V-Moda XS - Anyone got them?

Gazb · 27 Jan 2015 at 21:19

Looking for a good set of on-ear headphones with a good sound that isn't bass heavy like most headphones seem to be these days.

Rather tempted with the V-Moda XS, as review say the sound is good, comfort is great and they are very portable. (Also adding the v-moda boom mic would turn them into a handy headset when needed too)

So just looking some opinions from owners people who've tried them.

Marsman · 27 Jan 2015 at 23:36

They look like a good choice. Have you read Tyll's review on InnerFidelity? He has them on his wall of fame in closed on ear headphones section. Check it out if you haven't already. V-Moda XS review

Sennheiser HD25-1 II are also worth considering, especially if you need good isolation.

Cookeh · 28 Jan 2015 at 10:22

XS are very good if you like your bass, but if you prefer something that bit more neutral ever so slightly bordering on fun then Marsman's suggestion of HD25-1 IIs are spot on.

Ryanr1987 · 28 Jan 2015 at 11:21

The Beats Solo2 are cheaper and have a better sound and are more polite. If you are familiar with V Moda's signature and like them you will like the XS.

Gazb · 28 Jan 2015 at 13:25

I'll be honest I've listened to a set of beats solo2 and while they are easily way better than any of the other beats headphones I still didn't think they were fantastic and I don't like the design.
Compared to my music fidelity MF-100's they seemed to lack detail, but they did have much more punch.

I gave my HD25-ii to my dad years ago and I liked them but the new Aluminium models are very expensive and Tyll's review of the V-Moda XS said they were better and more smooth than the HD25 Alu's.

Ryanr1987 · 28 Jan 2015 at 14:07

They are a warm, thick headphone so they are not going to be overly detailed they make up for it by being more euphoric and musical. If you didn't like the Solo2 I don't think the XS is going to wow you as they are pretty similar in sound but with a slightly thinner presentation for the most part.

V Moda have issues with consistency in their drivers. You either get overly warm and suffocating or more balanced and evened out. I think this will be less of an issue with the XS but the M100 is a really frustrating headphone for this.

Gazb · 28 Jan 2015 at 16:01

Ryanr1987 said:
They are a warm, thick headphone so they are not going to be overly detailed they make up for it by being more euphoric and musical. If you didn't like the Solo2 I don't think the XS is going to wow you as they are pretty similar in sound but with a slightly thinner presentation for the most part.

V Moda have issues with consistency in their drivers. You either get overly warm and suffocating or more balanced and evened out. I think this will be less of an issue with the XS but the M100 is a really frustrating headphone for this.

Looks like I should either give the XS a shot or get the HD25 Alu's as I did enjoy my HD25's, found them fun to listen to.

Ryanr1987 · 28 Jan 2015 at 16:09

What;s your maximum budget and music and sound preferences?

Gazb · 28 Jan 2015 at 16:23

Well, I can stretch to about £170 if I have to.
looking for comfortable and portable on-ear headphones.
Sound preference is hard to describe.
I dislike headphones that have bloated bass, I like to have good detail and presentation.
My MF-100's are good at that though you could almost say they are a bit weak on the bass but the detail is good. My main issue is that they really aren't that comfortable.

I did like my old HD25-ii's, they were fun sounding but they did clamp your head a lot.

So I'm open to options and opinions

Ryanr1987 · 28 Jan 2015 at 16:45

Denon D600

Musical sounding, good bass with clean mids and sparkly treble. You can get them for about £150 if you search. Great fun!

If you want something a bit smoother with more present mids to make vocals pop a bit then consider something like the Momentum but they have trade offs like a hardly existent treble and more closed in sound.

HD25 is a more portable headphone that isn't bad sounding so they can still be an option. They are a bit too aggressive for my personal taste but you said you enjoy them.

Gazb · 29 Jan 2015 at 13:23

The Denons appear to be over ear's.
oddly I can't wear a lot of over ear headphones for very long due to the pressure below the ear.

Plus I have a set of Sennheiser PC350 SE's (which are over ears) I use in the house for gaming which don't give me too much comfort issues, but they're not very portable Tbh.

Guess I should find somewhere that sells the HD25 Alu's and see if they still suit me.
As when I was using the HD25's it was for my CD and vinyl decks so the aggressive nature worked well for that.

Marsman · 29 Jan 2015 at 16:10

Could always get the V Moda XS and try them out. Return them within DSR, if they are not what you were hoping for.

Gazb · 3 Mar 2015 at 17:41

Just following up on this thread with an update. Was home at the weekend and tried my old HD-25's with the velour pads on and was very impressed with them, though I my phone was struggling to drive them to their best I think and they may also be a tad fatiguing to listen to when in work. (the punch they have still impresses me though)

Anyhow, decided to order a set of v-moda XS's to see how they are (as marsman suggested), and so far I'm quite impressed. They are comfortable, sound is smooth though they are a tad bass heavy I think but they control it well.
In general very nice to listen to. They lose out to the HD-25's in the punchy response, and don't match the Music Fidelity's MF-100's detail, but they are more fun to listen to than the MF-100's.

So overall I think I'll be keeping these, they don't replace the HD-25's for DJ mixing work and fast response (the HD-25's also isolate better) but they are pretty good as a portable headphone that's light, comfortable and fun to listen too. I'd rate them above any Momentum on-ear's I've heard as well.