A reasonable deal, for some quality wireless headphones. Available in Black, white and black with red accents.
I think that Dre headphones are not sold as headphones only, but also as a status symbol that is one of the reasons why they are so expensive.
Beats bad
Yes, I don't like their sound quality either.
Great price, these are the earlier wireless equivalent of the Crossfade M-100.
I would usually avoid for ACL protection, but build quality seems to be a major strength of these headphones.
Slightly less battery-life than Crossfade Wireless 2, with more main-stream sound signature.
So boosted powerful bass great for bass heads.
A big downside is that t doesn't have the foldable design of the M100s or the Crossfade Wireless 2
FWIW, this doesn't have:
-the "cliqfold" mechanism from the M-100 (all versions of the Crossfade Wireless 2 do)
-AptX (the Rose Gold and Codex editions of the Crossfade Wireless 2 do)
-AAC (the Codex edition of the Crossfade Wireless 2 does)
Whether any of those things are worth spending twice the amount, is up to you! (Great price if you don't care about any of those things)
If only these had the cliqfold (which is awesome!) and AptX…I would grab a pair for sure! I love my M-100, but I just can't justify the price of the Codex Edition of the CFW 2, when I already have the M-100.
Aptx value add questionable, many reviewers have tried to compare with barely any noticeable results. AptxHD starts to differ slightly though, but not aptx.
You forget latency. ;)
(Obviously not important for music listening, but for other applications it may make a difference. And any difference will depend on implementation.)
@caprimulgus: I actually get more latency on the sennhesier 4.5bt aptx vs qc35i which does not have aptx and it's bt 4.2
Yes the sound can depend a lot on implementation by devices used.
Some smart-phones implement much superior SBC to other smart-phones (rivalling Apt-X) and some headphones are superior / inferior on certain codec’s.
Here is an example for AAC (Apple biased). Here is another including some SBC codecs achieving 18khz (before roll-off). And here is (a zoomed out) Apt-X vs SBC almost identical in this example.
Of course frequency response is only one element, but it’s the easiest to process.
Note: Apt-X HD is supposed to achieve at least consistent close to CD frequency response, but as implementation can vary, it can at times fail to do so.
I would expect DAP’s to be more consistent in their implementation of codecs, since they are designed specifically for audio. On the other hand I think Bluetooth may be looked at as 2nd priority to the headphone output on current DAP’s.
@thebadmachine: As I said, it will depend on implementation. FWIW, my experience with AptX and SBC is different to yours, but as I said, I believe it depends on implementation.
FWIW, I believe the theoretical latency of AptX would be superior. BUT, as I already said, implementation is a completely different matter. For example, I have seen figures quoted for AptX from 60ms-160ms. And i’ve seen figures for SBC of 100ms-200ms. So I am not surprised that someone like me can experience better latency from AptX, while someone else can have the complete opposite experience, given the wide and overlapping ranges.
And in any case, please note: I never said AptX is better than SBC - on the contrary, I simply said that if AptX is a feature you want, then note that it is not supported in this version (same as AAC), and that dismissing AptX based on sound quality / frequency response ignores latency (which CAN be a factor).
If AptX is not important to you, then no worries! ;)
Edit: My response is mostly to OnlinePred (I just pressed respond on the latest one!) :)
@caprimulgus: I will reply anyway.
Yes I fully understood your comment, your comment was fine.
I know you are just recommending to those who want / need AAC or Apt-X or both.
Regarding just latency, Apt-X LL as a codec is superior (less latency) compared to both SBC & AAC.
One thing I am aware of though with Apple products using AAC codec, at least with the YouTube App is iOS delays the video by milliseconds, to attempt to minimise latency and sync video with audio.
The added delay seems to be the same number of milliseconds for all different devices supporting AAC, so some headphones sound more in sync than others (lower latency).
I tested it myself using $25 Sony Bluetooth earphones, and personally I think the latency is so low it seems the same as wired EarPods (possibly equal to total latency of Apt-X LL except video is being delayed instead of real low latency from headphones).
@thebadmachine: Interesting - that might explain why people seem to experience latency with EarPods when using the Genki Bluetooth transmitter (which doesn’t do the same latency compensation). Ie. They notice the difference between compensation vs no compensation.
That is my main application btw: gaming on Nintendo Switch using a Genki bluetooth adapter (for music, I generally use wired!). With that particular device, I think the AAC and SBC implementation might not the best - not as good as it does AptX anyhow (nor AptX-LL obviously!).
And obviously they can’t do latency compensation for gaming! :)
Anyway, I personally use AptX-LL headphones with it, so I’m fine with that! (Now, if the Crossfade Wireless 2 Codex Edition had lived up to the name and had AptX-LL, AptX-HD and LDAC…then I would have paid full price for a pair on day one!) :)
people seem to experience latency with EarPods when using the Genki Bluetooth transmitter
I think you mean AirPods since you mention Bluetooth.
