V-Moda M-100 Crossfade Master headphone review: The best headphone V-Moda has ever made

The V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master headphones are the primary V-Moda headphones that Roland engineers have tuned since Roland acquired a majority stake in V-Moda in 2016. The finish consequence? These are the best sounding pair of headphones V-Moda has ever produced.If you’re an audiophile or recording engineer who has admired V-Moda’s construct high quality and customization choices, however you’ve been lukewarm about their sound, the M-100 Master will change your thoughts. Read on why I cherished these headphones and suppose you’ll too.A worthy successorThe Crossfade M-100 Master are the successors to the unique Crossfade M-100 headphones. The unique Crossfade M-100 headphone roared onto the headphone scene, after a singular crowdsourced growth course of through which a whole lot of audiophiles, journalists, produces, and DJs collaborated.Fast ahead and also you’ll discover that the M-100 Master are greater than worthy successor, with a number of upgrades underneath the hood, together with 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers which were upgraded with a Japanese made CCAW (copper-clad aluminum wire) coil. A CCAW coil was additionally utilized in V-Moda’s Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones, which I praised two years in the past. V-Moda says the re-engineered driver cowl enhances driver stability, offering the elevated structural integrity wanted to handle an unlimited tonal vary. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
The V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master include reminiscence foam earpads wrapped in comfortable leather-based.
The M-100 Master are conventional wired headphones, and I had no downside driving them with both my iPhone XS or an Astell&Kern high-resolution digital audio participant. In truth, with sensitivity of 107dB @ 1kHz and 1mW and 32 ohms of impedance, I discovered them simple to drive with any system.The M-100 Master are rated to ship a frequency response of 5Hz to 40kHz and have thus been licensed by the Japan Audio Society for Hi-Res Audio. You can try the necessities for certification right here. I ought to be aware, nevertheless, that Hi-Res Audio certification shouldn’t be with out its critics.Legendary construct qualityUnpacking the V-Moda M-100 Master, you actually see and really feel V-Moda’s legendary construct high quality. When holding them in my palms, the headphones had a sure density that permit me know I used to be coping with a top quality pair of cans. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
In this shot, you may see the V-Moda M100 Crossfade Master’s impeccable construct high quality.
The click-adjustable arms, for instance, are all metallic. The underside of the scarf and the earpads are wrapped in comfortable leather-based. The leather-based on the earpads is wrapped over comfortable reminiscence foam. The meeting and match and end are first price.That high quality interprets to comfy listening experiences, these headphones match my head completely. There was nothing flimsy or low cost wherever.I used to be capable of put on the M-100 Master for lengthy listening classes with out vital fatigue. The headphones are fantastically balanced, with an adjustable headband and earpads. I didn’t actually really feel their 283-gram (9.9-ounce) weight on my head. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
The M-100 Master’s headband is fabricated completely from metallic, with a high-quality folding mechanism.
I additionally famous how nicely the V-Moda’s passive noise isolation blocked out the skin world. Active noise cancellation can do much more, in fact, however a good seal over your ears will block outdoors noise with out introducing something synthetic into the music streaming into your head.Typically, an over-the-ear headphone design like this renders the cans troublesome to journey with. That’s not the case right here. The Crossfade M-100 Master function an ingenious hinge that permits them to fold right into a ridiculously compact package deal. Just check out the image under. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
The V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master (proper) folds into the identical ultra-compact form-factor because the V-Moda Crossfade II Wireless (left).
I’ll warning you that the right technique to fold the M-100 Master is pad towards pad. It’s potential to fold them defend to defend, however that would lead to scratches on one or each earpieces.Included accessoriesV-Moda has lengthy been recognized for giving the patron an entire package deal, and that’s definitely the case right here. You’ll get two high-quality cables; a gold-plated 1/4-inch adapter, a carabiner clip; and a troublesome, rubberized exoskeleton carrying case. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
The V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master include a high-quality hard-shell case.
The SpeakEasy 1-Button cable contains a one‑button distant and an inline microphone, which allows you to management the play/pause features on a wise system and converse in your smartphone (supplied it has a 3.5mm analog audio outputs). You can buy an non-obligatory three-button cable that features fast-forward and reverse for $30 on V-Moda’s web site. If you’re a gamer, vlogger, or conference-call warrior, try V-Moda’s excellent BoomPro microphone cable (additionally $30).I used the M-100 Master on a number of telephone calls and the sound high quality was excellent. Every name—even in noisy or windy environments went flawlessly. Individuals on the opposite finish may hear me clearly and I, in flip, may hear them completely. The V-Moda gave me a rock strong, bullet-proof expertise. I definitely can’t say that with all headphones. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
The M-100 Master comes with two cables—each with prime quality nylon braiding. The included audio shareplay cable (proven above) means that you can plug in one other pair of headphones to share the audio sign with a pal.
