Hello Friend, Let me preface this review by saying that I'm by no means an audiophile. I am writing this review to help others out there who may be trying to decide how to spend their hard earned cash on "cool" headphones. With that said, I will be comparing these headphones with the Beats by Dre Studios. Why? Well, because these two models may appeal to the same demographic--people trying to spend a little extra money on quality, stylish headphones for their portable device. To give you a little back story, I travel a lot and need something I can wear on long flights. I saw the Beats Studios at Best Buy and liked the look. I like Dr Dre music and decided that if he endorsed this product it must be good, right (it looks a lot more naive in print form)? I did a little research on the Beats and read reviews on Amazon and CNET. Most of the negative reviews were due to the inflated price, but the CNET Editors and many folks on Amazon liked the sound quality of the Beats. I was able to get them at a discount at a military base, so I thought they were a good value. However, I never really liked the Beats. It was like a bad relationship with a girl that was kinda cute, but we never really had any chemistry; I was always looking for something better. I then bought the Klipsch Image Ones on sale. But when I got home I started researching to see what the experts thought of these. By this time I had found Head-fi, a site for the snobbiest of audiophiles. However, those guys do know their stuff. The verdict for the Image Ones wasn't positive and they were right, the Image Ones weren't very good. It was at that time that I noticed that the V-Moda M-80s were very highly rated. I returned the Klipsch and started digging for information into V-Moda. I found out that the Crossfade M-100 was the newest model. After reading what seemed like thousands of glowing reviews (and no negative reviews), I decided to get the white M-100s. Below I will compare the Beats by Dre Studios to the V-Moda Crossfade M-100s.Packaging I don't know if this matters to anyone, but it seems that all the reviews I read mentioned the packaging. If this is something that concerns you, I would normally say something snarky, but I understand that you are spending ~$300 (you deserve quality). In this respect, the Beats win. The packaging for the Beats is superb. The box is really nice and compartmentalized. The V-Modas come in a much more modest box with less frills.Winner: BeatsTraveling Case If you just spent $300 bucks on headphones, you want to ensure they are protected when you're not wearing them. Both the Beats and M-100s come with semi-hard cases. However, the quality of the M-100's case is far superior. The shape is very aesthetically appealing and it is also smaller than the Beats' case--this will be important if you're traveling and space is at a premium. The headphones also fit a lot better in the M-100s' case. There is no wasted space in the case; it almost seems that the case was made out of a mold of the headphones. As for the Beats, the case is a little big for the headphones. It doesn't seem like there was much thought given to the design of the case. It's bland, kinda bulky and everything is just kinda thrown in there.Winner: M-100sBuilt Quality Now we're going get to the meat and potatoes of the review, the actual headphones. The first thing that really disappointed me about the Beats was how plasticky they were. When I actually unfolded the Beats, they felt like a child's toy. I was afraid of breaking them. The battery compartment seemed like it woouldn't last more than 10 uses. And the worst thing is what you've probably read in many other reviews: the right ear cup makes a sound when walking. By comparison, the M-100s are built to last. The first thing I noticed was that many different materials were used (the headband is a pleather-type substance and aluminum is used on many of the high stress areas). The M-100s give you that feel in your hands that you can handle them without the fear of breaking them. There is really no comparison in the built quality, even going into the peripherals. The cords on the V-Modas are wrapped in Kevlar. This is a big deal if you're like me and get your cords caught on things. The Beats' cords are the run-of-the-mill plastic type.Winner: M-100sAppearance Now I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but having both of these headphones side by side I feel I can give you a pretty good idea about how they look. It's no secret that the Beats were mainly designed for looks first. However, even in this aspect that is supposed to be the Beats forte, the V-Modas win convincingly. I have the White Studios and the Pearl White with Silver M-100s. If I may use cars to elaborate, the Beats look like a Nissan Altima with all the packages, rims, tint and cool paint job; conversely, the M-100s look like a BMW M6. You can actually see the difference in quality. The Beats look like they are trying to be cool; the M-100s look classy, sophisticated and sexy. The M-100s also have a really cool feature that allows you to customize them by changing out the ear cup plates and the V-Moda logos on the sides of the headband (you have to purchase the new plates).Winner: M-100sComfort: Since both of these headphones are mainly for portable use, they should be pretty comfortable for extended periods. The M-100s are much more comfortable than the Beats. The Beats really warmed up my ears and put a lot of pressure to the top of my head. I tried adjusting the fit, but nothing helped. The ear cups on the M-100s are very comfortable and I feel no pressure on the top of my head. The M-100s also feel more secure on your head; the Beats always felt like they were going to fall off my head.Winner: M-100sSound I reiterate that I am a common fellow not an audiophile. That said, the main thing that really disappointed be about the Beats was the sound quality. They just didn't sound like what I expected out of $300 headphones. I actually returned them the first time I bought them, but went back to get them when I found out that new headphones had to be "burned in." I was just not that impressed by anything. They sounded like regular headphones. I had a pair of $40 JVCs, and the only difference between the JVCs and the Beats was that the Beats had a little more bass. Furthermore, the sound leakage of the