New phones coming soon?

[Jackonicko]

According to their website V-Moda are releasing their new Vibe headphones on 6 November.

Priced at $101 the Vibe may prove to be a serious alternative to the Sony EX90, the Panasonic HJE70, and other popular phones.

With its previous phones (the Remix-M bud and the in ear Bass Freq) V-Moda gained some favourable reviews, and they certainly brought in a welcome alternative in the $50 bud and $50 in ear categories. These have reportedly been improved ('revved' according to V-Moda's Val Kolton, who's from LA, so may be excused for mangling the English language....) since I was given a set to review, but I haven't tried the new versions.

I look forward to doing so, one day.

I thought that the Bass Freqs were a significant improvement over the Sony EX51/71, with similar comfort and very light, but I have usually recommended the Sennheiser CX300 in this category/price bracket which I thought had a slight edge, sound-wise, and I always preferred the HJE70 at a slightly higher price. Others, who have tried the revved version, are more enthusiastic.

I'm not a big fan of earbuds, but the metallic Remix-Ms were obviously an improvement over the stock buds, looked very funky, and were a great choice for people who didn't like the feel of earpieces inside the ear canal - like my good lady wife, who still hasn't forgiven me for giving her the blue Remix-Ms that Val kindly gave me, instead of buying her some pink ones! I thought they were better than the Sennheiser MX400, but preferred Sony's E888 for sound, but not for comfort, where the Remix-M enjoyed a real edge.

The greatest thing about both phones, in my view, however, was the company.

I kept reading reports of people who'd been given phones after slight delays, or of phones being replaced without argument or delay after problems, and after I got to know Mr Kolton (enthusiastic and even impetuous to a fault) I liked the company's enthusiasm and commitment to community even more.

When I get a set of Vibes, I'll report on them honestly, but I have to admit that I am hoping that they are great, as this is a company I'd like to be able to praise, and I'd like to be able to recommend their products as highly as I 'recommend' their after sales service and their company ethos.

They'll have a tough mountain to climb, as there are some great phones available around this price point, and I'll take some weaning away from the warmth of the HJE70, the sheer 'stick-in-your-ear' comfort of the Sony EX90, and the pumping bass of the SuperFi 5EB (my three favourites at the moment).

In the meantime, Loungers can read Jeremy's 'First Look' opinion on the front page, and might enjoy these preliminary photos.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q97/Jackonicko_2006/V-Modawhite.png http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q97/Jackonicko_2006/CUSTOMV-Modared.png http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q97/Jackonicko_2006/V-Modablack.png

[mnhnhyouh]

They are nice looking buds :)

h

[Jackonicko]

They are, but if you're dropping more that $100 you want more than looks.

Hopefully these will deliver.....

I meant to post a link to Jeremy's 'First Look', so here it is:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/v-moda-vibe-earphones/

[mnhnhyouh]

I have spent enough on headphones of late. I need to take some time for my wallet to recover :)

h

[Jokieman]

According to their website V-Moda are releasing their new Vibe headphones on 6 November.

Priced at $101 the Vibe may prove to be a serious alternative to the Sony EX90, the Panasonic HJE70, and other popular phones.

With its previous phones (the Remix-M bud and the in ear Bass Freq) V-Moda gained some favourable reviews, and they certainly brought in a welcome alternative in the $50 bud and $50 in ear categories. These have reportedly been improved ('revved' according to V-Moda's Val Kolton, who's from LA, so may be excused for mangling the English language....) since I was given a set to review, but I haven't tried the new versions.

I look forward to doing so, one day.

I thought that the Bass Freqs were a significant improvement over the Sony EX51/71, with similar comfort and very light, but I have usually recommended the Sennheiser CX300 in this category/price bracket which I thought had a slight edge, sound-wise, and I always preferred the HJE70 at a slightly higher price. Others, who have tried the revved version, are more enthusiastic.

I'm not a big fan of earbuds, but the metallic Remix-Ms were obviously an improvement over the stock buds, looked very funky, and were a great choice for people who didn't like the feel of earpieces inside the ear canal - like my good lady wife, who still hasn't forgiven me for giving her the blue Remix-Ms that Val kindly gave me, instead of buying her some pink ones! I thought they were better than the Sennheiser MX400, but preferred Sony's E888 for sound, but not for comfort, where the Remix-M enjoyed a real edge.

The greatest thing about both phones, in my view, however, was the company.

I kept reading reports of people who'd been given phones after slight delays, or of phones being replaced without argument or delay after problems, and after I got to know Mr Kolton (enthusiastic and even impetuous to a fault) I liked the company's enthusiasm and commitment to community even more.

When I get a set of Vibes, I'll report on them honestly, but I have to admit that I am hoping that they are great, as this is a company I'd like to be able to praise, and I'd like to be able to recommend their products as highly as I 'recommend' their after sales service and their company ethos.

They'll have a tough mountain to climb, as there are some great phones available around this price point, and I'll take some weaning away from the warmth of the HJE70, the sheer 'stick-in-your-ear' comfort of the Sony EX90, and the pumping bass of the SuperFi 5EB (my three favourites at the moment).

In the meantime, Loungers can read Jeremy's 'First Look' opinion on the front page, and might enjoy these preliminary photos.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q97/Jackonicko_2006/V-Modawhite.png http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q97/Jackonicko_2006/CUSTOMV-Modared.png http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q97/Jackonicko_2006/V-Modablack.png


IMO The V-moda's have always been better to look at than listen to, and that's not saying a whole lot for what is essentially an item who'se only function is for listening, and when you break into the $100.00 price range, the choices open up so dramitically that I think they will have a very difficult time competing.

Now just from looking at them there are a couple of things I don't like about them. I don't like the straight metal plug, and I don't like how the wires hook up to the earbuds themselves (it looks like a flimsy design to me, and may be prone to breakage.)

[mnhnhyouh]

I to prefer a L jack, like my E2 have, but my E500 dont :(

h

[Jackonicko]

Jokieman,

The way you put it ("The V-moda's have always been better to look at than listen to") makes it sound as though the `Remix-M' and 'Bass Freq' sounded poor - and though they did look superb, that would be unfair, because (for the price) they offered very competitive performance, too. They were were good (even great) budget phones that sounded much better than their price tag would have suggested. I didn't rate the Bass Freq as being quite as good as the CX300, but many did, and many rated the Remix M as being better than the definitive E888.

Headphones are "an item whose only function is for listening", but looking good (as well) is important to some users, as evidenced by the popularity of the white EX71, CX300 and SuperFi, being bought to 'match' iPod colours.

Moreover, looking good is sometimes a symptom of a company paying attention to the detail, and I believe that V-Moda do that, paying attention to the small details (cord guage and length, plug shape, etc.).

Like you, I believe that there is a great deal of impressive competition at the $100.00 price and that the company will need to demonstrate very competitive sound quality to compete effectively. A metal body and higher quality silicon sleeves lead me to hope that they might be able to do so, but at the same time, the phones I'm using now will take a great deal of beating.

[KheeLim]

Just wondering if theres a review for d-jay earphones made by a swedish company alredi. The v-modas look really good. Wonder if they'll be available in aussie.

[Jackonicko]

Yes, I liked the look of those, but then read the comments on their own forum and was more concerned.

In any case, I think I'd wait for the Q-Jay before buying from Alredi, depending on its price.