JonHoyle.com Mirror of MacCompanion
http://www.maccompanion.com/macc/archives/April2007/Hardware/VMODAVIBE.html


V-MODA VIBE – Modaphones

Reviewed by Robert Pritchett

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V-MODA
http://www.v-moda.com/
http://www.v-moda.com/our%20world/news/Vibe.aspx

Released: February 1, 2007

$101 USD http://www.v-moda.com/acquire.aspx

Requirements: A device with a 3.5 mm stereo port.

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Comes with
: V-Moda earphones; Leatherette bag (imitation leather); black and clear silicon earpieces (3 sizes, s, M, L); v-moda vip membership card with password; modawrap, 1-year replacement warranty, 30-day money back guarantee.

Strengths: Excellent audio range, great ear fit.

Weaknesses: None found.

News: http://www.v-moda.com/our%20world/news/Vibe.aspx

Other Reviews: http://www.v-moda.com/Home/collection/modaphones/vibe/review.aspx
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2006/12/vmoda-vibe-review.php

What They Say
Fashion-conscious style and audio enthusiast sound unite to form the most sophisticated electronics accessory in the world. Vibe’s metal craftsmanship delivers the perfect balance of rich bass, superior audio clarity, and luxurious design. Unlike other uncomfortable and obtrusive in-ear headphones, Vibe presents essential active lifestyle comfort, security, and noise isolation for the discerning music enthusiast. 

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Modaphones Hearwear
alluring alloy elegance
• sophisticated design accentuates the modern individual
• handmade premium metal craftsmanship




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hi-definition sound
• vibrant bass, vivid mid-range, and vivacious highs
• alloy metal enables sculpted sound curve fashioned for discerning music enthusiasts
• rich and precise bass levels accentuate bass-enhanced music
• V-MASQUE dynamic driver provides natural and warm soundstage

essential sport ergonomics
• three sizes of ultra-soft silicon fittings (S,M,L) provide comfortable, quick, and secure fit
• weighs only 12 grams, world’s lightest earphone in its class
• micro-size and flush-fit for active lifestyles and relaxation
• durable even-length cables optimized for sport
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noise isolating bliss
• bass level isolating soft silicon (BLISS) technology comfortably reduces noise and enables deep bass
• unlike bulky active noise cancellation, BLISS introduces no artificial sound into your music and requires no batteries
leather pouch and modawrap cable manager
• gold leather pouch and provides effortless
storage
• modawrap provides convenient cable
management
• VIP card access to exclusive “V-MODA
modcasts”, music and gear

specifications:
• Compatibility: all iPod, Zune, MP3, DVD, computer, and CD players
• Included Accessories: gold leather pouch, modawrap, six pairs (S,M,L) of clear and two pairs (S) black silicone fittings,
• V-MODA VIP Card Frequency Response: 12 Hz – 22 kHz
• Speaker Driver: V-MASQUE dynamic technology, 9mm neodymium rare-earth magnet
• Cable length: 32” plug to y-connector, 13.5” even-length earphone cables
• Cable diameter: 2.2mm optimal for sport Plug: 24k gold-plated, straight 3.5mm (1/8”) stereo plug
• Weight: 12 grams (0.42 ounces)
• Impedance: 16 ohms
• Sensitivity: 92 dB (at 1kHz 1mW)
• Rated Input Power: 2mW

precision engineering:
v-moda products are inaugurated with a passion for precision engineering, materials, and leading edge innovation.   Our work begins by architecting the core out of the finest technology & materials available. Unlike other companies that lock users in with proprietary connectors, expansion cards, software, and plugs – v-moda is dedicated to bringing standards and innovation to the masses. V-moda aspires to make ergonomic technology for the people by transforming innovative & advanced functionality into a seamless tech bliss.

Philosophy - http://www.v-moda.com/Home/collection/modaphones/vibe/philosophy.aspx


What I Say

Class. Style.
What caught my eye was the fact that these earphones are metal and not plastic and cover the frequencies from 12 Hz up to 22kHz, use a 9mm neodymium rare earth magnet and have a 24k gold-plated stereo plug and have these really neat silicon pieces in 3 sizes to fit my ear. And the VIBE rests gently in my earlobe without getting in the way or falling out. No over-the-ear or hang-around-the-head mechanism. And if the 32” plug to y-connector cable that hooks to the same-length earphone cables is too long, they thoughtfully provided a “modawrap” to take up the slack.

It took me a while to figure out how to use the modawrap, but I didn’t have access to this page when the package arrived -
http://www.v-moda.com/collection/modaphones/modawrap.aspx

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I used the red roxx unit (it kind of matches my hair) with my iMac G5 optical audio port and had to turn down the volume immediately, because it pulled in the audio feed so strongly. Yes, there is a warning included in the box that you should protect your ears from high volume. The same thing happened with the iPod my wife uses for running (the Nike kit). The sound was truly vibrant with bass being really bass and the highs really being high, but once again, the volume on the iPod had to be turned way down.

