Thanks.
Can you recommend which pads I should get for the Caldera? The options tab looks confusing.
Guys, This headphone is far better than the Modhouse Tungsten, right? (I assume yes because of the price difference)
Also, Can I know which pads I should get for the Caldera Open back?
Asking 'which pads should I get' is like asking what seasoning to put on your dish. It is nearly impossible to tell without knowing your taste and gear. It depends on what sound you like and on the synergy with your audio chain. (Similar to
@Pharmaboy I also reviewed both the Caldera open and closed here on Head-Fi, if you want more details on the pads, look up those reviews.)
In a nutshell, pick the suede if you are after a sound with slightly softer edges (Caldera is quite dynamic). I personally would skip the thin cowhide, to me it decreases soundstage depth too much. I haven't actually tried the new ultra-perforated pads, but you can look up some impressions on them if you use the thread search function. The thick pads are my choice, and the most popular secondary pad choice after the stock lambskin. The thick pads increase soundstage, ever so slightly emphasise bass and tame upper-mid/lower treble forwardness. I would highly recommend the thick pads as a secondary pad option. That said, not everyone likes them, pad preference varies quite a bit, depending on taste/music genres one listens to and tonality of your gear.
I agree with
@ttys0, saying things like 'this headphone is much better than that headphone because it cost more' just shows lack of experience in this hobby. Makes me think that you acquired your already decent collection of gear in a relatively short time. Taste and choice of headphones is a lot more complex subject than dropping such overly generalising assumptions. Taste overrides price, and synergy is king. I know of people who love their HD600 on OTL more than any 4K-6K planars on SS. Taste is subjective. Price can also be misleading. The same headphones you might find disappointing on one gear and fall in love with them on another gear.
That said, my take on the Tungsten versus Caldera is that the Caldera is a generally better headphone. Both are great, pleasant and I can enjoy both of them, but
to me the Caldera edges out the Tungsten. Tunsgten is extremely hard to drive, to get the most out of it you will have to choose your amp carefully. In general both headphones sound very natural with good texture. Tungsten is a little more spacious and smoother in general. Caldera is slightly less spacious, but more dynamic and quicker with excellent 3D staging. Caldera is more energetic, even more 'organic'. Tungsten is a little less focused, more easy-going with bigger images. Both headphones are very good at
everything, but IMO Caldera is better in dynamics, micro-details and bass focus/impact. To me Tungsten is
very good, while Caldera is exceptional.
Price to performance ratio might be a little better on the Tungsten, but you also have to wait 6-8 months to receive your order. Build is fine on Tungsten, but vastly superior on ZMFs.