V-MODA Forza Metallo Wireless in-Ear Headphones - Gunmetal Black

Hi Folks- I don’t care what anyone says, $200 is a lot to spend for a wireless headset, so I was determined to get everything I wanted out of my purchase. I spent time looking at reviews and videos, and narrowed my search to 3 finalists. My priorities in this selection are 1. Sound Quality. 2. Connectivity. 3. Wearability. 4. Build Quality. 5. Battery Life. My finalists were: Sony WF1000X/BM1, RHA MA650, and the V-ModaForza Metallo.I have previous experience with V-Moda since I currently use a pair of their M-100 head phones and really like the sound profile and build quality of these. In fact, they are IMHO the best bang for the buck in headphones that I’ve heard, and the closed back design and Abrams Tank build quality make them perfect for road warriors. And for those who don’t already know. The ‘V’ in V-Moda is the shape of the sound profile where low and high frequencies are accentuated above the mids making a ‘V’... but I digress-Sonys: Cool idea, but not quite ready for prime time. I enjoyed the sound quality (especially the bass boost option on the Sony app), but volume was seriously lacking and the right ear piece cut out repeatedly during music listening. If your priority is taking calls, and music is something you listen to while stationary with your source taped to your forehead, maybe these will do. I like the compact design, the lack of a cord around my neck and the slick aluminum charging case, but these are not for music listeners or high activity. I think battery technology is the limiting factor here, and they just don’t have the power for reception or volume.RMA: Cool design, great build quality complete with military grade cord, stainless steel ear pieces and lovely British packaging. They remind me of that classic Rolls Royce, replete with Corinthian leather, sterling silver switchery, and maple wood trimming that has been finely buffed with fore$kin of llama, and sits in your driveway at the Hamptons because it won’t start (which is why, btw, Rolls now uses BMW engines). But back to the RMAs- classically British, and fundamentally dysfunctional. If you are going to design an activity device and claim it is for working out, don’t force me to loop the cord around my ear because the earpieces are too heavy. Furthermore, the batteries in the ends of the wire base beat a tempo against your collarbone while running... never mind the black eyes you get while jumping hurdles, if you’re into that. The sound is not to my liking either, but that’s subjective. I’m an incurable bass head, and I’m a sucker for that V profile we discussed earlier, especially when engaged in the type of activities typically done with this type of listening device. The RMAs are mid range and treble focused, and bass is repressed. Maybe it’s the stainless steel housing...V-Moda. High-speed, low drag. They are unimpressive to look at. The ear pieces are tiny. There are no emblazoned logos, fancy cables, or shiny bits. And the packaging is just plain silly. But THEY WORK. And the bass is awesome. Structurally, they disappear during use. By that I mean, the battery module is at the back, encased in plastic, and tucks into your collar if you happen to be jumping hurdles in an oxford. The earpieces fit into your ear, not on, above or around them. They are easily put in and taken out of your ears (ie pop out the right one while taking a call and then return it to continue on with the music listening experience). No Looping! Volume is not mind blowing on these either, but the sound isolation from the ear piece fit makes them much better than the other two sets. Battery life is 10 hours vs 12 for the RMAs and 2 for the Sonys (per charge). The V-Moda connects effortlessly to your device (I use an iPhone and a Sony WM), and phone calls are clear and uninterrupted. In fact, you get a nice massage from the vibrating battery module on the back of your neck when a call comes in. It’s ok if you call yourself, nobody will know...In summary, the clear pick for me is the V-Moda Forza Metallo. This is a good example (with the exception of the packaging) of function over form, and a listening experience that I can live with day to day while commuting, exercising, and writing reviews.Cheers, eh!

So I bought this a while ago yet since I'm writing reviews for items I bought I figured I should write about this one. At first when I bought this item I was amazed and LOVED it yet now not so much. Maybe its because of time or because I wear it everywhere I go and tbh I know its meant for, or has the exercising feature yet I don't exercise that much and when I do, I don't use it sadly, because I like using a speaker. I used to use it to keep them in my ears because they would fall out after a period of time if I didn't (maybe I'm getting my size wrong, idk), and then one day when I got home I noticed one of the ear pieces that supposed to keep it in your ear was gone. So after that I kept them in my drawer until I would need a use for them. Along the way until now I noticed problems like how sometimes if I used discord and played music though it, it would make my music all scratchy and the volume low. Also my friends on discord said my voice sounded like a cop radio or basically scratchy, when I would use it to talk with them using my phone. Also slowly I noticed the distance I can use them got worse, and the farther I went, it would get very scratchy or stop the sound yet not the music. It got to the point where I would literally turn my back or block my phone with my body and it would stop all sound, so when I was walking and I had my phone in my hand and was swinging my hands it would go on and off. Also something happened to the battery, it began to say it was low when I know I charged it. Also the flap for, to charge the battery for some reason got really hard to close and keep closed. I believe that's all my problems so far but maybe more will come or some have come yet I haven't noticed it. Like how I feel like the sound quality became slowly worse but maybe that's my ears getting used to the good quality? idk. All I know is that when I got it, it was probably the best sound quality I've heard. The sound quality is still good and the battery still lets me survive the day even though sometimes it says low. This is my first wireless earbud and even though I have my problems with it I honestly don't mind as much as others would, which is why I say this and maybe if I am doing something wrong someone can tell me how to correct myself for the future. When I bought this I know there would be problems since I saw lots of people saying how V moda is a great company but maybe wireless isn't for it, but I have a wired headset that is still great to this day and I love it. The only problem I have with it is that it hurts my head if I wear it too long so I have to wear a beanie or change its position. Also how the leather or what ever was on the top( I forgot since its been so long) came off. But its still better than its wireless counter part.

After a week or so of use around the house, (i literally only use it to listen to Audible) the right driver, then the left driver lost any bass it had. Returned it on my own dime, and had a replacement without explanation a week or so later, so the warranty is steller. Dont bother calling, this is what you get:Me: Hi, the warranty card said to call for warranty repair?them: What is it.Me: A forza metallo wireless.them: where did you buy it.Me: Amazon, about a week or so ago.Them: . . .Me: Hello?them: . . . . . .Them:uh yea just go to the website and do it there, ok? yea later.And that was it. He hung up.When it works, it does so wonderfully. Looks awesome, maybe the wires are a bit long and no thought was given to placement of the earpieces on the wires, being i assume silicon they dont like turning and the wire always brushes my face. I like them o.k., but i wont buy them again, or recommend them, mainly due to the obviously unconcerned customer service rep.As always, i spend my own hard earned money on the things i review.As an update, they once again failed. This is the second time this has happened. I will not be returning them "again" for service.