V-Moda[/b] - ::: v-moda :::

Vibe Duo Earphones

Skeptical after years of reading reviews on the apple store online in america and following not that closely iLounge's coverage on V-Moda and the Vibe range and then the Vibe Duo for iPhone, with changes to products mid production (revving), changes in acoustics with different silicon inserts, the over bass qualities and there mainstream supply on the Apple Store Online. All the time loving the design, the use of fabric cords sometimes, the colours, and in my perception, what appears to be super classy earphones in a price range that says expensive and quality, but not crazy audiophile expensive.

I love music, I am not an audiophile, I like that my mac streams 256AAC iTunes Plus music to the Airport Express in my bedroom connected optically to my iPod Hi-Fi.

I don't use headphones that much and have held out on an iPod for years and just used a 1st Gen shuffle with some $20 TDK earphones until the iPhone 3G. Like many (MacTalk Podcast Ep. 37) the iPhone 3G white buds fall out of my ears every 3 seconds and are useless but the mic, answering and playback functions and so good on the earphone button.

The clincher was Streetwise. Australia's Apple Mac & iPod Superstore! offering the newest Vibe Duo's shipping Aug 4 for $145 excluding shipping (actually $4 cheaper than the Vibes on Streetwise and which the Australian Apple Store Online is also trying to palm off).

Available in Nero Black, Chrome and Gunmetal Rouge.

After a weekend of deciding between Nero Black and Gunmetal Rouge, I removed Nero Black from my cart and clicked Buy. Next day Gunmetal Rouge Vibe Duo arrive, guess they got to streetwise on time and they shipped them straight back out the door.

Impressive is how I describe them. Heavy on the bass, even I can tell a little but i don't mind, The Pretender by the Foo Fighters sounds very good! I don't think it detracts from the earphones and V-Moda are probably right in assuming the masses like a little extra punch.

The quality really is nice. I believe they have kept the jack slimmer to still sit in the original iPhone which is not necessary for iPhone 3G but it feels sturdy and is gold plated. The fabric cord is excellent and looks quality and different too. The splitter is metal and I find helps to add a bit of weight to keep the cord in check. Included is a black pouch, handy, and 5 more sets of silicon tips, 2 in clear/white and 3 black. I haven't tried them, the small set of black silicon tips on them are good for my ears or I might just be so happy they stay in my ears really well that I haven't explored the other sizes which V-Moda actually recommends you do in the packaging to get a perfect fit.

The earphone button for mic, answering and playback functions work identically to the iPhone 3G buds and is metal which adds a nice feel and a bit more weight and keeps it in about the right position for the microphone during calls (and they still don't fall out, so good).

The earphones themselves are metal in design and feature the distinct V-Moda Vibe design. Comfortable in the ears and sound really good to me in calls, music, apps and games. I think all 3 colours are really well executed and the Gunmetal and Rouge combo is very interesting. It's hard to describe the Gunmetal look but it changes in different light. The Rouge also can look pinker or a deeper red in different light. I didn't like the extra chrome bits on the other colours (splitter and jack and cord colours) and gave the Gunmetal Rouge a whirl.

I am no expert but I am really happy with them as earphones, iPhone 3G compatibility functions and my ultimate colour choice.

Thanks for your review, I have been eyeing these off for a while but love all the reviews I can get.
The colour choice was spot on, thats the colour I was interested in.

I have the black ones - purchased online from the US some time ago.

I think they work a treat! The firm "in ear" feel takes a little getting used to, but once familiar works very well. The bass is MUCH better than the iPhone standard earphones. Although I do think the inline squeeze switch on the Apple set is much better than the micro button on the V-Moda.

I'm curious if anyone has tried both the Vibe and the Sennheiser CX300s, and which they preferred.

I'd have to agree, but that's about the only negative that I've so far seen. Otherwise these are waaaay better that the apple whities (but then at this price they'd have to be!), and finally I've got a pair of earbuds that ACTUALLY STAY IN MY EARS! Those Apple ones are just awful, and the v-modas even fit better than a pair of Sennheiser CX300s I've used for a couple of years.

