V-moda Vibe review (Red Roxx)

Headphone maker V-moda may be a newcomer in the digital audio domain, but you wouldn't realize it listening to the company's products. Both the Remix M-Class and Bass Freq earphones garnered positive critiques from the tech press, including CNET. V-moda is continuing its brand proliferation with the premium Vibe in-ear headphones ($101), another fashion-forward set that offers rich, if a bit bass-heavy, audio response.

The V-moda Vibe earphones offer the most understated design of all of the company's headphones: each pair offers a simple, black cable (approximately 48 inches long) with metallic accenting designated by the model. You can choose from gunmetal black, flashback chrome, or la mocha (not yet available at press time). The earpieces are small and stylish with an almost jewelry-like appearance, thanks to the shiny finish. The cable is quite thin, but seems durable, and V-moda includes a Modawrap in the package to help prevent tangles. You also get several sets of silicon fittings in three sizes, which should let most users create an effective seal with the ear. Comfort also should not be an issue for those with average-sized ears, but this small-eared reviewer found that the eartips put pressure on the inner ear cartilage causing some soreness after about an hour of use. The squishy foam fittings that come with Shure's E4cs are much more comfortable.