Price: $128, "a nod to the BPM of most dance tracks" (no, really).

Verdict: Okay, so the new METAL + gem aesthetic decidedly appeals more to ladies, goth kiddies or Eurotrash. But! Everything else is better.

The Vibe IIs mostly preserve V-Moda's super-bassy signature, but are less intensely boomy, which is a good thing, since now they've definitely got more clarity in the mids and highs than the old set, and an overall cleaner, more balanced sound. (Though they're still plenty bassy.) The mic was clearer too, or at least that's what my mom told me.

The included accessories package is bumped up as well. You've got four bud sizes—up from three—to choose from, so people with Obama-sized ears down to munchkins should be able to find one that fits. And there's a pair of clip-on sport earhooks that add stability for running and working out—jogging and bouncing around the house, they made the fit surprisingly more secure. The only real issue with the clips is that it seems like they're begging to be lost.

I still hate the tangle-prone fabric cord, but at least they've got the recently introduced less suicidal headphone jack, so they hopefully won't run into the same plague the original run did.

Overall, these are a solid update to the original Vibes and Vibe Duos, that are better in every way (except looks). If you like them, you'll be a fan of the Vibe II. That said, if you've already got a pair, it's probably not worth chunking them to pick these up. But when those die, or if you're looking for a slightly bassier iPhone headset, check these out. [V-Moda]

As you can see the boxes are exactly the same. The only difference I could spot is that the year on the bottom of the box for the new set is 2008, while the originals are marked 2007, and that might not be a totally consistent tell. V-Moda hasn't told me whether or not all of the current models will be swept from the shelves to make room for the new ones, or if it'll be a gradual replacement as the old ones are bought up. If you have an older set that dies, they'll send the new ones as replacements, but that still sucks, since process obviously takes a few weeks.

Here's a comparison with one of Shure's jacks. The old polished metal end is replaced by a less classy rubber one set at an angle that seems like it'll solve the jack-induced low life expectancy. If you've already put in for replacements, you'll be getting the new set—some people already have received them. Other than the jack though, it doesn't look like V-moda made any other tweaks or improvements, so there's no reason to rush out and a buy new pair or anything. Just, uh, wait for yours to kick it. [V-Moda]

The Price: $99

The Verdict: These sound just as good (both incoming and outgoing) as the older Vibe Duos without the call button, and definitely just as good as the older Vibes without the iPhone integration. If you've got an iPhone, they're pretty much an all-in-one solution to replace the sub-par default Apple headphones with something that still has an on-board call button and much, much better sound quality. Pick one up if you're in the market for some iPhone buds. [V-Moda]

Pros:Listening to a frequency sweep, base came in more clearly and with more tactile oomph off the line, while slightly peaky on the high end. They were more punchy, and the earpieces (comes with several sizes) were comfy and stayed in while not picking up too much ear grease. More efficient, so louder at a given volume setting than stock buds. Better sound isolation. Cloth covered black cables were nice. Microphone built in for calls. Leather carrying pouch included.
Cons:Headphone jack stem is too tall. Unbelievably, no remote control button for play/pause, track skipping, or call accept/reject.
Verdict: If you're into the headphones for calling, instead of using a bluetooth headset or the handset itself, you'd better pass. If you find yourself using the iPod in the iPhone a lot, these might be worth it, but consider Belkin's $10 adapter that will allow all your old headphones to work with the iPhone, first.
[VModa]

The Vibe Duo earbuds feature the same technology V-MODA puts into all their high end headphones, so you'll get plenty of bass, less spillover, and black fabric cables ending in durable, metal enclosures. They cost $99, but are well worth it as they won't get in the way of your calling, either. It's also worth noting that they're the only third party headphones in the Apple Store. The quality might make you want to chuck the iPhone earbuds anyway.

Oddly, there isn't much else that sets them apart from previous V-MODA headphones, save their "DUAL compatibility," which is just a fancy way of saying it fits everything you should expect and then the iPhone as well. Still, buying a fresh set is lot faster than waiting for Apple to issue a redesign. But if you've got an iPhone, these are definitely the way to go if you're looking for a V-Moda set, thanks to its dual mic/headphone capability.