V-MODA Vibe Duo In-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone with Universal One-Button Mic (Nero)
by V-MODA
|
List Price: Our Price: $49.95 You Save: $30.00 (38%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $17.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of V-MODA Vibe Duo In-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone with Universal One-Button Mic (Nero)
Customer Review: Worth the price and mine lasted
Summary: 5 Stars
Conclusion: Good sound. Have lasted 17 months so far. I'd buy them again.
Many of the reviews here say the same thing: "Great but they break." For this reason I wanted to hold off on any review until I'd used them for longer than the majority of the reviews that are complaining. I've now owned and used these buds for 17 months. I've used them while walking, riding trains, flying, and sitting still. I've listened to music, movies, TV, and carried on numerous phone calls under all of these conditions.
Sound:
The sound quality is very good for such a small package. Using the different tips to find the right fit is key to a good sound experience. The range has been fine for all kinds of music from classical to techno-pop. Compared to other earbuds the bass seems heavy. However, compared to a full stereo with quality speakers it sounds about right. However, setting the iPhone EQ to "small speakers" is a mistake as this *does* make the bass too boomy. My best experience is with the EQ off entirely.
Microphone:
I have had no complaints about this microphone. I've not let anyone else call me using my headset so I do not have first-hand experience. However, even walking into the wind I have not had anyone complain of background noise or trouble hearing me. Train and airport announcements are picked up by the microphone loud and clear, though.
Physical:
The buds are easy to get in and out of the ears. The cable does not get tangled easily and the lapel clip works well to keep the cord in place. The microphone button does take some getting used to compared to the Apple headset but hitting it is second nature for me now.
Wear:
I have seen no wear problems at all. I do use the included pouch whenever I put them away for storage but I have, on many occasions, just wrapped them up and shoved them in a pocket while getting off a plane or train. I can see no symptoms of cables breaking or fraying.
Me:
I am not an audiophile. I use my iPhone for music and video a lot but there is always background noise or I am doing something else while listening to it. I'm comparing these earbuds with the ones included with the iPhone and a few others (all under $50).
Customer Review: Sound quality acceptable; design severely flawed
Summary: 1 Stars
This is what I wrote to V-Moda...
"I am writing to you to provide some feedback concerning your Vibe Duo headphones. First of all let me say that I have no complaints about the sound quality of the headphones or the microphone. Both are very good. That being said I have several complaints of a design nature, which are severe enough that I will never buy another pair of your headphones."
"Let me break this down into two, specific issues. The first has to do with the junction between the left and right cords. My experience has been that the sharply edged top of the metal piece is constantly getting caught on different surfaces. If I bend over while sitting at a desk or table it gets caught on the underside and yanks the headphones, painfully, out of my ears. In the month that I have been using these headphones this has happened at least three or four times. Looking at the part in question it is easy to see how rounding out the corners could have taken care of this problem from the start, but then that wouldn't have been as "stylish"..."
"The second issue is related to the first and has to do with the microphone piece on the right cord. Again we find a sharply cornered and angular piece that is constantly getting caught on things. If I use these headphones while wearing a collared shirt the mic piece catches on the collar, tugging painfully on the earphones. If I wear a jacket with a zipper the same thing happens. This painful experience is repeated at least every five to ten minutes that I am wearing the headphones, and again it is easy to see how a rounding out of the corners and an overall smoothing of the design could have made this a non-issue before the first pair were even sold."
"I realize that people who wear collared shirts and zippered jackets may note be part of your trendy demographic, but considering the number of them being sold in many different retail outlets I think you may have to broaden your ideas. I'm also sorry to say that I won't be selling your headphones to anyone either. You see, I work in one of those retail outlets I mentioned just a moment ago, and based on my experience with the Vibe Duos I definitely will not be recommending them to anyone."
Customer Review: You WANT to like these headphones, but you CANNOT because they are poor quality
Summary: 2 Stars
I am disappointed with the V-Moda vibe duo headphones. I actually really like the sound quality, design, and functionality for Iphone. However there are 2 main problems- I occasionally receive a shock in my ear (probably related to static electricity or something) and, more importantly, sound in 1 and/or both ears eventually cuts out!
