The Crossfade M-100 headphones from V-Moda are built with a steel frame, and a hinged mechanism allows them to fold up for easy storage.V-Moda, the audio company started by Val Kolton, a professional musician, has always made gear â€" headphones, earphones and amplifiers â€" that's durable and fashionable. Its latest offering, the Crossfade M-100 headphones, is no exception.
The M-100 is built with a steel frame and a strong, flexible headband that can bend flat. The over-the-ear memory foam cushions are comfortable even after several hours of use. And the exterior of the cups feature interc hangeable metal shields that can be customized in a variety of colors and engraved with a name or logo.
The headphones come with two Kevlar-reinforced cables, one with a microphone for making phone calls and the other with an extra connector for sharing your music. And a hinged mechanism allows the headphones to fold up for easy storage in a sturdy “exoskeleton†case.
But all that attention to design doesn't mean much if the sound isn't good. And the sound here is excellent. I noticed new depths and subtleties while listening to albums I've had for years. I felt wrapped in the music, even at low volumes, and I never felt the need to turn up the volume to get a better listening experience.
The M-100 is not noise-cancelling, but its ergonomic design helps isolate noise, immersing you in music (this feature is especially beneficial in cacophonous environments, like on the subway). When I tried the headphones for phone calls, however, I found it disconcerti ng to hear my voice echoing in my head, and eventually I had to take the headphones off.
At $300, the Crossfade M-100 headphones are priced to compete on the high end of the market.
