One headphone VS the whole industry - Modhouse Tungsten review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ค. 2024
- These open back planar headphones have been taking on the headphone industry. How do they hold up to the competition? Let's talk about it!
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Off topic but I'd like to see a video that goes into listening habits. So much talking about gear but not a lot about what you actually do with it. It would be cool to see your listening versus some of your peers.
That's a great idea
Fully agree, in my experience different gear works for few favorite songs, on the other hand different gear works for a few hour long listening session. It is overlooked, but so important aspect of reviews/recommendations - some things are great for 20-30 minutes, some things are great if you have the entire day of listening to music ahead.
Would love to hear your impressions on the Aune AR5000 and how it compares to the HD6XX / HD660S2.
I own both AR5000 and 660S2. AR5000 are a really good pair of headphones, but overall 660S2 can't be beated on a good OTL amp.
@@danieleturrin5625 Got any amp recommendations?. I don't have either headphones but I do have a couple others that respond well to a tube amp so I'm just curious to know what you like using with yours :).
@@danieleturrin5625 I currently own the FiiO K9 AKM. Do you think it'll make sense owning both?
@@Enigma1990ad, I just received the FiiO K7 AKM yesterday, and find it too weak, especially in the bass, for high-end headphones, although it seems to be fine for earphones and "cheaper" headphones (I classify the 6XX as "cheap", comparatively speaking, of course).
Ultimately, if you have the spare cash, get them ALL!
Thrilled to see you give your impressions of the Tungsten!
Though caveats should be given regarding the timeline to acquire a headphone such as this.
Ryan is rare breed in this community, and he has his hands on every single Tungsten that is sent out to ensure that it meets with his very high standards. With that comes the need for patience and understanding.
I certainly hope so, because my Tungsten need to travel to the other side of the planet, via a particularly corrupt bureau of customs, and the last thing I want to do is to return them to the USA due to quality control issues (as happened with an iFi amplifier I recently received from America).
yo, the new intro looks really really good!!
Had My pair for about a month now. Truly excellent headphones. Incredible Dynamics, Great detail and fantastic timbre. Sounds like the guys recording on the mic right next to me. I think vocals are the real stand out, but EQ with extra sub-bass they hit substantially harder then most of my current collection.
The only limiting factor is order quantity. Only a couple of people are working on this project currently, and Ryan himself admitted things were very delayed for a while while trying to slightly outsource production/get a bigger team. Last I read that were buying some expensive machine to make the process easier and quicker.
Are these the single or double magnet version?
Whats the difference?
The measurement at 8:35 indicates that it's "Tungsten DS Average" (ostensibly because a positional and channel average of the headphone in the dual-sided magnet configuration).
good question cause all reviewers I have heard up to now say there is quite a big difference between the single and double magnet version so he should have mentioned that.
@@listener-reviews from good reviews about the modhause tungsten I heard the single magnet version does not stack up with Hifiman products eg the double magnet version does it partly and these reviews were based on concrete facts not just I like or I don't like stuff like here.
Great review DMS! Curious...what are your top 3? Cheers
Finally this review sees the light of day! I can now say I do like the Harman Curve, at least where the Tungsten sits relative to it, and the Tungsten does a phenomenal job.
I was more confused cause DMS said its mostly flat along the curvewhile in the graph he shows its around 50% off even the the upper and lower limits of the curve.
@@Konspiration100 Kinda wish the dips between 1-2K and around 15K weren't there myself.
Hey thanks for the awesome review! Was wondering which version of the tungsten is in the video. The double sided or single sided version?
Also how would you compare the tungsten to the abyss Diana v2?
Thanks again
The air gap looks like it’s actually acting as port! Neat, you get a bump at the resonance of your port with a steeper rolloff. Nice accidental find!
I’ll try that when my Tungsten arrive. ✅
I was just recently wishing that there were more reviews of this headphone that I completely trust! Thanks dms! This would be my endgame headphone
I CERTAINLY hope that it's my end-game headphones too, since I would rather not pay six thousand American dollars for a Stax or Susvara.
@@ReverendDr.Thomas thats up to you of course, but this is the only review where one says he prefers modhouse tungsten even over Susvara. He may like them more but technical these have not the slightest chance in a competition with Susvara when it comes to technical capabilities.
@@Konspiration100, I suspect you're correct, and I will discover the truth when my Tungsten headphones arrive in a couple of months time.
