Mod House Tungsten

Spoiler Alert!

My Setup and Some Disclosure

Not My First Rodeo

$2,000 (Double Sided)

Problems With Hype

There, I Said It

Buy a Tungsten

The Susvara Comparison

Conclusion

* I will add nice photos once I get the change to take some.

Intro and disclaimer

I met Ryan from Mod House a few years ago at my first Schiit Audio meet back in 2018. Ryan is passionate about what he does, and it shows in the gear that he makes. I had a pair of T50RP Argons a few years ago that I liked a lot but regretfully sold when I moved more towards IEMs. I picked up a T60RP Argon that I enjoyed even more and still have to this day. They are my daily drivers at my desk.

Right before the spring 2023 Schiit meet that I hosted, Ryan from Mod House sent me a few photos of his prototype headphone. At the time, they didn’t even have a name. I vividly remember being blown away by how good they looked. They looked like a very polished product. I was really looking forward to trying them out. A few days later, I saw Ryan at the meet and got to see and hear the prototype in person. I was even more impressed.

The first time I listened to the prototype, I was stunned by how good they sounded. I’ve tried a bunch of low volume hobby headphone creations that sounded ok, but these were special. The sound signature was extremely polished. Two minor gripes at the time were that they took a small nuclear reactor to power and the treble was a touch spicy at times. Other than that, they were very well built and comfortable. They were a work in progress. I was really looking forward to seeing how the project came along.

A few weeks ago, the final production version arrived at my door for review. They have exceeded all of my expectations. Let’s get into it… The SS version was purchased by me and the DS version is on loan from Mod House in exchange for my honest feedback. My opinions are my own.

The Tungsten can be purchased directly from Mod House audio here. (unaffiliated link)

Gear Used

Mod House Audio Tungsten SS (single sided magnet)

Mod House Audio Tungsten DS (double sided magnet)

Mod House Audio T60RP Argon

Schiit Asgard 2

Schiit Jotunheim 2

Schiit Modius (ESS Chip)

Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire (no filters)

Fiio Q7

Ifi iDSD Micro Black Label

Violectric V550

Headamp GS-X Mini

Burson Soloist 3X GT



Accessories

The Tungsten comes in a sturdy Pelican style case. It’s compact and high quality. It also comes with a 4-pin XLR Viking Weave cable, cable bag, nice laser engraved metal information card and a sticker.



Build

The build on the Tungsten is fantastic in my opinion. All the materials feel high quality. There are no squeaks or rattles. They have a nice industrial look. The headphones use dual 3.5mm termination. The jacks feel very high quality. There are a few 3D printed parts, but they are of high quality and almost look like powder coated metal.




Comfort

These are not exactly light headphones, but the clamp force, pads and headband make for a comfortable headphone that I can wear for hours with no discomfort. I have zero issues or complaints about the comfort.

Stocks Pads

The Single Sided (SS) comes stock with the Caldera hybrid pads and the double-sided (DS) comes stock with the Caldera ultra-perforated pads. For this review, I will keep them in stock form. At the end of the review, I will do some pad rolling.


Caldera ultra-perforated pads


Caldera hybrid pads

Cable

Both versions of the Tungsten come with a cable by Viking Weave Cables. In my opinion, it’s one of the nicest stock cables I have seen on a headphone regardless of price. It’s thick and has a nice premium feel to it. The cable terminations feel solid. You can get it in either version of the Tungsten with either the 4.4mm termination or 4-Pin XLR.

Customization Options

There are a ton of ways to make your Tungsten your own. You can pick between different color grills. The stock color is Tungsten but you can pick from a list of custom colors. The SS version I have came with the stock Tungsten color and the DS version came with the Smoked Bronze. Both look great in my option. The pictures don’t do it justice. There is a metallic flake look to it when you see it in the sunlight.

You can also customize the cups, yokes, rod blocks and headband with the same list of colors. There is an additional cost for the customization. $100 for the grills and $150 for the chassis.

Sound

Overall sound signature

There isn’t a huge difference between the two. In summary, the SS is warmer and the DS is more of a neutral audiophile tuning.

Single Sided (SS):

Overall, the Tungsten SS has a very mild V-shaped sound. The signature of these headphones is extremely polished. The treble was never harsh to my ears. The bass is well controlled and never boomy. The mids are natural. Bass is not lacking in quantity and has a little more mid bass energy than the DS.

The Tungsten SS is so easy to listen to. They seem to shine with every genre I threw at it and was not picky when it came to recording quality. Well recorded tracks really shined but at the same time it was really forgiving when it came to YouTube videos or poorly recorded rock. Not all high-end headphones can do this.

Double Sided (DS):

The DS Tungsten is a little flatter in terms of signature. The DS also has slightly less bass but more controlled and reaches a bit lower when compared to the SS. It’s overall sound is colder than the SS.

Imaging

The DS and SS both have good imaging but the DS is slighter better. While listening to Yoshi Horikawa’s Bubbles, I had a better sense of the precise location of each sound. The SS while not bad by any stretch, it just was not as precise as the DS. Again, the difference is there but not huge.

Stage:

Both the DS and SS have good staging. The stage width on both is about the same but the DS is a touch deeper.

Comparisons

I started to compare the Argon T60RP and EL8 to the SS and DS but they are in totally different leagues and the comparison isn’t fair. Back-to-back, it’s hard to listen to the EL-8 and Argon after coming from the Tungsten. I like both headphones a lot, but the comparison doesn’t make sense. The Tungsten is better in every aspect.

I’m going to pick a winner for each track based on my preferences. The general theme is that the DS is better for classical or other tracks where stringed instruments are the focus including guitar. The SS is better for electronic and EDM types of genres.

Afterglow – Emancipator

Tungsten SS - Nice low-end rumble and not overpowering. SS is the winner for this track.

Tungsten DS - Less energy in the low end but more control. A bit less shimmer in the treble

Lindsey Stirling - Elements (Orchestral Version)

Tungsten SS - Violin feels a bit distant in comparison to the DS. The slight dip in the upper mids takes a bit away from the focus of this track. Again, minor. The sound is still nice and open with great staging and imaging to make the track feel open and enjoyable.

Tungsten DS - Violin is slightly more forward. Less treble so the chime that goes from left to right a few times on the track is a lot less noticeable. Overall, the DS wins for this track.

Grateful Dead - Touch of Gray

Tungsten SS – Treble is a touch spicy on the track at higher listening levels but give nice impact to the cymbals at more comfortable levels. Nice punch on the kick drum.

Tungsten DS - Vocals are slightly more forward, and the sound is flatter. Not as much punch on the kick drum but it’s tighter. DS is the winner for this track but not by much. The recording of this track may play into the results.

Angus and Julia Stone - Yellow Brick Road

Tungsten SS - Clear winner for me with this track unless you are very sensitive to treble. The guitar strings have a more metallic sound to them. Vocals are great due to them being a little more forward in the recording.

Tungsten DS – Much flatter and even sounding. In this track, the guitar does not have the same authority and does not have that outstanding metallic sound that the SS has.

Alison Krause - It Doesn’t Matter

Tungsten SS - The added treble like in the last track give better attack on the guitar notes.

Tungsten DS - Bass reaches low and is super high quality. There is a touch of sibilance in her voice that the SS doesn’t have however, this slight sibilance seems to be limited to this track. I didn’t notice it on any other track I tried.

Eric Clapton - Old Love Unplugged

Tungsten SS - Winner for this track by a slight margin. I feel like I’m getting more detail with the hi-hat and cymbals due to the more energetic treble.

Tungsten DS - Nice and open sounded. Staging for this track is a bit better on the DS but it’s not night and day.

Caroline No – Still Waters Run Deep

Tungsten SS - Nice even sound and a bit fuller sounding when compared to the DS.

Tungsten DS - The bass is tighter and more impactful on this track. The vocals are better on the DS. More forward and rich. The DS is the winner for this track.

Other Comparisons (SS Only)

I tried the SS against a few other headphones as the opportunity presented itself. This was done before I had the DS so my comparison is limited to the Single Sided Tungsten. Here are a few thoughts on a brief comparison.

