Mod House Tungsten REVIEW! Double- & Single-sided

[@your_average_cultured_dude]

so many people in the comments who say "yOu NeEd A bEtTeR aMp", all of them are completely clueless about electronics and how dacs and amps work. those are the same people who would believe that gold cables sound better than copper cables. quite literally "audiofools"

[@SuperReview]

Here's my take: Amps can make a significant difference. They can introduce harmonic distortions or output impedance. Most amp distortion is well below my audible threshold -- and for an amp to make a difference via distortion, it would have to be introducing significant distortion, like a tube amp. I have no problem with people preferring that, but I'm reviewing the headphone, not the headphone + a particular amp I may have. So I use neutral sources, and for me low/inaudible THD = neutral.

[@SuperReview]

Same for output impedance. Headphones can absolutely sound drastically different on sources with different output impedances. Here's an example of the new DMS Project Omega, measured with and without 100 ohms of added output impedance, which some amps have naturally: squig.link/headphones/?share=KEMAR_DF_(KB006x)_10dB_Tilt_Target,DMS_Project_Omega,DMS_Project_Omega_100ohm In this example, listening to Omega on a high-OI amp will produce a significantly warmer, bassier sound. I prefer to use sources with low output impedance (1 ohm or less), to me low OI = neutral. My reasoning is that the effect of OI on a headphone depends on the headphone design -- as someone buying headphones, it appears random. High OI does not always mean warmer / bassier. It could be brighter. It could mean wonkier. It is up to the electrical design of the particular headphone. I review with low OI sources because I don't want a random factor changing the sound in ways that are unlikely to match how others hear it.

[@SuperReview]

If you prefer harmonic distortions from your amp, or you like how high output impedance affects a particular headphone you love, awesome 👍 Enjoy it, I am not making a case that you are "wrong" in any way. If you think I should be reviewing headphones with high THD and/or high OI amps, you'll have to make that case, it seems like a bad idea to me. If you think there are other amp qualities that commonly and significantly change the way a headphone sounds... again, enjoy it, but I do not share this experience and I am skeptical. If an amp can get a headphone louder than I want to listen to it, there is nothing that more power is going to do to improve my experience.

[@your_average_cultured_dude]

@@SuperReview 100% agreed. The only factors that actually matter in an amp are power and OI (aside from tube amps). Yet many people in the comments seem to think "more power = more better", or that "more expensive amp = exponentially better sound quality". They think you didn't like the headphones "because the source you used isn't good", which is plain false. The job of a DAC is to convert digital signal to analog signal, while being as flat as possible, and the job of an amp is to increase the amplitude of the signal, while being as flat as possible. They don't improve details, soundstage, imaging, or anything like that. If you don't like a headphone, unless you're running it out of something worse than an apple dongle, a better source won't make you like the headphone.

[@your_average_cultured_dude]

@@SuperReview I noticed this in the hobby in general. If someone doesn't like how a headphone sounds, even if they have an amp capable of giving more than enough volume to the headphone, many people say it's because the source isn't good and that they need a better amp. They completely ignore how these devices function and just think "headphone won't sound good if you don't have a $500-1000 amp"

[@jesuscostantino2925]

Always appreciate your honesty. It's why I keep coming back.

[@JTB--]

Nice Review. I think this a great first attempt by Ryan and his next Revision or model HP will fix the Tungsten shortcomings

[@grantdillon3420]

To add a counterpoint, I had never heard of Modhouse, the Tungsten, or Ryan when I heard these last year - never heard any of the "hype" etc. These are one of the only headphone experiences I've ever had where my immediate reaction was "WHOA!" These were making everything else I heard at the same meet-up sound like mid-fi in comparison, with the exception of Utopia and HD650 (of course.) I hear you that you weren't totally sold on these, just trying to put my own perspective out there. Love your channel and reviews! EDIT: Also, Ryan told me at the meet-up that he was using the Crinacle IEF Over-Ear target as a design goal for these.

[@lukekay7952]

great review!! almost pulled a trigger to buy this but i purchased hifiman arya organic instead and am very happy with it!

[@syanhc]

The MM500 is one of my favourite headphones. Its just amazing.

