ModHouse Tungsten -- Amazing or over-hyped?

[@KristianK42]

The first more grounded review of them I saw. Thanks, I was thinking about buying them eventually to enjoy besides my HE1000Stealth. Now I'm considering either E3 or Atrium. Cheers!

[@LSDScreen]

Atrium is the one to go there, by a country mile.

[@dixter1652]

nice honest review.. thanks spot on..

[@Nephilim-81]

The public needs this.

[@dudexyt]

I own a Bliss with Tungsten and Susvara OG. I think the Tungsten can compete with Susvara when you 1) use thick hybrid copper silver cables. It ups the resolution and tames spicy treble. 2) use tube amps or high end amps like the Masskobo 465. While Susvara has a unique sound (it sounds a bit more “cohesive”) Tungsten is like a fun Susvara that thumps bass. To make Susvara thump like a Tungsten requires an amp that is 15k USD or more. Great review and I think your assessment aligns mostly with mine.

[@Kalanxe]

Purchase validation addℹ️ction

[@LSDScreen]

I had Bliss with Tungsten for a while and did not think Bliss was up to the task of driving them fully.

[@scrappydogification]

At CanJam Dallas, I tested these against the Hifiman Susvara, Focal Utopia (2022), Abyss AB1266, Audeze LCD-X, Auribus Sierra, and others in the Mimic room. I listened to the same songs on the same Viva Egoista 2A3 amp and I walked away impressed with the Susvara, AB1266, and the Tungsten the most. I was able to A-B the Susvara and Tungsten and the differences were not as noticeable as the differences between the Susvara and Meze Elite or Utopias (Susvara won). I thought the Tungsten was amazing. At the show, I also listened to the Dan Clark Audio E3s and I much preferred the Tungsten. It can be loud, so not a great testing environment. As an aside, the volume on the Tungsten was fine on my Chord Mojo2, which was surprising, but I listen at fairly reasonable levels. Anyway, I would buy the Tungsten over the E3.

[@infn]

TBF, above 100dB levels are not healthy listening levels, for any prolonged listening intentional or unintentional. But yes, my experience with headphone amp power output does track with you - you need high wattage and current for planars to give you the best dynamics.

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

Thanks for the great video. I actually compared E3 and Tungsten and enjoyed modhouse hands down. E3 are just too bright for me.

[@Berkanann]

I agree with your observations and I only listened to the DS version, not the SS. Really great headphones for the price (apart from the driveability) but don't quite compete with 4K-6K TOTLs as some overenthusiastic owners say.

[@frederf69]

For 2 grand I expect a finished product & not have to wait so long for them. Good review, thanks.

[@Kalanxe]

Probably because most 2k headphones aren't desirable.

[@Currawong]

It's difficult when it's one guy and a couple of family members.

[@one-rv2bx]

It's funny that you associate price with a quick delivery time. Don't order a new supercar, brother.

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

Really good comprehensive review, and honest which is always appreciated. And so what would be the ideal amp, in terms of absolute power and headroom that would just rip these up for arse paper would you reckon?

[@Currawong]

Did you watch the entire review?

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

@ absolutely did, but if you addressed that, must have missed that bit. Do the channel analytics not show when the commenter has watched right through no? I always watch the entire review on your channel man, make a point of it. But you talked a lot about all different amps, so if it’s in there I didn’t grasp that quote.

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

Well, just watched back through the amplification section once again, and if it was suggesting that it needs a speaker amp, well if you watch that section back yourself, it’s quite confusing, (or at least it was to me), I heard ‘St Germain’, Chord Hugo TT, you talked about big enormous tubes? And then mentioned an audio gd master? I should maybe have phrased the question differently. Which of those would give these actual headroom. Or is that delusions of grandeur for these? Thanks.

[@Currawong]

The analytics only the average viewing time for the video, not individuals I shot the video in a single take, then edited it, so if it's not absolutely clear it's because it was done off the top of my head, and also because I can't give an absolute answer in a hobby where everyone has widely varying preferences. The best I can do is describe my experience with a variety of gear, and leave people to figure it out for themselves, based upon their own preferences.

