V-Moda Vibe Duo Headphones - 100% Failure Rate!!!

[mindbender9]

My third pair of v-moda vibe duo headphones that I use with my iPhone have now failed. This is only TWO MONTHS after I received them from v-moda as a replacement unit under warranty. The previous two were both replaced by v-moda under warranty, although the first pair took two and a half months to replace and the second took a month and a half.

I have no doubt that any additional replacements will also fail because of one simple problem: the jack at the end of the headphone cord (that plugs into my iPhone) is not reinforced with extra rubber like virtually all other headphones (including Apple's).

V-moda has a metal jack cover with a cloth-covered cord loosely packed into it. Any other headphone jack (by another manufacturer) will have layers of rubber covering that point to help protect the cord from fraying when it is twisted or moved around (from normal use). The v-moda's cord simply runs into the jack and is not reinforced or secured against movement.

This means that if you move the cord around (or the iPhone), the cord moves INSIDE the jack. It doesn't remain fixed, so fraying will eventually occur. You will be listening to music normally and then over time, one or two sides of your headphones will start to cut in and out. Jiggling the cord by the headphone jack will verify the problem.

Until v-moda reinforces their headphone jack, do not buy this product. I have also pointed this out to v-moda in a couple of emails, but they have not looked into this issue yet.

I have requested a refund for this poorly designed headphones, but I doubt I'll hear from them.

My advice to you: DO NOT BUY THESE HEADPHONES. I have a 100% failure rate from normal use (the current pair failed in two months). What does that tell you about this product and company?

[mindbender9]

I just received this response from v-moda when I grumbled to them via their site. It seems that they now acknowledge that there is a problem with the headphone jack on the vibe duo's but a replacement won't be released for a while (even though they say late August):

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As we take our customers’ feedback very seriously, we wanted to let you know about new features that will improve the durability of our earphones.

We recently identified the plug of our Vibe Duo headphones as a point that has caused a higher-than-acceptable return rate by V-MODA’s strict quality control standards. In light of this discovery we have completely reengineered our plug to a sleek, durable design that has proven to withstand the rigorous wear presented by daily use. Using a 45-degree flexible design, the reengineered plug allows an optimal range of motion while maintaining a sturdy metallic core fused to a 24-carat gold-plated plug.

This new plug will be incorporated into all VIBE and VIBE Duo products and will be available soon at shop.V-MODA com. The updated products will remain compatible with the Apple iPhone, the iPod, an array of smartphones and all other portable music players.

If you would like to send your defective Vibe Duo headphones back for a warranty replacement, please keep in mind that the Vibe Duos will not be available for shipment until late August.

We firmly stand behind V-MODA’s One-Year Premier Warranty on all of our products. If you are experiencing problems with a V-MODA product, please consult our warranty page for detailed instructions on our warranty program. Our customer service team is here to promptly serve you with any questions you have regarding our products.

Thanks for being a part of the V-MODA culture.

Rock on,

V-MODA Customer Service

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[thatdude430]

I completely agree with you. While I love the quality of the sound, the quality of the actual product is horrible.

I received the same email while filling out another "exchange" request (my 4th one), and asked when the "new" models would be available, this was the response I received:


The regular Vibes with the re-engineered plug will be coming out in October. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Rock on,
V-MODA Customer Service

So until then, I guess I'm going to need to find a replacement... :o

[mindbender9]

Wow, now it's October? Jeez...

So I went to the Apple Store after work yesterday and picked up a pair of the Ultimate Ears super.fi 4vi headsets. I was about to pick up the Etymotics hf2 headsets but the Apple sales guy (and they're really great) allowed me to test them out on my iPhone after I bought them.

And it's a good thing because there was NO bass whatsoever, even when I tried to create a seal with the hf2's flanged earpieces. So thankfully, the Apple sales guy let me return them (without a restocking fee) and buy the Ultimate Ears 4vi's.

The bass is pretty good with the double-flanged ear pieces on the Ultimate Ears, but it isn't as bassy as the v-moda's. But I think the clarity and definition of the Ultimate Ears headsets are much better, although they do need to be broken in a bit.

BTW, the Apple guy seemed to know about the v-moda vibe-duo headphone jack issue. Although he hadn't bought a pair himself, he had heard that there seemed to be an issue with the build quality (and he said that wasn't the opinion of the Apple Store, etc. It was only what he'd heard).

Thanks for letting me know about the October delay.

[thatdude430]

Yup; it's a shame though, I really enjoyed bass of the Vibes =(

While waiting for October to come, I think I'll purchase Westone's UM1 because I've heard good things about them.

[daryncox]

I love my vibes and just yesterday I started noticing the wire covering was tearing at the jack. Of course they held up fine for 13 months, but now they're out of warranty so I'm going to try and repair them myself.

[vsebastian]

I love my Vibe as well until it broke down around a few weeks ago. I bought it back in Feb. So that is 6 months.I have to hold the cable end near the plug in a certain way for it to work.

I also have UltimateEars super.fi 3 but I still like the V-Moda better simply because the clarity of the higher freq and the bass response.

Then I decided to buy a new one direct from shop.v-moda last week. And guess what, I just received one today and it has the new plug. The new plug is exactly what is described in the V-moda customer's email response. So far so good and I'm loving it ... again...:-)

[Cat5e]

I have V-Moda Bass Freq and I really like them, best buds I've ever had. Haven't had any trouble with them.

I don't understand how people can use the Apple earbuds.

[MegalomaniacGT]

The new V-Moda Vibes are shipping. I just sent my V-Moda vibes last week in for warranty, left side shorted, silcon tore on the cbale, then the right side shorted. Anywho, week later I just got my package today. I opened it up and was like wow. They redesigned them. Connector now is 45 degrees, looks a little ugly imo, but function>form right? lol. The cable is now a fabric instead of that rubber that tears. overall I am happy for now. I am glad they redesigned them.

I would post a picture, but I am new it will not allow me.

[MegalomaniacGT]

I have V-Moda Bass Freq and I really like them, best buds I've ever had. Haven't had any trouble with them.

I don't understand how people can use the Apple earbuds.
step your game up to the Vibes ;) you'll say the same thing about the bass-freqs too