The V-MODA Vibe in-ear Headphones pair fashion with high-fidelity sound, which is exactly what V-MODA has been doing for years. It’s easy for audio enthusiasts to shun the idea of focusing on anything else other than sound quality, but there’s no denying that the average consumer wants their headphones to look presentable, as well as sound amazing. Achieving both while keeping the cost low is no easy feat. The market is flooded with poorly constructed and poorly sounding headphones that do nothing but look pretty. Let’s just say that the V-MODA Vibe earphones are different, and this review explains exactly how.

Build and Design

V-MODA must have taken inspiration from jewelry makers because the Vibe earbuds look like two finely cut gemstones. Their small size makes them almost entirely disappear in your ears, except for the very end, which is silver and angled in a way that reflects light from it, giving it a crystal-like appearance.

The housing is made from aluminum alloy. This keeps the weight of the headphones so low that it’s easy to forget about them after just a few minutes of listening to your favorite tunes. Unless you manage to drown these headphones in water, we don’t think you’ll have any issues with durability whatsoever.

The Vibe earbuds use a braided cable that’s approximately 48 inches long and ends in a 45-degree, gold-plated plug. The design of the plug is supposed to increase its durability, but it seems to do the exact opposite. Because the plug is shaped like the letter T, it tends to hook on just about everything you put in your pockets. Not only can this damage the plug itself, but it can also harm your smartphone.

V-MODA at least includes an adjustable plastic clip for securing the headphones to your clothing and a small plastic doohickey they call Modawrap. Its purpose is to prevent tangles, and it accomplishes this job without a hitch.

Sound Quality

Passive noise isolation has become a popular marketing claim, often with only little merit behind it. You can then imagine how surprised we were to find out that the V-MODA Vibe outperformed most expensive headphones in terms of acoustic attenuation. Even with the stock silicone eartips, the Vibe block most outside noise with relative ease, and you don’t even need to increase the volume too much.

But if you enjoy bombarding your eardrums with loud sounds, the V-MODA Vibe will happily oblige. The headphones are easy to drive from any smartphone or portable audio player, thanks to V-MODA’s highly regarded V-MASQUE dynamic driver.

This driver delivers rich audio with excellent clarity and deep bass. It’s the kind of sound that makes even poorly mixed music sound good and is guaranteed to make you feel the rhythm deep in your bones.

What’s in the Box?

Included in the box are a shirt clip, a Modawrap cable saver, and three sizes of ultra-soft silicone fittings (S, M, L).