Beats is reprehensible. Even at 50% volume on my iPhone my wife would ask me to turn them down because they were distracting her from watching TV (she was ~15ft away from me). If there is something good about the Beats is that your friends won't need extra plugs for their headphones to enjoy your music because they will be able to listen to your music clearly when you wear the Beats. Also, the Beats are supposed to be "sound cancelling"; they are not. Aside from being a pain in the ass because you will need batteries to use them, the sound cancelling isn't very good. Outside noise really creeps into the headphones. But enough about the Beats, let's talk about the M-100s. When I put these headphones on, I instantly understood a lot of the jargon used by audiophiles. Even on my portable device, without an amp, I can hear so much more detail. The V-Modas are so clear and silky smooth. The bass--which is another thing the Beats are supposed to excel at--is much richer in the M-100s. It's definitely punchier, but not overwhelming--and never muddled. The mids are very well defined, I can hear the vocals clearly; whereas in the Beats the vocals on some songs were a bit muffled. The highs are crisp and refreshing--I thought the Beats were too sharp on the highs. One of the first things I also noticed was how big the sound seemed out of the M-100s. It seemed like it was all around me, not just in my ears like the Beats. I also own the Klipsch Image S4 and they also have pretty good sound, but its not nearly as spacious, balanced and full as the M-100s (not a fair comparison). As for the sound leakage, the M-100s are infinitely better than the Beats. The M-100's leak a little bit, but you couldn't make out the song someone was listening to at 5ft distance...in a library. Lastly, although the M-100s are only noise isolating--and not noise cancelling like the Beats--they somehow do a better job and keeping outside noise at a minimum better than the Beats.Winner: M-100s...by a landslide.Conclusion If you're on the market for stylish headphones with superb sound quality, look no further than the V-Moda M-100s. I have never written an Amazon review before, but I felt compelled to let everyone know about my experience with these headphones. As ridiculous as this sounds, I felt I owed V-Moda that much for putting out such a quality product--ridiculous because I did hand them $300 of my dollars for these headphones. As I said, I always felt cheated with the Beat Studios--from the built quality to the sound quality, they just didn't feel like something worth $300 (or even $200). These V-Modas are expensive, but you are definitely getting what you're paying for: quality. And that's really all we can ask for as consumers, we don't want to be taken for a ride. If someone as unfamiliar with such things as "sound stage" can still be blown away by the sound quality, then everyone will be able to appreciate how good these headphones sound. I have no problem with Dr Dre or Monster (I'm one of the few people who've had pleasant experiences with their customer service), but they are definitely banking on the trendiness of their product. I'm just happy I accidentally found out about these headphones, because I am officially off the market for headphones for a while. The V-Moda Crossfade M-100s are simply amazing.Ah yes, the favorite rejection line. That's where I feel like I'm heading.But to be fair, you need to know where I'm coming from. I am not an audiophile. I have mild to moderate hearing loss thanks to my chosen profession full of loud weapons and equipment. I have constant ringing in both ears that can be heard even around loud noise. I can't make out a conversation with loud background noise. Yet, I still don't qualify for a free hearing aid from the VA. I like bass, not flat sound. Yet, I crave awesome sound, probably even more so than most since my world is already quite muffled.Since I am not an audiophile, my equipment reflects that. I use a Galaxy Nexus, Sony laptop, and a desktop I built myself in addition to the Dell desktop and HP laptop my work provides. I have a Denon A/V receiver with a Pioneer elite DVD player that can play CDs. I come from a Bose QC-15 and some $150 Sure IEMs purchased three years ago. I also use my LG 730 BT headset and some other cheaper in ear buds. So, I am just an average guy wanting some good sound.I still dream of that incredible sound I experienced in my music appreciation class way back in college. The only thing I know about them is that they were coming from some big and expensive JBL speakers. The sound was so clear and precise. The bass was strong, deep and pure. Every note was tantalizingly spacious. I've never come across that sound in any headphones or speaker system I've owned or heard since.I'd never heard of V-Moda until I read an article in Engadget a while back. Even then, it was only with passing interest. Then, when Amazon had a deal on the LPs, I almost made the purchase. Instead, I decided to hit the boards and forums and found that the M100s always received more praise as being the better. They had the "audiophile" moniker, albeit "modern" was also tossed in. I was hooked and kept on studying more and more, hour after late night hour.After reading the Head-Fi forums, I became a little more educated on the audiophile terminology tossed around. I think I got a grasp of some of them, but others, I still wouldn't know the real world difference between how this soundstage compares to another, or what open means in terms of that soundstage. All I have in my mind is that system in music class and I hoped this would at least get me close to that. It didn't.My wife, who has the most sensitive ears known to a human, and can hear a pin drop in China, was immediately impressed with how much better the M100 was compared to our Bose QC 15. She said it was like being right there in a live concert. I did not experience that. She thinks they sound really good.So, I feel it is me, and not you, M100. I want so much to love everything about you. On the outside, you have that package wrapped up in spades and then some. You've got all the little extras I didn't even realized I wanted. Yet, when it comes to the soul of who you are, it just isn't there for me...yet.I've been burning in these speakers as suggested. I've got about 25 hours of use and burn time. I must