V-MODA XFLPR-ROUGE Crossfade LP Over-the-Ear Headphones (Rouge) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)These are the most comfortable best sounding headphones I have ever put over or in my ears. Who would know that V-Moda would package Jimi Hendrix in the box and he would visit my house.

Looks can be deceiving; these are advertised as 'lifestyle' headphones, they will likely sound like garbage because all the money was put in the fancy marketing. Looks couldn't be more wrong.

These headphones are butter. They have a wonderful clear solid bass without ever being thumpy or over stressed pushing the low frequencies. The midrange is blended beautifully, voices are clear and precise. The only complaint is a slight closing up of the highs. Instead of that perfect high frequency edge, they sound slightly stressed at too much high frequency. That is not to say these are low rider car thumping bass heavy headphones, no quite the opposite, they are very well balance with a solid warm bass where lyrics are easy to understand.

The imaging in these headphones is exactly like listening to incredibly high end stereo floor standing speakers. I could very precisely hear the location of instruments whenever the recordings had that information. The piano was over here to the left, the drums centered in the back of my head, the guitar over here, and the vocals from this location...it was all there. Sometimes a soundstage that is too precise can be uncomfortable, my eyes dart all over looking for the instruments. That didn't happen with these headphones, they were just that good.

My frame of reference is Shure E3c's (in ear monitorsShure E3c Sound Isolating Earphones), Bowers and Wilkins P5 (over ear headphones Bowers & Wilkins P5 Mobile HiFi Stereo Headphones), and a just shy of audiophile home theater. There is no reason in the world to compare these to lesser ear buds. The Shure E3c's are very bright, I've had them for four or five years now. But they lack bass in a major way. The B&W P5's are very accurate, almost to a fault. The ear cup is not as comfortable as these V-Moda's. The bass doesn't dig nearly as deep in the P5, but they have a better high end. In a way, the B&W's are like BMW's versus V-Moda's that are like Mercedes. BMW is all about precise handling and making the driver happy; Mercedes is about the comfort of everyone in the car with maybe a little less precision in the handling department. Guess what, they are both outstanding cars and incredible to drive, they just have slightly different personalities.

I did an odd little test for DJ's looking at these headphones. My son plays guitar, so I pulled out the sound meter and did a little audio test - how well would I be able to hear the music in the headphones over his playing. At 90db (that's pretty darn loud) I could hear the music in the headphones very well. It was clear there was music going on around me, and I couldn't hear all the nuances of the music, but the music in the headphones was clear. At 100db (that's very loud) I had to turn up my music a bit more, and could still make out the songs, and hear the lyrics. We stopped at 100db. Airplane noise will not be a problem.

These are efficient headphones. They can play very loud. A setting of loud volume with iPod buds, or the P5's or the Shures is almost ear shattering with the V-Moda's. A trick some listeners use is to crank up the volume and wear them around your neck, the sound is outstanding like that. Almost every headphone starts to interfere with itself at high volumes, not the V-Moda's. Bass remains clear and clean. Low volume is amazing with these. Headphones tend to work well loud and not quite or vice versa, these break the mould.

I had to break these headphones in. Out of the box they were horribly dull. Actually they sounded pretty bad that first day. So overnight I ran iTunes through these at full volume. The next morning they had loosened up and were just wonderful. I might guess that those rolled off highs might just clear up over time.

You might also imagine that these headphones are specialized for electronic house music. Well that would also be a mistake. I've pushed them around with folk, jazz, blues, and rock with great results. I haven't really tried much classical music. Somehow I don't think the classical music lover will be drawn to these headphones - they will be looking more in the Grado and high end Sennheiser territory . Movies, these headphones are good. In ear monitors might just work a bit better for video, watching a small screen the sound is probably better focused on a smaller soundstage. On the other hand, these headphones are so comfortable; I will probably end up enjoying watching films with them.

The construction is really solid. These are big headphones, and they take up a lot of space (the P5's fold up very nicely). I tried them on in bed, and surprise, I could roll over on a pillow with an ear facing down hard on the pillow with no bad sound effect at all. You could sleep with these on, go figure how that works. The metal side pieces are really rugged.

I have a big head and wear glasses. These fit very nicely. They do not press against your glasses and cause temple pain. I've worn them for around three hours straight, and they are still comfortable. Initially they do get a little warm around my ears, but that goes away after a while.

Now the coolest part of these headphones, the accessories and the packaging. The box clues you in immediately that these are special, a red ribbon serves as the tamper evident device. The box has a really cool faux leather handle and snap closure. Inside you are greeted by a black case, lined in red velvet that will protect these headphones forever. The case is a bit funky, it either looks like a reptile or a mouth and tongue (I think it looks a lot like the Rolling Stones logo). Insed that case, there are two different wires for connecting the headphones. These are the best wires, bar none, I have ever seen for headphones. They are cloth woven covers with Kevlar fibers inside - I defy anyone to actually rip those wires, it is never going to happen. The business end of the connection is brilliant; the outlet of the wire is at a forty five degree angle. That angle means you'll almost never accidently pull the jack out of your player. It really works well. One wire is fairly long and is just a plain wire. The other is a combo volume control microphone. I've tried a lot of these combos and most don't work very well. This set up is extremely good; the microphone is sensitive and picks up my voice just dangling from the ear cup (no need to pull it in front of your mouth to speak). There is an instruction manual, a lifestyle card, a little microfiber cloth to shine the metal sides of the headphones, and a small credit card to join the V-Moda VIP club (the web address on the card didn't work, but there was a VIP area on the website). OK, a mention about the website, you'd never guess they sell audio gear over there. It is all about the super models and the handsome guys and the clothing. There are beautiful people over there.

I love these headphones. It's hard to not gush about them too much. My only disappointment, no super model has tried to talk to me while I'm wearing these. My family has laughed at me many times. I just can't stop wearing them. My music has taken on a whole new world.

The two teenage boys in the house weighed in on these. The guitarist, fourteen years old, loves them. He wants them in the worst way. I would also predict that these will be great recording headphones; we will have fun with them. The nineteen year old college student loves them. He still thinks the highs are not clear enough. But he's also like to take them back to school with him. Sorry boys, Dad got them first, they are his.

July 25, 2010 update - I just couldn't stop myself, I wanted to see what is behind those cool metal plates. Aw was I disappointed, the body of these headphones is cast plastic. There is absolutely nothing but plastic behind the metal plate. I could not get in to see those lovely drivers. I've also posted a bunch of pictures of the coolness that arrives in the box.

This review was originally posted for the gunmetal version - the Rouge headphones are identical save the red color accents. Even if I had the red ones, it would be very hard to describe that color.

Click Here to see more reviews about: V-MODA XFLPR-ROUGE Crossfade LP Over-the-Ear Headphones (Rouge)

Product Description:

Developed over the span of four years in collaboration with some of the world's top musicians, DJs and producers, the Crossfade LP delivers epic sound with a distinct design composed of luxurious fabrics and lightweight metals. Designed to be the ultimate versatile and multi-purpose headphone, Crossfade LP is made for people on the move, at the gym or on the stage.

Epic sound with a distinct design.

Want to read more honest consumer review about V-MODA XFLPR-ROUGE Crossfade LP Over-the-Ear Headphones (Rouge) now ?