Over-Ear
Audeze CRBN2
88Outstanding
$5995
Full review dataAudeze CRBN2 vs Meze ELITE TUNGSTEN: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Audeze CRBN2 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Audeze CRBN2 - Outstanding overall at around $5995.
Over-Ear
Meze ELITE TUNGSTEN
88Outstanding
$3999
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audeze CRBN2
Sound9.2
Value6.5
Meze ELITE TUNGSTEN
Sound9.0
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Audeze CRBN2 | Meze ELITE TUNGSTEN |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $5995 | $3999 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | push-pull electrostatic, ultra-thin polyimide film infused with carbon nanotubes | Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® |
| Driver size | 120 mm | 102 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-40kHz | 3Hz-112kHz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 480 g | 433 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | - | No |
What reviewers said
Audeze CRBN2
The Audeze CRBN2 is a premium open-back electrostatic headphone that builds on its predecessor with a second-generation driver and SLAM bass enhancement for a richer low-end. It offers a smooth, refined tonal balance with improved headroom and comfort, though it demands a quality energizer to perform at its best. The treble is slightly subdued, making it a more relaxed listen than some rivals.
- Pro:Powerful, impactful bass for an electrostatic
- Pro:Smooth, refined tonal character
- Pro:Improved comfort and headroom over the original
- Con:Requires a strong, expensive energizer
- Con:Treble presence is somewhat relaxed
- Con:Heavy weight at 480 grams
Meze ELITE TUNGSTEN
The Meze Elite Tungsten is an open-back planar flagship that stands out for its unusually easy drivability in its class, pairing moderate impedance with high sensitivity so it doesn't demand extreme amplifiers. Its 102mm Rinaro Isodynamic driver delivers a wide frequency response, low distortion, and a musically engaging, detailed sound, all wrapped in a premium, meticulously crafted build. While it performs well from modest sources, pairing it with a clean, powerful amp unlocks its full technical potential.
- Pro:Easy to drive for a planar flagship, works with a wide range of amps
- Pro:Exceptional build quality and premium materials
- Pro:Very low distortion with high maximum output capability
- Con:Expensive at around $4000, limiting accessibility
- Con:Sound quality scales notably with high-end amplification, so budget setups may underperform
- Con:No wireless or ANC features, purely wired design
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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