V-MODA has consistently created some of my favorite headphones. That includes their over-the-ear, their on-the-ear and their in-the-ear models. It’s no small feat to succeed at all three approaches to headphones and yet V-MODA has done just that. It is no surprise then that I was excited to check out their Forza in-ear headphones. Do the extend V-MODA’s winning record?
We’ve met with Val Kolton, V-MODA CEO during past CES gatherings and have been impressed with his drive, passion and love of music. Kolton loves his music and he loves creating audio products that also deliver powerful aesthetics. That was what led him to create the amazing V-MODA Crossfade Wireless. The headphones are among my most favorite. The look amazing, the sound fantastic and, in keeping with Kolton’s love of style, the have replaceable and customizable shields that can be ordered and, once received, installed in minutes. (Read my review here.) It is also what led to the creation of the V-MODA ZN in-ear monitors. (Read my review of the Zn here.) They too stand out as among my favorites.
The company’s latest creation is the V-MODA Forza in-ear headphones. As Kolton explains, “Forza is the hybrid sport active in-ear headphone delivering Hi-Res Audio certified by the Japan Audio Society. They are designed to push yourself to your limits”
In the box are a bevy of goodies. You get the headphones, 8 pair of BLISS 3.0 fittings (they ship with size XS, pre-installed as well as S, M and L sizes), 3 pairs of ActiveFlex sport fins, 1 pair of ActiveFlex sport earhooks, 2 pairs of RemixRings and a fabric carrying pouch. They also come with a 2-Year Premier Warranty and the company’s amazing 50% Immortal Life Program Replacement that will let you replace your V-MODA purchase at any point at a savings of 50% of the current price.
In the unlikely event your run over your headphones with a tank, with the V-MODA Immortal Life Program, you get 50% off a replacement for a lifetime. V-MODA is so confident the Forza is a superior headphone, it even offers an unvrivaled 60-Day test drive guarantee.
And as if that’s not enough, you can also order Custom Caps that fit on the outer part of each earbud. These let you get custom headphones and turn an excellent audio product into a fashion statement.
The caps are 3D Sculpted in Italy and then produced in NYC. Of special interest is the fact that the caps are sculpted at the V-MODA Milano design studio which overlooks Castle Sforza the workplace of Leonardo Da Vinci for 20. As the company likes to note, the caps are “Hand-crafted commissioned works of art [and] are the pinnacle of bespoke luxury like a high-end watch or custom ring.”
I wasn’t kidding when I said that Kolton likes to merge great audio with high fashion!
The Forza feature:
- A 5.8mm Featherweight Micro Driver: Balanced vibrant bass, vivid mids and vivacious stress-free highs surrounded by a vast 3D soundstage
- A Certified Hi-Res Audio: Sport headphones supporting super-human frequencies beyond 40kHz with Hi-Res music sources as certified by Japan Audio Society (JAS)
- Crystal Clear Communication: Crystal-clear calls, volume control and voice recognition summoning
- Military-Level Quality MIL-STD-810G Tested: Passes sweat, weather resistant, high and low temperatures, humidity and UV exposure tests
- Custom Designed Extra Tough Cable: Ultra-reinforced, provides unmatched strength and durability (up to 20x industry standard)
- 45 degree, 24k gold-plated plug: Can bend over 60k times (up to 10x industry standard)
When you get the Forza you will want to take the time to make sure you are using the correct BLISS 3.0 Fittings. As previously mentioned V-MODA includes fours different sizes in the box. Getting the right fit is important not only for comfort but also in order to get the best seal and, as a result, the best possible sound.
Patent-pending ActiveFlex Technology – Detachable ActiveFlex sport fins available in 3 sizes (S, M and L) and patented sport ear hooks for the best fit and stability while running or working out
You will also want to experiment with the various sport fins and the ear hooks to determine which are most comfortable AND which provide the most stability. After all, the Forza are ready for the toughest workout thanks to the fact that they are mechanically sealed to be sweat and weather resistant. As Kolton notes, he designed the headphones to be “…the running or workout companion that never lets you down.”
At the same time, while the Forza do well as workout headphones they were designed to serve double duty as your favorite pair of “daily drivers.” That’s why they have an in-line “3-Button Control + Voice Assistant Summon.” (That’s a fancy way of saying that the Forza have a microphone and remote that lets you control the volume, the music playback and access a variety of voice services such as Siri and Ok Google.)
It s worth noting that the Forza not only comes in Black, White, and Orange, but it also comes in both an iOS and an Android version. (For iOS it is obviously important to note that these have a 3.5mm plug and are not intended for use with the iPhone 7.)
Forza specification:
- Type: Bi-aural in-ear type monitor headphones with remote and mic
- Speaker Driver: 5.8mm neodymium dynamic-type
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 99dB @1kHz 1mW
- Microphone Sensitivity: -42dB @ 1kHz
- Impedance: 14 ?
- Cables: Ultra-reinforced, 32″ plug to y-connector, 12.83″ even-length earphone cables
- Plug: 45 degree, 24k gold-plated, 3.5mm
- Weight: 13.5g
I like the Forza a lot. At $100 for the review sample I received or $130 for the Forza Metal they are certainly less expensive than the $180 V-MODA ZN I reviewed last year. (I LOVE those headphones. Read the review here.) At the same time, I don’t think they are at quite the same level as the Zn in looks, feel or sound. Then again, these are almost half the price and they are able to accept the custom caps that turn them into a one-of-a-kind fashion statement. You can check them out here on the product page.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Ship with an assortment of extras to get the right fit; Can double as daily headphones AND as workout headphones; Can accept custom 3D caps for a unique look; Sound good
What Needs Improvement: Nothing. These aren’t at the level of the V-MODA Zn but they are certainly well-priced at $100.