V-Moda M-200

Design and features:

The headphones have medium-high sensitivity so they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and even lower-powered portable audio devices. Features include audio cable jacks on both earcups - audio cable can be plugged in on either side, magnetically attached replaceable earpads, and earcups fold for ease of carrying and storage. This model comes with a detachable 54-inch long audio cable with built-in mic and answer/music player control button for smartphone and mobile device use, a detachable 55-inch long balanced audio cable for use with audio systems with 4-conductor balanced mini-jack outputs, a 1/4-inch audio jack adapter, and a carrying case.

Sound quality:

We found the M-200 delivers sound quality that falls in the Fair range, meaning that it has sonic shortcomings that leave a lot to be desired when listening to music but don't rule it out for dialog and communication. The overall sound can be summarized as telephone-like and harsh. Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) is somewhat subdued, has so-so impact and doesn't go deep. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is telephone-like, grainy, hazy and somewhat congested (think sonic traffic jam) and plasticky (something like what you would hear if you talked into a semi-rigid plastic cup), and gets more and more harsh as the volume increases. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is fairly extended, but is smeared (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer sound blurred) and somewhat subdued. This model does a so-so job of recovering room ambience (the sense of the acoustic space in which the audio program that's being listened to was recorded) in the upper midrange and a poor job elsewhere. The sound is constricted (as in straightjacketed). While the sound has a good sense of liveliness, it is somewhat closed (sound-wise it's fairly obvious you have something covering your ears).

Comfort and Fit:
We found that these headphones produce a sense of moderate pressure around the ears. As typical of on-ear models the pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use. Users with larger heads might find that the headband presses uncomfortably on the top of the head. Users with larger ears might find that the over-the-ear fit of the ear pads feel cramped, or that the ear pads sit on, rather than around their ears. Some users may find that when they lean far forward the headphones feel unstable and shift forward, but not to the point of falling off. When wearing this model while walking the vibrations from each foot step may be faintly heard through the headphones, and the sound of the audio cable rubbing on clothing may be heard through the headphones. Clearances are tight between the earcups and the "Y" support that holds them to the headband; it's possible to pinch a finger when handling the headphones in general.

The V-Moda M-200 home/studio-style headphones have a closed over-ear design. These headphones are intended for use with smartphones and mobile devices, as well as audio devices that have balanced audio output jacks. Additional features include audio cable jacks on both earcups so that the audio cable can be plugged in on either side, magnetically attached replaceable earpads, and earcups fold for ease of carrying and storage. The M-200 comes with a detachable 54-inch long audio cable with built-in mic and answer/music player control button for smartphone and mobile device use, a detachable 55-inch long balanced audio cable for use with audio systems with 4-conductor balanced mini-jack outputs, a 1/4-inch audio jack adapter, and a carrying case. It is covered by a 24-month warranty.