Over the past couple of years I have grown pretty fond of V-MODA headphones. Whether its their compact but surprisingly booming XS on-ear headphones or the massive killer sounding over-ear M-100 headphones I been pretty much a fan of the brand. Down to the cases and the wiring there wasn’t much to dislike.
One major gripe I did have though using both was they sadly weren’t wireless. Bluetooth headphones started to hit the market more and the world of wires is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Thankfully V-MODA has come out with the Crossfade Wireless but are they as good as previous installments?
Style
If you are familiar with the build of the M-100s you should feel right at home with the Crossfade Wireless with one omission… There is no CliqFold on the headphones so they don’t collapse in like their models such as the XS or M-100. Maybe it has to do with the tech built-in for wireless capabilities but was actually surprised as it makes putting away the Crossfade Wireless a bit more cumbersome especially using the bulky included casing. Other than that they still have the good old flexible SteelFlex headband which can take bends and twist with ease. Memory foam is still apart of their earcups to provide comfort and reach over my ears nice and snug. If you want a bit more cushion you can opt for the XL earpads for $20 bucks more.
Since they are wireless cans there is a microUSB charge port on the left cup and a power switch on the right for powering on, off, and syncing of Bluetooth. Above that is three buttons for volume controls and play/pause(and skip, ff if you know the taps right). There is also of course a 3.5mm audio jack for wired listening when you either a) run out of juice or b) want no bluetooth disruption in sound.
The one thing that sets the Crossfade Wireless apart from other wireless headphones is the ability to customize their shields. Our review unit came with the metallic gunmetal which you can see in some pictures but there is various other designs such as red sandstone shields we received as well. Replacing the shields are pretty easy as taking out some screws and then applying the new plates.
Sound/Features
Just like the M-100s, the Crossfade Wireless has a Dual Diaphragm 50mm driver in each ear. Using the Crossfade Wireless does a good job of reproducing that quality sound you get from the M-100s such as clarity, strong but not too hard bass, and clean vocals. The Crossfade Wireless do sport a feature called “Auto Analog Switch” which is when you connect the audio cable it shuts all the bluetooth capabilities off and makes it just as good or even better than its predecessor. I’d have to say they sound slightly better in wired mode but its hard readjusting to wires after not using them so much.
Battery life on the Crossfade Wireless can take you to about 12 hours. Not some of the best battery I seen in wireless headphones with ones such as the Plantronics Backbeat Series and JBL Everest Elite 700 Wireless pushing close to 20 hours. A feature I’d liked to see utilized in these was Active Noise Cancelling. Sure you can pump the sound up but it just doesn’t have the same effect. While some don’t care for it, I like to use it in some areas where outside noise isn’t needed.
Experience
I definitely put in some work on these over the past few months. I have used them everywhere from on a five-hour flight to Las Vegas for CES to walking around the loud streets of NYC to the packed subway cars going through various boroughs. The Crossfade Wireless have been pretty comfortable to rock for decent periods of time and didn’t really get any discomfort. I like how they have a nice snug fit and don’t feel or look too bulky. As for my plane ride they weren’t great for that and noise cancelling on another pair of cans I used did the job.
They definitely seem to held up better detail wise compared to the M-100s. Where I would have the paint start fading or scratched from being roughed up, these are still in top-notch shape.
Verdict
V-MODA has done a stellar job crafting these headphones. The build quality is on point and the customization options ranging in color and different styling of shields helps them out from other wireless cans out in the market. Sound is great and reminds you of the M-100 but they sound slightly better wired. Noise Cancelling is missed here in my eyes but it may not bother others. Also if you had your eyes set on a pair of M-100s, V-MODA smartly priced these at $300, while dropping the M-100s to $270. For that extra $30 you may as well go for the gusto.
V-MODA Crossfade Wireless are available now for $300 HERE
