The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are stylish and customizable headphones, with an above-average sound for critical listening. They have a durable build quality and a stable, comfortable fit. However, they feel slightly tight on your head and they struggle in loud environments. They don't block noise well and leak quite a bit at higher volumes.
Our Verdict
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are decent headphones for everyday casual use. They have a tough, durable build quality and an above-average sound quality. Unfortunately, they're not versatile enough for all use cases. They leak quite a bit and don't isolate well in loud environments.
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Good audio reproduction.
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Comfortable and stable fit.
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Sturdy and durable design.
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Poor noise isolation.
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Leaky at high volumes.
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are above-average for neutral listening. They're a bit tight but comfortable enough for long listening sessions. They deliver decent sound quality with good bass, relatively well-balanced instruments and vocals, and a competent soundstage despite their closed-back design.
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are subpar for commuting. They poorly prevent ambient noise from entering your audio, which isn't ideal for noisy flights or for commuting via public transit.
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are decent for sports. They're tight, and the ear cups are relatively flat on your ears which prevents them from swaying if used while running or exercising. However, they're a bit bulky and will get a little hot and steamy during intense workouts, especially if you sweat a lot. Their control scheme is also not the best.
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are mediocre for office use. They won't isolate you very well from the chatter of a lively office, and they're also a bit leaky at high volumes.
- 6.1 Mixed Usage
- 7.2 Neutral Sound
- 5.9 Commute/Travel
- 6.2 Sports/Fitness
- 6.0 Office
- 5.1 Wireless Gaming
- 6.9 Wired Gaming
- 6.0 Phone Call
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Oct 02, 2017: The microphone has been tested with our new methodology, as explained here
- Updated Aug 10, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Mar 01, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 08, 2016: Review published.
- Updated Sep 06, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Aug 09, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Compared To Other Headphones
See our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones, the best wired headphones, and the best studio headphones.
Test Results
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 have an industrial yet modern aesthetic that looks good but won't work for everyone. They come in a variety of colors, and you can customize the backplate with a personal logo or insignia. These headphones will stick out in public with their eye-catching and unique design which, depending on your personal taste, could be a good or a bad thing.
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are decently comfortable headphones that are a bit tight on the head. The ear cups are large and will fit around most listeners' ears. However, the cups are a little shallow, and the headband is a bit tight. Thanks to the decently cushioned ear cups, the tension of these headphones isn't too noticeable but might cause slight discomfort over long listening sessions.
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 have a mediocre control scheme. The standard audio cable that comes with them only has one button and a mic. The button provides call/music and track skipping, but no volume controls. It's also a bit too rubberized, which doesn't deliver good tactile feedback. However, V-MODA offers more optional cables like a three-button mic cable, as well as the BoomPro mic dongle and CoilPro coiled audio cable with in-line controls.
They get moderately hot if you have them on for more than 30 minutes. It's not super uncomfortable, but you feel a noticeable difference that might keep you from listening to your audio for extended periods. Furthermore, they won't be the ideal headphones to take to the gym due to their closed-back design and leather-like padding, preventing a lot of air flow within the ear cups.
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are decently portable. They're mid-sized over-ear headphones that fold into a very compact format that'll fit into smaller bags and purses. Unfortunately, they're too big to fit in larger jacket pockets, so they'll be a bit of a hassle to carry around on your person without a bag.
They come with one of the best cases we've tested. The hard case is compact and will protect them from scratches, water damage, and falls. It's a tough, durable case that's also quite portable.
The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 have a good build quality. The headband has a lightweight, metal frame that feels sturdy, and flexible enough to handle a decent amount of physical stress. The ear cups are made of a dense plastic that won't easily break from a few falls. However, the customizable metal plate attached to the ear cups may get scratched through regular wear and tear. The cable that links the two ear cups is also somewhat exposed and could get damaged easier than the rest of the build.
These headphones are quite stable. The tight headband and flat ear cups apply decent pressure around the ear and don't sway during exercise. These aren't sports headphones, but their design is stable enough to use while running or jogging. However, they're still a little too bulky and cumbersome to use at the gym or while doing strenuous physical activity.
- V-MODA Crossfade M-100 headphones
- Carrying case
- 1/4" to 1/8" adapter
- Audio cable
- SharePlay Audio Cable
- Manual
These headphones have poor isolation. They don't have active noise cancellation and perform as expected. The passive isolation starts to kick in at around 400Hz, and reaching its maximum at around 3kHz. However, the amount of isolation provided in the mid-range is quite poor, and the isolation achieved in the treble range is only decent.
These headphones have poor leakage. They leak a bit more than most closed-back over-ears. The significant portion of leakage is between 300Hz and 6kHz, which is rather broad. However, the overall level of leakage is low.
These headphones have no compatible app.