Initially I was a little surprised by the fabric covered leads, but I'm already convinced. They reduce the cord 'noise' significantly, which I found is always a major drawback with in-ear buds.

Great review, you've just shifted these back into my line of sight.

Two questions though:
How far in do they sit? I understand that this would be different for each person, but if you have both of them in and you look at yourself front-on in a mirror, how much of the metal can you still see?

And finally, I've read on the Apple website about the cables breaking off from the ear pieces, how solid does it feel? Do you think that there is a good possibility that it could happen to yours?

All of those user reviews put me off getting a set of these about a month ago. Seeing as I've already bought three pairs of Earphones trying to get something that fits comfortably and doesn't fall out, (including the Apple In-Ear ones which were shit) I'd like to get it right this time, screw the price! I had been thinking about the maximo imetal set, but if you can reassure me about these, then I'll be happy.

Thanks.

Great review! I had a set of the V-Moda Bass Freq, great earphones, but had the cord fail twice, V-Moda were great and replaced them each time, but it was a hassle sending back to the states each time (I bought them direct from V-Moda).

How is the isolation on the Vibes? Can you still hear things going on around you or do they block it out?

Since the Bass Freq I have bought a pair of Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3, awesome headphones and the cord is replaceable, sadly there is no option to get them with a cord that has mic for iPhone use.

You have to buy there other earphones made for iPhone, which also get good reviews. I am seriously tempted to get there SuperFi 5 for iPhone, no white version though, but come in a nice chrome metal colour.

- Products - Ultimate Ears Earphones Headphones Personal Monitors

+1 from me. I got my Vibe Duo's a few weeks ago (although I paid $117 for mine from an online store in Sydney, use staticice guys it's great).

I got the silver ones, which, apparently don't come with the much-touted fabric cord. The cord is some wierd kind of plastic coating which is actually pretty good for anti-tangling. The audio quality on these puppies is great. I'm definitely happy with them, although the in-ear canal headphones take a bit of getting used to (these are my first ones).

Definitely a vote from me!

They cut a *lot* of noise out. I play poker a bit and use them to listen to music obviously I can't hear the general background noise or anyone talking. They're probably a little unsafe to drive with in as well which is a bit of a downfall.

And if you want Shiny Chrome, that's what I have. They sell them too: Compustore Australia - vibe DUO Wired Chrome - iPhone 3G

There's actually quite a few resellers on staticice now. They're all buying off Conexus, the Aus distributor for V-Moda stuff (And my buy price wholesale is more than these guys are selling them for!)

the jack is indeed a cause for some concern if wearing jeans but otherwise its pretty solid, the connection between the fabric cord and earphone looks good but they are new so only time will tell...

they do sit in your ear a fair way but that's subjective ad there are different silicon sized tips... therefore with a good seal, isolation is excellent...

the shirt clip is handy because you can drop the right earbud when talking to people and it only falls as far as the shirt clip and takes the weight off the left earphone so it doesn't fall out as well... a great way to give people the dedicated attention they deserve...

cheers

what about wind and external noise in the Mic when making a call if you are out and about? Do your call recipients complain about noise?

no they don't complain and i actually did a few tests, no notable differences between apple buds or vibe duo's...

Just heading up to Melbourne Central to buy a pair of these now - was going to get the Sennheiser MM50 iP but this review swayed me into spending the extra $50

I have some of these, and I love them. The sound is significantly better than that of the CX300s.

Great review, but you didn't mention anything about the primary function of the Vibes... Reproducing sound!! I don't have personal experience with them, but the sound quality of the vibes is reportedly quite decent at the $150 mark.

If the taxman gave you back a little more in your refund this year and you're after more detail from your lossless encoded library, The Etymotic Research hf2 at $220 are highly recommended. I have an initial review of my new set here and iLounge has a full review here