I know yo have a conflict of interest because the omega's are yours, but could you compare the tugnsten's to the omega's? I dont mind that you are the producer, it would be cool just to hear a quick brief comparison as Ive herd the tugnsten's before and I am super interested in the omegas!
I’ve always been interested in ZMF headphones. If I was to break the bank, I would probably give these a try! I also wanted to try the cowhide pads on my m40x from them. Zeos raved about them a long time ago.
In your review of the Mega5EST, you said that you preferred that IEM over most headphones. Does this also apply to the Tungsten?
I’m curious if the owner of Mod House will offer interchangeable shields. I would like to tinker with different shields in order to find that niche sound. There’s been a few times that how the air escapes is infinitely different how it channeled out the acoustics if it’s semi or quarter open. I think Mod House can offer sound signatures that bring out the best. The future looks exciting.
I want to make a thing clear, only because the material is "fuzzy" it doesn't mean that it's Alcantara.
Alcantara is a Trademarked material made by the company "Alcantara". There are knockoffs "Alcantaras".
How do you measure db? Would be interesting to know which volume I usually listen to. I prefer it alot lower than my friends.
@DMS3TV did you mention if your pair was single sided or double? I'm not sure I remember you mentioning it.
Good video!
in the measurment section he lists it as DS so I'm assuming double sided
@@wywy5379thanks! I didn't catch that
Mine it the double sided, but yeah outside of measurements I forgot to mention it 😅
@@DMS3TVthank you!
@@DMS3TV do you have experience with the single sided version? Would you take it over say the Arya Stealth (V3) or the focal clear as an all-arounder?
Thanks!
This is great and all but is the single or double sided magnet version? And what are you powering it with? If it takes a speaker amp to drive it , that will not appeal to many watching this ( though the double sided edition I near is "easier " to drive) . Thanks!
this should have been elaborated more in the video sure.
How do they compare to Caldera?
thanks for the review...I see youre changing your background up. You were one of the first with the jagged rock cliff background, and now every other content creator is using it now...I guess change is good. Looks like youre going the Valour school of shooting vids---and I like it. Youre finally out the cave with these more light and airy visuals
holo
p good stock sig with potential for price though did not surpass susvara on lina stack or my well fed lcd5
double did sound as graphed off prototype cfa3 and a26
more midbass with rolloff similar to hd6x0 presentation
would have liked to try pad with gap had i known
better looking and customizable with signature over caldera on envy, lina, metaxas, z10e amps
Is the Argon t50's still one of the best closed-back headphones for around $500?
Would a Signxer SA-1 be enough to power them?
Would you take it over the E3 sound wise?! Obviously not look wise lmfao
I think one headphone vs the whole industry must be Sennheiser HD600/650/6xx. So many years many headphones surpass them but like hamburgers, you could afford better food but you still get back to them when you need.
Failed to get my order in for the last 6 months. and after I failed again last month, I bought a pair of the omegas out of spite.
Try Mimic Audio.
I ordered mine via Mimic. 😊
🎧 First time lucky and loving them😆
It's like a speedrun to complete the payment
Seems like a worthy jump from my Fostex ModHouse....price wise it might be a giant leap though.
Id really love to know a HONEST opinion vs the TOTL planar Kennerton.
Most underrated headphone brand for both DD & planar.
Can you please compare these to the LCD4 with EQ?
Those look really comfy
Over half a kilogram of comfy. 🙃
Not sure if I missed it but does anyone know if this is the single or double sided driver option?
Double sided 😄
Managed to put an order in for one of these back in February. I'm really excited, but still waiting 😂. The ordering process on Ryan's website is tough, good luck to anyone who's committed.
Congratulations!
I simply ordered mine via Mimic Audio, with no arduous ordering process, after attempting to place an order via the Mod House Audio website two months in succession.
@@ReverendDr.Thomas I thought about this, but I've heard that it might take even longer if ordered through mimic 😢
@@icicle1029, I'm not sure about that, but in my case, I have PLENTY of other headphones/earphones/speakers to satisfy me during the long wait.
Ordered mine on November 27th, 2023. Received them May 8th, 2024. DEFINITELY worth the wait. They are extraordinary.
@@imscruffy5488, so it was over five months. Mine will be at LEAST six, considering how slow the local customs bureau tends to be. :(
Which headphones have you DIRECTLY compared with the Tungsten? Susvara?
So you FINALLY decided to review the famous Tungsten, Douglas!
I'm looking forward to receiving mine sometime this year.