I originally purchased them in July 2008 and the right ear started cutting out about 3 months later. I thought that i had a defective pair so i exchanged them. On my second pair, when the left ear started cutting out, I thought there was a freak static electricity reaction with the inner lining of my coat. Then, when my 3rd pair stopped working as I was quietly sitting at my desk working (less than a month after getting them), I realized there is a serious problem with the design of the jack on these headphones. I believe it has to do with the angle of the plug and the amount of times I have plugged it in/removed it from my Iphone 3G. Now, if i rotate it and bend it i can hear music in 2 ears, but generally it is just in one ear. Note, I am a heavy user who uses these on public transport, at work, and walking around. However, I treat them extraordinary well- coiled up always in a coat pocket or in the original case. V-moda claims to have fixed this problem by incorporating a new 45 degree angle jack, but on my 3rd try I got a pair of these and still had the same problem!
Needless to say, I like this product and i want it to work. My product is still under warranty and the company will most likely give me ANOTHER pair, but what good is that? It will probably only last 3-6 months and then I will have to return it for my 5th pair. I plan to sell my newly replaced pair on ebay and buy a pair of Skullcandy FMJs or Sonys. From what I have read people have used the SONYs for 5 years plus with no problems. That is all I ask for, a mid-priced pair of Iphone 3G compatible headphones that will work! is that too much!?!?
V-MODA: FIX THIS PROBLEM OR TAKE YOUR PRODUCT OFF THE MARKET! Please.
Customer Review: Headphones that Steve Job's should have put with the Iphone !
Summary: 4 Stars
Unlike those cheap white Ipod-type headphones that don't stay in you ears, these babies - look great, fit great and sound great! Best of all, the unobtrusive black/chrome finish fits right in with the Iphone color scheme so you'll look Styly while you appear to be talking to yourself as you walk down the street!
I had to experiment a bit to find the right size earbud that was both comfortable and provided good sound isolation but since they give you two pairs of three different sizes you are sure to find one right for you. I also like the sturdiness of the cable for these headphones especially since the standard Iphone headset cable started to come apart after about 4 months.
One of the favorite "surprises" I had about these headphones was the soft storage case that is provided with them. I don't know about you but I hate when I have to untangle my headphones before each use. The case that is provided is not bulky, and provides both protection and a means of storing them that is tangle free. My secret is that I put the buds themselves into the pouch along with the split part of the cable and then I roll the excess cable around the outside sliding the tip behind to secure everything. When I want to use them they are never tangled!
My only (slight) reservation about these headphones is how easy the microphone is to engage. I find myself fumbling to find and press the small button that pauses music and answers calls. I have missed quite a few calls trying to feel where the button is which then requires me to pull the Iphone out and go through the steps to call the person back. This can be a pain when you are skiing or mountain biking and you don't really want to take your attention off what you are doing but still don't want to miss a call. Perhaps it is my fat fingers, but in my opinion if they were to make this feature just a bit more easy to find these headphones would be PERFECT!
Customer Review: A great product so far. I will change my review if problems arise.
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm somewhat of a headphone connoisseur. I own at least 5 pairs of quality headphones. When I learned that I could not use them with the iphone without an adapter, I sought to buy a new pair. I went with the V-moda; the built-in mic is definitely a huge plus for me.
SOUND QUALITY:
As users stated before, these earbuds are definitely bass-heavy. This is a "problem" ubiqutious among in-ear headphones - they are usually bass-heavy and the highs aren't as good.
But with a little bit of EQing (bass reducer in the iphone) they do sound better.
V-Moda is clearly not marketing their products toward audiphiles. People who don't know much about sound (especially youth) always want more bass.
I listen to mainly dance music, and the kicks sound crisp and tight.
Overall, these are not the best sounding headphones I have used, but the sound quality is pretty good.
DESIGN:
I love the design. If I were to give 3 stars for sound quality, I would give the product a bonus star just for the design. The cord is just the right length and the clip is a huge bonus. It reduces the vibrations that in-ear headphones tend to have when it rubs against your body and you can also hang your earphones when you are not using them.
I like the cord design too. Its not wrapped in plastic, but I kind of string-like material. It seems sturdy and it sure looks nice.
These are probably the best looking earphones I have seen. It handles phone calls nicely too.
In the end, I sure hope that these earphones don't break on me, as other users have been saying. I am generally pretty rough with my headphones, so I will try to be more careful with these. If they do break on me, then this product deserves one star because that is simply unacceptable for such an expensive accessory.