ZMF Caldera

The Caldera is much easier to drive. I was averaging around 10 o’clock on the Schiit Jotunheim with the Caldera and about 2 o’clock with the Tungsten. There is more treble energy with the Caldera with a bit more of a metallic sheen. Mids are slightly more forward on the Caldera which translated to more vocal presence. Bass performance is close however the Caldera has a bit more subbass rumble.

ZMF Atrium

The Tungsten has a bit less bass and a slightly narrower stage. There is a little more punch on the Atrium but the Tungsten makes up for it with a little more subbass and more control. There’s less treble as well on the Atrium.

DCA Noire (no filters)

This is a bit tough due to the Noire having a bunch of tuning options. I just decided to use no filters as a baseline for the comparison. There is more subbass and treble energy with the Noire. The Noire presents a ton of detail. The downside is that it’s a bit fatiguing compared to the more mellow Tungsten. The Noire, to my ears is a deep W signature while the Tungsten is a bit flatter with a mild V signature. On one track, the high level of treble made one of my test tracks a little harsh. The Tungsten was much more mellow and easy to listen to.

Pad Rolling

I’ll start off by saying that pads swapping on the Tungsten is easy. They are held on by magnets and the screws keep the pad aligned. Very clever system.

Also, the stock pad choices made by Mod House make sense. In my opinion, they sound better with their stock pads. That said, I would recommend getting both pads when you order due to you being able to tweak the sound a bit for your music choices and listening preferences.

Tungsten Double sided: Hybrid versus perforated pads

With the hybrid pads, you lose a little control in the bass but in exchange you get more punch with more mid bass. Neither pad sounds bad with the DS. Staging is also a bit deeper with the perforated pads. Lindsey Stirling Elements was more open sounding with the perforated pads. The difference is not huge. I had to go back and forth several times before I could hear it consistently.

Bottom line is that the bass has a different quality on the hybrid versus perforated. The other differences are more subtle.

Tungsten Single Sided: Hybrid versus Perforated.

Here the difference is far more noticeable. There is less bass but it’s a bit tighter. It’s also brighter. If you are treble sensitive, the perforated pads on the SS might be a bit too bright. I prefer the SS with the Hybrid bad. With the perforated pads, it loses its smooth and fun nature.


Amping

Ok, let’s address the elephant in the room. These headphones need power to live up to their potential. Not only do they need power, but they also need the right kind of power. I tried the SS with multiple sources both portable and not and they only worked on desktop sources that I tried. The Schiit Jotunheim powers them very well and is a great paring. The Asgard 2 does not have enough power to get them to reasonable listening levels.

I also tried the Tungsten with the Fiio Q7 and iFi iDSD Black Label. While I was able to get to good listening volumes, they were nowhere near driven to their potential. The Black Label would also get to reasonable volume but would distort with bigger bass hits. Both sources are normally very good but asking them to power the Tungsten isn’t reasonable. Even the Headamp GSX Mini struggled.

The best pairing BY FAR was the Violectric V550 Pro. For me, this combination was my desktop endgame. Stunning sound. Very even with very good layering and depth. The Tungsten sound awesome on the Jotunheim but the Violectric took it to the next step. The difference was not subtle. You do need to keep in mind that the V550 is nearly 10 times the cost of the Jot 2.

I also tried the Tungsten with the Burson Soloist 3X GT. There is plenty of headroom with the Burson. When compared to the Jotunheim 2, The Burson had a bit better layering and a bit more energy in the treble. Very good pairing.




Conclusion

What Ryan has accomplished with the Tungsten is truly amazing. The Tungsten is the standard in my opinion in the sub-$3k opened back headphone arena. It’s even more impressive that this is the first Headphone that Mod House has built from the ground up.

I knew the second I heard that prototype that I would probably buy a pair when they were released. I don’t have open back headphones due to the way I listen, but they are so good that I had to make an exception. I purchased the single sided version for myself and will be enjoying for years to come. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy the DS. It’s just that for my listening preferences, the SS is fits my preferences a bit better. Thanks to Ryan and the rest of the folks that helped make this truly exceptional headphone possible.

I hope you found this review helpful!

Modhouse Tungsten is a transcendental revelation...

I rarely feel the NEED to leave a review. Because so seldom does a product and a creation come around that simply blows your mind and expectations.

I first heard of Modhouse in the small and now not so small headfi community.

I heard this guy Ryan (who I must say...is one of the most sincere, and considerate in the industry that I've had the pleasure to interact with) is working on this new planar magnetic home grown headphone...

I hear of many smaller players trying their own cans. I think it's great, and inspiring. But rarely do any come out that are worth remembering or you would consider flagship.

The headfi leaders all said Ryan's Tungsten is special...and will leave a mark. I took it with some caution, but immediately reached out to Ryan and understood quickly he knows what he's doing and his demand list is high. So I went for it on a blind buy for both single and double.

I just received my first pair (the single), and what Ryan has made is transcendental. Not only has he broken all boundaries and expectations for a boutique headphone...but he has reach Susvara levels and beyond.

The details, the craftsmanship (thing is built like a tank), and the comfort all next level. And the sound is immediately evident and the best way I can describe it is....pure pleasure and delight.

The stage, the clarity, the depth, the immersion and the RIGHT sound is all there. It is magic. Ryan takes his passion and bring something to the market (at an extremely reasonable price considering he reaches Susvara heights in quality).

Bravo Ryan. You are a pioneer and visionary in headfi and I cannot wait to see what else you come with up. Although, this Tungsten will be a hard one to top for quite sometime I imagine.

In recent years, there has been an incredible array of new headphones launched into the market, pushing the boundaries of sound quality and fidelity. Of those, only a few have truly stood out for me and made me yearn for another listen, time and time again. The upcoming Tungsten headphones are one of those rare breeds and have emotionally moved me to share a detailed, in-depth, long-term review of my experiences with the headphone community.

Whispers of the Tungsten’s early prototypes have gradually amplified into a crescendo of anticipation within our community. My first encounter with them at CanJam Chicago earlier this year was unforgettable; the late prototype was not just one of my show’s highlights – it also introduced me to one to the industry’s most innovative developers.

Ryan Dietz (@Tulon ), founder of Modhouse Audio, has been modding Fostex headphones for years. These open-back planar magnetic headphones are his first fully developed headphones, designed by Ryan end-to-end, made in his (proverbial and literal) garage. If these are his first headphones, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him!

Immediately after that show, I contacted Ryan to get a pair to listen to in my own chain. I have had the Tungsten now for over two months (including both the single- and double- sided magnet versions; more on that below). Since these are the first fully developed headphones from an upcoming developer and this (I believe) may be the first published in-depth review of the Tungsten, I wanted to take extra time and care in getting to know them thoroughly to provide thoughtful inputs (for all those waiting, thanks for your patience).

Per usual, my take is 100% subjective, based entirely on my hearing, taste, and gear. For a sense of my taste and reference points, please refer to my prior reviews.

The Tungsten are ultra-low sensitivity headphones that require significant amplification and thoughtful pairing (though, fear not, there are many options available for any budget). I have tested the Tungsten with numerous amplifiers, and therefore dedicated a full section further below to share my impressions of those I have used and tried, as well as explain in a bit more detail what these headphones require to be appropriately driven.

Most of my listening with the Tungsten was done in my home chain using Bricasti M3 DAC (sources: Nucleus+ for streaming, NuPrime CDT-10 for CD transport), and @L0rdGwyn ’s wonderful Aegis amplifier (tubes: Mullard EL73, Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY, Miniwatt GZ34).

My review will be based on the Double-Sided magnet version. In a separate section further below, I offer a comparison between the Single- and Double- sided magnet versions. I will state upfront that they are much more similar than they are different and, unless you have both on hand at the same time, if you liked one then you would like the other (and vice versa).

