Home Headphone Comparisons V Moda Crossfade M100 vs. Sennheiser Momentum | A LOT TO COVER!

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Before we dive right into the V Moda Crossfade M100 vs. Sennheiser Momentum, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..

You’ve come to the right place!!

What I will bring you in this review

I will outline the V Moda Crossfade M100, and then compare/contrast it with the original Sennheiser Momentum towards the end. 🙂

  1. Ratings/Price
  2. Specifications
  3. Summary
  4. Pros
  5. Cons
  6. Comparison Video
  7. Amp/DAC requirements
  8. Who these headphones benefit?
  9. Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
  10. Consensus/Conclusion
  11. Similarities & Differences
  12. Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!

V Moda Crossfade M100

Ratings/Price

Specifications

  • Type: Closed Back.
  • Fit: Circumaural
  • Impedance: 32 Ohm. What is Headphone Impedance?
  • Sensitivity: 103dB
  • Frequency Response: 5Hz – 30kHz
  • Material: Foam, Steel, Kevlar
  • Weight: 280g

Summary

The V Moda Crossfade M100’s are a closed back, ruggedly built set of headphones with an emphasis on bass. They do well with genres like Rap, Hip-Hop, EDM, and generally anything that has those deeper frequencies.

Comfort wise they are pretty solid with the XL pads, but with the stock ear pads you will be complaining quite a bit. I think it’s kind of unfortunate that they don’t just include the XL pads with the headphones. Instead you have to pay extra. Kind of counter intuitive if you ask me.

The M100’s could be described as the snob’s bass-head headphone, due to its superior design and engineering.

Pros

  • Good case.
  • Great build quality. The chord is wrapped in Kevlar, and the hinges that lock the headphones in place during folding/un-folding is sturdy and well made. The sound it makes is very satisfying as well. The headphones themselves are made of mostly steel/metal.
  • Very comfortable and feel secure on your head without pressure.
  • Sound quality is superb, with rich bass and a clear, smooth overall sound.
  • Good Soundstage and instrument separation. What is Soundstage?
  • Clear mid-range, and fantastic clarity for vocals and high tones.
  • Replaceable cables and ear pads.

Cons

  • Mid-range can become a bit recessed and too laid back due to the emergence of the bass. It still sounds tonally accurate and lush, but it’s a bit distant. Sort of like a girlfriend when she starts to lose interest. 😛
  • The lower mid-range is probably the most problematic. It can become veiled (lacking in detail and focus). So for instance, if you were listening to Michael Jackson, his lower pitched voice could become overshadowed by the bass. The upper mid-range however – the higher pitched notes, are slightly more emphasized.

Amp/DAC requirements

You will not need amplification for the M100’s, but it does pair well with some inexpensive portable amps. I definitely wouldn’t purchase an expensive one. How to choose a headphone amp.

A great option would be the JDS Labs 02, which is just a phenomenal amp and pairs extremely well with the M100.

Who these headphones benefit?

Good for:

  • Rap/Hip-Hop
  • EDM
  • Bass heavy stuff
  • Gaming/Movies. You can attach a microphone to them as well.

Not as good for:

  • Jazz
  • Classical
  • Folk
  • Pop
  • Classic Rock
  • Punk

This is because the bass is a bit too heavy and distracting for these types of music.

Thoughts from Stu’s notepad

  • You can customize the M100’s by changing out the ear cup plates and the V-Moda logos on the sides of the headband. You can also plug in the chord on either side of the headphones. In fact, a lot of components can be customized: Base headphone color, shield design, ear pad color, different cables, different cable colors).
  • These are not noise cancelling headphones, but do a good job of noise isolation.
  • Driven well from your mobile phone (iPhone, Samsung, etc.).
  • The Soundstage, while good, is more deep than it is wide. This can present instruments in a strange way.
  • The ear pads are shallow in depth and may not work well with larger ears. They also tend to get moist and damp.
  • Your ear may touch the driver inside of the ear pads, causing discomfort after a time. One lad said he had to adjust after about 3 hours.
  • The headphones have a robust and clever hinge mechanism.
  • The STEELFLEX headband is designed to be stretched and bent so it won’t snap.
  • The cable also doesn’t actually lock into place. So if you snag or tug it by accident, it will freely come out rather than potentially damage something on the headphone or chord.
  • The included V-CORKS allow you to plug up the holes on either side of the headphone, preventing dust and undesirables from entering. The M100’s have plugs on either side of the ear-cups. Not only can you choose which side is more convenient for you, but you can also share music with a friend 🙂
  • The fabric cables do tend to fray over time, and may cause noise when rubbing against your shirt or jacket.
  • Concerning the replaceable shields. They are pretty sweet, but can crack the ear cups plastic. So do not over tighten the shields hex screws.
  • A lot of headphones artificially spike the treble frequency to enable a supposed greater clarity and detail. The M100’s do not do this. So the treble here isn’t fatiguing, but the extension could be better. It’s kind of a double edged sword. There are rumors abound that strident/harsh treble causes hearing loss. I’m not 100% on that though. What does sibilant mean?
  • They do have a tendency to get very loud.
  • The M100’s really excel in a mobile listening environment, and less so in a home studio setting. They are still good at home, but the added ambient noise from being out in public really evens out the sound overall. The bass is a bit more toned down, while the other frequencies take on a greater clarity. They are really portable!
  • You may need to purchase the XL pads if you’re ears are larger than average. Also, some people are saying that the M100’s are prone to breaking down over time. Keep this in mind.
  • A big incentive to purchase the M100’s is due to the 2 year warranty +  the Immortal 50% program. What this basically means is that if for any reason the headphones are broken, damaged, etc. and you want a new model, you can return the set and they will send you a 50% off coupon for a new set. To me that’s astounding. I’ve never heard of a company doing that. Make sure you buy from an authorized dealer on amazon, or buy directly from their website.
  • They are a bit heavy.