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

@@Currawong ah fair enough, was really just wondering if anything powers them properly yet. Like, properly. There is a lot of talk around about things to do with power being about volume, in general on review channels, and you described about the sensitivity and voltage required to get them to a particular volume level, but you know how some amps can get things plenty loud enough, but that doesn’t mean it necessarily engages the drive units fully to reproduce the full depth of bass, along with quality and volume of bass that they need to sound the way they are supposed to? Like for example, a set of 600ohm Beyerdynamic’s, I remember there is a quite good channel that is called No theme Reviews right, and he was claiming - quite profoundly I might add - that they only needed this little pro amp to get them to a certain volume, right? Little pro type, 4-output studio amp. Cheap, and this was because Zeos said they needed power. Zeos was absolutely right by the way, they love extreme power, but No Theme was adamant it powered them sufficiently. So I get the amp, and it didn’t power them correctly. It absolutely struggled. They audibly lost all grip, power, texture and control over the bass. You know what I’m saying? Like gain and current, actual ampere’s, are different. And I know you know that from other things you’ve said in other reviews, but lots of others don’t seem to, it’s one of those common misconceptions you hear about. So, really just trying to establish if these are even worth looking at, because of the enormous power requirements, really not fancying this using a speaker amp idea. If a headphone is released, there should surely be something you can buy that actually powers it, with real headroom, can supply more current than they would ever need for, as you mentioned - a film soundtrack (like Dune or something), or having the grip and control for starting and stopping with quick, fast, or even ‘instant’ bass, like in complicated bass-heavy electronic music. That little amp they come in the set with, looks like it will give it a good try, presumably that’s the point in the set, but from what you said, and what everyone else has said, I’m thinking it’s not all about volume here, it’s about bass grip, or lack thereof. There’s a 17Watt Topping amp, thinking that might be a good contender. Or some class A mono’s might be better. I’m just wondering if there’s any point in looking, or if this is a case if, Modhouse are likely working on a revision to have the power requirements become significantly more efficient. There ye go, war and peace 😀

[@KXP70]

Could you share some more thoughts on how the dynamics and slam of the Stealth/Expanse compare to the Tungstens please?

[@TheSPazCORE]

Never been a strength of DCA headphones...

[@scrappydogification]

@@TheSPazCORE Agreed. Not their strength. Try the Audeze LCD-4z. The best slam I heard at CanJam were the Forte Ears Macbeth IEMs - wow.

[@nickmoseley3901]

How were they on the Mjolnir? Considering you didn't even mention it, I would assume not well.

[@Currawong]

Reasonably well. I'll re-visit my notes and add it into the written review.

[@viencarlodiego8842]

@@Currawongwhere can i find your written reviews?

[@Currawong]

hear.audio

[@hoondarrh]

Just wanted to ask--how much of your overall listening and impressions were on SE versus balanced connection during your time auditioning the Tungsten DS?

[@Currawong]

If the amplifier I’m using is balanced, I use the balanced output always, so basically most of my listening.

[@TheVeganVicar]

Mine were fabricated last week, after eight months of wait time. They should be here by the end of the year!🎉

[@TechnoGuy11]

So I guess my Schiit Jot2 would be fine for these, not like it matters cuz they're never in stock, and even if they are it takes 6 months to get them.

[@terryss95]

Currawong FTW. Sir, have you tried yet the Questyle CMA18 / CMA18P?

[@greencraig8570]

"...basically a 3-D printed finish"!!!!!!!

[@dudexyt]

It is a 3d printed chassis with a rough texture.

[@zzezzobike]

bravo ! I love your reviews it looks like a professor's lecture, so knowledgeable so secure what you are telling, puts all other guys to learn thing or two Thanks Oh, one more 😅 thanks for not having ridiculous big mike in front of your face like JV and other "experts do

[@Currawong]

Thanks. My father actually was a professor, and used to do radio talks, albeit scripted.

[@zzezzobike]

@Currawong and I know you have a good knowledge and taste in Headphones since you like Final D8000 , my fav Headphones

[@masterazlan6999]

Raal way better...Peace!

[@KXP70]

This is the only definitive opinion of yours (of the many that I've seen) that is mostly true. Pretty much all the rest can be argued on within the nuance of wants/needs/use cases. Although the small bit of nuance here would recognise the massive price delta...

[@scrappydogification]

Need to A-B them. That said, I heard the RAAL Immanis and it is glorious.