I’ve gone overboard in this writeup, as I sometimes do. In order to help you skip my diatribe, here is an index of everything I will cover, so you may skip and skim to your heart’s content:

• TLDR
• MODELS & SPECS
• BACKSTORY
• BUILD
• COMFORT
• SOUND IMPRESSIONS
  
  • Timbre
  • Resolution
  • Dynamics
  • Soundstage
  • Imaging/Layering/Instrument Separation
  • Attack vs. Decay
  • Frequency Response
• AMPLIFIER PAIRING
  
  • Technical Discussion
  • Amplifiers Tested
  • Bottom Line
• SOUND CUSTOMIZATION
  
  • Pads
  • Vented Adapter
• SINGLE-SIDED VS. DOUBLE-SIDED MAGNET
• COMPARISONS
  
  • Tungsten vs. LCD-4
  • Tungsten vs. Caldera
  • Tungsten vs. Susvara
• CONCLUSION
• BONUS TRACKS

TLDR

The Tungsten are superb headphones with a distinctly unique character. At a price point of $1,499 and $1,999 for the Single- and Double- sided magnet versions, respectively, they offer top-tier performance, providing perhaps the best performance-to-price on the market.

In my mind’s eye, the Tungsten are what the LCD-5 could have been, if they were a true upgrade of the LCD-4, rather than entirely different headphones. The Tungsten possess the creamy presentation of the LCD-4, but with a distinctly better tonal balance and technicalities.

With an exceptionally silky presentation, the Tungsten are neither dynamically aggressive, nor electrostatic lightning fast. Rather, they are exceptionally smooth, offering a very non-fatiguing listen while exposing everything in the music with great accuracy. They do not make you think about their capabilities, they let you sink into the music and enjoy yourself.

Unique in character, the Tungsten will not replace the Susvara, unseat the Caldera, or substitute any of your other top-level planar headphones. They were not built to copy any headphones. Rather, they were tuned to the ear of a great developer and reflect his taste, offering a distinctly unique character of their own. With a real emerging house sound, Ryan is set to carve out his own niche in the market, which I think will be rewarded with Modhouse building a dedicated following among headphone enthusiasts.

The Tungsten are high impedance planar headphones, a rather unusual combination. They are extremely insensitive, requiring high voltage amplification; but, when properly amplified, they scale remarkably and soar.

Finally, the Tungsten offer that certain quality and feel of hand-built headphones, with a distinct and beautiful design esthetic, and have excellent build quality. Picking them in my hands, I feel the happy pride of ownership reserved for buying headphones crafted by a boutique headphone maker.

MODELS & SPECS

The planar magnetic drivers of the Tungsten are based on 24k gold traces, with the custom-designed magnets made as thin as possible.

Both the Double- and Single- sided magnet versions are uniquely high impedance planar magnetic headphones. They both also have extremely low sensitivity. The combination of these factors requires thoughtful amplification pairing.

Specs

• Sensitivity: 78 dB/mW
• Impedance: 155 Ohm
• Weight: 515 grams

• Sensitivity: 76 dB/mW
• Impedance: 135 Ohm
• Weight: 520 grams

In the Amplifier Pairing section further below, I discuss their true sensitivity in the context of their impedance (dB/mW vs. dB/mV) and highlight high-voltage amplifiers that I’ve found work very well with the Tungsten.

Price

• Double-Sided: $1,999 / Single-Side: $1,499
• Included: 6’ OCC Litz cable by Viking Weave (@skedra )
• Optional: custom chassis color ($150), customer grill color ($99), travel case ($150)

The Tungsten are sold direct-to-consumer through the Modhouse website. They are also offered by Mimic Audio, which sells a Double-Sided version with a purple-colored grill for $2,099.

BACKSTORY

Years ago, at a time those were big and expensive, Ryan’s dad bought him a 3D printer with the hope he’d figure out a way to start a business around it. Ryan started making Grado mods and 3D-printed pad adapters, and then started modding Fostex headphones. After years of modding, Ryan decided to develop fully custom-designed headphones. This story of graduating from modding Fostex headphones into developing high-end headphones may sound familiar, perhaps reminiscent of the backstory of another great developer, Zach (@zach915m ) of ZMF fame. I can only wish for Ryan to follow in the big footsteps of this wonderful role model in building his boutique headphone business.

Designed and built in the US, the Tungsten are assembled in Ryan’s proverbial and literal garage. If the Tungsten sell as well as I think they may, I suspect Ryan will expand his operation to roomier pastures. The model’s name “Tungsten” is not based on the material used in its construction. Rather, it is a homage to Ryan’s chemist dad (and the reason that Ryan has been naming his products after elements in the periodic table).

BUILD

Overall
Built with great attention to detail, the Tungsten feel sturdy and well built. The gimbal and driver housing have a rugged finish, which initially felt odd, but conveys a comforting sense of ruggedness. The headband is made of hand-forged spring steel, with a thin and wide head strap hand-stitched genuine Alcantara. Stainless steel rods offer sliding adjustment up and down with very sturdy clicking. Driver housing fully swivels in all directions, making for an easy fit.

The entire design has modularity and serviceability in mind. Changing headbands or replacing grills is as simple as unscrewing a few Allen head screws, replacing them, and refastening.

Note that the design of the Single- and Double- Sided versions is identical in all regards. The only difference is the internal use of a magnet on one or on both sides of the diaphragm (total weight is practically identical, as Ryan was able to shave weight off the single magnet when designing the double magnets).

Packaging
The stock packaging is very secure and nicely branded. Nothing fancy, but just to the point. Should you want a pelican travel case, it is optionally available for $150 (I have so many of those from my ZMF headphones, I opted to keep things simpler for easier storage).

Grills
The highlight of the design is the beautiful grill, with sunray patterns around a Modhouse symbol. The stock grills are “Tungsten gray” made from colored aluminum, painted with Cerakote ceramic coating. For $99, you may choose from a wide selection of custom grill options, either other Cerakote coating colors, or a variety wood options. The wood grills are more fragile, but if you are careful with handling your headphones they should work well (and are easily replaceable). Some wood options, like Cedar, may have an actual natural smell, which you may either mind or find appealing. The weight difference between aluminum and wood grills is only 15g or so, which makes this choice entirely aesthetic.

Pads
The pads for the Tungsten are manufactured by ZMF (yes!) and are a variant of their Caldera pads. There are two pad options: Caldera Hybrid & Caldera Ultra Perforated. Pads are fixed onto a magnetic disc that snaps into place. One just has to note the proper alignment between holes in the back of that disc and screw heads on the driver side. There is only one proper alignment, with the pad stitches at the bottom (in theory, one could snap them at 90-degree rotational intervals, but the oval pad shape with tapering width from thicker behind the ear to thinner on the forward side, really lead to a single position).

Small note: to remove the pads, gently grab them anywhere and just pull them out. You will feel resistance: fear not, you are pulling against a somewhat strong magnetic hold and the pads won’t tear; they are firmly glued to their discs. Also, when you first remove them (if you do), you may see some glue strand stretching. Do not be alarmed. These are just some glue residue from the screw heads on the driver housing. Another note: the clamp force will let you put any pads you like (all ZMF and similar sized pads would fit) and just try them out. The mounting disc isn’t strictly required, except for normal long-term use. That is how in fact I first discovered the Ultra Perforated pads work well with these headphones (I normally use them with my Atrium Open headphones and was experimenting). So, possibly, more discovery may be afoot.

There is also a Vented Adapter, which magnetically snaps into place in between the pads and driver. It can be removed by prying it out carefully with a thin object (ideally non-metallic). Please do so carefully, as the adapter is slender.

For a discussion on the sound impact of pad choice and the Vented Adapter, please skip to the Sound Customization section below.

Cable
Hats off to Ryan on his choice of stock cable, no less than a cable from Viking Weave made by @skedra . As far as stock cables go, Sebastian’s handmade cables are as good as they get, an amazing inclusion for any headphone as stock cable. No upgrade necessary. The included cable is a 2-wire OCC copper Litz, terminated to your choice (XLR, 1/4", 4.4mm).

Personally, I used this opportunity for a cable upgrade and, instead, got from Sebastian for a fat and juicy 4-wire OCC, essentially the exact same cable, just double the girth. Walking around with this cable at CanJam SoCal, I got a lot of smirks (including from @skedra himself).

