The first generation of plasma frames is way superior to the most recent descendants.While the later editions seem to be actually a more polished edition of the raw,unpolished titanium finish,the original plasma frames are more matte and raw,and almost resemble the silver c-5 frames,being only a bit closer to a somewhat yellow/pearl tint.Well,this finish due to it's increased brightness in comparison with the less interesting newer editions makes a big contrast with the lenses,and I mean any given lenses,they all work well,and this ends up with both frame and lenses shining and showing up more.I don't know how this was done,but only oakley is capable of doing that kind of magic.Certainly a legendary addition to the collection.

The plasma frame is another classic for the x metal line.it looks to me like a shiny,brighter,and smoother,almost with slippery texture,than the titanium finish.Although I do have a preference for the matte titanium frames,I have to say that the plasma ones really match well with every lens option,(or at least the ones released officially by oakley),specially with the brighter ones such as emerald of fire,and are always an addition to the collection as good as the rest.

Have 2 2nd Gen (polished silver look) Plasma Juliets, the first one had an Emerald Lens, which I later sold, and the latest one I got was a modified 2nd Gen plasma frame with Ruby Iridium. I'd have to say I like the 2nd Gen plasma with its polished silver look better than other frame options. In my opinion, they just look better when worn with a suit or your favorite shirt and jeans.

I'm surprised how much I like it. The only issue I have with it is that it doesn't look like any of the pictures. Mine looks like champagne...

The frame option on the Juliet that gets the least amount of love...and I don't know why. I've always made the argument that there is no such thing as a "all purpose" frame in the X Metal family: some frames look good with some lenses...and some don't. Period. Plasma is no different. Its Oakley's fault for pairing it with lenses it doesn't really fit with. The Fire belongs with Polished, Ruby with Carbon, etc.

As for Plasma, I feel this frame was custom developed to pair with Ice and Ice with Plasma. I find that the key to pairing a lens and frame: which does each look best with?

I've owned this frame with every possible lens combo and on the XX, Juliet and X Squared. I have yet to see any Plasma look better than the X Squared with Ice: classy, modern, and (literally) cool. In the right combo, a frame everyone should have one of in their X Metal collection.

Hard to say what "Plasma" is when looking at the X-metals. The first Juliets had a plasma that was a matte, light-gold color (that had major issues with flaking and discoloration), which changed significantly by the 2nd gens. The Ice 2nd gen became a darker brushed silver, and the early 2nd gen fires (the rarest of the plasmas) took on a brushed bronze look. After, all of the plasmas became a brighter brushed silver - which is still in use today. I would have to say that "Plasma" only applies to the first or Second (fire) generations of the Juliet line, since they have the gold-tint to them. The others should have just been called "silver", or something to that effect.

When I think X-Metal I think of Plasma frames (latest gen). The surface is clean and smooth. They have a semi-shiny exotic look, what a Titanium alloy should look like. The plasma/Ice combo is hands down my fav combo.

plasma turns silver to gold to light brown..i just like the way the frame looks in different lighting condition. i love it! very classy look..
i have the late plasma frames by the way..yup, 1st gen run have some problems in fading..

Probably the least-inspiring of X-Metal frame colors in my opinion. I much prefer the earlier Plasma frames with the "boney" complexion. The newer, more polished-silver ones, don't do much for me. Too placid and normal. If you do have an earlier model, use it sparingly as the finish is prone to corrosion.

Theres 2 kind of plasma; one more silver and the other one more bone white as Oak calls it, mine is the later. Very classy, goes with anything kind of frame.

not the most interesting X-metal frame colour but its is very nice, has had alot of changes over the years and the one i just got are 3rd gens so i nice shiny but dark silvery metal colour.
i do think these are very very close to 2nd gen titanium though.

This is what got me hooked on x-metal frames, the famous plasma. They aren't as dark as x-metal but not as flashy as polished. I don't need to say more. Just look at it.

If you can, go for first generation plasma; try to avoid the new generation if you can. The first does have its problems if you have highly acidic and corrosive sweat but it looks much much better. Of course all of this is a function of a person's tastes. If you prefer less shiny, go for gen 1. If it's shinier you like, then gen 2.

I'm a victim of the discoloration problem of the gen 1 plasma frame, mine has discolored awfully that it looks unfinished, blemished raw titanium already. These are nice frames but I always end up choosing polished and x-metal more.

I realy liked the generation 1 plasma frame more than the new, shinier plasma frame. Although the gen 1 frame got sort of a black tarnish from sweat, they looked better for the simple fact that they do glisten but have a rather platinum look to them. I wish oakley hadnt changed the plasma frame, but that is just my opinion. I will say that the gen 1 plasma/fire iridium look better than gen 2 plasma/fire iridium, but the gen 2 plasma/ice iridium look better with the shinier plasma frame than with the original platinum colored gen 1 plasma frame

A great shiny x-metal option that seems to work best with any of the colored iridiums. I can't even recall really seeing a plasma frame with black iridium.

One of my favorite frame colors, but only after it got changed from a platinum color to a more silver color. Looks great with Ice.

Kinda looks like the 1st Gen Plasma frame from X-Metals, but that's not a bad thing. Would probably look great with Black Iridium or Ice too.

Somewhat of a polished Titanium, but not to the point of the real Polished frame. It's a good choice for most of the X-Metal's.

Similar to Pearl, but a bit darker. The frame is nice and compliments the Fire lens nicely.

Reminds me of a putty color like computer CPUs and monitors. Looks great combined with the fire lens ... but would shy away from using it on black iridium. Seems to look great though, and has been resisiting the crud that my Ti-frame Switch has had problems with.

Looks like the Champagne Metallic paint on a Caddy. It's got an off-white base with a nice glint up close.