My full review will be posted tomorrow on my blog, and here on HeadFi. Until then, enjoy the verbiage! Thanks to @AndrewY and VModa for the review sample!
VModa Crossfade M-100 Master ($250): Another fine portable from VModa.
Intro:
I already have the VModa Crossfade 2, purchased as a portable set for review purposes, and when I want a good closed-back over ear headphone. I also purchased the XL pads, which make a huge difference to me. When this loaner tour became available, I put my hat into the ring, thinking this would be a good comparison between the two. I was right. Read on for the full details.I thank @AndrewY and VModa for sending their wares out for review. It was worth it to me and is an easy way to accumulate several reviews over the course of a short time span. Good thinking, plus many get to hear a product as well.
Specs:
Type: Over-Ear Circumaural
Speaker driver: 50mm dual-diaphragm driver
Frequency response: 5 - 40,000 Hz
Speaker sensitivity: 107dB @ 1kHz 1mW
Microphone sensitivity: -42dB @ 1kHz
Impedance: 32Ω
Weight: 283g
Gear Used/Compared:
VModa Crossfade 2 ($200)
Beyerdynamic T5p V2 ($999)
Campfire Audio Cascade ($800)
MBP
Little Dot mk3 se
XDuoo TA-30
EarMen Sparrow
Dethonray DTR1
Shanling M6 Pro
Shanling M2X
Songlist:
Joey Alexander-Warna album and others
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado
twenty one pilots album, Trench
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Big Head Todd & The Monsters-Beautiful World
Mark Knopfler-Down The Road Wherever
Elton John-yep, still good, still cool
Tidal MQA
Unboxing/In-the-box:
Crossfade M-100 Master
Exoskeleton Carry Case
Carabiner Clip
ARAMID Fiber-Reinforced SpeakEasy™ 1-Button Microphone Cable
Reinforced SharePlay™ Audio Cable
Gold Plated 1/4" Pro Adapter
V-CORK (2)
2-Year Warranty
Immortal Life Replacement Program
Unboxing/Fit/Finish:
Just like my Crossfade 2 Wireless model, the M-100 Master comes in an angular orange and black box, reminiscent of a medieval-type look to me. Undoing the ribbon holding the handled lid on, the lid opens after releasing the clasp. Inside you find the wrapped instructions in multiple languages. Under the top protective cover, you find the svelte headphone case itself, nestled into a “nest” on the bottom. Inside you find the folded headphones and two cables as well as a 3.5-6.35 jack. This has the same size of the Crossfade 2, which is a common theme with VModa.
The outside of the box is full of useful information and pictures, which denote how the unit can be used. If you cannot find a part or aspect listed, which is useful then there is no need for it to be there.
The clamshell case is small and portable, just like the Crossfade 2, and includes a carabiner with which to attach the unit to your backpack or briefcase or even belt (which would look weird). VModa is just about at the top with regard to small portable headphones and this continues with the Crossfade M-100 Master.
Since I have the Crossfade 2 Wireless, gauging fit and finish is pretty straightforward. To me in typical VModa fashion, the M-100 fits snuggly onto your head. With the Crossfade 2, I ordered the larger pads, which actually go over my ear. With the larger pads, I was able to get a better fit. On the M-100, the stock pads did fit over my ears, and gave a good seal. I would change to the larger pads, were these mine and I will do so in the sound section. I did note after a longer session of 1.5hrs that the fit was tight, and it did bother my glasses. This happens with my Crossfade 2 as well. Those larger pads do accommodate longer sessions, though. To say these are foldable would be akin to stating that Lilia Stepanova is a “pretty good” contortionist. To me this is one of the trademarks of the VModa brand along with the ability to be used competently as DJ headphones. They are kind of known for that, you know...
Lilia Stepanova
I know the build is solid, but I have always treated my pair with a degree of carefulness that I do not with others. I think that could be due to the thin metal yokes used, but one need not worry. Folding to less than ½ its original size, the M-100 are among the most portable full-sized headphones out there, with a smaller footprint folded than even the LCD-1, which is a direct rival.
With no fore/aft movement of the earcups other than the movement on your head, you should still be able to find an acceptable position. I did, especially with the larger pads. Made mostly of plastic as well, the weight does not hinder comfort, which is a plus. You can also run the cable of your choice (either the mic version, regular or coiled DJ) from either side, or run two cables at once for mixing purposes. A small plastic piece covers the hole when not in use. Since the cable is has been tested with over 1 million bends, you need not worry about it failing. I do worry about the fabric cover fraying over time with enough use, though.
Sound:
Having the unit for two weeks means time is at a premium. So, while I finished another review, the M-100 Master was placed on my trusty Shanling M2x for over 100hrs. I still do this so that the user will have an idea of what the unit sounds like 6-12 months down the road. Does it change? On some I’m not sure. On others I can note a change. Since I listened very little during that 100+ hours, I cannot verify a change or not.
Starting with David Bowie’s China Girl, the bass was present and tight but not overwhelming. Think of a more balanced sound and you get the idea. Mind you this is not offensive at all due to that lack of sub-bass thump and rumble. Solid and tight would describe the low end here, with fairly fast decay, giving a nice reality to the sound.
Vocals come across in the mids solid as well. Bowie’s superlative vocals are among the best ever, and while they are set back a bit, the sound is again clean. Somewhat crisp as well, the guitar work of Stevie Ray Vaughan comes across as almost sensuous. Especially knowing the song. There is a bit of bleed from the bass into the mids, but it does not bother me. Elements from Lindsay Stirling showcase the solidity of the mids, without sacrificing too much. This also shows that the mids are indeed set back a bit.
