V-MODA CROSSFADE M-100 / CROSSFADE II WIRELESS : £235.00 (M-100) / £309.00 (II WIRELESS WHITE/BLACK) / £329.00 (II WIRELESS ROSE-GOLD) As far as headphones go, the V-MODA brand could be considered the new kid on the block. Ask the average person in the street and they’ll tell you that Bose or Sennheiser make the best high-quality headphones; maybe Beats might get a mention too. But, for a large number of professionals in the entertainment industry, V-MODA’s Crossfade M-100s have been the headphones of choice ever since they were introduced back in 2011.

In fact, in a 2016 piece by EquipBoard, the Crossfade M-100s were found to be incredibly popular with DJ Mag’s Top s, beaten only by Sennheiser’s HD 25-1 II, Pioneer’s HDJ-2000 and Beats’ Mixr. 8822 So, with plenty of hype surrounding V-MODA, let’s take a look at the original Crossfade M-100 and brand new Crossfade II Wireless headphones. AESTHETIC & BUILD QUALITY V-MODA Crossfade M-100 You can tell the headphones are going to be beautifully designed and well-built just by the feel of the packaging: sturdy and sleek, with an unusual shape.

Inside, you find the hard-shell case, which has been designed to hold one set of folded M-100s as well as two tangle-free Kevlar cables (conveniently stored using black elastic bands). At first touch, the M-100s feel unbelievably robust but not bulky. The steel headband and CliqFold hinges provide strength, while the black plastic ear-cups ensure a glossy finish and help keep the weight down to a nice 280g (9g less than a Pioneer DJ HDJ-2000 pair). If you want to jazz the headphones up a bit (my review pair came in all-black), the metallic ear-cup plates (known as 'Shields') can actually be replaced with custom 2D or 3D ones, designed and ordered online via V-MODA.

So if you want, you can wear a set emblazoned with your name or the name of your DJ business! V-MODA Crossfade II Wireless The look of the V-MODA Crossfade II Wireless headphones isn’t drastically different to that of the M-100s; both are tastefully designed with a stylish finish. I was given the rose-gold ones for review (also available in matte white and matte black), so they immediately stood out compared to the black M-100s. These headphones benefit from the same foldable steel hinges and flexible headband as the M-100, while the Shields can also be replaced with custom ones.

The buttons – one slider for power and Bluetooth pairing; the others for volume and playback – felt well-made but a little tricky to locate with the headphones on! In terms of weight, the Crossfade II Wireless come in at 292g – not bad given the additional components needed to make them wireless. COMFORT Comfort is important for any headphone user, but perhaps even more so for DJs. Long sets and allday events can literally turn into real headaches if your headphones are uncomfortable, tight or not breathable.

V-MODA CROSSFADE M-100 / CROSSFADE II WIRELESS V-MODA CROSSFADE Crossfade M-100 ideal for mixing duction, especially I guess comfort is subjective, but with dance and V-MODA have done the best they can to ensure that the M-100s are This punchy a comfortable wear: the SteelFlex end are possible headband is flexible and wellshaped frequency padded, and the ear-cups are fitbasically takes ted with Ergosoft memory-foam frequencies cushions that help with passive the highand noise isolation. is an enjoyable that offers I wore the M-100s for around six What’s more, hours at a time, with occasional that all-important breaks, and didn’t feel any notable rattle the discomfort or overheating around the ears.

The headphones are, Crossfade II however, a snug fit. But, if your ears do get sensitive over long The Crossfade periods of headphone use, you can powered by a invest in V-MODA ’s larger cushions driver, but feature for extra comfort. nese coil (active a VAMP built-in Crossfade II Wireless find a great the audio profile The main advantage the Crossfade to the M-100s, II Wireless model has over the M- II Wireless 100s is its BLISS memory-foam cushions, which are larger than the cushions used on the M-100 and the original Crossfade Wireless models.

They feel super-soft on the ears – ideal if you’re DJing allday events or late into the night. Generally, I found the Crossfade II Wireless more comfortable to wear and move around with. SOUND QUALITY Crossfade M-100 Powered by a 50mm dual-diaphragm driver and with a frequency response of 5-30kHz, the hype surrounding the V-MODA M-100s is that they’re ‘headphones for bass lovers’. So, I should say now that the bass sound reproduced by these headphones is exceptional.

