V-MODA Xs Review | 93 Data compared

The V-Moda XS is a durable, highly compact on-ear headphone priced between $150 and $200 that improves upon its predecessor, the M-80, with design and audio enhancements. A standout structural upgrade is its hinged "steelflex" headband, which allows the unit to fold neatly into a shrunken, military-tested "exoskeleton" carrying case. This updated headband sits flush against the user's temples to eliminate the awkward gaps common in other brands, offering a snug, visually sleek fit that comfortably appeals to a broader audience. Additional user-friendly perks include dual audio inputs for daisy-chaining with a friend, a Kevlar-reinforced detachable cable featuring a one-button inline remote, and a generous policy offering a two-year warranty alongside 50% off accident replacements. In terms of performance, the XS delivers an evolved, more neutral and natural sound signature that smooths out harsh recordings while retaining enough of V-Moda’s signature deep bass to please brand enthusiasts. However, the review highlights distinct drawbacks regarding the on-ear design, which suffers from mediocre sound isolation and prone to leaking music at high volumes. While the audio is praised for being more forward...

V-Moda XS Review Summary The V-Moda XS is an over-engineered, portable pair of on-ear headphones featuring 40mm drivers, priced around $200. Architecturally, it serves as a completely redesigned version of the Crossfade M-80, highlighting a new hinged, form-fitting headband designed to minimize open space by hugging the skull closely. Its primary strengths lie in an exceptionally durable, tank-like metal construction and outstanding physical comfort. The headphones offer a collapsible, highly convenient design for transport, and they provide a light clamping pressure that allows for comfortable all-day wear without the typical pinching associated with on-ear models. However, the headphones fall short when it comes to raw audio performance and acoustic isolation. The reviewer notes that the sound stage is practically non-existent, largely because the small cups and light pressure fail to create a proper acoustic seal against the outside world. While the high-end response is powerful and dynamic, the lower and middle frequencies lack richness and feel flaccid. Additionally, the styling may come across as a bit too "moddish" or gaudy for certain tastes. While highly durable, the V-Moda XS ultimately...

Review Summary The V-Moda XS are premium wired on-ear headphones priced around $180 that deliver a highly detailed, balanced, and neutral frequency response with a slight hint of warmth across all musical genres. Built like a tank for travel durability, they feature a rugged leather-wrapped headband, metal forks, a folding design, and customizable diamond-shaped exterior shields. Users can also benefit from dual 3.5mm input jacks—one on each ear cup—and an included orange and black cable equipped with an inline microphone and a single-button remote. However, the headphones suffer from prominent design and acoustic quirks that limit their versatility. On the downside, the fit is notably loose on the head, making them prone to slipping during movement and rendering them poor companions for working out. Acoustically, the bass tightens nicely but lacks heavy impact, meaning EDM or rap enthusiasts might find it underwhelming. Furthermore, because the ear pads provide mediocre passive noise isolation and completely lack active noise cancellation (ANC), they fail to adequately block out ambient noise, making them an unfavorable choice for daily commuters. If you want to look...

The Trusted Reviews assessment of the V-Moda XS praises the portable, on-ear headphones for their elite, "built-like-a-tank" construction and unique, ultra-slim, form-fitting design that eliminates head gaps. Sonically, the 40mm drivers deliver a solid, well-rounded performance with punchy bass, balanced mids, and sharp treble, all while maintaining a lightweight 195-gram chassis. However, the review highlights significant cons regarding poor noise isolation, which struggles to block out ambient city noise and causes sound leakage when volume is increased. While durable and comfortable, the XS cannot match the wider soundstage or absolute clarity of the larger Crossfade M-100 model. Trusted Reviews

The SoundGuys review of the V-Moda XSGo to product viewer dialog for this item. highlights these on-ear headphones as a durable, budget-friendly choice featuring a robust "steelflex" headband and a compact "Cliqfold" design. Key pros include exceptional construction quality, dual-sided inputs for increased longevity, and a highly portable form factor. However, the review outlines significant drawbacks, including a high clamping force that causes discomfort during extended use. Furthermore, the sound profile is described as heavily bass-driven, leading to audio masking that dulls the high frequencies and limits accuracy. SoundGuys

The V-Moda XS On-Ear Headphones ($212.00) are a highly durable, compact model designed for the "Modern Audiophile" that delivers balanced, exceptional sound quality across all music genres. In his four-star review, Steve Sande highlights the headphones' superior sound performance—featuring kicking bass tones, vivid mids, and crisp highs—which outshines the older, over-ear Crossfade LP model. Key pros include their immense comfort due to a lightweight design, a virtually indestructible Steelflex headband, a unique "Cliq-fold" mechanism for portability, and a protective, turtle-like Exoskeleton carrying case. Additionally, they offer dual inputs, a Kevlar-reinforced SpeakEasy mic cable, and extensive aesthetic customization via interchangeable metal ear cup shields available in 14 colors and 15 designs. Despite the glowing praise, the review points out a few notable limitations and design choices. On the downside, the on-ear design lacks the same level of passive noise isolation as standard over-ear headphones, which naturally enclose the ear and block more external sound. Aesthetics may also present a minor drawback for some users, as the included Kevlar-reinforced cables are strictly bright orange. This bright color requires users to carefully choose...

