW and V-Moda have a nice weekend giveaway going on. The headphone and accessory manufacturer has offered to give one TUAW reader a pair of V-Moda Crossfade LP Custom headphones worth US$199. What do they mean by custom? Well, you'll have your choice of base color, the color and finish of the shield on the outside of the 'phones, and the color of the comfy memory foam cushions. You'll also get to select a logo or send in your own artwork for laser engraving on the shields. These are really great headphones, and come with a choice of cables so that you can either have a three-button controller with a mic built in or just a regular cable. I have a pair of the Crossfade LPs (at right) that I wear when I listen to music and occasionally when doing the TUAW TV Live show; they're comfortable, provide great external noise reduction and produce outstanding sound quality. They also happen to say TUAW on the shields... For more details, check the link above. Or, if you're ready to have a chance to win, enter the giveaway. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 27, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a custom pair of V-Moda Crossfade LP headphones valued at $199. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
V-Moda ships its listener-influenced Crossfade M-100 headphones
V-Moda's Crossfade M-100 headphones represent a rare experiment that suggests some of the listeners themselves are the best designers. We're about to learn whether practice matches theory now that the over-ears are shipping. Those who spend $310, slightly more than the originally promised $300, should get a black or white body, an in-line microphone remote and a set of removable shields to tailor the look. V-Moda justifies the price mostly through a more refined sound than the M-80 as well as as a folding, dual-input design that's built for traveling and sharing. A pair of M-100s is expensive relative to some off-the-shelf headphones, but potential customers may already know whether or not they're buying -- many of them had a hand in the venture, after all.
V-Moda's M-100 headphones get priced at $300, will ship 'in time for the holidays'
It wasn't long ago when we got an early look an listen to a near-final version of V-Moda's audiophile-tuned M-100 lifestyle headphones -- and now, after months of crowd-sourcing feedback, the company is finally green-lighting mass production. You may recall that pricing and availability hadn't been set, but now the company has confirmed that the fashionable metal-clad cans will be ready by the holidays, priced at a cool $300. As a refresher, that dollar amount snags you the foldable mil-spec 810G-rated headphones themselves, a hard-shell case, a duo of 3.5mm cables (one with a single button remote / mic, and another with an auxiliary output), corks for both cable inputs on the earcups and a quarter-inch adapter. You'll have a choice in color between white with gray, black with red (pictured) and matte black with an orange cable, while adding in an extra 10 bucks also lets you add-on a second set of customizable back-plate 'shields' and its Fader earplugs. If you're eager to ensure you'll have your own pair once the M-100 headphones are ready to ship, they'll be up for pre-order by day's end at the source link below. You'll find more details in the press release after the break -- and don't forget to peruse our detailed ears-on and interview with owner Val Kolton from last week while you make up your mind.
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.