Consensus/Conclusion

Phenomenal bass, great build quality overall, decent comfort. The comfort factor is a bit of a mixed bag. There are some issues with the stock ear pads being too small. XL pads are highly recommended, if not outright mandatory. Bass can potentially overpower the mid-range in some circumstances.

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

  • Both sport genuine and quality materials. The M100’s are made of mostly steel and metal, while the Momentums have elements of real leather and steel.
  • Both have inline audio controls, but with the M100’s you can only play and pause. With the Momentum’s, you’re able to adjust volume, skip songs, rewind songs, answer phone calls, place phone calls, and place calls on hold, etc.
  • The Momentum’s do not adequately cover your ears. This was a common complaint with the original version. The subsequent models did improve upon this. Similarly, the M100’s stock ear-pads are bollocks according to most. The XL pads are pretty much mandatory for a comfortable experience.

Differences

  • Versatility/Bass. The Momentum is more versatile than the M100’s. This is perhaps the biggest difference. They work better as an all-rounder type can, while the M100’s are more specialized for bass heavy things. However, neither fits that description fully. The Momentums are generally smoother, while the M100’s hit hard like a bully. Think of the M100’s as rough sex, while the Momentums are more like making love.
  • Cable. The Momentum’s do not have chord jacks on both sides of the ear-cups, while the M100’s do.
  • Build/Construction. The M100’s are more durable, fold-able, and some say are built better. The construction of each is very different. The Momentum is made very minimally, while the M100’s have a lot of moving parts.
  • Soundstage. The Momentum has a better soundstage than the M100’s.
  • Customization. The M100’s are almost fully customize-able, while the Momentum is not.
  • Mid-range. The Momentum has a more prominent mid-range.
  • Treble. The treble on the Momentum is more toned down than that of the M100.
  • Comfort. The Momentum are more comfortable out of the box, but with the XL pads added, the M100’s win.
  • Overall sound. Overall, the Momentum’s are a lot more accurate, clear, and open sounding while the M100’s have that thump.
  • Weight. The Momentum is lighter and the design helps with weight distribution.
  • Case. The M100’s case is much more compact, functional, and practical. The Momentum’s case is gigantic by contrast.

Think of the Momentum’s as audiophile quality in a portable package, while the M100’s are geared towards bass-heads.

Final Word

If you listen to genres such as Jazz, Classic Rock, Metal, Acoustic, before you listen to stuff like EDM, Pop, Rap, etc. then go with the Momentum’s. I wouldn’t purchase the originals though. The upgrade version is your boy. They are phone specific, so just make sure you click the model for your specific phone if you have an iPhone or Samsung.

SEE THEM FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!

If you listen to EDM, Electronica, Drum & Bass, Pop, Hip-Hop, and Rap before you listen to Jazz, Classic Rock, Metal, and Acoustic, then the M100’s are the solution.

SEE THEM FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!

OR

CHECK OUT MY OFFICIAL V-MODA CROSSFADE M100 REVIEW!!


Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this article on the V Moda Crossfade M100 vs. Sennheiser Momentum.

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!

Which of these tickles your pickle? What do you think about the M100? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

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2 comments

Murshid January 28, 2017 - 7:38 pm

I need clarification on bass of these two
Which one has good bass? If one is low on bass, is it too much or just slightly?

Reply
Stu January 29, 2017 - 12:01 am

Both have good bass. The M100 has a lot more. It’s more suited for bass heads and stuff like EDM and Hip-Hop.

Reply

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