By Gregg Ellman
McClatchy-Tribune
It’s a generic saying, but the new V-Moda XS over-the-ear headphones are true to phrase when I say “big things come in small packages.”
Before I had my hands on the final product, the company was touting them as “designed for ultimate comfort and sleek ergonomic fit,” which kind of surprised me after I saw the large box they were delivered in.
After unpacking the press kit and getting to the headphones I saw how that statement held true along with V-Moda’s well-deserved praise over the years for designing fashion-forward wearable technology with incredible sound.
Val Kolton, the company’s CEO and founder, gave me a sneak peek at the headphones late last year while they were in development. During our conversation, he stressed the need to design the XS brand with a headband that minimizes the space between your head and the headband.
After trying on the finished product you can see and feel how Kolton achieved his vision, which was in development for over five years.
They feature a patent-pending CliqFold hinge with padded ear cups that are as comfortable as any.
V-Moda conducted tests of the physical durability of the XS’s and have stated they can withstand up to 60 drops on concrete and the “steelflex” headband is virtually indestructible.
I showed them to a friend whose first impression was “why are they so small, they don’t even cover my ears.” I told him to put them on and I turned up the music. He was sold, as was I, the second I had them on my head.
The powerful sound comes from 40mm dual-diaphragm drivers in each ear.
Other features include a 45-degree plug and tangle-free cords, which include a microphone that can be used with Apple iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows hand-held devices.
The headphones are available at V-Moda.com for $212 in matte black metal or white silver, which include personal customization of the interchangeable steel plates on each ear.
They also can be purchased without the customization at many other locations for $199.99.
According to V-Moda, the combination of steel and metal materials stand up to military-level standards of the MIL-STD-810G testing guidelines.
What that means to you and me is they are built to last.
Details: www.v-moda.com/XS
Anker answers need for more, more, more USB ports
Most households can’t get enough USB ports for charging and the Anker 5-port chargers help ensure every device gets a full charge.
It’s built with Smart Port quick-charge technology in all five ports. This allows it to adjust to any devices (Android, iOS, etc.) maximum charging speed and capacity.
As it’s advertised, just plug in and it’ll do the rest from the 40W AC charging device. This includes power hungry tablets, which often require a higher capacity charger.
I put it to the test by plugging in a pair of iPads (air and version 4) along with a pair of iPhone 5s’s and an iPhone 4. The next morning all five were charged up and ready for a day’s use.
Details: $25.99 for the 40W 5-port model, $19.99 for the 25W 5-port; www.ianker.com
for when you need a hands-free light
Energizer’s new 200-lumen high performance headlight might not be a fashion statement but when you need a hands-free quality light it’s as good as any.
It works off of the three included AAA batteries (Energizer of course) and has a removable, adjustable and washable headband.
The light pivots up to 90 degrees and has four light modes with a high and low for white spot light and white flood.
Details: $37.99; www.energizer.com
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