I was shocked by how good the V-Moda XS headphones perform. Some of my early experiences with V-Moda sound products had suggested that they favored (as many headphone manufacturers do) the "look" over they quality of sound. V-Moda was in at the beginning of headphone bling marketing.
Don't get me wrong, the XS phones are clearly fashion forward statements. They are attractive, relatively small, made from top materials with an excellent build quality. They come in a clamshell carrying case, perfect for keeping them safe when traveling. The case, by the way, was clearly not an afterthought. It is designed to be attractive, light, and still protective. I liked that it had a clip for attaching it to a strap or belt. For me, when it comes to headphone design comfort and sound always outweigh "looks". Still it was nice to have a pair that weren't hideous, too ostentatious, nor too bulky to carry around when on the road.
The first thing that struck me was how comfortable they are to wear. The headphone's cups flip upward toward the band to make them more compact during transport. The soft leather ear coverings are really a pleasure to the touch. There are no share edges to play gotcha with, and the thin cord is covered in a mesh that prevents tangles while also housing an in-line mike. I have a large-ish head, big enough that finding a winter cap is sometimes a problem, yet these headphones comfortably fit over my head without feeling like I was wearing a vise.
Of course, nothing matters if the sound is sub-par. This is where I was really blow-away. Unlike many sets I've tried recently, these are relatively balanced and neutral; they don't artificially pump up the bass. Now, if your idea of a good time is strapping a subwoofer to your head and head-banging, these may not be the right phones for you. However, in test after test, over a variety of kinds of music from rock, to classical, to folk and jazz, the XPs delivered clean, musical listening. This meant I could wear them for long periods without feeling claustrophobic, or under assault. As with most headphones the properties of the sound-stage are somewhat artificial. This was particularly true with chamber music where instead of having the piano in front of me, it often felt as if it was sitting where my brain ought to be, rather than front and center.
Nevertheless, in their price class, the V-Moda XS are certainly first-chair material and highly recommended.