The previous song also brings to light the treble characteristics such that they are not overly dramatic. Rolled off nicely for me, they reach a good level without being intense or piercing. This may be called dull and lifeless, but I would call them more subdued with a want not to overshadow the rest. But on a song such as Oye Mi Amor from Ozomatli, the high spots are just about right. On some headphones of late this particular song can become grating and tedious, and as such the volume goes down. Here on the M-100M though, I can actually turn the song up, highlighting the sumptuous bass line, and the vocals nicely.
Soundstage/Layering/Etc:
Cumbia De Los Muertos is an excellent song with which to judge stage and separation. A cacophony of sounds, instruments and placement give an ideal reaction to judge the headphone. The M-100 Master is not extraordinary in its stage, giving the user a slightly smaller than usual sound. Not isolationist or claustrophobic, but on the more intimate side. Good height helps alleviate this a bit, but depth is only average. This is not a slap at the VModa, but a limitation instead. And not entirely bad. Fear, Greed and Ignorance from BHT adds to this, what with its bluesy sound. Layering is average, but not cumbersome. I get a decent sense of placement, but nothing extraordinary. To sum then, this would be on the smaller size stage-wise and with decent but not great separation and layering. I do still like it, though.
Comparisons:
VModa M-100 Master ($250) vs VModa Crossfade 2 ($200):
When I purchased the Crossfade 2, I did so to have a BT over-ear headphone. After some listening, I purchased the larger pads as the unit did not cover my ears comfortably (much like the current M-100 Master). In doing so, the bass tightened up and became more dominant due to the larger chamber of sound. This also loosened the vice-like grip of the unit itself to me.
Not having listened to them in a bit of time, my immediate response is that the soundstage is even smaller here. Call it intimate with a bit more bass. Vocals are also pushed a bit more forward, and Todd’s vocals sit almost squarely in the center of my noggin. If I had auditioned the pair back to back, I would have foregone the BT version and ended up with the Master. But since I wanted a BT headphone, the Crossfade 2 is pretty decent, nonetheless.
If you want sound quality, the Master wins pretty easily for its more mature sound, that does not offend anywhere (neither does the Crossfade 2, though).
VModa M-100 Master ($250) vs Beyerdynamic T5p V2 ($999):
Included here due to a purchase of a used pair, the T5p V2 is an excellently detailed headphone. Easy of fit, with vocals that come across as crisp and clean, the T5p’s Achilles is a lack of bass. There pretty much isn’t any. Isolation is not the best either, even though it is an over-ear. Under the right circumstances though, the T5p shines. Elements as mentioned above would be a good example. Clarity rules the roost, and the VModa simply cannot come close. But, the BeyerD is not portable. And it does not have nearly enough bass for my tastes (I use it to judge clarity such as here). Vocals are a bit held back as well, but not like the VModa.
So, purchase a used version of a really good headphone (there are other Beyerdynamics that are really solid as well) or purchase the VModa new, and it is portable.
VModa M-100 Master ($250) vs Campfire Audio Cascade ($800):
There is no denying that the Cascade loves bass. This sets the tone for bass to me in the portable segment. It is superb. But so superb that it can overshadow the other aspects a bit too much for some (not me). Stirling’s violin is impeccable on Elements, and the tonality wrought from the Cascade makes for a very euphonic sound. I really, really like the Cascade, and it hits all of the right chords for me. Purchased when they first came out, this one still makes it regularly into my rotation, and not just for review purposes.
Rumble galore, and a slightly withdrawn high end emote a near perfect sound, without being overly dramatic. I find very little to fault here in the sound. Fit-wise though, it would be a toss-up between the two. With vice grip-like clamping pressure, it is actually a bit higher than the VModa. And I do have to remove myself from time to time to accommodate. Sound-wise though there is little to fault here, and a good to excellent used version can be had for a little more than the new VModa. Your choice.
Finale:
I finish this while listening to REM’s Losing My Religion, which has some profound words. This is bigger than me would be apt for pretty much any headphone with regard to choosing one that is “the best” to comment on. There have been many come through this humble abode, and some are indeed agreed upon as truly exceptional. Some regarded as “the best,” and they could pretty much claim that perch. But to me that misses the point of those not aiming for that “best” level such as the VModa M-100 Master. To me, this is meant to be an affordable alternative to those boutique brands of which we speak often.
In that category there are some quite respected headphones, and then there are ones, which have a devout following but to me are really not good at all. I know of what I speak. I had a 1979 Triumph Spitfire, which if you know anything about older British sportscars, they were notorious for breaking. But oh, the following. I can also state that my Spitfire made a cross country trip through extremely harsh conditions using one quart of oil throughout the trip and a left rear wheel bearing. Not bad for that marque. And here is where the VModa might be thought of as the safe practical choice, instead of those error-prone boutique brands.
The VModa is a solid mid-fi choice, that has a thoroughly enjoyable sound signature. Paired with the EarMen Sparrow and Tidal MQA, I can think of those worse brands and not worry about them, for listening to the M-100 Master emotes a positive smile to my face, and after all isn’t that the point? The M-100 Master probably won’t win any awards, but it can move forward knowing it represents the VModa line well, without too many faults and presenting a satisfying sound to boot. To me, that says it all.
I thank Andrew and VModa for including me in the review tour. The fine unit makes its way back home at this moment and I thank them both for the opportunity.