The second black-and-red SharePlay cable means that you can plug in a second pair of headphones for mixing or listening with a pal or colleague. Both cables are wrapped in a high-quality, tangle-resistant nylon braid. Folks utilizing newer iOS gadgets would possibly wish to decide up V-Moda’s non-obligatory DAC/AMP Lightning Cable ($101). V-Moda provides a number of different equipment—many geared toward DJs and musicians working in recording studios—on its web site.I really like V-Moda’s hard-shell case, which is an identical to the one supplied with its Crossfade II Wireless headphones, besides the inside material is orange as a substitute of black. The fabric-lined inside is ideal for utilizing the velcro wraps to connect your cables in a pinch. The laced bands on both facet of the case offer you infinite flexibility to tuck cables, adapters, or absolutely anything else into the case. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
The hard-shell case has two detachable vent plugs that may assist air out the headphones whereas they’re saved.
Customize your cansV-Moda headphones are among the many most customizable in the marketplace. The “shields” on the earcups are customizable on the time of order, or you may swap out the inventory shields with personalized variations at any time later. You can select from an array of colours, 3D-printed plates, a wide range of supplies—together with treasured metals and laser-engraved aluminum. Using certainly one of V-Moda’s Adobe Illustrator templates, you may add your personal {custom} art work to be printed in your {custom} shields. Some customizations can be found at no further value; others—such because the gold and platinum choices—command a premium. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
You can customise the look of your Crossfade M-100 Master headphone with custom-printed or 34D shields. You may even ship in {custom} art work to additional personalize your headphones.
V-Moda needed to indicate off the {custom} printing choices by sending my evaluate pair with {custom} metallic blue shields with printed designs, which I discovered to be lovely.Left or proper? It doesn’t matterMany headphones have their cable enter on both the correct or left earcup. V-Moda offers you the choice of utilizing both. Look underneath the right-hand earcup and also you’ll discover a detachable plug. Remove it, unplug the cable from the left-hand earcup, and you’ll put the 3.5mm cable finish into the opposite facet. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
You have the choice of plugging the headphones into both the correct or left ear cup. The V-Moda banded plug (pictured on the correct ear cup) is detachable.
Remove the plug and bingo! You’ve uncovered a completely useful 3.5mm enter. You can due to this fact plug in a cable into both the correct or left ear cup. You don’t have to put the plug again in both.Superb soundNow to reply the million-dollar query: How do the V-Moda M-100 Master sound? In a phrase, superior! Gone is the midbass-dominant, boomy low finish. Gone is the syrupy midrange. Gone is the un-airy prime finish. The voicing on the Crossfade M-100 Master is gorgeous. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
You can have totally different {custom} prints on every defend.
I take advantage of the Crossfade II Wireless with some regularity. When I placed on the M-100 Master, I couldn’t imagine my ears. Back and forth I went. The M-100 Master are superior in just about each space throughout the frequency spectrum. Bass is detailed and managed with out vital synthetic increase. Bass strains on songs like Lorde’s “Royals,” Imagine Dragons “Believer,” or Khalid’s “Young Dumb & Broke” had been circumstances in level.The midrange is the place these headphones actually shine. There’s depth, element, and a spacious presentation of music and vocals. Elaine Paige’s iconic rendition of “Memory,” from the musical Cats, made the hairs on my arms stand on finish. There was a beautiful sensation of sound stage depth and strong instrument placement. Theo Nicolakis / IDG
The V-Moda M-100 Master headphones boast impeccable construct high quality and top-shelf supplies.
A rich-sounding masterpieceThey say two heads are higher than one. In this case, two corporations are higher than one. The collaboration of V-Moda and Roland has produced a fantastically constructed, rich-sounding masterpiece within the Crossfade M-100 Master. And make no mistake, “Master” clearly hints at the truth that these cans are concentrating on the audio engineer mastering within the recording studio.For $250, the Crossfade M-100 Master now rank amongst my favourite headphones in each construct high quality and sound at this value level. If you’ve by no means warmed as much as the sound of earlier technology of V-Moda headphones, it’s worthwhile to give these a pay attention. And should you’re headphones on the $300 value level, put the Crossfade M-100 Master in your very brief record to audition. They are incredible.