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

Thanks for the video but You need a serious amp for these headphones man I think you are set up for iems that's the reason for the sound outcome. Cheers

[@SuperReview]

I think it's all memes. The amps I used get Tungsten louder than I want to listen. No one is explaining how adding more power helps.

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

@@SuperReview well you actually need voltage and quite a bit of it, around 20 ideally but I get good results with Burson Soloist 3x(for whatever reason) violectric 280 is great but the best I have is my 300B tube speaker amp, it's just amazing. The harshness or brightness you speak of doesn't exist in my setup these are the smoothest most enjoyable headphones I have.

[@carlmarshall333]

@@SuperReviewI explained this in an earlier comment. Bass requires moving more air, a greater volume of air than higher frequencies. That requires more driver movement, which needs more energy (power) to achieve that. When your amp is underpowered it will still produce the high frequencies at higher volumes but not the bass. The volume is not linear across the frequency band when you are underpowered. The amp will still increase the treble frequencies but not the bass. So, the volume is loud but not balanced.

[@SuperReview]

@@carlmarshall333 You have typed that earlier yes, I don't think it explains anything though. Here is the frequency response produced by the headphone on my sources: squig.link/headphones/?share=KEMAR_DF_(KB006x)_10dB_Tilt_Target,Mod_House_Tungsten_DS

[@carlmarshall333]

@@SuperReview​​⁠I’m not trying to be disrespectful here. I experienced what you experienced when listening to these headphones underpowered. I’m assuming you’re measuring frequency response using a sine wave sweep right? When you listen to music, the transducers (headphones) are producing frequencies across a spectrum. The higher frequencies and lower frequencies are produced all at once. When the power is not sufficient to amplify all frequencies sufficiently, there will be distortion and clipping. The low frequencies are not being produced at the same relative amplification to the highs (this is distortion). My suggestion is that you test this with your ears on an amp which other reviewers have confirmed will sufficiently power them. I agree that there are some exaggerations regarding the amplification required for this headphone. Another thing to consider is that you wouldn’t listen to a sine sweep on headphones because the high portion of the sweep would be perceivably much louder.

[@MML66]

At this price you can get an arya organic with a hifiman EF600 R2R. In your opinion, is it worth this price?

[@SuperReview]

I find Arya unbearably bright. HE1K works better for me.

[@MML66]

@@SuperReview Thank you and wish you a happy day

[@blorg8206]

I'd skip the EF600 personally but Arya Organic should be solid. Newer Hifimen are quite easy to drive and don't need the sort of power the Susvara/HE-6 or even older HE1000/Arya did.

[@MML66]

@@blorg8206 Something like ifi Audio Zen DAC 3 or Fiio K7, or they did not give the headphones what they deserve or did not give out their full performance.

[@MML66]

@@TheVeganVicar Thank you and I wish you a happy day

[@flourishingfog]

Looking forward to your Heddphone 2 review!

[@whocares0503]

Look my Violectric V222 runs my DS Tungstens perfectly and it's +/- $1k (I got it under $1k on DROP). There are amps like the Topping L70pro too. Your review sounds nothing like my Tungstens do. To each their own. But I have heard a ton of cans in my time, and better costs you $3k PLUS or more for marginal, to me, performance gains. Just my 2 cents.

[@jmun9987]

For for V222, what gain setting is yours set at to drive the DS Tungsten’s?

[@whocares0503]

@@jmun9987 I have it set to 18, others set it to 12. One of these days I may change it and try 12 but I am happy overall! No complaints.

