The good:The V-moda Vibe II earphones are sleek and stylish, and seem to be durable because of the heavy-duty hardware and thick, cloth cable. A variety of ear fittings and clips are included for a secure fit. Sound quality is good on the whole.
The bad:The V-moda Vibe II earphones may be too bass-heavy for some, and they're not the best choice for active pursuits because of their weight and cable noise issue.
The bottom line:The V-moda Vibe II earphones are a great option for style-conscious iPhone users who want thumping bass and hefty hardware in a stereo headset.
V-moda has gained quite a reputation for its stylish, low-profile earbuds. The good word has been helped along by the fact that these 'phones are not just lookers, but they offer impressive sound quality as well. The latest model to be pumped out of the V-moda factory, the Vibe II, is no exception. This $128 pair offers solid sound quality; a sleek design with a unique cable and a built-in mic for use with the iPhone and other music phones; and an updated plug housing that's designed to withstand more wear and tear than previous models. Just make sure that you love bass before plopping down the dough for these earphones.
V-moda really excels in the design department, and the Vibe Duo earphones are a perfect example of this. The set starts with a standard gold-plated plug, which is encased in a modified L-shaped rubberized housing--it's reminiscent of a hose spray nozzle and seems more rugged than that of previous models. This is followed by 34 inches of cable, which splits at a hefty chrome-plated call answer button module into an additional 13 inches of Y-cable that leads to the two tiny earbuds. Along the way to the right 'bud, you'll find a shirt clip and a small mic, which is also encased in metal.
Since 2003, Jasmine France has worked at CNET covering everything from scanners to keyboards to GPS devices to MP3 players. She currently cohosts the Crave podcast and spends the majority of her time testing headphones, music software, and mobile apps. Full Bio