The V-Moda XS On-Ear Headphones are a practical, highly engineered all-rounder headphone priced at $199, though they have since been discontinued. A major standout feature is their incredibly compact, travel-friendly size; they fold up tightly into a high-quality, palm-sized clamshell hard case that makes them exceptionally portable. The ergonomic, narrow-oval headband design fits the contours of the head closely to eliminate "big gap" syndrome while remaining highly comfortable for long listening sessions, even for users who wear glasses. For DJs, the small footprint is highly advantageous because the 90-degree pivoting earcups sit comfortably around the neck without feeling like a neck brace. Furthermore, they feature dual audio sockets—one on each earcup—allowing users to share their audio with another headset or change which side the cable plugs into. In terms of performance and build, the review highlights several distinct pros and cons. On the positive side (pros), the headphones deliver excellent, balanced, and engaging sound quality through sensitive 40mm drivers that provide plenty of volume for DJ monitoring without being overly bassy. They also offer good physical sound isolation and a...

The V-Moda XS is a socketed, on-ear headphone that delivers very good, impressive sound quality for its small size, though its bass is a bit boomy and the upper treble is slightly muffled. Its replaceable cable can be inserted into either earcup, enhancing its overall longevity, and the headphones can swing upward to fold into a relatively small, compact "ball" for transport. However, the design is heavy for its class at 195 grams, features a polarizing aesthetic with exposed screws, and does not fold flat, making it awkward to fit inside small bags or jacket pockets. The reviewer ultimately decided to return the headphones due to severe comfort issues, noting that the large on-ear pads concentrate pressure in a noticeable hexagonal outline that remains uncomfortable after just a few minutes. Additional usability flaws center around the orange cable, which is criticized for being too thick, overly stiff, and featuring a strange diagonal plug. Furthermore, its inline controls are restricted to a single-button clicker positioned too low at breast level, making it inaccessible when the cable is tucked inside a jacket.

Tyll Hertsens' Stereophile review highlights the V-Moda XS on-ear headphonesGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. for their exceptional, warm, and smooth tonal balance, which aligns closely with the Harman target response curve. The headphones are praised for having a well-reproduced midrange and a design that remains comfortable and smooth when listening to lower-quality, 64kbps audio streams. Stereophile.comConversely, the review notes a somewhat loose, elevated mid-bass that lacks punch, along with a fuzzy treble that obscures fine articulation. Despite these minor sonic drawbacks, the headphones are lauded for their impressive build quality, stylish design, and portability, earning them a spot on the Stereophile "Wall of Fame". Stereophile.com

The V-Moda XS on-ear headphones are compact, highly portable headphones designed with a futuristic yet minimalist aesthetic. They feature a durable SteelFlex headband that can twist almost straight, combined with a thin layer of leather and mesh padding to keep the device lightweight. The headphones include folding hinges that click securely when storing them inside their small exoskeleton case. For connectivity, they use a distinct, slanted T-shaped jack designed to fit easily into smartphones even when thick protective cases are installed. The primary advantages of these headphones are their robust, customizable metal design, exceptional portability, and surprisingly powerful, clear audio driven by 40mm drivers that maintain clarity even at high volumes. They also offer effective passive noise isolation due to their squishy memory foam ear cups. On the downside, the proprietary "Mind the Gap" oval headband shape can cause discomfort or quick fatigue for users with incompatible head shapes. Additionally, because they are an on-ear design, they suffer from slight sound bleeding at elevated volumes.

The V-MODA XS on-ear headphonesGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. are recognized for a durable, compact design featuring a flexible metal headband that provides a secure fit. They are noted for delivering detailed, balanced sound across genres and high portability, folding easily into a small hard case. Cons include a limited accessory package and a small, restrictive hard case that offers little extra storage. Furthermore, the included cable features only a one-button control, and there are concerns regarding long-term durability of the headband materials. Head-Fi.org

Review Summary The V-MODA XS headphones deliver exceptional, almost technically perfect sound quality defined by an incredibly flat and balanced frequency response curve. The audio profile features deep, solid, and articulate bass that avoids over-emphasised booming, making it highly appealing to discerning audiophiles. The midrange is exceptionally wide, thick, and natural, offering a rich saturation and a touch of warmth that prevents listening fatigue during long sessions. Additionally, the headphones excel in technical accuracy, boasting superb instrument separation, high resolution that uncovers hidden musical details, and pristine, cohesive imaging across the entire spectrum. Despite these strengths, the review notes a few minor performance limitations. The treble, while sharp, clean, and highly detailed, leans toward the dark side, resulting in an overall atmosphere that slightly lacks excitement and immediacy. Soundstaging is another area with room for improvement; due to the physical limitations of the headphones' compact size, the audio lacks depth and distance, even though the structural direction and perception of sound remain clear. Ultimately, the V-MODA XS is highly praised as a top-tier option for listeners seeking a highly accurate,...