Now to hear what music sounds like, plug in and tune into the V-Mode website. It has a music section which no doubt will bother the RIAA, unless it is all original new-wave music they can’t touch and streaming with their demand to have sites pay for airing music, just like they did in ruining the radio industry. (Intentional snarky remark.)

I thought it was funny that these classy, stylish earphones were $101 USD based on where they are located in Hollywood Hills, CA (near Highway 101). What if they had been located next to Highway 66?

They provide a credit-card-like plastic unit with a password that is intended for registering at http://www.v-moda.com/vip for future podcast “modcast” uploads.

The cabling is plastic-encased tinsel-like covered cable that remind me of scales on a snake, but I’m sure they were thinking more on flash and less on function. The cable is essentially, shielded.

q:  Why is the cable so important?
a:  Modaphones were created to be used on the go, as I wanted to audition music at the gym and everyday activities.   I tested every cable diameter from 1.8mm to 3.2mm, and every length from 40”-52”. After jogging 6 miles with every combination, I determined that the main cable diameter of 2.2mm and overall length of 44”-46” work best to prevent “earphone fallout”. Our cables are rigorously real-life and tested with weights to withstand abuse. Other details are of course their aesthetics such as metal braiding, “tactile feel”, and the ability to wear it around or straight from the ear.

Val Kolton (founder) and Joseph Bucknall (designer) at V-MODA did a great job marrying fit and function with flash and BLISS (Bass Isolating Soft Silicon), along with the dynamic V-MASQUE driver. The metal earphones really make a difference in sound quality. Simply amazing!

q:  What is “V-MASQUE” speaker technology on VIBE?
a: V-MASQUE is our name for the combination of speaker technology and fanatical commitment to quality.   We heavily believe in a natural and warm sound signature, and our R&D is focusing on using micro-sized metal alloy housings with dynamic speaker driver s to produce high clarity with a warm, rich sound. Many of the other high-end companies are using “balanced armature transducers”, which can produce clarity well when put into the ear deep, yet lack warmth and have a “mechanical” sounding midrange and highs that make sound earphones sound “flat” and “cold”. The sound stage of vibe is very “sweet” or even “juicy” in the lows and mid-range yet produces very precise his.

q: what is a “sculpted sound curve”?
a: We call our frequency response our “sculpted sound curve”, as our engineers have specially crafted the curve for over a year to perfect the final sound. It is designed to actually mimic the sweet and warm sound signature of my favorite hi-fi stereo speakers costing thousands of dollars a piece. As one can see, the curve is amazingly straight and there is no bass roll-off which produces extremely detailed basslines. The slight “smiley face” in the 500hZ to 2kHz range is designed to slightly accentuate the bass and produce the warm soundstage. The gentle dropoff in the high-range was carefully designed to not sound to “harsh” or “clinical”, and is actually very good for in-ear-monitors.

q: What is BLISS noise isolating technology?
a: BLISS is the acronym for “bass level isolating soft silicon”, which by itself is not unordinary for in-ear headphones, yet extreme attention to detail is critical because of the fittings effect in both comfort and sound. The exact thickness of the silicon make all the difference in the world.  Many of the “softest” silicon fittings on some brands are too thick in our user test panel. BLISS also is made to not only be the extremely comfortable, but also the easiest headphone to take on and off quickly. This way one can rock quickly in a matter of seconds, take an intermission before another encore.

The shape of the fitting is also extremely crucial to prevent them from popping out too easily and provide a proper seal. One of the interesting things that we found out is that the smaller the fitting, the better the fit for some users since the smaller fitting fits slightly deeper to prevent fall-out. However, many people may try only “larger” fittings thinking it would be tighter when the opposite is true. This is why we put the small fittings on by default in the packaging and users should try a few sizes for optimal sound and comfort.
BLISS is also an ideology of how far deep the fittings lie in the ear and the level of noise isolation. In our user test groups, many users found other high-end headphones required a fit too deep and intrusive to get the best sound and comfort. We feel our BLISS fittings are “just right” for everyday use and the amount of noise isolation they provide. 

What is not shown is that each earpiece is labeled as either
R (Right) or L (Left) on the metal section next to the silicon
and the little black buds are strain-reliefs for the cable.

And then there is the weight. Not much 12 miligrams. These
just sit in the ears quite comfortably and do not irritate the skin or put pressure on the ear canal. When running or jogging, these stay put and don’t fall out either. Sweet!

The pouch is not really made of leather and the specs they provide are not quite right about the number of silicon earpieces (the bags contain the same amount of clear and black silicon pieces – 3 sets each and not 6 clear and 3 black), but they can update their website accordingly.

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Conclusion
Do you want to wear earphones that make you stand out in a crowd instead of appearing like another white earbud person? These come in Gunmetal Black and Flashback Chrome as well as Red Roxx.

Recommendation
These “modaphones” are truly a keeper!


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