V-MODA BoomPro Microphone C-BP-BLACK Review

By Steven Iglesias-Hearst

Manufacturer: V-MODA
Product Name: BoomPro Microphone
Model Number: C-BP-BLACK
UPC: 877653005849
Price As Tested: $29.99 (Amazon)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by V-MODA.

The BoomPro Microphone (model# C-BP-Black) from V-MODA is creative yet simple. It’s one of those products that begs the question: Why hasn’t this been invented already? A 200 cm headphone extension cable with a built in boom microphone – It’s ingenious. The BoomPro Microphone converts your regular or studio headphones (with 3.5mm jack input) into a headset for gaming, communication and recording. Benchmark Reviews has seen many novel accessories and quite a lot of gimmicks in the technology news stream, but this one caught our eye. For $30 you can’t really do much wrong.

The Latin phrase Veni Vidi Vici is used on the front of the packaging, and this is a bold claim. This is a phrase believed to have been coined by Julius Caesar when he conquered Britain – I came (Veni), I saw (Vidi), I conquered (Vici). Let’s just hope the BoomPro microphone can live up to this. Features and specifications detailed below were taken from the BoomPro product page of the V-MODA website.

• Crystal Clear Mic enhances voice clarity & background noise reduction essential for gamers, Skype/VoIP/conference calls, commuters & podcast recordings
• SteelFlex Arm for perfect microphone positioning
• Convenient Control Clip features in-line mute and rotary volume controls
• Source Compatibile with all smartphones, tablets, PCs and notebooks via 1/8″ (3.5mm) plug and gaming systems with additional kits (sold separately)
• Headphone Compatibile with all V-MODA Crossfade series and 3.5mm (1/8″) cable input headphones such as Beats Solo, Studio and Mixr
• Y Adaptor included for computers requiring separate mic/headphone inputs

• In The Box: BoomPro Microphone, 3.5mm (1/8″) Y-Adaptor
• Microphone Sensitivity: -38dB @ 1kHz
• Weight: 30g
• Length: 79″ (200cm)
• Warranty: 1-year premier warranty, 6-star support
• Compatibility*: V-MODA Crossfade M-100, LP, LP², M-80, V-80 & most headphones with a 3.5mm input port including Beats Solo, Studio, Mixr, Skullcandy Aviator, Hesh 2, Monster Inspiration, DNA

In this section we will take a look at the design and aesthetics of the BoomPro Microphone, and discuss the visual features.

The packaging for the V-MODA BoomPro Microphone is simple yet effective. The moulded plastic inner has a good hold on the BoomPro Microphone and requires a good tug to release it.

The V-MODA BoomPro Microphone is a great innovation. It’s simplicity makes me wonder why this was not invented much earlier. There is a very good chance that if your headphones have a detachable audio cable then the BoomPro will be compatible. The boom can be positioned with the absolute minimum of resistance and will stay right where you put it too.

The V-MODA BoomPro Microphone cable terminates in a 4-pole 3.5mm (1/8″) stereo jack. This is the standard now for most smartphones and tablets, so compatibility shouldn’t be an issue. The stereo jack design is nice and the unique 45 degree angle adds to the aesthetic qualities.

For PC gamers and home studio users the V-MODA BoomPro Microphone also includes a Y-splitter. The Y-splitter converts individual input of the microphone and output of the audio source to a female 4-pole stereo jack.

The V-MODA BoomPro Microphone features an in-line control clip. On the right of the in-line control clip (shown above) is a rotary volume control, and on the left of the control clip (shown below) is a microphone mute toggle switch.

Along with the BoomPro Microphone, V-MODA also sent us their CoilPro Extended Cable. The CoilPro is a premium headphone cable aimed at enthusiasts, DJ’s and Studio use where a standard cable would not be able to take the wear and tear of extended use.

The V-MODA CoilPro Extended Cable will cost you just $30 (Amazon). Sure you can pick up a coiled cable for a few dollars elsewhere, but they won’t have the quality and durability of a premium cable such as the CoilPro. Designed primarily for use with V-MODA’s own Crossfade M-100 headphones, the CoilPro is compatible with most if not all headphones that have a detachable 3.5mm or 1/4″ cable design.

The V-MODA CoilPro Extended Cable features metal plugs and 24k plated audio jacks. The cable length is 47″ (122cm) coiled, and 12′ (365cm) fully extended and weighs around 80 grams.

The CoilPro Extended Cable has a nice premium feel to it. It features a Kevlar reinforced cable and a metal spring on the metal plugs for added strain relief.

