V-Moda M-80 Impressions

[Jason36]

Well I have had them for a couple of days now and they have received some extensive listening via both my portable rig (ipod & TTVJ Slim) and via my Laptop & Arcam rPac. I'm not really a very good reviewer but here are my initial impressions:

I Like them, in fact I like them a lot. I have found them to be a very enjoyable and easy listen. Bass is good, punchy and not over the top (I did find initially on some tracks the Bass seemed to feel a bit bloated and overpowering via my portable rig, however a couple of changes to the EQ on the Rockbox software and all was fine).

I am finding, to my ears, these are very good with female vocals and have a nice midrange and crispness to the treble. No sign of sibilance at the higher levels. Vocals seem too be well placed against the instruments and have a surprisingly airy sound...especially to say how small they are and the fact they are closed back.

They sound very good straight out of my iPhone and iPod, but do find I get slightly better dynamics when amped either via my TTVJ Slim or from the rPAC if listening via my Laptop.

As mentioned numerous times before by other people, the build quality is exceptional and they feel nice and solid in the hand. I have had these on for upwards of two hours at some points and dont have any issue with the fit of comfort (I'm one of the lucky ones then

)

Having listened to these extensively over the last couple of days, I have now decided to actually sell my Grado SR80i, which now sound weak and lifeless. I was contemplating selling these to fund another pair of more upmarket opened back headphones and that decision has now been finalised.

And here is a picture of them with my iPod and TTVJ Slim Portable Amp

 

[dalethorn]

Since the M80 earcups don't rotate at all, I bent my headband like Tyll shows in his review, and now they fit my ears perfectly (slanted toward the front).

 

[Jason36]

Hi dale,

From quite a few comments I have read about the M80, the comfort and fit issue is what I was dreading.

However I am finding that straight out of the box there doesn't seem to be a problem....they sit on my ears fine and don't cause any major irritation (like the Grado's can).

I may see if I can find that article and see what Tyll says and does and see if it may be worthwhile having a play. I'm just a bit reticent of upsetting the apple cart so to speak :?

 

[Jason36]

Double Post

 

[Jason36]

Well as much as I liked them, the M-80's have gone!!

I couldn't really get on with the White Pearl colour and to be honest I began to find them a little restrictive sound wise (that's the A.4i fault). Comparing the two against each other I realised how much more there was to the music when listening via the a.4i and in fact the T70p.

I certainly haven't lost anything on them, in fact I made a little bit

However I think what I have now realised is that I prefer a More neutral and analytical sound. The a.4i are Definately that and haven't really had much downtime since they arrived last week.

I have also realised I prefer either over the ear or in ear designs for my listening.

 

[quadpatch]

How could you!! . If a more neutral sound is for you then deffinitely don't consider the V-Moda M-100! I was quite shocked by how much more powerful it is on these. I don't hate it, but it is a little tough to get used to after the SoundMAGIC.

Any idea what this makes you lean towards for the next headphone? I think I might go crazy and save up for the Audeze LCD-2, but I have found a lot of awesome headphones in the £100-200 range lately.

 

[dalethorn]

My continuing gripe with the M80 is the earcup fit, which just doesn't feel right until I've had them on for a few minutes. The pads don't "bond" or "seal" to my ears right away, which was also a problem (a bigger problem) with the Beyer DT1350. The treble is rolled off with the M80, which is easy to compensate on the desktop or an ipod etc.

So when I hear people's experiences and comments in rejecting the M80, I say "uh-huh" - yep, that's it. But still, it's a heckuva good sound for the money. Less coloration I think than anything in its price range.

It does seem as if the M100 was designed to have some of the sound characteristic of the LCD series ortho headphones.

 

[Paulq]

I think I might go crazy and save up for the Audeze LCD-2, but I have found a lot of awesome headphones in the £100-200 range lately.

I have my eyes firmly fixed on a set of thse as well. A mate of mine works in the USA and can get his hands on a set for about £570 so I think it would be rude not to if I can persuade him .

 

[Jason36]

How could you!! . If a more neutral sound is for you then deffinitely don't consider the V-Moda M-100! I was quite shocked by how much more powerful it is on these. I don't hate it, but it is a little tough to get used to after the SoundMAGIC.

Any idea what this makes you lean towards for the next headphone? I think I might go crazy and save up for the Audeze LCD-2, but I have found a lot of awesome headphones in the £100-200 range lately.

I know....how could I indeed....to be honest though as much as I liked them, I just don't think they would get the use now. The A.4i's are seriously just that good that they are getting all my headtime at the moment. And the issue I have is that I seriously don't know what to look at next.

I bought the V-Moda because I wanted a portable headphone but having bought them I have realised I am never going to wear something like this outside. It will be IEM's for me.

I think I would like another pair of headphones for office use but I am really looking for a neutral and more analytical sound...ie what is in the music is what you get. Personally I don't think I am going to get this for £100 to £200....I might be wrong and you probably have more knowledge than me Quadpatch.

 

[Jason36]

My continuing gripe with the M80 is the earcup fit, which just doesn't feel right until I've had them on for a few minutes. The pads don't "bond" or "seal" to my ears right away, which was also a problem (a bigger problem) with the Beyer DT1350. The treble is rolled off with the M80, which is easy to compensate on the desktop or an ipod etc.

So when I hear people's experiences and comments in rejecting the M80, I say "uh-huh" - yep, that's it. But still, it's a heckuva good sound for the money. Less coloration I think than anything in its price range.

It does seem as if the M100 was designed to have some of the sound characteristic of the LCD series ortho headphones.

I agree Dale for the money they are excellent headphones (especially bearing in mind I only paid £50 for mine....damn I really should have kept them). I am probably being very unfair to them as well, bearing in mind I was comparing them to a £250 IEM with 4 drivers and triple crossover.

However I agree that whilst I never had an issue with comfort.....I do struggle to get a good seal initially. I also found that the headband was never very secure and as soon as i moved my head it would slip. I couldnt tip my head backward or forward wearing them.....they would just fall off. That is probably part of the problem as the a.4i are a very good fit and extremely comfortable.

So that's it then... I need a neutral headphone, probably verging on analytical...either open or closed back and something that is good with a variety of music but especially female vocals.

 

[Paulq]

How good at these are noise cancelling for, say, air travel? I know they dont have active noise cancellation but I am beginning to have my doubts about the cost/benefit of those devices.

Cheers

Paul

 

[dalethorn]

The M80 in the U.S. is $200 and doesn't block much noise. The Logitech 6000 costs $200 and is excellent at blocking noise. The 6000 sound in Noise Cancel (Active) mode is excellent if you don't mind using bass reduction EQ.

Edit: And the 6000's batteries seem to last forever - I'm still on the original set.