Regarding Apple AirPods, I think they have some proprietary chip / firmware which allows for low latency / best connection etc (maybe important for phone calls) when connected to Apple devices.
I know AirPods can connect to other BT sources other than Apple, but in this case I think they may use a different codec and have worse latency / connection quality / sound quality.
@thebadmachine: Right, it is AirPods I'm talking about! (Sorry, my bad, I don't know apple products!)
I have a pair, build design and comfort are great. Sound quality is ok, the 2nd gen was apparently a big improvement.
holy crap you beat me to it! I just bought them and was going to post!
Enjoy! I got too many headphones, to even think about buying anymore. Next set is probably going to be Audeze.
I have a habit of giving away or selling things I don't need haha
so all I have right now is a good old wired pair of Sony in ear NC phones that I bought refurbished in 2008 and they are still going and cancelling strong! just buy an AA battery and board the plane, I find something pocketable more suitable for travel than the likes of QC35 etc.
also I have the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 that these V-Modas will be replacing. I use them exactly like that, wireless en route, and plug them in at work. don't care much about NC on my short commutes, and expect a sound quality upgrade, so win-win! and someone will be getting my Plantronics which actually sound surprisingly great for the price, so hooray.
These will be a crapload better than the Backbeat Pro 2! (I have a pair of Backbeat Pro 2 myself, and they are great for what I paid…but they aren’t even in the same ballpark as my M-100, which the Crossfade Wireless is based on)
Enjoy! :)
@caprimulgus: haha sounds very promising! thank you, I will! :)
p.s. mine just shipped! so excited
p.p.s. I don't understand though why is it so cheap, while m100 that it's supposed to build on is 3 times more expensive?
@[Deactivated]: just a runout clearance on an old superseded model, I'd assume.
M100 technically hasn't been replaced (although i believe they are discontinued), so may not have had the same runout.
Great price. I'm still getting a lot of use out of my M100s
imo the m100s are the best headphones vmoda ever made.
These or the ATH M50xBT? ANC not a priority, XM3 sounds a bit bass heavy to me TBH.
The V-Moda’s in this deal & the M50xBT both have emphasised bass like the XM3.
Thanks, in other words M50x BT or this? :)
The V-MODA in this deal is very strong in bass, so I would say M50xBT would be better for you.
Normal wired M50x still has boosted bass so I expect it to be similar with the M50xBT.
ATH-DSR7BT has more neutral sound than M50xBT.
From quick search, I found DSR7BT for $319.20 + delivery from Catch.
I think if you are using (listening) outdoors, slightly boosted bass may sound more natural. If using indoors in quiet environment, more neutral sound will sound more natural.
@thebadmachine: Thanks heaps. Will be using in public transport and walking in the city.
V Moda n M50x BT will both do the trick. With these ones being almost 50% the cost of the M50s BT I guess will pick these ones.
Frankly I did enjoy the sound of M50 compared to XM3.
mine arrived in Australia this morning! so excited. but I doubt they will deliver it today.. have to wait till next week
Congrats! Let us know how they sound. Any comparisons?
next week I guess.. haven't received today
received mine! doing a quick review below
received mine today. did a comparison with my Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. For simplicity I will call V-Modas CFW (CrossFade Wireless) and Plantronics BBP2.
Here are my findings:
- CFW needs a burn in or getting used to or both, since sound signature is on the bass heavy side. Out of the box I wasn't impressed and even considered returning straight away. now after 3 hours of listening I like them.
- I am ordering XL earpads as I find that the earpads that come in the box are too thin (got them from StoreDJ eBay)
- CFW look smaller than I expected, and they make BBP2 look on the large side
- build quality is amazing
- packaging is very flash haha would be great to get them as a present to someone!
- after 3 hours of listening, I find CFW amazing. soundstage is detailed and clear, albeit I must admit that mids and highs are pushed back a lot compared to BBP2
- the remark above also shows when using them for calls and online meetings, since BBP2 is optimized for voice and these are not! voices don't sound nearly as clear as reproduced by BBP2, they sort of drown in their bass component. no problem hearing or understanding others, but the voice experience provided by BBP2 is much much better
- now after 3 hours of using CFW I do intend to keep them, but I must say that if XL earpads will not make them more comfortable to wear, I am returning them, despite of how well they sound. What's the point of having headphones that are not comfortable to wear.
Thanks for sharing.
The Crossfade Wireless are known to have a very bass heavy signature. The Crossfade 2 Wireless apparently has more balanced sound, but the price difference between the two deal’s is huge (even if one is from Amazon US).
The CFW2’s apparently also come with the thicker / roomier pads as standard.
