V-Moda Vibe Earphones: Hip, Slick, Nicely Priced
We’re not usually fans of fashion- and using phrases like “healthy disrespect for style conformity” makes us a bit skeptical of your audio equipment. But V-moda, despite the fashion collection (and fedoras), was founded a DJ and music producer, and the Vibe earphones managed to grab our attention with both ears.
They claim to be noise-isolating, offer sport-optimized ergonomics, and include three different silicone fittings in varied sizes. We weren’t super-impressed with the noise-isolation, but on two fronts, these are pretty fantastic headphones. The vibes are metal, not plastic, but manage to be super-light and fantastically pretty. The fashion angle definitely comes through, but the sturdiness is probably the best part.
We were quite happy with the sound- a bit cold rather than warm, but strikingly good on electronic music rather than rock. The bass won’t impress those who are really seeking deep thumping sound, but dance and house music still came through quite well. The whole package feels well thought out and engineered, except for the silly included pouch, which was unnecessary (and not so fashionable).
OK, we wish they had in-line volume controls. But they seal well, stay snug, are comfortable, attractive, and great-sounding. And the vibes are around $50-$70, available in a variety of colors.