[@oblio44]

I think Mark missed on this review! I acknowledge that after listening to Mark's reviews for years, my listening taste are different from his. That being said: After six months, (I placed an order on December 23, 2023), I received my SS Tungsten on June 18th, 2024. My chain: Gustard A26 DAC (5 volts output) - Burson Soloists 3XP with Supercharger 3A and the new V7 opamps (24 volts & 8 watts balanced output) - Balanced inputs and balanced outputs. Other headphones I use on this setup: Meze Empyrean, Hifiman HE1000 v2, DCA Aeon Closed X, AKG k702 (modified) (Austria edition). I have over 8,000 songs in FLAC format. jazz, soundtracks, classical, house, hip-hop, reggae, beatless, lounge, rock, world, R&B, et, et, pretty much everything except K-pop & country. Impressions: Driving the Tungsten is not an issue with my setup. Of all the headphones I’ve tried, the Tungsten is the only pair I have had to use high-gain. I’ve been comfortably listening at levels between 40 and 70 out of a max level of 99 on the Burson - plenty of headroom. Yes, this is a lot of power/voltage. The sound is balanced and musical. Extremely enjoyable. They sound more realistic than any headphone I’ve heard -> timber is fantastic causing me to think/feel, "am I listening to live music"? Details stand out. Bass is strong, clean, and impactful. Male and female voices come thru clean and are placed where they should be. Separation is great. Details shine. Every genre sounds great. These are extremely enjoyable and comfortable to listen to. I could not be more happy considering the value-to-performance and FUN the Tungsten (combined with the Burson and Gustard) offers.

[@SuperReview]

Glad you like it 👍

[@pigmanny]

was looking forward to this one! also heddphone 2 review soon 👀

[@SuperReview]

Soon (tm)

[@doublehelix5185]

Are you reviewing this with a DAP? What system did you use?

[@SuperReview]

20:10

[@doublehelix5185]

@@SuperReview The amps you use will not take Tungsten anywhere near their potential. These headphones are unique in that they really need a huge voltage swing; powerful tube amps, solid state speaker amps, and more powerful headphone amps like the Oor or better (they need to be able to manage 3W at 150 ohms or ~20V ). The people on here dismissing the importance of amps; amps are not important for the average person using a set of Elex or something but Tungsten is a one of a kind headphone with very specific needs and it simply doesn't sound its true self without the right amp. A $150 Thomann S150 power amp or $150 Vali 3 do pretty well as a bare minimum.

[@Djimbe]

@@doublehelix5185 Bro literally said that all sources are irrelevant/the same.

[@Kamakurajoe]

As always, love your review. What are your opinion about DCA E3 compared to these hypedhouse modhouse headphones? They both are $2,000. Thank you 😊😊.

[@SuperReview]

I absolutely love the E3. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYuufWt-rZKYhac

[@Kamakurajoe]

I already watched your DCA E3 review when you first posted it. Thank you for your answer. Love your channel 😊😊

[@calvinyip364]

If you are sensitive to treble you need to listen to the aune ar5000. The treble is buttery smooth. And soundstage can be intimate or grand base on how you wear front or back. This headphone made me wow. It has the wow factor.

[@SuperReview]

Pretty curious to check it out.

[@Tssukiii]

@@SuperReviewIf possible, review it please Might fit your warm-mids preference

[@Djimbe]

@@Tssukiii If he ever hears Tungs properly powered it will match his stated prefrences PERFECTLY.

[@reflection1119]

I listened to this at CanJam London. I was previously taken by the hype and ready to drop 2k. I do appreciate that it's a community project and that is something I would have liked to support. But I found the treble too much for me. I use Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know as a test track. It's great for testing treble/upper mids control. The Tungsten didn't manage it very well. In that sense it is reminiscent of the T60 Argon which I also own.

[@SuperReview]

I never did get a chance to check out the Argons, still curious to.

[@syanhc]

After watching this review, I ate a single baked bean. After watching two of your videos on this channel, I ate one baked bean and then one other. You can see where this is heading.....

[@SuperReview]

Beans, beans, the musical fruit.

[@ItsXev]

I use the other pads with this and love it a lot more.

[@Djimbe]

Because you are powering it properly and its not Screaming at you.

[@ItsXev]

I am using Holo May + Holo Bliss, it probably does make a difference!

[@wadez1000]

You need to use more powerful amp with these. JDS element 2 and the diablo are just not enough for these.

