Heavy Metal
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V-Moda's original Crossfade Wireless headset was an excellent pair of headphones, and the new Crossfade Wireless 2 (See it on Amazon) improves on the formula to create an even better experience. The hybrid wired and Bluetooth headphones are built to last and designed with refined audio capabilities that work well with all types of music, movies, and games, all while sporting a long-lasting battery. At around $300 depending on the color, the new Crossfade's certainly aren't the cheapest headphones on the market, but with these you get what you pay for. Wireless headsets with high quality sound and design aren't cheap. Let's see how this new model stacks up:
Design and Features
V-Moda's Crossfade Wireless 2 headphones have a premium feel from top to bottom—starting with the Steelflex headband surrounded in vegan leather, through the steel frame and into the memory foam cushions decorated on the rear with hexagonal metal shields, and all the way down to its removable, kevlar-enforced cable. These aren't your run-of-the-mill flimsy plastic headphones, and the construction isn't just for looks.
V-Moda claims that its cable can bend over a million times while retaining its structure and functionality, and that the headband can be completely flattened more than 10 times without breaking. Even the included Exoskeleton Case carries the same level of build quality, protecting the Crossfades along with its audio and USB charging cable, while remaining cleanly-designed and sleek.
To fit in the case, the already-compact headphones fold at the hinges, making transportation an ease. I was able to throw everything I needed to enjoy the headset into a single-pocket bag along with my laptop and chargers without it adding any significant bulk. If I wanted to keep it more accessible, the case also comes with a carabiner clip.
In terms of delivering audio, the Crossfade Wireless 2 is equipped with 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers, passive noise isolation, and reduced sound leakage (a feature typical with closed-back headphones). Utilizing the cable provides expected advantages over a wireless connection, including decreased latency and a more dynamic audio range.
For more portability, the cord can be removed and Bluetooth enabled. When activated, audio controls are managed through a series of buttons and a slider on the right ear cup. The two volume buttons on each side of the cup are self-explanatory, a middle button can be used to pause, repeat, or skip a track, and a slider towards the bottom turns the headphones on or off and is used for wireless pairing.
When the cable is utilized, a single button can be found along the cord and acts just like the middle ear cup button. Once paired with my phone, plugging and unplugging the cable would result in a seamless transition between wired and Bluetooth.
While Bluetooth does make the Crossfade's even more portable, the headphones themselves are a bit on the heavy side. Weighing in at 309g, it was impossible to ignore their presence on my head. The increase in weight from the original Crossfade Wireless is said to be due to the new version's larger battery, so there's a bit of compromise there. For comparison, the slightly-more-expensive Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones weigh significantly less at 260g.
The padded headband and memory foam ear cups helped in terms of comfort, although they felt a bit cramped around my ears. The over-ear headphones didn't make contact with the edges of my ears, but there wasn't much space beyond that.
Performance
One of the best things about the new Crossfade is that its sound profile was able to provide quality audio for every genre I tested. Music came through clean and clear, highs were kept under control even at higher volumes, and bass was present without being overwhelming.
I hopped around my Spotify playlists and found little to complain about. Whether listening to Green Day's Dookie, Kendrick Lamar and The Weekend's Pray for Me, legendary Al Green hits, or even classic musical numbers from Barbara Streisand or the smooth jazz vocals of Madeleine Peyroux, everything sounded well-balanced and refined.
The downside to doing so well with every type of genre is that some music styles were missing certain qualities that amplify the experience. Contemporary rap and EDM, for example, lacked the deep and heavy bass that takes them to the next level. Bassnectar's Speakerbox sounded good but, because of slightly restrained bass levels, it didn't sound truly great.
As expected, quality would change when the headphones were switched to Bluetooth mode. The audio range wasn't as expansive and, as a result, music sounded more cluttered. There was also a buzzing when used without the cable. Music easily covers up the background noise, but it was obvious between tracks, during quieter parts of a song, or when the volume was low. When convenient, I always chose to go wired rather than use Bluetooth, but it was always nice to know the untethered option was there if I wanted or needed it.
Audio from movies and video games was handled with the same level of quality. From action movies and first person shooters to dramas and sports games, sound was well-balanced in just about every situation. Like with certain music genres, the less-than-intense bass levels left me wanting more when firing off guns and watching over-the-top explosions.
The headphones are closed-back in design, so sound was confined within the cups. I do prefer the fuller sound of open-backed headphones, but the headset's ability to keep my music from easily creeping out for others to hear was a huge advantage to this type of build and something that public transit commuters (and their travelling neighbors) would appreciate.
Something to keep in mind for gamers: these are standard stereo headphones and there is no additional PC software included to create a virtual surround sound environment. Given, they aren't pitched as gaming headphones, even though they do a pretty good job, as long as you're okay with just two channels.
The headphone's cable also includes an in-line microphone that is expectedly sub-par. My voice was incredibly flat and quality was nothing to be proud of. It's fine for phone and video calls, but not much more than that. V-Moda provided us with its $30 BoomPro Microphone, which did dramatically increase quality.
With the BoomPro mic, the cable included with the Crossfade Wireless 2 is replaced with a longer cable with an extended and bendable boom microphone and an in-line volume controller with a clip. The audio range was greatly expanded, from the lows to the highs. Background noise was picked up by the omni-directional mic, so although it worked well when gaming online with a few friends in a relatively quiet room, it wouldn't work quite as well during a phone call in a public place.
Without any cables connected, the headset itself also includes a discrete microphone. Its audio quality is actually better than the in-line mic, although still sits below the optional BoomPro Microphone.
In terms of Bluetooth connectivity, V-Moda claims that the Crossfade Wireless 2 can handle more than 14 hours of music playback on a single charge, which feels accurate. After more than a week of switching between wired and wireless mode, the headset's battery is still nearly at a full charge. The company also claims that just 30 minutes of charging will result in an additional 3 and a half hours of music, so if used in wireless mode primarily for work or school commutes, there should be no worries about running out of juice for a few days.
Purchasing Guide
The V-Moda Crossfade 2 is available in three colors, and price varies according to color. Your best bet is to just head over to Amazon and see which color you like the most. $300-$330 is the typical price, but the headset has been dropping to closer to $280 lately:
The Verdict
V-Moda's Crossfade Wireless 2 is the complete package. It provides quality audio, gives you a choice between wired and wireless mode with any Bluetooth-enabled device, and is made with high-end materials. With the exception of just a few flaws, they are a fantastic set of headphones. Just be sure to get the boom mic if you plan on doing any gaming.
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