Experimental video: Mondo by DeFunc headphones now with the app

This article was originally published in the issue of AVPlus magazine 4/2024 (#228).

Text Teppo HirviKunnas Photos Teppo HirviKunnas

In the previous AVPlus magazine (3/2024, #227), we took a look at the new headphones from Mondo by Defunc. We didn’t get the app to work at the time. This was due to (a bit embarrassing now), that the app actually didn’t work unless you first registered with Mondo. This wasn’t clearly explained. We have previously criticized this and we still do so now. Nothing really adds value in terms of registration. In this context, the process was also difficult and there was an astonishing 60 seconds (!) time period to enter some code into Camo!

The app also caught my interest because there was a surprisingly large difference in sound between two very similar headphones models (the basic model and the Sport version). However, it remained unclear whether this was actually caused by the app itself. I didn’t get a chance to try it out.

Well, now we’re here. And the difference wasn’t in the app. The Sport model’s sound was still much better, clearer and more distinct than the so-called basic version. It seems to have been “fine-tuned” differently in the factory. Of course, with the app’s equalizer and various other presets, the sound could be shifted in one direction or the other. In this case, the sound was still at its best as is. It’s really incomprehensible why these Rock-, Pop-, Hiphop- and similar presets are made to sound so terrible. Who decided on the settings and why? Most of them are useless. And in this case, the app’s own equalizer was also poor. Its settings seemed to be delayed and strange. The software isn’t in good shape. We don’t recommend using the Mondo app, especially with the Sports and Freestyle models. It doesn’t offer any added value.

And the sound quality of the basic model was still pretty poor, even though the app’s equalizer did improve it slightly. And in this case too, it’s better to use the Poweramp Equalizer app we introduced in the 2/24 application tips from AVPlus magazine as the equalizer.

But don’t let the app ruin the headphones themselves. The Sports model and the “cute” Freestylet headphones are still good and very sound headphones. I recommend you give them a try.