Also both models benefit from being used wired. (Apparently the CFW2 was designed with priority as a proper wired headphone first, then with addition of the compatibility of Bluetooth)
yes all tests above are wired. I did test a couple of FLAC tracks in wireless mode, no complaints there
one more thing I noticed is how not forgiving these are! jeez. all the songs I used to enjoy from youtube videos, or low bit rate mp3's, now I can hear every freaking wrinkle in the sound compression! then again they really reveal much more I could hear before in FLAC files, so it's a double edged sword I guess :D means compliments to BBP2 to make listening experience great to those who listen low quality recordings haha
Yes proper source and audio file is important for critical listening.
YouTube / MP3 is only listenable on lower-end equipment, which is fine if you are just ‘playing’ music for ‘ambiance’ or BGM.
For convenience I understand many choose lossy compressed for smaller file size / or streaming.
Yeah, a lot of people find the M-100 / CFW uncomfortable with the stock pads - many people would go as far as say the XL pads are a "MUST" upgrade. (I personally find the stock pads on M-100 fine for me, so I never bothered with the XL pads.)
For most people who upgrade their M-100 to the XL pads, though, it seems to solve their issue! (I haven't read any/many reports of people saying the upgrade didn't solve their comfort issues)
So I'd say it should do the trick for the CFW as well - hopfully it solves the comfort for you! :)
yes, I hope so, too :) was surprised some stores in Australia stock them
Thanks a lot for sharing!
I guess I will have to try these on first comparing it with m50x. Any places which store Vmodas in Melbourne?
OK at this stage I am definitely keeping mine! you're welcome to come and try them on, pm me for the options haha
What made you change your decision ;-)
@Somu: I decided to wear my BBP2 on my commute to home to compare again and boy do they sound flat now :D
@[Deactivated]: LOL, glad you are enjoying them. Actually I think M50s will be close.
BUT until I test both out, can't decide. Here in Oz the M50x (rather M50x BT) are about $300. The VM CFW are a steal then I suppose.
@Somu: I think CFW is a steal at this price. on the other hand you need to factor in the potential need to upgrade to XL earpads (around $34 delivered). but considering everything that comes in the box (hard carry case, audio cord with microphone) I think it's still an amazing deal on a great pair of headphones, if it fits your use case scenario.
@Somu: good luck! But if you work in Melbourne CBD you're welcome to stop by and try them on, I will have XL earpads on Friday according to ebay delivery promise.
@[Deactivated]: Thank you for the offer. I work in Hawthorn east. Will let ya know if I come down. You have been a great help. Thanks heaps.
Let me know what difference th xl pads make.
@Somu: I haven't got the xl pads yet, but you know, I spent half a day already with stock pads today, and they feel comfortable :) anyway they are coming
@[Deactivated]: I thought so too. Some reviewers pointed that as well.will try with the stock pads for now. I don't have unusually large ears
Let me know how you go with XL anyways.
Ordered! hope its delivered soonish!
yay! I still haven't received my xl pads. Australia Post sucks
Yeah, considering the headphones take about 7 days to reach from US it's disappointing.
Auspost needs to pull up it's socks.
Hope you find the xl pads enjoyable.
I can't wait!
and it's not like it is coming from another state, it's Melbourne to Melbourne. just plain ridiculous.
what does your tracking info say?
@Somu: got my xl pads this morning. I think that makes them more comfortable, but I didn't mind the standard ones already :D well I have a spare set then.
@[Deactivated]: Do you notice any sound differences? From memory, the XL pads supposedly tighten up the bass, while reducing the quantity of bass.
@caprimulgus: I am too lazy to do a comparison, but I think I enjoy the sound in the xl pads more, and the comfort has certainly increased
P.S. compared to Plantronics BBP2 (wired) I can hear so much more detail that it's not even funny
P.S. compared to Plantronics BBP2 (wired) I can hear so much more detail that it's not even funny
I told you! :)
Glad you're enjoying them!
@caprimulgus: "I told you" always reminds me 9f this
http://www.mspaintadventures.com/sweetbroandhellajeff/?cid=0…
I TOLD YOU MAN
I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE STAIRS
@caprimulgus: I am not sure for better or for worse, but I used to be on the fence on Blutengel, but these V-Modas make them sound so cool that they have been growing on me lately haha
my friend used to say that Blutengel is bad news :D
@Somu: I checked my Amazon order, I ordered on 12th, and got it on 20th earlier than promised (22-27 was the promise). so maybe you will get yours sooner, too
@Somu: a little burn in first? ;)
I got a few lossless albums off groupees and I have been thoroughly enjoying them today! what do you think about the standard ear pads? 🐝
@[Deactivated]: Yes burning them in now. Initial impression is good. Will comment after a few more hours.
From where do you source lossless content? Any pointers. Feel free to pm please. :)
I bet some dr Dre beats fanboi will say i never heard of this brand….poor sheep….