Headphone-side termination is a standard 3.5mm with a pinout identical to that used by HiFiMAN headphones, which lets you use any standard after-market cables.

COMFORT

Overall weight feels pretty standard. I’ve had no problem wearing the headphones for many long hours daily without any notice of their weight. Weight distribution is very good, owing to a decent clamp coupled with a wide head strap. They are really quite comfortable.

If I were to change anything, it would mainly be to reduce the clamp force. I find it a touch too much for my preference (my head size is average+). Clamp force is set, as the headband isn’t meant to be twisted and manipulated. It’s a thin springy steel band that isn’t malleable (like ZMF headbands are, for example). Ryan may perhaps offer some larger bands in the future (they are easy to replace). But after two months, the clamp hasn’t loosened, so what you see is what you get. However, the pads are very deep and plush and, therefore, the clamp force is absorbed by the pads’ “give”, making these headphones comfortable to wear for long listening sessions.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS

The Tungsten are one of the more tonally balanced headphones I’ve heard. They offer a touch of warmness, by which I refer to a more textured presentation, especially in the bass, which stands out more by the quality of decay than attack, offering a very satisfying thump rather than a sharp bite. The overall presentation of the Tungsten is smooth and silky, like a (much upgraded) LCD-4. Technically, these headphones punch way above their price point, offering true TOTL resolution and imaging, with exceptional instrument separation.

All music tracks referenced below are hyperlinked.

Timbre

The Tungsten renders notes with realism, offering a natural sound with perhaps a touch of sweetness. In the lower frequencies there is a hint of reverb, which reflects what low frequency bloom should sound like, in contrast to unnaturally fast decay in some fast headphones.

Isaiah J. Thompson’s piano in “The IT Department” and Martin Taylor’s guitar on “Stella By Starlight” are great example of acoustic instruments that showcase well-rendered natural resonances. Female vocals are particularly beautiful sounding on the Tungsten. South Korean singer Youn Sun Nah’s exquisite voice in “Lento” shines through with wonderful fidelity.

Perhaps the most beautiful example for great timbre can be found in Itzhak Perlman’s lead violin and David Garrett’s accompanying violin, on Shostakovich’s 3 Duets for 2 Violins & Piano, as adapted here for 2 violins and orchestra.

Resolution

The Tungsten is very well resolving, while not pushing details into your ears in an unnatural way. They resolve details effortlessly. Listening to “Alone” by Halsey, a track I’ve listened to many time, from min 2:20 to min 2:37 there is a high frequency hi-hats sequence that is captured in excellent detail. High frequency percussions are also wonderfully detailed on “Bobo” by Salif Keita, from start of the song and throughout. In “Prelude To Coup De Foudre”, Brandi Disterheft’s every intake of breath and plosive consonant can be heard. The drummer’s delicate, barely audible brush strokes can be perceived, adding that extra nuance for a complete portrayal.

Dynamics

An excellent example of the Tungsten’s dynamic responsiveness can be experienced listening to A.R. Rahman’s composition “Dacoit Duel” recorded by the Czech Film Orchestra. The beautiful melancholy of the pipa (traditional Chinese plucked lute) solo is followed by the massive impact of Indian dhor drums, concurrently with the lighter taps of Inidian tabla drums (this track, in its entirely, is a celebration of diverse instruments, and a feast for anyone who loves percussion; highly recommended). In the intro to the track “Black and White” by Michael Jackson, which I have played endless times, the Tungsten explode into the song’s rhythm 60 seconds into the track, a head bobbing moment if ever there was one.

For a great demonstration of the Tungsten’s macrodynamic i.e., how they handle big swings between very low and very high volume in original recordings with a high dynamic range, I’ve played Vienna’s Philharmonic rendition of Mahler’s Symphony, conducted by Leonard Bernstein. Part 3.4 of this composition, “Sehr Langsam”, showcases orchestral strings playing a quiet pianissimo which then explode into a beautiful forte around min 3:30.

When properly amplified (see below), the Tungsten handles voltage swings wonderfully!

Soundstage

Rather than placing the music around your ears, the Tungsten transports you into the room. There is no artificial sense of spacing, rather the feel is open, organic, and natural in size.

A great example is “Ixtapa” by Rodrigo y Gabriela. This entire track feels like a bottle of full-bodied red wine that was decanted and given a few minutes to breathe. The sense of openness is wonderful. The stage isn’t exaggerated but offers a genuine sense of the recording studio, as I imagine the recording engineer intended. The acoustic guitar duo’s reverb in space allows you to reconstruct the room size. It is a very believable rendering with a wonderful sense of space.

Beck’s “Heart Is A Drum (Album Version)” is another example for the Tungsten’s recreation of a natural soundstage, offering a very cohesive 3D experience. The music surrounds your head in all directions, both intimate and expansive.

Imaging/Layering/Instrument Separation

One of the biggest strengths of the Tungsten is its outstanding ability to render multiple instruments with complete separation and clarity, placing them in space accurately. Layering (depth) is simply excellent. There are so many great examples here, I will take some extra time to share with you some of these:

The multiple audible cues in the intro to Kiss’ “Detroit Rock City” is a great illustration. The voice from the transistor radio is projected from the slight left, while sounds of clanging dishes and cutlery under running water are placed clearly in the front and slightly to the right. A door bangs to the hard left as a car engine revs. As the car radio comes to life, it sounds layered further in the background, while the protagonist hums along directly in your headspace, positioning you right in his car seat.

The wonderfully recorded blues track “Walking Blues” by Pete Alderton, offers a great demonstration of the Tungsten’s excellent imaging at the start of the track. Footsteps can be heard clunking to the left. As the song begins, the harmonica then plays to the far right, with the singer up front and center. The bass is slightly to the right, while electric guitar is far back to the left, offering a true sense of depth relative to the singer.

Separation technicalities are evident in Buck Dharma’s “Wind Weather and Storm”. I can make out each of the backup vocals in the space along with the lead vocal. Sax, drums, and bass are concurrently clear, and the added ambient rain pattering does not detract from any of the detail. Another great example can be heard on “The Windmill of Your Mind” by The Tierny Sutton Band. The sound of a clock, voiced by the drums, is distinct and layered behind the singer. One of the more challenging tracks for vocal separation is the wonderful cover of “Moon River” by Jacob Collier. There are so many vocals layered in this track to create the wonderful harmonies this musical marvel has reimagined. In specific, the very end of the track (after min 7:10) adds low bass vocals to numerous others. Listening to it on the Tungsten is a treat. Michael Bublé’s cover of “Nobody But Me” renders percussive and brass instruments, and accompanying vocals, with superb clarity, making the track so enjoyable.

There is nothing like big-band jazz to stress test soundstage, imaging, and separation. “Moanin’” performed by the WDR Big Bang Koln with drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie is presented with a natural-sounding soundstage in both width and depth. When the trumpet solos, it is pinpoint on the left side of the orchestra, and the trombone solo is clear on the right. All instruments are clearly distinguishable.

The gentle reverb of electric keyboard in the first few seconds of “Only Girl In The Room” by ISYLA creates a great of sense space. The low volume of bass guitar is one of the subtle nuances on this track which the Tungsten presents especially well. The distinction between lead vocal and acoustic guitar placed at the center, backup vocal to the left, and drums to the right is very well articulated.

Finally (as we must move on), “Down to the River to Pray” from the movie soundtrack of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” showcases all of the above. This sublime a cappella piece blends a chorus of female and male vocals. The Tungsten’s presentation of timbre is natural, their resolution is minute, and their soundstage accurate. Most notably, I could clearly place the lead female singer within the ensemble, just as I could pinpoint the position of each and every chorus member. What a feat!

Attack vs. Decay

The Tungsten’s presentation stands out more for its decay than its attack. These headphones do not voice with an aggressive attack like a Focal Utopia nor with the delicate and fast decay of the Susvara. Rather, the Tungsten offer a natural balance, merging the technicalities of top-tier planar headphones with a lingering sense of the notes and a touch of reverb, resulting in a natural decay rarely found in such headphones. To my ears, this leads to a presentation that doesn’t seem designed merely to impress, but instead delivers notes in a manner that feels innately natural. It’s especially well-suited for extended listening sessions.

