When I find a pair of headphones that I like, I tend to stay loyal unless that pair no longer meets my needs, fails on me, or if trusted people I know use a certain other headphone. Now, I had seen a number of my friends with the V-Moda Crossfade 2 headphones, so when I had the chance to check them out, I was very interested.
One of the first rings I noticed when taking them out of the packaging (besides the dope illustration of Jimi Hendrix on the side) was the solid build and construction. These headphones feel pretty sturdy in hand. I was also taken by the flexibility of the signature V-Moda headband. It can be twisted in any direction and truly take the pressure. This is especially useful because as a DJ, I am constantly shifting the headphones around on my head, taking them off and setting them aside, then putting them back on. And doing so over and over again.
V-Moda x Jimi Hendrix Crossfade 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Let’s take a moment to talk about the main feature here: the Jimi Hendrix illustration. V-Moda is honoring the legendary guitarist for the first installment of its Artist Series with three exclusive designs inspired by quotes and iconic moments from Hendrix’s life. I had the pleasure of testing the “Soul” design which pays homage to the lava lamp created by UK entrepreneur Edward Craven Walker in the 1960’s, and combines Jimi’s rise during this era with his love for the UK and the life he lived there.
Quality & depth of sound:
Another thing I picked up on is that the Crossfade 2’s have a nice weight to them, but don’t weigh you down while you’re wearing them. When I put them on, that initial impression was confirmed. They’re not completely weightless — you notice that you have headphones on — but after a few minutes of walking around my apartment cleaning up, I kind of forgot about them. All I noticed was the amazing music coming through the speakers.
I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity and depth it gave to the music I was listening to. I especially loved how good the bass sounded. This clear quality sound was made possible by 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers which gave me a really clean, deep bass, while still keeping the mids bright and vivid, along with providing a wide 3D soundstage.
Wireless playback & powerful charging:
During this time, I was listening to my music wirelessly via a Bluetooth connection to my phone. One of the great features of the Crossfade 2’s is that with one full charge, you get up to 14 hours of wireless playback. If you need a last-minute boost, you can get four hours of playback from 30 minutes of FastCharge.
From time to time, a phone call would come in and I was able to accept the call with a push of a button directly on top of the right speaker. I also had the ability to pause, play, skip or replay tracks using buttons in the same area.
Versatile connectivity for every application:
This V-Moda Crossfade 2 Jimi Hendrix edition also comes with two wired options: the SpeakEasy 1-Button Mic Cable for easy communication, and an Audio Only cable which removes remotes from the equation. I found this option ideal for me while putting together my latest DJ mix. I imagine my neighbors also appreciated me using the cable to plug the headphones directly into my amp while I stumbled through some classic soul grooves during my bass guitar lessons.
Besides the amazing features on the headphones themselves, they also come with an Exoskeleton carry case. This allows you to pack up and protect your headphones via the patented CliqFold hinge. You can then travel with ease using the case and carabiner clip combo to attach the case to your bag or even a belt loop on your jeans, making them easy to take with you any and everywhere.
Overall, the V-Moda x Jimi Hendrix Crossfade 2 are headphones that I can and will be using for multiple applications, whether I’m DJing, producing, or just lounging and listening to my favorite albums over and over again.
Feature image by Adorama