The output jack of the CoilPro Extended Cable features a twist lock design that will lock into V-MODA’s own Crossfade M-100 Headphones. This should not restrict use with other headphones, but it is not compatible with other twist lock designs.

The input jack of the V-MODA CoilPro Extended Cable has a threaded design to allow a more permanent connection to the 1/4″ adapter. The textured metal plug is a nice aesthetical feature which also improves grip when removing or installing the adapter.

Many gaming headsets tend to be over-sized, over priced or underwhelming, whereas a decent set of stereo headphones can easily match them in terms of sound quality, price, comfort and looks. A decent pair of stereo headphones have the advantage that they can go anywhere, and wearing a gaming headset out in public will just make you look silly. There are many reasons why the V-MODA BoomPro Microphone is a good buy, but I won’t list them all here. Detachable cables on headphones are becoming more popular recently and this feature is essential if you wish to use the BoomPro Microphone.

V-MODA BoomPro Microphone is a great innovation, hopefully it will be hardy enough to withstand the test of time and durable enough to withstand an enthusiastic gamers’ enthusiasm. I have had a lot of problems with microphones and cables/jacks with gaming headsets in the past due to poor quality materials and or bad construction. There is nothing worse than having a decent headset with a broken component that renders it unusable. With the V-MODA BoomPro Microphone you can effectively build a custom headset. Maybe you are a mature gamer that doesn’t want a big flashy OTT garish headset. Well then, It seems that V-MODA have just the solution.

Before we think about ratings I will write a brief summary for each of the following; Performance, Appearance, Construction, Functionality and Value. This will aid me in giving the V-MODA BoomPro Microphone a final score and give you a consolidated summary of the entire review. I do strongly suggest that you read the entire review, so that you can also arrive at your own conclusion.

The performance of the V-MODA BoomPro Microphone is very much relative to its price. The clarity is very good but this is let down by a static noise evident in my test recordings. The problem is more noticable when using the BoomPro with the Y-Splitter cable on my PC. When connected to my Galaxy S3 smartphone the static was hardly audible at all. The BoomPro will be more than sufficient for VOIP and in-game communications where the static noise will be less evident. Recording artists will certainly want to invest in a more professional microphone setup.

It’s hard to give the V-MODA BoomPro an appearance rating. Its design is very simple and there is no variance in color. It could be made a little more stylish with a dash of color here and there but that’s just aesthetics at the end of the day. With a product like this focus should always be on quality.

Compared to the construction of the CoilPro cable, the BoomPro looks and feels relatively inexpensive. The CoilPro has metal plugs where the BoomPro is moulded plastic. V-MODA could certainly increase the durability of the BoomPro with the use of higher quality materials. With due care there won’t be much cause for concern but a more heavy handed approach will reduce its lifetime. The braided cable will serve to prevent tangling and therefore increase the life expectancy of the cord itself.

Functionality is the BoomPro’s strongest suit. There are many usage scenarios that aren’t covered in this review, many of which I’m sure you could think of without being told. Any product that will save you money while at the same time being highly convenient and multi purpose should be a winner in everyone’s book. Unless V-MODA have a strong patent on this design I can see it being copied left right and center by other peripheral manufacturers.

The value rating of the V-MODA BoomPro Microphone is next, and like the functionality summary I think it deserves a high score. I think the $29.99 (Amazon) price tag is an accurate representation of what you will get. If higher quality/more durable materials were used on the connections I would happily pay the extra cost too.

The BoomPro Microphone is a unique product that should have been invented long before it was. Many in the industry will ask why they didn’t think of it before. It’s not re-inventing the wheel or anything but it is such a simple design with lot’s of possibilities. I would like to see a premium version of this with more metal in its construction. A smaller in-line cable clip and maybe a small splash of color would be great too.

+ Very innovative
+ Multi purpose
+ Saves money on buying a headset
+ More convenient than a desktop microphone
+ In-line volume control and Microphone mute toggle switch
+ Compatible with most (if not all) smartphones and tablets
+ Y-Splitter for PC/Laptop use
+ Extends the life of another product

– Low quality materials on the plugs
– In-line cable clip is too large
– Low level static when recording on PC using Y-Splitter

• Performance: 8.75
• Appearance: 8.50
• Construction: 8.00
• Functionality: 9.50
• Value: 9.00

Quality Recognition: Benchmark Reviews Silver Tachometer Award.

COMMENT QUESTION: What do you think of these new modular headsets?