admit, even I can see some improvements in the sound. It sounds like it's opened up a bit more from that muffled sound. The bass seems a tad more lively. The highs sound more prominent and clearer. Still, there are times when I think the sound is a bit artificial. Maybe it's the track I'm listening to? The higher lows are punchy, but a little electronic during those moments. I know others, if they had to pick a weakness, has been with the mids. Maybe that is what I am hearing. I'll continue to burn these in. To me, these sound really good, but not my idea of great, and I stress MY IDEA. I seem to be in the minority.Moving on, my next point of critique of note is the comfort. My ears are a little on the bigger side. These can hurt my ears after a while. I for one will upgrade to the larger pads if I end up keeping these. The clamp on these is a bit tight, but I was able to loosen it up with some bending. Without question, I've been a little spoiled by the supremely soft and comfortable Bose QC-15. I also notice a bit of a pressure point on the top of the headband. It's not pain inducing, but more like noticeable.Noise spillage is pretty good. But, in a quiet environment, it is there. I have to crank up my volume more than the average person, so keep that in mind. When volume is high, someone will notice your music. In a loud environment, I don't see this as being an issue.The build quality is top notch. There is nothing chinzty about the headphones or accessories. The wires feel more like super high quality thick shoe laces than speaker wire. The metal hinge and surround areas feel thin, but strong and confident. The cup mold is strong and solid. It does not feel cheap whatsoever. The leather pads are soft and inviting. The foam is soft yet deeply firm and even has a bit of a bounce to them. It is no match for the QC-15s in comfort, but excudes top quality non-th-less. The case is small, yes, but fat. I prefer it be thin, but that is my preference since I carry a laptop bag for work. The case is strong and sturdy. The zippers, if anything, are a bit too tight, but should loosen up. I mean this as a compliment to it's rugged design and build.The cabling in the whole headphone setup is something that deserves much praise and attention. Maybe super high end cans feature such things, but as a regular person, I'd never seen so many options...and they are fabulous! I never realized how incredibly useful it is to have 2 inputs into a headphone. Music has never been easier to share. Comparing the sound quality between headphones is remarkably easy, as if the V-Moda M100s are daring you to do just that. Not only can you share your music easily, it can also take in two different sources at once. I was able to test the sound with two devices very easily. Very cool!The second cable also make is easy to share your music. This cord is black instead of orange, and has a second input. So, what's the difference between this and having two inputs right into the cans? My 6 year old daughter. She tends to move around a lot and having the shared sound on that second cable allowed her to move more freely away from me while dancing about. This black cord is also longer than the orange cord. The orange cord has the built in mic and pause/play button. It works well on my Android device. The only thing I wish it could do, is control the volume. Maybe I just haven't figured it out yet.I never realized how much I'd like all those cord options. They are very useful and will be taking advantage of it to listen to my work laptop while still being able to hear all the beeps, rings and notification from my phone.Admittedly, I don't look good in any headphones. I put them on my daughter and she looked absolutely hip and cool! These matte black phones look amazing with both class and modern appeal. My wife looked hot with them on, too.I will continue to burn in the M100s. I'm hoping they will open up even more, though understand it won't be a miracle. The sound is clear. Better sound source and recordings do make these sound much better. I'm thinking these headphones will expose bad mastering and lower compressions. I will say that I really love these with acoustic guitar music. I can hear all the little nuances. For me, those sounds really come alive. I especially love these with Sarah McLachlan, just beautiful! Overall, these sound a little stuffy to me, especially at first. Oddly, the bass is low and strong, but I was expecting a bit more. When listening in a very loud car, the background noise drowned out the bass. I think for loud places like planes and such, I will prefer my Bose because it does such a phenomenal job of reducing background noise. I don't have to turn up the volume and kill my ears even more. No, the Bose don't sound as good, but for me, oddly, they sound more open even with the ANC. Maybe my idea of a huge soundstage is different than others, but it just isn't there for me. It's OK, but not what others are saying. But, it's got to be me.More updates to come...22DEC2012 Update:Wow, wow, wow! I got the O2 amp yesterday and have been pairing the M-100 with it. I was able to identify that one of the biggest issues I was having, was with the sound stage. The sound stage was deep, but not wide. I felt like the singer was inside my face and everything else behind the voice. The O2 amp has widened the sound stage to a more natural feel and the singer is now in front of me, albeit sitting a little low.The highs sound more open and clearer. Tracks with low bass really come alive. I wouldn't say the mids are much more forward, but maybe a little less muddy. The overall sound is still on the darker side, but much warmer, clearer, and with a comfortable, intimate sound stage.With the O2 amp (purchased from JDL Labs), I am now hearing a big difference between the M-100s and the Bose QC-15. The strengths of the M-100s shine through while the weaknesses of the Bose are revealed.While the M-100 is easy to drive and sounds OK on its own, get yourself a good amp to finally hear how great these cans can be! The O2 is the first amp I've owned, so can't compare with others. However, I decided to fork over the extra since the O2 specifically was highly recommended by another reviewer. I am not disappointed at all!I am changing my review to 5 stars. They are still a little uncomfortable. But, they now sound amazing!