Let’s take two examples: first, how the Tungsten renders drums; then, acoustic guitar:

In “Lion” by Kodo, a Japanese professional taiko drumming troupe, the deep reverb of the lowest bass drum notes is especially notable. Higher percussive notes show the speed of the Tungsten, yet their trailing ends are soft rather than abrupt, which enhances the sense of acoustic realism.

When a guitar string is plucked, the initial attack is full of harmonic overtones and, as the sound decays, the higher harmonics tend to decay faster than the lower ones, leading to a warmer sound as the note fades. In rendering this instrument, decay therefore will influence the perceived timbral character of the instrument, and the Tungsten strike a very natural balance when presenting acoustic guitars. I can’t think of a better demonstration of this than when listening to my favorite currently living acoustic guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel. I’ve had the rare pleasure of hearing him performing live in NYC last month. In between his more virtuosic solos, he played a wonderfully musical cover of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” (if you can ever catch a live show, I can’t recommend it enough; meantime, check his numerous YouTube recordings). Listening to the recording of this track rendered by the Tungsten in my system, I am struck by the natural decay (for example, in the arpeggios he plays around min 2:40) and the wonderful timbre of his acoustic guitar. It transports me right back to that live concert; I am grateful to be able to relive it in my home system: it is as true to the source as I could hope for.

Frequency Response

Sub-bass
Sub-bass extension is exceptional. To test this, I played several standout gospel tracks by Kirk Franklin, starting with “Love Theory”. From min 1:10 to 1:18 in this track, the bass guitar reaches so deeply that only headphones boasting superior low-frequency extension can truly capture its detail and physicality. The Tungsten handles this with aplomb. I then switched to “OK”, which consistently showcases these deep sub-bass notes, notably from min 1:03 to 1:17. While many higher-end planar headphones falter in reproducing these challenging notes, the Tungsten excel.

“Fall In Love Alone” by the upcoming singer Stacey Ryan serves as another testament to the Tungsten’s impressive sub-bass resolution. At min 0:45 to 1:07, the deepest bass guitar notes introduce delightful texture and depth. For those familiar with these other models, in terms of physicality, I would place the Tungsten’s sub-bass above the Susvara but below the Caldera. However, in terms of sub-bass resolution, the Tungsten surpasses both.

Bass
Low bass is thick and weighty. A great example for this is found in “Farolito” by Alondra de la Parra. When the orchestra chimes in with the thunderous low tuba and drums, you can feel the diaphragm pushing massive air against your ear drums. The result is very satisfying.

If you are familiar with the ZMF Atrium, the Tungsten shares a similar bass quality – more of a deep thump than a snap. While they can undoubtedly hit with speed and force, the Tungsten's presentation leans toward being rounded with reverb, rather than sheer aggression (though it remains fast). This characteristic positions the Tungsten as a prime choice for rock enthusiasts. Tracks like Shinedown’s “Simple Man [Acoustic] [Live from Kansas City]” with its quintessential rock drumbeat or Muse’s “Uprising” exemplify this punchy yet lingering bass. I typically favor lower volumes, but I can't resist turning these tracks up—it's just so satisfying! This thunderous drumbeat quality is equally evident in Alicia Keys’ “Girl On Fire [Inferno Version]” (the version featuring Nicki Minaj). The drum decay on the Tungsten feels incredibly organic.

Lower mids
Male vocals are lovely. If I looked for a singular adjective for the quality of their rendering, it would be resonant. Gregory Porter’s voice on “Don’t Be A Fool” is sonorous with a touch of vibrato that gives his silky voice an extra dimension. Tony DeSare voice in his original song “Lover’s Lullaby”, a quiet and diminutive ballad, is wonderfully smooth.

Upper mids
Female vocals are slightly forward and very well resolved. Carla Bruni’s raspy voice on her beautiful cover of “The Winner Takes It All” is intimate, with every nuance of her breath captured to completion. Kenny Washington has an unusual upper-register male vocal that is always surprising. On “S’Wonderful”, the Tungsten present his voice with finesse and sweetness.

The Tungsten's characteristic sweetness can also be observed in how it smooths the edges of notes. For instance, while trumpet blasts can often sound aggressive, the trumpet accompaniment to Martina DaSilva’s vocals and Dan Chmielinski’s bass in “I want To Be Happy” is rendered with exceptional smoothness by the Tungsten

Treble
Treble is very well-resolved, yet smooth and pleasant. In “Window” by Bonefield there is tremendous amount of percussive detail in the treble region, and the Tungsten expose all of it while keeping a relaxed listening experience. This is a trait that I think many will appreciate. An edge case example is violinist Nigel Kennedy’s arrangement and rendition of “Rhapsody in Claret & Blue”. The violin high notes on this track are definitely not for the treble sensitive (I am not). The Tungsten will not change the nature of the track but will make it more accessible.

To test treble resolution, I first played Boz Scaggs’ “Desire”. There is a high pitched “crunchy” sound (which I believe is a ratchet) from minute 2:01 and on, audible from the left. The Tungsten delineates it very well. That same instrument is clearly resolved and separated in “A Girl Could Get Used To This” by Kandace Springs. The Tungsten offer very good clarity while maintaining a smooth presentation.

AMPLIFIER PAIRING

For anyone who has been following the chatter around Tungsten, you may already know that the they have a very low sensitivity and require serious amplification to be properly driven. When looking to purchase a pair, you are well-advised to consider whether you have the right amplifier on hand. There are some considerations here that are worth understanding. The good news is that there are plenty of good options that will work well. Please understand, though, that an average amplifier is unlikely to work well, and proper planning is prudent. There are plenty of affordable options, so breaking the bank isn’t necessary to get an awesome experience!

Technical Discussion

I am not an engineer but, to the limit of my knowledge, I would like to start with a short technical discussion in order to put into context the objective amplification needs of the Tungsten. They are both substantial, and unique for planar magnetic headphones.

The industry is accustomed to quoting sensitivity in dB/mW. However, this results in apples-and-oranges comparisons when compared across headphones with varying impedance levels. When the Tungsten’s sensitivity is converted to dB/mV, one can appreciate the high level of voltage that is required to properly drive them.

Making layman calculations, I arrived at the following:

• The Double-Sided (DS) magnet version, rated at 78 dB/mW @ 155 ohm, has a sensitivity of approx. 86 dB/V.
• The Single-Sided (SS) magnet version, rated at 76 dB/mW @ 135 ohm, has a sensitivity of approx. 85 dB/V.

For context and reference, consider this:

• Susvara, notoriously power-hungry headphones, are rated at 83 dB/W @ 60 ohm, which is approx. 95 dB/V.

Therefore, the Tungsten would require an amplifier with a much higher voltage output than the Susvara.

How much is enough?
If we set a goal of 115dB, with ample overhead for peaks and transients, we would need 28V for the DS and 33V for the SS. If we set our goal at 110dB, we would need 16V and 19V, respectively.

Therefore, as a general guideline, amplifiers capable of producing over 20V at 150 ohms might be a good starting point. Most amplifiers provide their output power specifications in Watts for a given impedance level. To calculate the voltage at that impedance, simply multiply the power (in Watts) by the impedance (in ohms) and then take the square root of the result. If no specifications are available at 150 ohms, you can extrapolate based on the trend observed at lower and higher impedance levels to make an educated guess. Alternatively, it's best to ask the manufacturer directly.

Some of you may have incredible amps for Susvara. However, not every amplifier that works for those headphones would work with the Tungsten (the Susvara needs ~10V when setting a goal of 115dB; amplifiers driving them need to provide lots of current, but not necessarily voltage).

For those curious how much current the Tungsten will draw, at 115 dB, the Tungsten would draw 0.24A and 0.18A with the SS and DS, respectively (and at 110dB, 0.14A and 0.10A). For comparison, Susvara will draw 0.16A at 115 dB (0.09A at 110dB).