[@invisiblekid99]

Not enough volts. These things thrive on volts. Was told it's a bit like BHP and torque. Plenty amps have the BHP to speed these long, but torque/volt monsters give these the push and grunt they need from lower volume

[@Smood47]

He used diablo and JDS element? Ahahhahahah

[@dudexyt]

The ifi Diablo is nice but it’s not enough for the Tungsten. Tungsten has more dynamics than my Susvara (when I measure it on my gear). Also the harsh treble is because the ear pad is unclothed. Otherwise it’s a bit dark for me. You should re-review it when you test different ear pads and an amplifier with enough juice. Otherwise your review is pretty fair when it comes to build quality. Sound quality is not accurate when underpowered.

[@SuperReview]

Someone is gonna have to explain the mechanics of "not enough juice." Power = volume. I don't want it louder.

[@carlmarshall333]

@@SuperReviewmoving a diaphragm at bass frequencies requires significantly more power than moving the diaphragm at high frequencies. So the volume is not increasing linearly across the frequency band. Your treble is increasing at a faster rate based on the lack of power

[@ambarishsengupta]

@@carlmarshall333planars have a linear response so your point makes no sense. If it’s loud enough, it’s adequately powered

[@carlmarshall333]

@@ambarishsengupta are you sure you know what linear means? Even when reproducing a sine wave sweep planars don’t graph in a straight line across all frequencies. There’s always peaks. Think about it.

[@ambarishsengupta]

​@@carlmarshall333 Planars have a flat impedance response compared to dynamics. They don't have a bass roll-off. You can look at any fr curve to confirm this. So you don't need any extra power to bring out the bass like you might need for some dynamics. For planars, If it's enough to power the mids, it's enough to power the bass. I don't need to think about it cause this is my job. But have you sat down and blind A/B tested a planar with different solid state amps which can power it adequately? I doubt you could even tell the two amps apart.

[@andreasschwarz4908]

The Heddphone 2 is 2,000 not 1,500.

[@V2760]

I see rust in side of left ear cup, 8:41

[@noppa9781]

I really don't think the Diablo-X gave these the juice they really needed (Or the Element 2 for that matter). The output specs on the X seem virtually identical to the Diablo 2, which GoldenSound called out on the Headphone Show for having extremely misleading specs on their product page for its output power. While the numbers on the product page makes it seem that the X can give the Tungstens enough voltage, iFi's reputation for dubious marketing combined with the fact that there doesn't seem to be any independent measurements of the Diablo-X at this time makes me very very doubtful of that amps actual capabilities. Nevertheless appreciate the review.

[@7ergosum]

​@@TheVeganVicarwow, I really wanted to buy a Phantom, please tell us what's wrong with yours

[@fazzxides8429]

I had two iFi portable DAC/Amps batteries die on me within two years of purchase.

[@syanhc]

Im not a big fan of this headphone and I'm much happier with the HD600. Its a classic of its kind and relatively cheap. It can't be surpassed. The HEDD 2 is a phenomenal headphone and I'm dying to buy one....but i listen to classical music which is its strength.

[@invisiblekid99]

See I really don't like the HD600, I honestly don't get the hype.

[@RadoDani]

Both, Tungsten and Hedd 2 are on my radar. I’m sad to hear there’s no universal praise for these two.

[@Djimbe]

He is underpowering them - in fact his entire review is a masterclass on what an underpowered Transducer sounds like and does.

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

What’s on the driver unit traces? Looks like rust or is it a printed pattern?

[@tanzhonghui]

I noticed that too. Fortunately, at 22:15 when he removes the pad, you can see that it's not actually part of the driver, but the pad/ pad attaching mechanism. Still not a great look, but at least it's replaceable and shouldn't impact the sound.

[@halowatcher7]

Even though you're getting enough volume, you're still starving this beast with the sources you used. If you want to get the best out of it, you need to feed it a lot more power than you did.

[@your_average_cultured_dude]

not at all how that works lmfao

[@your_average_cultured_dude]

​​@@TheVeganVicar the volume knob controls the voltage. I = V / R P = I * V = V² / R Where R is headphone impedance (resistance) If you're getting enough volume, that means there's enough power, and therefore enough voltage.

[@Djimbe]

@@your_average_cultured_dude Actually thats EXACTLY how it works. Heavier things under higher gauss magnetic drag need more power to move faster.