@@hafgrim., so it's "SMC", not "DMS"?
@@hafgrim., Mr. Pantera must’ve lost weight. 😮
I'm coming to meet you DMS. I'm coming to CanJam London hoping to meet Hifi Cop. July 20 baby!
@DMS As a Day One Tungsten Owner that has been Autistic my entire life, in the Pro Audio field for decades and a musician since before entering School that has worked on thousands of projects - these things are THEM.
Transducers are a balancing act, a recipe where all of the parts or ingredients must align. There are no BETTER headphones than this. There are ones that have made different CHOICES, but none BETTER. The Low End on these is (far) better than the mids or highs on most headphones even in the high end market when driven with speaker Amps. The Nuance of Cello pieces, finally hearing the true Timbre of an Upright Bass and being STUNNED by Low End Effects in Films and Gaming is incredible. Feeling that "Bass Body Blow" in your CHEST - as if you were legit listening to a Subwoofer - while wearing headphones is only something I have been able to experience on a handfull of headphones, and NONE other at this low of a Price Point! We are not talking about some Bloomy, Foggy bass like in your ANC cans or your Beats, or some Gimmicky schlock like some SkullCandy nonsense, like you usually get with this experience either! Low end instrumentation sounds like its in the ROOM with you, and being played by a MASTER. The lowest note on the best piano is reproduced as expertly as the highest. King Tubby-style Dub? check. Barritone Sax? check. Tuba? Sousaphone? Taiko or Samba Drumcores? Check, check, check. And the Tungstens SCALE. The better the Chain the better they sound.
I would argue that one has not really heard these until/unless he has seriously spent time with them on a serious Speaker Amp , however. I mean 300-500 WPC of serious quality(NOTPRICE - dual Monoblock ?T.Amps are sub $450 delivered), preferably Class A. even at low listening volumes there is something else happening - a new level Unlocked when you use serious high end Class A power like that. It takes a while to feel it, but the Timbre, Dynamics, the Stage - it All kicks into Magik Mode. It has a raw unbridled savagery that is unleashed to go with all of that sophisticated Layering and Detail that is kind of Obvious on any amp that can make noise with it. You basically feel like until this moment you have been driving a Formula1 car on snow tires.... But NOW you have Racing Slicks and the Grip, the Cohesiveness - THIS is them being DRIVEN.
Mod House Tungsten: The Ultimate Driver Experience!
What is it with the terrible Audeze yoke mechanism that seems to be becoming so prevelant?
How does Tungsten's headstage compare to Sundara's?
When I can buy your headphones, DAC//AMP ?
The headphones were for sale a few weeks ago and sold out 😄 there will be another batch in a couple months.
Take it over even your ZMF atrium?
OO Floatplane!
Amazing stuff.
Is it the single or dual sided magnet version?
Are these better than Dan Clark's e3?
Sitting listening on my Stax 007 out of a Blue Hawaii then I hear the guy who makes this lives in PA.....I live in PA, fast shipping :)
I want to see in future video you test Wavelet Pro headphone EQ APP and you test presets for example this headphones with HD 559 preset that App have in Auto EQ.
It fix all ferquency problems, and its very interesting.
App have alsmost for all headphones in Sennheiser series fix for EQ for each model you type there.
Can you do some test?
Cheers
As a Tungsten owner I 100% agree with the review.
Personally I use hybrid pads for more bass.
And yes, better than HFM 👍
Better then what HFM model?
@@7in1 it's in the review, just watch it 🙂
Will there be revision of the caldera?
Revision or review? If you meant review, DMS said in his Omega headphone announcement he won't be reviewing any ZMF products for a year once Omega becomes available to purchase.
I bought mod house cubes back in the day for some reason lol
they look cool af honestly
What are the other two in your top three?
Being in the UK sadly the Tungsten is out of my price range much to do with also needing to import it and also get a new amp to power it. The price in the UK would 3k - 4k which is the price of a moderate family car.
Yes audio is a hobby and incredibly fun but life is getting in the way and it is not the time to spend that much on a headphone.
What is the rate of import duty?
Same here. I'd love a pair of these and a Mentor to drive them but import duty, VAT, shipping, etc. make it impossible (for me at least).
You take this over the susvara, so it is way better than any abyss. I guess this will be my next pair. Lol
Would Audio-GD 28.38 drive these well alone?
Tungsten is Lisan Al-Gaib
As it was written!
this video looks so so beautiful visually
Why no link to store etc.?