As you can see, the right amp will have a very high voltage supply and drive quite a bit of current. With great power comes great responsibility.

However, the universe for Tungsten amplifiers is not more limited relative to the Susvara, it is just different: there are amplifiers that work with the Tungsten but not with Susvara. For example, amplifiers with high output impedance, such as very powerful OTLs (which I tested) or, potentially, vintage receivers (which I have not). The Tungsten’s high impedance may allow it to be properly damped where the Susvara’s lower impedance will not.

There are always exceptions. I have tested amplifiers with 20V @ 150 ohm that weren’t sufficient, while testing one with 10V that worked well. Rules of thumb are helpful in narrowing the playing field, but circuit design and implementation often produce unexpected synergies. At the end of the day, sometimes the only way to know if something works or not is to just to insert a plug into a socket and find out.

I’ve done just that with a wide array of amplifiers. Here is some of what I’ve found out:

Amplifiers Tested

The Tungsten headphones are amp picky. They also scale magnificently with good amplification. It's been a joy experimenting with different amplifiers to discover the ideal matches. I will detail what worked, what didn't, and the reasons why. My aim is to offer helpful guidance on which types of amps might be worth exploring.

My Chain
I spent the first month listening exclusively to my amps as I first got to know the Tungsten intimately.

L0rdGwyn Aegis
Of all the amps I have on hand, the Aegis is the best match for me with the Tungsten (it also happens to be my favorite pairing for another uniquely high-impedance planar headphone, the LCD-4).

The synergy is sublime. The rich, creamy, and silky sound of the Tungsten, paired with the refined, airy, and wide soundstage of the Aegis, offers an exquisite result. The Aegis uses EL34, KT88, and similar variants as output tubes, making it rather powerful (tubes used: Mullard EL37 output, Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY input, Miniwatt GZ34 rectifier).

Auris Nirvana
This amp is an EL34 based power beast. It drives Susvara wonderfully and handles the Tungsten with similar aplomb. However, it wasn’t among my favorite pairings for the Tungsten. The Nirvana is an amp with a very well-defined and focused center image, and a deeply extending bass with a fast attack, but it lacks the airiness which the Aegis has to complement the Tungsten. While the power matching was good, the synergy left me indifferent. If you have the Nirvana already, then you can comfortably get the Tungsten and enjoy them with it; but I wouldn’t get the Nirvana for them. I didn’t get into tube rolling as I already had too many variables to test for this review, but that may definitely change things up (tubes used: Mullard made EL34 output, Siemens 5814A input).

Decware ZMF Reference OTL (preamp) into Decware Taboo SE84TS+
This combo is my favorite for the Caldera. It is extraordinarily holographic and sweet sounding. It was sufficient to drive the Tungsten if not with maximal headroom. Whereas this combo fits well the more dynamic and aggressive Caldera, it was a touch too saccharine when combined with the Tungsten’s smooth presentation (tubes used: OTL - Tung-Sol 5687 output, RCA 6BQ7A input, Miniwatt GZ34 rectifier; Taboo - Reflektor 6P15P output, Telefunken G73-R input, GE 5Y3G rectifier).

Glen OTL
A wonderful surprise. I plugged the Tungsten in expecting an OTL surely would not drive it. And it blew my mind. The GOTL (alas, no longer available, but with very patient hunting it may be hunted down) is an unusually powerful OTL that also has a bit of an oomph and a grunt; an in-your-face presentation, if you will. With the Tungsten’s high impedance, damping was good. In contrast to the Aegis, notes are slightly softer here and a smidge thicker; but, to mood and preference, this is an unexpectedly great option (tubes used: Sylvania 7236 output, Brimar 13D1 input, Raytheon 5CU4 rectifier).

Decware FMF Reference OTL
There was no real chance this would work, and it didn’t. It simply couldn’t generate a listenable volume.

And, in general, it would be a safe assumption that OTLs would be a poor choice for the Tungsten. This represents the expected outcome. OTLs are built to drive high-impedance dynamic headphones.

Violectric HPA V281
Bingo! An outstanding match that I highly recommend. The V281 drives the Tungsten easily and beautifully, with tremendous headroom. It controls the drivers very well, offering a bite coupled with thickness in bass. The V281 delivers a weighty presentation with a touch of reverb that offers a sense of spaciousness. Digging into the V281 spec sheet, one can see that it supplies increasing voltage at higher impedance levels; at 150 ohms, the V281 supplies approx. 25V (see technical discussion above).

A limited reissue of this storied amp was just announced so, for the moment, one can be ordered new. Consequently, at the moment, some used ones are coming to the market. Per @ArthurPower , the owner of Power Holdings and developer of the V281, the reissue is the same amp (save for changes in input/output choices and volume implementation).

CFA-3
I have just sold my wonderful @Dukei built CFA-3 (it was very hard to let it go but I ran out of space in my rack). Fortunately, I’ve had it for most of my time with the Tungsten, and it is another excellent choice for the Tungsten. The CFA-3 has lots of voltage on tap and offers great resolution in the higher frequencies, a snappy bass, and an overall tight and fast presentation. It fits the Tungsten very well.

Beyond ordering from custom builders (@Dukei is warmly recommended), the CFA-3 in now also sold by Headamp if you are looking for a standard purchase experience (I demoed their build at CanJam Chicago and @justin w. 's design sounds very good).

Simaudio MOON 330A
I use this power amp with the Susvara. It delivers 125/250 Watts at 8/4 ohms. It had sufficient power (pre-amp volume 10-15 dB higher compared to the Susvara for same volume) but it wasn’t a great fit: it is a warmer amplifier, and the Tungsten lacked some clarity and openness.

CanJam SoCal Demos
I brought the Double-Sided Tungsten with me to CanJam SoCal and dedicated most of the show to testing amplifiers with it. Here are the highlights of amps which I demoed at the show:

Woo WAS23 Luna
Excellent fit. Gobbs of power, delivered with speed and control. It is an excellent match!

Schiit Mjolnir 3
I tried this newly released amplifier and, regrettably, it was not great fit (it may be great with other headphones, which I didn’t try). It lacked headroom and sounded anemic with the Tungsten.

ampandsound Red October Rev2
I listened to the Tungsten prototype on the ampandsound Nautilus Rev2 at CanJam Chicago and found the pairing outstanding. I was curious to try it with the Red October. I previously heard this 300B amp before with the Susvara and Verite Closed and loved it. I was delighted to find it was as exquisite with the Tungsten. Just, wonderful. If I had the space to park this beast somewhere, I’d sell a couple (or five) of my amps and get one (a unit will set you back a neat $13,000).

Kallyste Amethyste
Continuing to rub elbows with the upper crust, I tried this newly released amplifier, priced somewhere in the $16,000-18,000 neighborhood. The manufacturer only quoted power spec is 15 Watts @ 8 ohms (a rather low impedance for headphone relevance). TLDR; this amp lacks the juice to command the Tungsten drivers. I’m sure it is great with other headphones, but not with this one.

Zahl HM1
This smallish chassis packs massive power and is very well engineered. The HM1 has some kind of crossfeed adjustment knob that allows one to adjust the soundstage in the analog domain; I love that feature! I heard this amp previously with the Susvara and that is a truly outstanding combination. However, the HM1 is not a good fit for the Tungsten, lacking the “grip” to properly drive them.

Viva Egoista 845
The 845 took a nosedive with the Tungsten. This isn’t meant as a takedown, as I heard this amp previously with other headphones and thought it was awesome. But my experience with the Tungsten was illuminating, so I will detail it – when the Viva was fed with a source line voltage of up to 6V, it lacked the gain to bring the output voltage to a sufficient level to drive the Tungsten, sounding distorted at listenable volume levels. When I tried a 9V source, the amp’s gain became sufficient, and it then worked well. For reference, most DACs will output 4V balanced and 2V single-ended. A few will provide 9V (more commonly used in pro audio).

