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 beloved these headphones and assume you’ll too.
A worthy successor
The 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 during which a whole bunch 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 have been 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.
The V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master include reminiscence foam earpads wrapped in smooth 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 Max 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 requirements for certification here. I ought to word, nevertheless, that Hi-Res Audio certification shouldn’t be with out its critics.
Legendary construct high quality
Unpacking the V-Moda M-100 Master, you actually see and really feel V-Moda’s legendary construct high quality. When holding them in my arms, the headphones had a sure density that permit me know I used to be coping with a top quality pair of cans.
Theo Nicolakis / IDGIn this shot, you possibly can 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 smooth leather-based. The leather-based on the earpads is wrapped over smooth reminiscence foam. The meeting and match and end are first fee.
That high quality interprets to snug 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 periods 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 / IDGThe M-100 Master’s headband is fabricated totally from metallic, with a high-quality folding mechanism.
I additionally famous how effectively the V-Moda’s passive noise isolation blocked out the skin world. Active noise cancellation can do much more, after all, however a 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 tough to journey with. That’s not the case right here. The Crossfade M-100 Master characteristic an ingenious hinge that enables them to fold right into a ridiculously compact package deal. Just check out the image beneath.
Theo Nicolakis / IDGThe 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 solution to fold the M-100 Master is pad towards pad. It’s doable to fold them defend to defend, however that might lead to scratches on one or each earpieces.
Included equipment
V-Moda has lengthy been identified for giving the buyer a whole package deal, and that’s actually the case right here. You’ll get two high-quality cables; a gold-plated 1/4-inch adapter, a carabiner clip; and a tricky, rubberized exoskeleton carrying case.
Theo Nicolakis / IDGThe V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master include a high-quality hard-shell case.
The SpeakEasy 1-Button cable includes a one‑button distant and an inline microphone, which lets you management the play/pause capabilities on a wise system and converse in your smartphone (offered 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 website. 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 cellphone 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 actually can’t say that with all headphones.
Theo Nicolakis / IDGThe M-100 Master comes with two cables—each with prime quality nylon braiding. The included audio shareplay cable (proven above) lets you plug in one other pair of headphones to share the audio sign with a buddy.
The second black-and-red SharePlay cable lets you plug in a second pair of headphones for mixing or listening with a buddy or colleague. Both cables are wrapped in a high-quality, tangle-resistant nylon braid. Folks utilizing newer iOS gadgets may wish to decide up V-Moda’s non-obligatory DAC/AMP Lightning Cable ($101). V-Moda gives a bunch of other accessories—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 similar to the one supplied with its Crossfade II Wireless headphones, besides the inside cloth is orange as an alternative 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 aspect of the case offer you infinite flexibility to tuck cables, adapters, or absolutely anything else into the case.
Theo Nicolakis / IDGThe hard-shell case has two detachable vent plugs that may assist air out the headphones whereas they’re saved.
Customize your cans
V-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 possibly can swap out the inventory shields with personalized variations at any time later. You can select from an array of colours, 3D-printed plates, quite a lot of supplies—together with treasured metals and laser-engraved aluminum. Using one among V-Moda’s Adobe Illustrator templates, you possibly can add your individual {custom} paintings to be printed in your {custom} shields. Some customizations can be found at no extra price; others—such because the gold and platinum choices—command a premium.
Theo Nicolakis / IDGYou can customise the look of your Crossfade M-100 Master headphone with custom-printed or 34D shields. You may even ship in {custom} paintings to additional personalize your headphones.
V-Moda needed to indicate off the {custom} printing choices by sending my assessment pair with {custom} metallic blue shields with printed designs, which I discovered to be stunning.
Left or proper? It doesn’t matter
Many headphones have their cable enter on both the precise 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 may put the 3.5mm cable finish into the opposite aspect.
Theo Nicolakis / IDGYou have the choice of plugging the headphones into both the precise or left ear cup. The V-Moda banded plug (pictured on the precise ear cup) is detachable.
Remove the plug and bingo! You’ve uncovered a completely purposeful 3.5mm enter. You can subsequently plug in a cable into both the precise or left ear cup. You don’t have to put the plug again in both.
Superb sound
Now 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 high finish. The voicing on the Crossfade M-100 Master is gorgeous.
Theo Nicolakis / IDGYou can have totally different {custom} prints on every defend.
I exploit 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 enhance. Bass traces on songs like Lorde’s “Royals,” Imagine Dragons “Believer,” or Khalid’s “Young Dumb & Broke” had been instances 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 an exquisite sensation of sound stage depth and strong instrument placement.
Theo Nicolakis / IDGThe V-Moda M-100 Master headphones boast impeccable construct high quality and top-shelf supplies.
A rich-sounding masterpiece
They say two heads are higher than one. In this case, two firms are higher than one. The collaboration of V-Moda and Roland has produced a superbly 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 $299, the Crossfade M-100 Master now rank amongst my favourite headphones in each construct high quality and sound at this worth 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 in the event you’re taking a look at headphones on the $300 worth level, put the Crossfade M-100 Master in your very quick listing to audition. They are incredible.