It’s punchy, deep, solid and clear – all the things you could hope for. At the high-end, meanwhile, we get detail, clarity and beautiful separation that makes the M-100s V-MODA CROSSFADE M-100 / CROSSFADE II WIRELESS M-100 / CROSSFADE II WIRELESS and/or music profrequency response of 5-40kHz and if you’re working offer a slightly better mid-range that club music. results in a warmer, fuller sound. This made it a pleasure to listen to music bass and clear highacross the genres, from bass-heavy thanks to the V- dance and funk to the more-subtle response, which tones of jazz and folk.

If you’re affrom the mid-range ter a more rounded sound, but still and puts more into with plenty of bass, the Crossfade low-end. The result II Wireless seem to hit the spot! It’s listening experience also worth noting that the rose-gold superb depth of sound. model offers you CD-quality 44.1kHz even at high volume, audio thanks to the inclusion of the bass doesn’t new aptX wireless CODEC. headphones or distort. CONNECTIVITY Wireless Crossfade M-ireless are also 50mm dual-diaphragm For the M-100s, connection bea high-res Japatween device and headphones is when wired) and via a choice of two 3.5mm jack micro-amp.

I didn’t cables (with a 1/4” jack adaptor deal of difference in also supplied). One cable features when compared a play/pause button and mic for but the Crossfade use with a phone, while the other provide a slightly wider dloG-esoR II sseleriW edafssorC THE EARLY DAYS / boasts a unique ‘SharePlay’ output From a DJ perspective, jack to allow another pair of headlikely to use the phones to be connected to the when playing out. same source. What’s more, thanks quite sure how to V-MODA’s inclusion of two jack setting up a Bluetooth inputs (one on each ear-cup), you tion to the headphone can choose which side you plug of your mixer/controller. into – a nice touch and the kind of you’re looking for small detail that some mobile DJs of headphones that will be looking for. wirelessly when to music while Crossfade II Wireless home, which also cabled pair of Going wireless means you no longthe Crossfade II er have to experience one of life’s ticks all the right biggest annoyances: having your headphones yanked off by a rogue FINAL THOUGHTS door knob!

On a more serious note, embracing wireless headphones Both products are does give you the freedom to move designed and around while listening to music – them well-suited to but whether you think this justifies tear of the mobile the price or not is a different story. Should anything go DA does include a On one ear-cup you’ll find a mini- II Wireless) and 2-year USB charging port and on the M-100) warranty as opposite side is a regular 3.5mm mortal Life 50% jack input that gives you the flexlets you buy a new set ibility to go wired.

You can fully after your warranty charge the Crossfade II Wireless in 2-3 hours and enjoy up to 14 hours of use (though realistically this is more like 11-12), making these headphones a decent wireless solution with in-built controls that let you play/pause, skip tracks, adjust volume and even answer phone calls. When I used the headphones in wireless mode, I found the latency to be minimal/barely noticeable; it’s also worth noting that plugging the headphones in actually bypasses the wireless components completely for a zero-latency user experience.

The range, meanwhile, is quoted by V- MODA as 10m, but obviously walls and other obstacles will affect this. There is however one minor niggle: there is no auto-off setting. This means you need to remember to manually turn off the headphones, otherwise you could return – as I did – to a dead set of cans! you’re un- The differences between the wireless feature Crossfade M-100 and Crossfade In fact I’m not II Wireless really are few and far you’d go about between.

They offer similar audio connecquality, with the Crossfade II Wireoutput less providing the most balanced But if sound overall. Out of the two, I kept a quality pair returning to the Crossfade II Wirecan operate less – I’m going to miss them when you’re listening they’re gone! – but the real decidtraveling or at ing factor between the two models double up as a comes down to how much value first-rate DJ cans, you place on wireless listening. Wireless model boxes.

No matter which you choose, these V-MODA headphones provide stunning audio, especially at the low-end; robust built-quality; a robust, wellcomfortable design; decent noise comfortable, making isolation; and plenty of handy exthe wear and tras. Could you do better for the DJ life-style. same price? Probably. But there’s wrong, V-MO- just something about V-MODA 1-year (Crossfade that oozes quality and makes (Crossfade music-listening such pleasure… well as its Imguarantee, which for half-price expires.

001-M edafssorC V-MODA CROSSFADE M-100 / CROSSFADE II WIRELESS dloG-esoR II sseleriW edafssorC