How do they compare to ZMF Atrium?
good video! but can you maybe link their store in the video description? Link your sources please
Try Mimic Audio.
There was no mention of which Tungsten this was. Single or double sided driver?
Double
can someone link the discord channel mentioned in the video?
Do you know if the schiit Mjolnir powers these?
Yes and no. Depends on your music genre and how loud you listen to.
For the reverend.
Could not reply on the feed.
Order placed first week of January
I saw your response in the relevant comment thread, actually. ❤
Reverend Thomas. 🙏🏼
Nice review! These headphones are very special.
every time I try to order one the website bugs out have to refresh then it takes 5 minutes to load and is out of stock lol
Try Mimic Audio.
Please help...Sundara vs HD 600???
Over the stax-resolution?
I'll let you know when mine arrive, but it would be difficult to believe that the Tungsten are more detailed than the SR-X9000.
Guys, go to shows and demo this and don't buy based of reviews from Ryan's circle of friends.
It just perform well against its competition at this price range, nothing more nothing less. Just stop the hype. It just have more agreeable FR.
I got mine after waiting 20+ wks and I have to admit, they sound good but cannot compete with my other totl pairs, not even close.
And this has only 1yr of warranty which is laughable.
❤
I'm looking forward to receiving my Mimic Audio edition with VEGAN earpads and modified cable outputs, Mr. Dietz!
No rush, of course. ;)
this or caldera or atrium??
Great review! Do you think a Woo Audio WA7 has enough juice? I have the 2nd gen version.
The weight lives up to the name :D
Kindly review denon d7200
>2022 model
I can't understand why would you use A90 these days with a wonderful headphone like a Tungsten, the biggest weakness of the signal chain.
It makes plenty of power.
Please elaborate.
@@DMS3TV power is not everything, I owned this amp and compared it with Burson Soloist 3x and topping went back. It's very flat sounding 2 dimensional, no soul.
@@blejzerosamigos6115 Problem is, I always thought there was a huge difference, then I lined up 30 people for a blind test and no one could tell the differences blind between a $30K stack and a $100 dac/amp. I don't think it's holding the headphone back at all.
@@DMS3TV that is very concerning what you were saying because even your friend Andrew hates that amplifier and he doesn't really care for amps either. For me the first minute of playing Folk singer was enough to hear the massive difference and I always am amazed that you guys can pick out very particular frequencies and what's going on there but can't hear the difference between amps and DACs. Maybe we are all just very different what it is that we hear. Cheers.
@@blejzerosamigos6115 I always thought I could hear a difference, but I was wrong. It was just placebo 😄
how it is compare with DCA e3
hard to compare because e3 is a closed back
@@DMS3TV which one is more comfortable
@@muhamadsyazwan5170 depends on your head shape honestly
@@DMS3TV your answer is too safe
@@muhamadsyazwan5170 but it's true... Head shapes vary dramatically and they're both very different shapes. What's comfy for me will be different for you.
...well...vs DCA of ZMF ?
My otl amp says no :/
😢
DMS you are a genius! With the pad on the angled position the Tungsten sound amazing. It’s like a sub speaker effect! Thank you
👀
Sold out - maybe new stock 31st May
Try Mimic Audio.
He only takes a certain number of orders at a time. These headphones are never in "stock" due to their high demand. May 31st is when he will take new orders. But you have to be quick to put your order in, because those spots for orders sell out within seconds.
@@imscruffy5488, unless one orders directly from Mimic Audio (although the waiting period is similarly lengthy).
DMS hasn't said he'd take them over the HD 6XX's which makes me still a little impressed, but not shocked
to be fair the 6XX is perfection haha.
Very few dynamic driver headphones can compare with the detail and clarity of a pair of planar headphones, such as these Mod House Audio Tungsten.
n e w v i d e o
Really disappointed when I heard you shouldn't run Tungsten off Fosi amps but I get it. Glad I didn't waste the money getting the amps. They're basically not good enough for anything other than near-field, below 80dB bookshelf speakers anyway. Guess I'll have to find an affordable class A amp that Tungsten pairs best with before I put an order in. Even EQ'd my Edition XS just don't have enough bass for my music taste, but Im only running them balanced off a Questyle M15 for the moment anyway. I'm probably looking at a pair of good IEMs and a DAP for the next headphone upgrade. It's cheaper to run for the gain in performance. Thinking maybe Thieaudio Prestige LTD or LCDi4 & a HiBy R8 II.
