***I received a product sample in hopes I would share my genuine thoughts here on the blog. All photos and opinions contained below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2015.
Momma Told Me: They're called headphones because the sound goes into your head, not mine!
I grew up in 80s and 90s. For any young adult today it's hard to imagine one once had to fill a boombox full of 8 D batteries to simply play a mix tape of one's favorite jams on cassette. This was a time when 'portable' meant 'will fit in a backpack or purse' rather than 'will fit in one's pocket' and the best way to enjoy loud, clear, audio on the go was a headset with ugly orange foam pads around the ears. You know the ones- they came with nearly every Walkman, and were so efficient at doing their job everyone within a 10' radius had the pleasure of also enjoying whatever you were listening to. And while, for the most part, I was a miniature version of Momma, growing up, she did not appreciate me playing her favorite songs on loop for hours on end in close proximity.
When I received my first portable cassette player I was about 12, and I'd walk through the condo (which was already a small space) blasting Alanis Morissette's edited version of
Jagged Little Pill. It got so bad that I was eventually banished to only listen to my portable Walkman in my bedroom, quite defeating the purpose of having portable audio, all together. At some point, between tween and teen, I was ever so thoughtfully gifted a pair of 'home audio' headphones which drowned all flooded sound out and in. These were the sort that enveloped your entire ear and had about 2" of noise buffering padding on them. I recall they were far from fashionable, not intended to be worn in public, and made my ears hurt after an hour of use- but it was them or no music at all, so I endured.
I'm sharing this because I have recently discovered the answer to all of my personal audio woes. A product I wish had been around 15 years ago, but one that still proves quite ingenious in my everyday life today. The manufacturer, V-Moda is not only known for their renowned clarity and precision in audio delivery, but their compact
V-Moda XS On-Ear Headphones have been praised as "The portable on-ear headphone to beat" by Macworld. If you thin in-ear is sleek and sexy then you haven't seen the XS; these headphones are truly a work of art in design and function with crystal clear M-class sound that highlights precision bass and provides a 3D sound stage experience.
Available in 13 finish/color options, with a steelflex headband and Kevlar reinforced cable to withstand over 1 million bends, the V-Moda XS headphones are built to last, and perform through demanding use. For your money you'll also get a stylish exoskeleton case and caribiner to help transport and protect your headphones. And did I mention that the XS store away at half the footprint of their in use size thanks to V-Moda's CliqFold hinges which allow the actual earpieces to fold inside the headband!
One of the things that really excited me about the stylish V-Moda XS on-ear headsets was the option for free customization. This goes beyond your basic engraving options, as the earphone's actually have interchangeable plates you can swap out in varying colors; and each plate has the option for laser engraving of initials, business/band logos, song lyrics, and more. Pretty much anything you dream up can be converted to an engraving on the plate of your choice. Just look at how well our logo came out on the black V-Moda XS! I could not be happier with the clarity of the logo or the quality of the etching.
But the XS are much more than pretty headphones- they offer several key functions for an everyday multi-use headset. The 24k gold plated 3.5mm jack not only looks great but is compatible with most modern smartphones, MP3 players, and laptop/tablet outputs. This is important because the push to talk microphone embedded in the cord gets lots of use with my when I'm driving and mobile, or simply gaming my MMORPGs late into the night. I especially like that I can hear very clearly through the headset, but that the mic is high enough quality to block out any interference or disturbance during long calls which may involve traveling through various environments.
These headphones are most praised, however, for their compact presence when being worn. V-Moda worked tirelessly to design a headset that was as sleek and unobtrusive as the leading in-ear headsets. Gone is the giant gab between headband and head, you'll see in most modern headsets, as well as the extra framework often left sticking out from the earpieces once the sizing has been adjusts. The XS is also designed with memory foam earpads for long-term comfort in wear and the Steel-flex frame which avoids common headset pressure points. In truth, I can hardly believe I am hearing such clarity and depth of sound without the traditional headset discomfort.
Audio and audiophile gifts are definitely in for 2015- from wireless speakers to portable audio solutions, there are many options to choose from. If you have a music lover that needs portability and versatility, but seeks the clarity of superior audio, an on ear headset such as the
V-Moda XS is the way to go. Besides, nothing is cooler than seeing a high end piece of tech customized- the engrved faceplates simply rock my socks!
How would you personalize your V-Moda XS headset?
What Daughter Says: Sharing is caring but nobody want to hear that Taylor Swift song for the 90th time. Keep your tunes rocking, and to yourself.
One Momma Told Me reader will win a their own customized V-Moda XS Headset!
