Skip to main content

V-Moda’s Forza Metallo neckband headphones combine ergonomics, style

While some of V-Moda’s recent releases have been upgrades of existing products, like the Crossfade II Wireless headphones, others like the Remix Bluetooth speaker have seen the company moving in new directions. That is the case with the company’s newest release, the Forza Metallo Wireless neckband-style Bluetooth headphones.

V-Moda calls the Forza Metallo the world’s first ergonomic neckband headphones. What that means is that using the company’s TrapLock titanium cable, the neckband conforms to the shape of your next and shoulders. While some other neckband-style headphones can’t help but stand out, the Forza Metallo were designed to stay low-profile, and can even fit under a shirt collar. That doesn’t mean that the headphones aren’t tough — V-Moda says the Forza Metallo have been tested beyond the MIL-STD–810G military test standards.

“All other in-ear wireless headphones have a variety of form factors with show-stopping compromises, imperfect ergonomics or useless gimmicks. They either look like unsightly massive ‘plastic space ring around the collars’, Frankenstein bolts that will not stay in your ears or separate earbuds that are quickly lost, have reception issues and need a dongle or case,” V-Moda CEO Val Kolton said in a statement. “Our first neckband Bluetooth headphone features a minimal design that can hide under a shirt collar, maximum battery life, enhanced antenna and unrivaled all-day ergonomics.”

Turning to the sound of the headphones, the Forza Metallo feature 5.8mm dynamic drivers inside and aircraft-grade metal housing. We haven’t yet heard the Forza Metallo for ourselves, but based on other products we’ve heard from the company, the powerful bass, strong midrange, and clear highs the company promises from the headphones doesn’t seem all that far-fetched.

The headphones connect via Bluetooth and V-Moda claims a battery life of up to 10 hours, with a short 15-minute charge delivering two hours of playback. The headphones come with detachable ActiveFlex fins to help them stay put, while four different sizes of included ear tips should make finding a good fit an easy process.

The V-Moda Forza Metallo Wireless come in either gunmetal black and white silver finishes and are available for $170 from the company or authorized retailers. If you’re looking for something more personalized, you can order the headphones with custom 3D-printed caps from the V-Moda website.

Editors' Recommendations

Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
V-Moda’s M-200 studio headphones promise reference-quality audio for $350
v moda m 200 headphones m200

V-Moda has added a new set of headphones to its arsenal of distinctly shaped cans. The M-200 might look a lot like the company's other over-the-ear models like the Crossfade M-100 Master and the wireless Crossfade II, but V-Moda claims they deliver an entirely new level of audio performance for discerning listeners.

As V-Moda's first reference studio headphone, the wired M-200 have been specifically tuned for musicians and studio producers. The company claims the result is "crystalline audio so clear and neutral that subtle nuances and flaws are easily distinguished." From a specifications point of view, the M-200 look a lot like their Crossfade II stablemates: 50mm drivers using CCAW voice coils deliver a frequency response from 5Hz to 40kHz, which has earned them a Hi-Res Audio certification from the Japan Audio Society.

Read more
iOS 13’s audio sharing feature will arrive on more Beats headphones soon
powerbeats 3 review

Beats has announced that iOS 13's audio sharing feature will be available on all Beats-branded headphones with an Apple H1 or Apple W1 chip starting September 23. This includes the BeatsX, Beats Solo 3 Wireless, Beats Studio 3 Wireless, and Powerbeats 3 Wireless. However, the Powerbeats Pro has been supported since the release of iOS 13 for the iPhone on September 19.

Available for iPhone 8 and later, audio sharing lets you connect two pairs of headphones to the same iPhone. The result is the option to watch a movie or stream a song with a friend, without having to sacrifice an earbud or carry around a splitter. They don't have to be loyal to the Beats brand, either — the feature is also compatible with both the Apple AirPods and Apple AirPods 2.

Read more
V-Moda drops Crossfade M-100 Master, co-engineered with Roland
v moda crossfade m 100 master hi res headphones shot 2

Previous

Next

Read more