[@Djimbe]

@@your_average_cultured_dude You Failed Headphone Engineering and your equation is oversimplified to the point as to be useless. Its very easy to make the high end of a transducer whine at you till it hurts your ears. You know you are powering it properly when it sounds like the FR Graph. Till then, its failing to get enough juice. Simple

[@your_average_cultured_dude]

@@Djimbe pure bullshit. More power gives more volume. That's it. It does not alter the sound in any way. And the equations I used are not oversimplified. They are real formulas used in every circuit ever made. Ohm's law and the formula for power in DC and low frequency AC signals (

[@thelastrhino2581]

Thanks for the great, detailed, honest review. Much appreciate your ability to look beyond the hype.

[@thepedanticcreature680]

Edit: Addressed by SuperReview in response. Left the original comment below for context. But I was wrong. While it is weird for you to have decided to review a headphone known for being uniquely hard to drive with equipment where it is at least fair to ask whether you should have also tested sources with more power, that would be easy to address. Heck, maybe it would turn out that the differences and demands have been greatly exaggerated. Doubling down and indirectly calling people who criticize this 'audiofools' by pinning a comment that does so is enough for me to hide you from my YT recs going forward. It really should not be that hard to at least clear the bar of not doing shit like that regardless of how attacked you feel right now.

[@Djimbe]

Well Said. I didnt even clock that, Wow.

[@SuperReview]

I pinned the comment to surface the lengthy replies I made to it (did you read those?). Who is the one feeling attacked?

[@thepedanticcreature680]

@@SuperReview Fair enough. I would likely have copied those comments, posted them, and pinned that message as a way to address such worries and to avoid it seeming like you wanted to highlight perhaps the most inflammatory take on the subject. But I admit that I was wrong here. Sorry about that reaction. I have been very tired of bad takes by audio reviewers of late. Not just the usual suspects but also stuff like trying to find blame on both sides in the GoldenSound and dCS drama. And on Discord, I have found myself quite irritated by a number of takes specifically like the pinned comment despite not being a big source believer.

[@jbecks35]

@@SuperReview I had a similar reaction at first until I read your follow-up. It’s not immediately clear that the pinned comment was meant to be critiqued or addressed rather than highlighted as something you agree with. Without the extra context, it could easily come off like you’re endorsing the comment instead of the discussion that follows. Most people might not realize the focus is on your replies and could think you’re backing the harsh tone of the original comment.

[@vael_]

When it comes to the weight of this thing... I mean it's called the Tungsten for a reason :)

[@SuperReview]

Dammit I’m a photographer, not a scientist.

[@vael_]

​@@SuperReview Time to buy a white lab coat so you can at least look the part heh, fake it til you make it or whatever the saying is

[@doublehelix5185]

Do you own a pair? They are not heavy, they're comparable to other planars.

[@hirohito2219]

Thanks for the honest review. There's quite a lot of hype about these.

[@Berkanann]

JDS Element and Diablo won't do justice to headphones like the Tungsten. Put them on something like Trafomatic Primavera or VIva Egoista 845 and your jaw will drop how spacious and natural these become. Driving them 'loud enough' is not everything.

[@RadoDani]

I don’t think it’s just “need better amp” … I think Tungstens need a specific amp. They are also sold as a package with an amp, BUT that’s $5000. Kinda ruins the value proposition.

[@Djimbe]

THIS! And even that Amp is a Portable Compromise. It needs a Thorium Reactor, but when you convince yourself that "sources dont matter" and "Watts Iz Watts" there is no penetrating that low resolution thinking.

[@StartCodonUST]

Hey folks

[@dangerzone007]

Chocolate chip trip is much busier than that cure song

[@JohnnyADi]

Dude is using a jds labs product with tungsten! And the freagin ifi Diablo, OF COURSE it sounds like trash!

