V-Moda Vibe Duo Nero Headphones for iPhone Review (Verdict: Way Better Than Apple's)
I've spent about a month with the V-Moda Vibe Duo Nero headphones. I am not displeased.
Designed specifically to work with the iPhone, the Vibe Duo Nero are different from the Vibe Duo only by the addition of a control button on the microphone like the one on the stock iPhone earbuds. And while it works, it can be a little bit finicky to use, as the metal button is only slightly raised on the round metal microphone housing, making it occasionally difficult to locate without looking, especially with gloves on. That sounds worse in writing than it is in practice. Certainly don't let that dissuade you from purchasing them.
The iPhone has become my primary music device, which means I no longer have to question whether or not I am going to carry my iPod with me or not. Unfortunately, that meant I had to carry my headphones with me everywhere. My previous on-the-go headphones were the Sennheiser PX100, and while I have nothing but good things to say about their audio quality, they aren't exactly pocketable, especially when you're only wearing jeans.
The Vibe Duo Nero on the other hand slip easily into a pocket. When using the included spring-close leather case, they even remain generally free of tangles.
Sound quality is very good, although few "low-end" in-ear models are going to be able to reproduce sound as well as full-sized headphones. For public transit riders like myself, though, the sound from the Vibe Duo Nero is actually a little bit better than most, simply because the earphones act as earplugs, blocking out outside noise. That's especially good since turning up the volume on my Sennheisers to drown out the subway noise was certainly bad for my ears.
The mid-range tones seem to be the weakest, actually, while bass is fairly round. That's pretty much in line with every other in-ear headphone I've used, so that's not a ding against the Vibe Duo Nero specifically.
If you don't use an iPhone, I'm not sure the price premium ($100ish instead of $50 or so for similar headphones from other brands) is worth the solid metal construction and attractive design. (The burled metal ring around the outside is really nice looking.) Headphones, after all, are easily lost. But for iPhone users who want the whole experience that the stock earbuds offer—taking calls, skipping tracks, pausing music—without the crappy sound and barely-functional design from Apple, the Vibe Duo Nero seem like an obvious choice. Just be sure you get the "Nero" model, not the regular Vibe Duo, which doesn't have the button. (But does have the microphone.)
Product Page (with stupid Flash soundtrack) [V-Moda] Amazon]
Update: After two or three months of happy use, my Vibe Duo stopped working. Many others have reported the same issues. Considering this, I have to advise skipping the Vibe Duo Nero earbuds unless you're prepared to ship them back to V-Moda every few months for repair.
Update Update: V-Moda has changed the build of the Vibe Duo and I think they've got the durability problem licked.
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I 100%, absolutely concur. Made spending my $100 iPhone credit a lot speedier. My buddy that got the previous version without the control button is jealous.
You know what I'd like to see? Decent stereo-to-mono headphones for people with single-sided hearing loss, such as Brian Wilson, Rob Lowe, Stephen Colbert, and me. All I have now is a cheesy, obtrusive stereo to mono adapter from Radio Shack. There are hundreds of thousands of us in the US alone.
They look pretty well constructed, but do you have any comments on their durability? That's my biggest problem with the ones that come with the iPhone.
For headphones that you carry with you 24/7, that's a significant issue.
these have a 3.5mm jack needed for the iphone.. does anyone have a good recommendation headphones like these but with a 2.5mm jack that would work on a smartphone like the HTC Wizard/T-mobile MDA?
@Halloween Jack: this won't work on an iPhone, but I use TCPMP as my media player on Windows Mobile 5, and it has a mode in it's audio settings to do stereo join or mono output to either stereo channel which would work well for you.
@Jrishel, thanks for the suggestion. Last I checked, iTunes had a mono setting, but it was low-quality--for audiobooks, I think.
I got a pair of Vibe Duos (basically the same, but not made for the iPhone) that I got for Christmas last year. Sound eventually went out (after maybe 2-3 months) at one ear due to the wiring at the top of the plug. I assumed it was because of the way I carried my iPod in my back pocket and it had a tendency to lay sidways, putting undue stress on the plus. V-moda replaced them under warranty no problem.
Then it happened again with the new pair—sound got crackly in one ear, and then quit—even after I started putting my iPod in my front pocket. Decided not to get them replaced.
iPhone came out, and the only headphone option was the Vibes. At this time they did not have the controls, but they did have the iPhone plug. So I decided to take one last chance, hoping they would have fixed this problem since it had a new plug. I only used these headphones for watching TV Shows while on the stationary bike in my gym. They still crapped out. I'm waiting for my replacement pair. But I'm still really disappointed. I'm a looks whore so I love these. They also sound pretty great. I just don't see why they don't fix the damn plug. I've read of this problem elsewhere on the net.
Also, if you're rocking the pack-in earbuds for any apple product, do yourself a favor and try some new buds. Sennheisers or Sony's or something.
Even for like $30-$50 you'll hear a big difference.
I have a pair, and I have two complains--
One, the things are metal, and have a ring of pointy /jagged metal, that put a few good scratches on my ipod. Unless you are incredibly organized and keep these in a case, you are going to wrap the earbuds around the ipod and put them in your pocket, thus causing the scratches.
Two, the wires ripped out of the plug a bit, and the audio got all messed up. Not very durable.
All in all--the V-Moda's sound good and are comfy, but you're better off with a pair of in ear Shure's (like the SE210 model). They are durable, comfy--and plastic.
AN UPDATE ON MY ABOVE POST. Just got my replacements for my iPhone headphones (they shipped the newer model with the controls). It looks like they added a small rubber gasket where the wires meet the plug. Here's hoping it helps with the previous problems. I should add that their customer service has always been very responsive.
I HATE the V-Moda's. I got a non iphone specific pair last year. They were dead within a month. TERRIBLE construction. The cables were way to thin and came apart. They were ear blisteringly loud which was the only thing I enjoyed about them.
I much prefer the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 4vi. They are compatible with Iphone (with control button and mic). The sound is also significantly better.
Hmm...too bad earbuds are so catastrophically bad for hearing, trapping the sound waves in the ear canal and causing too much pressure on the eardrum. But they're so nifty and convenient...