New (White) V-MODA M-80 headphone review

[dalethorn]

I had the red/black V-80 headphone a year ago, and while the new M-80 is supposed to sound about the same, I think they made some improvements. So I wrote this from scratch and didn't use anything from the prior review except the music track examples, which have new comments. http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/forum/headphone-reviews/1719-v-moda-white-m-80-headphone-review.html

 

[dalethorn]

Here are a couple photos I took with the iPhone4s:

http://dalethorn.com/Photos/iPhone4s/Headphone_Vmoda_M80_01.jpg

http://dalethorn.com/Photos/iPhone4s/Headphone_Vmoda_M80_02.jpg

 

[Anonymous]

Wow! these look awesome!

 

[dalethorn]

I have 3 other white headphones so I compared all 4 for looks. The ATH M50 and the Bose OE2 looked very plastic-y and cheap on finish, although they are built pretty well. The B&W P3 looked really good, but compared to the M-80, the P3 still looks pretty bland. The photos of the M-80 don't look quite like the real thing, because the real headphone has that slightly off-white pearl look that comes out plain white in photos. In person the M-80 looks like expensive jewelry.

 

[dalethorn]

And the video review from today:

http://youtu.be/BGoOiKWxs4g

 

[quadpatch]

Cool review Dale! I like how you mention getting used to headphones at the beginning, I found the M80 sound instantly friendly too and also like describing the bass as being on the plump side of neutral.

These white M80's do look really nice but I think that I still prefer the black ones.

Have you seen that the M100 is now up for pre-order on their website? I can't wait!!

 

[dalethorn]

As far as I know I'm on the list for the M100. I hope I get white. Most small white headphones look bland and would not appeal to most guys, but the v-moda's are different. I suspect the earpads may have changed slightly with the new M80, accounting for improved sound.

 

[quadpatch]

I wrote to VModa to see if they would let me test them so fingers crossed, but if they're not interested in sending them so far I really hope you get to review them, I look forward to reading more about them soon. I still haven't seen any decent images of the M100 yet, but I assume they will look like the LP2. I would buy them without seeing them anyway to be honest, I have a lot of trust in VModa design.

I would just pre-order them now but I am thinking about saving up for some Audeze LCD-2s.

 

[dalethorn]

I wrote to VModa to see if they would let me test them so fingers crossed, but if they're not interested in sending them so far I really hope you get to review them, I look forward to reading more about them soon. I still haven't seen any decent images of the M100 yet, but I assume they will look like the LP2. I would buy them without seeing them anyway to be honest, I have a lot of trust in VModa design. I would just pre-order them now but I am thinking about saving up for some Audeze LCD-2s.

If I were v-moda I would make changes to their amateur reviewer distribution. I don't want to explain further, but you would do a real review whereas now it's pretty haphazard.

 

[quadpatch]

Well thanks Dale! If only you were in charge huh? . I'm not getting my hopes up but it was worth a try.

Going off topic slightly - have you heard the LCD-2? I've not heard any planar magnetic headphone before, I'm very curious!

 

[dalethorn]

I have read much about the 2 but haven't heard them. But I feel confident in saying that if you get a recent production unit, you'll be very pleased with the sound. It's a whole 'nother world of experience, like a good electrostatic with less high freq. irritation and greater bass authority. Late production very important. Innerfidelity's most recent article (~2 weeks ago?) has the detail.

 

[Clare Newsome]

We currently distribute V-Moda in the UK. In discussions with US at the moment re review plans going forward for M100 etc - official UK launch isn't until next month; European launch at IFA at end of this month. Will keep you posted.

 

[quadpatch]

Hey Clare, Wow that's brilliant! I didn't have any idea that VModa were represented in the UK at all so that's great to know. Yes please let us know what you find out. Would you be the best person to talk to about review samples then?

I'm surprised that we get the M100 as early as next month actually. The official site still says 45-60 days wait for the pre-production vtf-100 model to be shipped in the US.

Sorry for hijacking your post Dale, maybe we should start a new post for this

 

[dalethorn]

I think we're fine here. I wouldn't start a thread of M100 speculation. I know a site that does that and it fills up with 100 pages of nonsense pretty quickly. It would be better to have some actual details on the product first, even if we don't have one in hand.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Would you be the best person to talk to about review samples then?

Quite possibly. I'll find out more re availability.

I'm surprised that we get the M100 as early as next month actually. The official site still says 45-60 days wait for the pre-production vtf-100 model to be shipped in the US.

I said the launch was next month; that's not the same as product being available

I should know more post-IFA....Hopefully WHF will report on the launch from there, if they get the chance (I know all too well how bonkers Berlin can be!)

 

[quadpatch]

Ah yeah launch and availability not being the same, I must remember that. Anyway Thanks very much Clare!

New VModa stuff makes me very excited but I'm extra curious about this vtf-100 vs the M-100 model, I wonder how different they will be.

 

[dalethorn]

From the inside, the word is - no different. Just a designation for pre-release samples.

 

[quadpatch]

Oh OK, that's cool. It's just made in a low volume to cover samples and a limited edition run, that's fair enough. I saw a different model number and my brain made the leap. Thanks for clearing that up, I didn't read anything definitive mentioned on the website.

 

[dalethorn]

The white M80's were announced ages ago and apparently some people got samples months ago, and in spite of my privileged position I didn't get one until last week. But worth the wait! The sound is impressive and the design is really cool, with the option of custom side plates. I honestly think the white M80 is the best looking portable headphone ever made, and I can't even think of a big-stereo headphone that looks as good.