[@Djimbe]

WAYS TO PROPERLY POWER TUNGSTENS: (and make Susvara sound VEILED by comparison). Tungsten IS a "Giant Killer" WHEN its is properly powered, but not on your Portable or standard HP Amp! You need MASSIVE gain (dozens of volts - 2 dozen minimum) and the current must be there as well. Tubes: Black Ice F35 / Nautilus / OldChen el34 Speaker Amp (Basically Tube Speaker Amps for the most part.)... SS: SPL Phonitor 2 or 3 (NOT the x series, the PRO series = more gain) / Violectric 281/550 / Flux Labs Volot/ Flux Labs FA10/ Flux Labs Mentor Monoblocks./ Schiit Tyrs Monoblocks / SMSL SP400 (IF you have a MONSTER high gain Preamp Like the Phonitor 2/3 its SO much better than it should be) Speaker Amps: Thomann t.Amp s150 MKii Monoblocks / Soncoz SGP1 +HIGH gain Pre / Emotiva BassX100 Any High Quuality speaker amp with 300WPC will do it - and many with less depending on the Gain Stage. Monoblocked Thomann t.Amps have 225 WPC and 27v of gain.(They sound phenomenal, and are cheap as chips, though the Form Factor DOES suck..) AVR: Onkyo HT-R580 (Better than Oor + Hypsos in a long term Ideal conditions A/B test) Pioneer VSX-AX5Ai / Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 Cheap (Under $500) Solutions: Thomann t.Amp s150 MKii Monoblocks (Best Deal - worst Form Factor - $450 SHIPPED US!) Topping L-70 (Best bargain HP amp to push a Tungsten flat out) IFI Zen DAC somehow works. / SMSL SP200 Used AVR / Used Receiver / Tungstens have been tested on the Boulder 3060 - a 1,400 WPC 200kg speaker amp and shone. EDIT: PuriFi Class D stuff is AMAZING on these as well, as well as wont Break the Bank.

[@Prxyshj]

Thanks for the honest review. Too many people hype this stuff up well beyond what it actually is, causing everyone else to waste thousands of dollars

[@SuperReview]

I mean, I believe people when they say they like it a lot. This is just my take.

[@mtnmankeith9069]

Thanks for your honest opinion. Some people like chocolate and some vanilla. No need to be sorry. Great description of this headphone.

[@YurttheSilentChief1]

For $2000, I'd assume we're entitled to a back and forth conversation with modhouse about how to modify or fix issues like driver flex in these headphones? With free of charge replacements?

[@SuperReview]

I didn't purchase this so I dunno, but Ryan @ Mod House seems very connected to the community so I'm sure he's supportive. He also has a great name.

[@dangerzone007]

No thanks I think I'll stick to my HE1000 SE. It has nice bass mid-range and treble and very nice sound stage. The only problem with it is it's too addictive. Once I start listening to music I can't stop and things I should be doing don't get done.

[@chungang7037]

The HE1000se is the OG dangerzone, for getting actual work done....

[@CptMark]

Thank you, great review.

[@Yodamanjaro]

Didn't give the headphone a fair shot by using an amp that can properly drive them.

[@Smood47]

Dude hook it up to a speaker amp and listen again

[@garfythecat]

I was mostly expecting a review similar to the multiple others I've seen on these headphones. Surprised to find it's not, but I guess they're not for everyone?

[@SuperReview]

There are a few headphones I end up having issues with treble that not everyone does. Hifiman Arya is another. And to a lesser degree, Meze 109 Pro (this one's like 50/50).

[@Djimbe]

they are just hard to Power and are REALLY picky about Amps - most ppl think this means you need to throw money at the problem. This is an inaccurate assumption

[@jbecks35]

Reach out to ryan at modhouse about amps before posting your full review. Hes a nice guy.

[@LETIshNick]

Of course, if you don’t pair these cans with a 10k$ amp, you won’t be able to appreciate them. Obviously, ebony stands for the cable are also necessary, but this is common knowledge.

[@Yodamanjaro]

@@LETIshNick There's affordable amps out there that can power this well. Super just didn't use any.

[@jbecks35]

@@LETIshNick I know your trolling but maybe just reach out to the guy that built the product and ask him some background about what amps he recommendeds (they will be modest recommendations, Ryan is not an audio snob). A cayin iha6 for example that is designed for planars like an he-6 would be a good example can be bought for 400$ used or 650$ new. Zach at ZMF recommends this amp for his planar headphones as well.

[@Cirillion]

@@LETIshNickOf course, an apple dongle is absolutely sufficient. Everything above is unnecessary, but this is common knowledge.