Ferrum Orr
It’s great with the Tungsten! This super small little amp packs a big punch. Every time I demo it, I like it. I was happy to find that it worked well with the Tungsten, offering a very dynamic and engaging presentation. At around $2,000 it is a great option which I can comfortably recommend.

Mass Kobo 465
This amp is extraordinary, boasting pristine and linear amplification. Crafted by hand, it sits at the zenith of the uber-expensive tier with a price tag of $17,000. And even if you're in the market for one, its scarcity is assured, as the designer constructs merely a few units annually (a great tale for another occasion). Will it pair well with the Tungsten? Absolutely! You’re in the know now.

Riviera AIC-10
Sticking with aristocracy, the AIC-10 was my CanJam SoCal show highlight and the best amp I've heard with the Tungsten so far (the only amp that bested my Aegis). This Italian-made amp has an MSRP of around $18,000, and on a fortunate day, you might find a used one in the $8,000-10,000 range. I don’t want to mince words, so here's the bottom line: the AIC-10 paired with Tungsten is the stuff my dreams are made of. This hybrid amp – featuring a tube input stage paired with a robust solid-state class A output stage – marries immense power and driver control with outstanding musicality. It has secured a top spot on my suppressed bucket list.

At this point I want to take a moment to sincerely thank @zach915m for letting me come into the ZMF room before the show started to demo his incredible array of amps (if you ever go to any CanJam, do yourself a huge favor and, before anything else, make it your top priority to visit ZMF: they always have a dedicated room with the most amazing selection of headphones, some of which I have reviewed here, as well as the best selection of amps to demo them with; they are also the nicest people in this business). Anyway, courtesy of Zach, I also tried the Tungsten with the following amps:

Feliks Envy
Very good fit for the Tungsten. Lots of clean power, ton of headroom, and neutral in presentation, it lets the Tungsten shine, passing whatever the source had to give. A great option .

Holo Bliss
I had high expectations, but it didn’t come through here. The synergy was good but the Bliss, a pretty darn powerful amp, lacked headroom to drive the Tungsten to its potential (when cranked up to the max, it was still listenable, if not pleasantly so). I calculate it as offering 19.4V @ 150 ohm, which supports my impressions 20V is roughly the cut-off point for good power supply for the Tungsten.

Wells Milo
Returning to amps for the hoi polloi, this $1,700 is a fantastic option. Always fun, dynamic, and aggressive, the Milo delivered. It hits hard with the Tungsten like it does with anything else I ever tried with it. Another excellent option!

Enleum AMP-23R / HPA-23RM
Two different models – one a desktop amp, the other a mobile one. To my ears, they didn’t work well with the Tungsten. There is something loose and relaxed about these amps’ voicing in mid frequencies. The already smooth Tungsten needs a more grippy amp to drive it. These amps lacked the authority and bite to make them an ideal pairing.

Cayin C9
I love surprises, and sometimes the only way to find those is to stick a plug in and see what happens. The C9 is a powerful portable amp. Still, it delivers only 10V into 150 ohms. But rules of thumbs are sometimes meant to be broken, and I found this was a wonderful exception. If you want a portable(!) unit for the Tungsten, or just a super-small desktop amplifier, this $2,000 little unit is a marvel to me.

Moving on from ZMF’s room, I tried two more amps...

PrimaLuna Evo 100
I couldn’t get a sufficiently audible listening volume.

Patho InPol Ear
A quirky-looking amp priced at $5,000, it supplies about 18V at 150 ohm. It works ok with the Tungsten, but lacked some headroom and it is not an optimal option.

Bottom Line

I found some great amps in the $1-2k price range (Well Milo, Ferrum Orr, Cayin C9, used V281, used GOTL), a few crazy top-end amps (Riviera AIC-10, Mass Kobo 465, ampandsound Red October), and some in between (Aegis, Woo Luna). The conclusion I hope to offer is that there are amps for the Tungsten at nearly any budget for someone who is buying headphones at this price point. The key is to look for high voltage output at 150 ohm (over 20V is ideal, but there are exceptions).

For the best synergy, I would recommend looking for amplifiers that are either more airy, dynamic, or aggressive in their presentation.

SOUND CUSTOMIZATION

Pads

There are currently two pad options: the Caldera Hybrid, and the Caldera Ultra Perforated. The Hybrid pads are perforated suede along their inside and head-facing rims, with solid lambskin on the outside, while the Ultra Perforated pads are perforated lambskin leather across all rims.

I believe Ryan may still determining which would be offered as stock/default options (possibly, Hybrid for the Single-Sided and Ultra Perforated for the Double-Sided) but, in any case, with the option of ordering the other set for $99.

The most significant change I noticed with the Ultra Perforated pads was a more open feel and an expanded soundstage, along with enhanced imaging. I didn't perceive any drawbacks compared to the Hybrid pads. While the Hybrid may provide a bit of extra warmth or perceived body for some listeners, to my ears, they are identical in that respect.

In the pop song “The Way You Make Me” by Korean artist Cloud, the Tungsten imparts a welcome sense of space with the Ultra Perforated pads. It sounds equally good with the Hybrid pads, but with a touch more intimate soundstage.

Similarly, in the “End Credits” from the soundtrack of Star Trek Into The Darkness, the orchestra has much more room to “breathe” with the Ultra Perforated pads. At the same time, the thudding low drums and low brass notes are equally articulated with both pads.

I spent the first month listening with the Hybrid pads, and the second month with the Ultra Perforated pads. I developed a clear preference for the Ultra Perforated.

Vented Adapter

The Vented Adapter is a thin metal disc appendage that snaps into place in between the driver and pad. It has the same honeycomb pattern to match the pad mounting disc, with the only notable feature being a few parallel gaps at its bottom, through which a smidgen of extra ventilation is afforded. As of this moment, I believe it is only meant to be included with the Double-Sided magnet version.

This is the least consequential element in terms of customizing the Tungsten’s sound. With the Vented Adapters in place, the upper mids are slightly elevated, whereas the lower mids seem slightly reduced compared to listening without the adapters. The difference is nuanced, and personally, I'd be content either way. In terms of sonic impact, this adjustment is subtler than changing the pads or, even more significantly, switching amplifiers.

SINGLE-SIDED VS. DOUBLE-SIDED MAGNET

After early Single-Sided (SS) prototypes, Ryan also decided to introduce a Double-Sided (DS) version to create a stronger and more uniform magnetic field, aiming for higher performance than what the single-sided magnet array could achieve. Consequently, both SS and DS versions are now available.

Identical on the outside in every aspect, these two variants of the Tungsten differ in only two respects: (1) the presence of either a single magnet on one side of the driver or double magnets, one on each side, and (2) the price, with the Double-Sided Tungsten costing $500 more ($1,999 vs. $1,499).

These two headphone versions are more alike than they are different. Unless you have both at hand for a direct comparison as I do, if you evaluated and liked one, you would likely appreciate the other just as much (and vice versa).

Overall, I've found the DS to be somewhat more refined, with a larger soundstage than the SS, which offers a more intimate experience. The DS also tends to be more relaxed and non-fatiguing – though the SS is non-fatiguing in its own right. When I compare them closely, the SS seems to have a subtle V-shaped sound signature relative to the DS's neutral tonality, but it would likely strike me as neutral in isolation. Those who favor a rawer edge and more aggressive dynamics might lean toward the SS. In contrast, the DS seems more resolving and technically sophisticated, which makes it my personal preference.

I found that the slight difference in the specified sensitivities between the headphones was indiscernible to me. When I connected both headphones to various amplifiers side by side, setting the same volume level on the amp, the audible volume was consistent for each pair. When deciding which version to purchase, I recommend you proceed with the understanding that your amplification needs will be similar for either version.

COMPARISONS

With the Single-Sided and Double-Sided versions of the Tungsten priced at $1,499 and $1,999 respectively, one might expect comparisons with other headphones in this price range. But I must state upfront that, in my view, the Tungsten surpasses them all. Consequently, comparing it to its immediate price peers felt like juxtaposing a lion with sheep. Instead, to properly contextualize their performance, I found it more informative to compare them with TOTL planar headphones. This approach serves as a testament to the remarkable accomplishment of Ryan, whose dedication has brought these exceptional headphones to market.