I have two pairs of HIfiman planars. They really require a robust desktop amp. You can run planars off headphone amps, Fosi is ok, but you won't get the real performance
out of them without investing in a really powerful desktop amp. They just suck too much power otherwise. As opposed to dynamics which usually any amp should be able
to power efficiently, depending on the impedance. As for bass, most planars aren't bass-heavy headphones. They are tuned for balance, detail, soundstage, and subtle highs and warm mids. Both my Hifimans have solid bass but not deep or heavy. Not what planars are for. If you want bass, get some Sennheiser Urbanite XLs. I own those and they have the best bass, perhaps, I've ever heard in headphones. Some good IEMs might be a solution, too. They do make IEM planars that are very good.
Glowing reviews do NOT help my wallet, DMS. I already have Argons and they are the reason my 650 have been collecting dust for the past year or so.
it's 3 times the price of the hifiman ed xs 😂
"Tung Talk", really? 😂😂 Also question, is this the single or double magnet version?
Review the Aune AR5000
P R E A C H
A few more words about amping wouldve been nice since you probably own a lot of different amps - great review otherwise.
Yeah, but why should i spent 2000$ for a Headphone from sombody that is unkown, when i can get an Audeze LCD X for 1400€ from a very well known Compamy that is out there for a Decade?
Understandable point, but this is miles better than an LCD-X and modhouse has been around for at least 7 years (probably longer) and is really well known in the audio community.
I don't like the "ZMF type" height adjustments pins
6 monhts waitlist.
And only one year warranty. At this price it should be at least 3 years. Or compete with the abyss warranty.
is this headphone fatiguing?
Bruh... Stop making buy stuff!...
The only thing holding me back from ordering it has been the need to invest in a very expensive amp to drive it - (based on the head-fi Tungsten thread it seemed like id need to drop another 2k just to drive it)
But... Like you, I listen at around 75db and am much more encouraged, knowing I can get to that with something like an A90... Maybe my Soloist 3XP can do the job just fine...
I've already picked out my colours!
Still electrostatics produces the best sound ie HE-1. is this harder to do thats why many are just going for planar? Why not just make a better HE-1 and certainly be unchallenged in having the best not just a good value sound. In the process youll have to make advances that will be a challenge you just cant outsource.
Honestly most electrostatics are really overhyped. The reason HE-1 is good is because its an estat that doesn't sound like an estat.
@@DMS3TV I mean people designers are going for good not the best. Maybe planars can sound better but it hasnt. One thinks one should reach for the stars its done in DACs, Amps, Pre, Turntables, Speakers but in headphones its a dead end. IEMs is advancing more and thats hard to do.
He didn't compare to atrium
Kinda hard to compare, they're polar opposites. Atrium is a kick back and relax dynamic driver semi-open. Tungsten is a detail-monster open back planar.
@@DMS3TV how about tungsten ds vs 1266 tc ?
@@Smood47 1266 has way more bass potential, and is more sturdy on build. Tungsten is WAY more tonally balanced.
@@DMS3TV thx
There are so many great headphones that are readily available can’t imagine why anyone would wait for these .
high impedance, low sensitivity. not for me.
I'm sure it's a great headphone but the Verum 2 is probably better value.
It's called "the law of diminishing returns".
Any headphone more expensive than the HiFiMan HE400se is poor value for money, COMPARATIVELY speaking, that is.
Nah the verums measure like crap. They’re a poor value, and that’s even aside from the history of the owner.
@@DMS3TV, Douglas, you failed to mention how you LOCKED the earcup adjusters (or is there an inbuilt locking mechanism?).
@@ReverendDr.Thomas oh it’s just a set screw on either side.
@@DMS3TV , so it is, in fact, a built-in function of the unit. I sometimes change the position of my headphones, depending on whether I'm wearing a hat or not, and exactly where on my pointy crown I position the headband (I'm completely bald). However, I'll most probably take advantage of the screw that you mention (although I've never seen such a device in the photographs of the Tungsten - I'll take another look as soon as I post this reply).
Also, thanks for the headband ajustment suggestion. I'll definitely try that when my pair arrives, as I have a VERY thin head (as my profile portrait suggests).
that's strange if it's the "best" headphone it'd be priced accordingly
sooner or later
Why making a video of a product that is not available to buy? Another niche audiophile gear that nobody can actually own. It cannot be compared with anything on the market. Pointless....
because it comes in stock often. By that logic I would *only* publish a video during the 3 hour windows when stock is available.