[@Djimbe]

@@LETIshNick Actually this thing sounds phenomenal on my Roommate's 80 Euro 2010 Pioneer AVR. It has nothinng at all to do with Price. This is a Strawman.

[@Smood47]

Runs tungsten off JDS element 2 then complains of the sound hahshshshs

[@pappsa8]

I see Ryan face if he will see this review 😂😂😂

[@invisiblekid99]

Ryan spent years developing these and is extremely receptive to peoples opinions on these. So if your implying he'll be crying in a corner, you'll be sorely disappointed.

[@pappsa8]

@@invisiblekid99iam implying you are crying!

[@arthurhaywood2184]

This is a trash review! All of the characteristics you’ve attributed to this headphone are clear indications of you not providing it with proper amplification. I own a JDS Labs Element lll and I would consider it as woefully inadequate when it comes to properly driving this headphone. The Element lll, in and of itself, is already on the bright side. I’d also be suspicious about the iFi Diablo since iFi has a reputation of overstating their power ratings. High current is the key to driving the Tungsten’s properly. The same is true for a lot of the DCA headphones.

[@SuperReview]

Telling me the JDS is bright when it measures exactly the same frequency response as my other amps is not a great start to convincing me this isn't just memes.

[@arthurhaywood2184]

⁠All that means to me is that your amp preferences lean towards that tonality. The JDS definitely is underpowered for the Tungsten. You’re not going to get its best from either of the amp you mentioned in your review. In fact, my biggest criticism of the Tungsten is its amp requirements. You can’t drive it properly with just any old thing.

[@Nuevo_El_Nagual]

This is the most power hungry headphone on the market. It needs a speaker amp for a proper review.

[@neilsnyder7915]

I've watched a couple of this fellows reviews. His attitudes , the things he focuses on, and his preferred sound profile are just weird. His video style is super annoying. Lastly, he is so wrong about source gear not making a difference. He does this review with totally inadequate source gear.Wish him well but he is not for me.

[@SuperReview]

He also smells funny and I don't like his hair.

[@MichaelSomeRandomString]

The memes here are so memey.

[@SuperReview]

I just need to embrace it. Consume me, oh Audiophile Meme Meta, make me wholllllle!

[@alstonmaccow9386]

Three stars I would rather buy mm 500

[@SuperReview]

Is that a mom joke or a typo?

[@neilsnyder7915]

Source gear doesn't make a difference......are you kidding me. Probably best to ignore this review.

[@doncornetto]

You're just gullible and fell for the snake oil. Placebo is strong in untrained listeners.

[@blorg8206]

Many people think sources make a difference but can't actually tell in a blind test. Also, it does depend what volume you listen at, if you listen at low (safe) volumes even extremely hard to drive headphones (like this one) can be driven by moderate sources. You only need the super powerful stuff if you want to blast it. Some listeners are just never going to do that.

[@Lead_Foot]

You must be one of the people who go to canjam and listen so loud I can hear your open back headphone over the closed back I'm wearing. Probably best to ignore this comment.

[@wadez1000]

@@Lead_Foot Go ahead, try tungsten on a budged amp and see what that gets you.

[@neilsnyder7915]

Dacs and amps have a huge impact on sound quality. Staging, imaging, speed, resolution are all affected by your choice and pairing of gear. Using a portable or entry level dac/amp simply won't provide Tungsten performance. No wonder the reviewer didn't like their sound. My guess is that you may not have heard better source gear.

[@ambarishsengupta]

I didn’t like these either. I think they sound all right, but they don’t feel anywhere near $1900 in the hands. It feels like an early proto, and quite frankly there are better options at that price.

[@SuperReview]

With any of these independent-built headphones, you definitely have to be OK with less-than-premium build materials. Dunno that I'd recommend them as a first-and-only headphone, but if you're into the hobby and want something unique, it's very cool they exist.

[@ambarishsengupta]

@@SuperReview Yes I agree. It's cool to have stuff like this and have people enjoy them. They're just not for me. But modhouse does great work and I hope to see more from them. Also please do more headphone reviews!

[@creville9331]

one thing can't be everything for everyone.