Tungsten vs. LCD-4

Although no longer the latest model, these headphones can still be found, and offer a useful point of comparison that many audiophiles may already be familiar with, which helps in describing the Tungsten's sound characteristics.

My initial impression of the Tungsten was that their silky and smooth presentation most reminded me of the LCD-4, which is another uniquely high-impedance planar. However, whereas the LCD-4 delivers a darker presentation, the Tungsten extends well into higher frequencies and presents them with clarity.

The Tungsten also extend lower with more rumble in the sub-bass. They are overall better balanced tonally. In “Royals” by Lorde, the Tungsten’s sub-bass extends with more articulation and rumble. It simply “out-basses” the LCD-4. Yea.

The Tungsten headphones are notably more resolving and technically superior across the spectrum – a significant feat considering the LCD-4 were Audeze’s top performers until just two years ago. While the LCD-4 sound impressive in isolation, they can seem somewhat veiled when compared directly with the Tungsten, which provide a clearer sense of air, space, and superior note separation. Dire Straits’ “Brothers In Arms” showcases the Tungsten’s superior imaging and instrument separation: male vocals, drum rimshots, electric guitar, bass guitar, and electric keyboard are all clearly delineated. These can also be well discerned on the LCD-4, but bass guitar notes were not as distinctly clear as on the Tungsten. In Michael McDonald’s cover of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” the drum hits are crisper on the Tungsten, which are faster than the LCD-4. The lowest bass guitar notes throughout the track are equally audible on both headphones, but the Tungsten separates these notes better with overall improved air and space between instruments.

Female vocals are really lovely on the LCD-4. Adele’s “When We Were Young” is silky, and the presentation is comforting and non-fatiguing; I could listen to it for hours with joy. In comparison, the Tungsten presented Adele’s voice to me a touch more energetically and forward. I suspect that may be a perception due to the Tungsten’s higher resolution and better separation of vocals.

The Tungsten feel like what the LCD-5 may have been like if they were made as an upgrade to the LCD-4 (rather than the departure in direction they are).

Tungsten vs. Caldera

As great as the Tungsten’s stage and separation are, I do find that the Caldera edges them out a bit in this department. On jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan’s wonderful album “Lady Be Good… For Ella”, when using “Cherokee” as a test track, the placement of instruments by the Caldera is just a touch more exact (we are talking about the difference between great and greater).

However, the Tungsten edges the Caldera in low-end extension. Whereas the Caldera’s lower bass is more physical, the Tungsten extends a hair deeper and is more resolving in detail. In “Suite from ‘Romeo and Juliet’: I. Montague and Capulet (Live) 1936” conducted by Riccardo Muti, the low grunt of tubas is more flushed out in the lower reaches on the Tungsten. That qualitative difference between these headphones is also evident on the previously mentioned track “Desire” by Bozz Scaggs. The Caldera presents the low and sub-bass with greater physicality, while the Tungsten reaches a touch lower and exposes a touch more detail. Which you may prefer – Caldera’s physical sub-bass vs. Tungsten smoother presentation – is a matter of personal taste. I love both.

Paavo Jarvi’s wonderful interpretation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 first movement is another demonstration of the difference between these headphones. Overall, the Caldera headphones offer superior dynamism and a slightly more expanded soundstage, while the Tungsten offer great resolution and extension with a smooth and refined presentation.

I’d like to point out something – the fact that Tungsten is able to even get admission to this club and be contrasted with headphones twice its price is an accomplishment in itself. The Caldera’s place in my collection, and in my heart, is firmly lodged. But for any Caldera owner, the Tungsten would be a wonderful complement to your collection, owing to its different style of presentation.

Where the Caldera reigns supreme as the most dynamic, exciting, and visceral planar headphones, the Tungsten offers the smoothest and most non-fatiguing presentation of the TOTL planar lineup.

Tungsten vs. Susvara

Sara K.’s wonderful song “Blind-Hearted” has a luscious bowed double bass in its opening. The Tungsten offers a meatier presentation here that offers an extra texture on that bass notes. However, the Susvara's overall clarity, soundstage, and instrument separation are superior.

“New Oldie” by Snoop Dogg, Usher, and Eric Bellinger combines sparkling treble notes with a deep punchy bass, along with multiple male vocals. To my ears, the Susvara treble extension is a touch superior, while the Tungsten bass is a touch meatier, though both excel across both frequency extensions.

Before we continue, I’d like to pause again and acknowledge that we are entering the realm of products that retail at the $6,000 mark. That such a comparison can be useful is, in itself, yet another triumph. The Susvara remains the king of technicalities among planar headphones and, when both of these hard-to-drive headphones are amplified to their fullest potential, the Susvara edges out the Tungsten in technicalities. But my advice to Susvara owners would be similar: the Tungsten offer something truly special and complementary and would be a wonderful addition to your lineup.

Where the Susvara is known for its “ethereal” presentation – wonderfully delicate and super-fast – the Tungsten offers a fuller and sweeter voicing with comparatively more decay on its trailing notes, providing a smoother and more relaxing listening experience.

CONCLUSION

The Tungsten headphones deliver exceptional performance with a distinct character. They do not attempt to outdo the Susvara, imitate the Caldera, or follow any other established path. Instead, they resonate with the unique ear of a designer who has a clear vision of his preferences and the expertise to realize them. I have a deep appreciation for innovators with the courage and conviction to carve out their own signature sound.

Tonally balanced with a touch of warmth, the Tungsten provide fantastic extension into both the lowest and highest frequencies. Their signature feature is a silky smooth, non-fatiguing presentation. Combined with a beautiful design and quality build, these headphones are crafted for many hours of enjoyable listening. For the past two months, they have been my primary headphones while working on this long-term review, and they are poised to maintain a high position in my listening rotation.

Selecting the right amplifier for the Tungsten is crucial, as they require a considerable output voltage to truly shine. When properly powered, they deliver a superlative sonic experience. Should you get them? Emphatically – and without any reservations – my answer is yes.

It is nothing short of astonishing that an emerging boutique brand could launch such a remarkable product as their first fully in-house design. The fact that Ryan, essentially a one-person operation, can source and produce these headphones independently is just remarkable. The Tungsten are reshaping an entire market category, surpassing competitors in their price tier, and comfortably knocking on the doors of the upper-market echelons. This is a prime example of how competition benefits consumers.

The Tungsten may very well be one of the most pivotal headphone releases of the year, undeniably redefining the cost-to-performance ratio in the marketplace.

Modhouse has not just entered the audiophile neighborhood – it constructed a permanent residence in it. Indeed, Modhouse now has a signature house sound!

BONUS TRACKS

Say what?

Yes, the review is over. If you’ve stuck through it and made it to this point, here is a little easter egg as a bonus. There were so many tracks I enjoyed on the Tungsten. In preparing the review, I earmarked many of the following to reference, but ended up with more tracks than I could squeeze into this long writeup. So, in no particular order, here is a mish-mash collection of tracks across genres with no logic or rhyme, except that I have loved listening to them, so why not share the love?

“City of Stars” by 王OK
“Slow Dance” by Ana Popovic
“Lonesome Road” by Madeleine Peyroux
“Africa” by TOTO
“Sunset City Theme” by Soulpersona & Princess Freesia
“The Crown Main Title (Faithless Remix)” by Hans Zimmer
“Howl’s Moving Castle – Merry Go Round Of Life” by Gissini Project
“Earth Song” by Michael Jackson
“Lowdown” by Boz Scaggs – high hats (treble, imaging to left)
“Romeo and Steve” by Iiro Rantala (read these liner notes while listening)
“You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” cover by Ida Landsberg
“Ascent” by Art Hirara (the EP 2022 recording)
“Logos / Pranking The Natives” from the soundtrack of Star Trek Into Darkness
“Angel” by Sarah McLachlan
“Caravan” from the soundtrack of Whiplash
“4ware” by deamou5
“Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons (2012)” by Max Richter
“Hey Nineteen” by Steely Dan