Video review:



Review by soulsikreviews.com

INTRODUCTION

Wooden headphones are not only nice looking but they theoretically improve acoustic performance. Therefore, wooden headphones have always been so popular. However, the ones you will find are usually expensive or cheap with a lot of problems. Problems that arise with wooden headphones is not a small one. There are often cracks or dents that happen naturally occur due the nature of the woods. However, this is something that even happens with higher end wooden headphones. It takes perfect craftmanship to build anything with wood and make it last. Therefore, I took quite a while to test these headphones out. Thinksound On 2 headphones took my brutal tests and survived without a dent or a scratch. What is more outstanding is, even though it is quite small, every part of the headphone screamed “quality.” With my “reviewer eyes” that looked at the headphones for any fault turned into eyes that of a child, looking at a toy that he really wants.


ABOUT THINKSOUND

You can get a glimpse of what kind of product & costumer service Thinksound provides with what they state on their website. You can trust every word of it after this review.


On there website:


It all starts with the sound.


We started thinksound™ to make headphones that we would want to listen to; and we’re not easily satisfied. They not only had to sound amazing; they had to look good, feel comfortable in your ears and be designed and manufactured responsibly too. We gave ourselves quite the challenge. Back when we set out to do this; it was unheard of in the audio industry.

Over the years, other companies have taken notice. They’ve copied the design, the packaging, the accessories, and even have taken text directly from our website and catalog. While these companies and their headphones may try to look similar; it’s only skin deep. The sound, what matters most, just doesn’t compare. Don’t take our word for it either; read the reviews on our site.

We’re a small company. We work hard to make extraordinary products and offer them at affordable prices and we back all of this with unmatched customer service. We’re not happy accepting “good enough” and honestly you shouldn’t be either.


Thank you for supporting thinksound.


DISCLAIMER
This review unit was sent to me for review purposes. My reviews will as usual contain no bias

SPECS

• Hand crafted natural wood housing for accurate music reproduction
• Award-winning thinksound™ signature acoustics
• Two (2) 4.5’ long detachable cables – (1) with mic control and (1) without
• Single button microphone + call/music control for mobile communication
• Compatible with iPhone® Android® and more (see thinksound.com for details)
• 5Hz-22kHz frequency response, 50Ω, 40mm dynamic driver
• 3.5mm steel reinforced gold plated stereo plug for increased sound clarity
• Passive noise isolation minimizes ambient sounds
• Kevlar® reinforced, tangle-resistant fabric cable
• Memory Foam ear pads for maximum comfort and wearability
• Flexible metal headband with comfortable faux leather overlay
• Storage pouch included and a two (2) year limited warranty


THE BUILD QUALITY

Honestly was not impressed when I first received the headphones because it had a lot of plastic parts that rather felt cheap. But over time, I realized how light yet sturdy these headphones really are. The plastic on these headphones reminded me that of the plastics on vmoda headphones which are almost indestructible.


The headband is plush. The pads are plush and soft. The weight distribution on your head is perfect. Combine all these factors and at the end of the day, you get one of the most if not the most comfortable on ear headphone.


The Wooden housing/cups on these headphones are gorgeous and every corner of the wooden cup has the perfect curves that are glossy yet, retains all the nice wooden grains that will look very nice on your head. I put these headphones through several tests including but not excluded to temperature change, which is the primary reason for cracks. However, these headphones stared right back at me with “perfection.” I could not see even a small crack or better yet, I could not imagine one.


It comes with 2 cables, same length, one with a control and one without. You get a choice of having a control or not but not the cable length, which is quite odd but I cannot complain about the cables quality. Both cable quality is Kevlar reinforced tangle free and are fabricated. In another word, you get to keep them for a very long time.


Every part of these headphones scream quality more and more as time goes by, except for the carrying case that will destroy any headphone if you put them inside your bag with your heavy books. Please get another carrying case if you plan to get these.


SOUND QUALITY

These have unique but very pleasant sound signature that one might hate or just fall in love with. I personally found it hard to hate.

Lower Frequencies: The bass punch is very dynamic and tight out in the distance. Unlike other on ear headphones, the bass are not in your face, which I quite enjoyed. The lower frequencies also extend quite low for an on-ear headphone, which surprised me. By no means, the sub-bass do not extend as low or have more body to it than a full-sized headphone. For portable use, these have enough “fun” and bass for anyone to enjoy.


Mid Frequencies: The Mids are quite clear with the strings and vocals a step forward. Everything is done correcting with imaging being amazing but we will talk about this later


High Frequencies: This is where it gets interesting. The trebles are in your face but not in a sibilant way but in the most pleasant and detailed way possible. These destroy many of the on ears and maybe even full-sized headphones in terms of the details in the highs.


Soundstage & imaging: the soundstage is amazing for an on-ear. I would say these destroys many of the on ears in terms of two things. The soundstage and imaging. The imaging is amazing on these headphones but do not get better than “full sized” headphones. They do very well where they can and for portable use, you will not need to look anywhere further if what you are looking for are these two things.


Overall Thoughts


I was quite impressed with this wooden headphone. One last word. Dear thinksound, “please make full sized headphones JUST like this.”

After reading numerous positive reviews of the On2, I took advantage of a visit to New York and stopped at Audio 46 to try them out. Tony helped me at the counter and I spent about 1/2 hour comparing them to my best on-ears, which are also highly rated. The On2s were clearly superior, and not by a small margin. The real test came when I got home and plugged them into my Burson desktop headphone amp/DAC. I had been hoping to get on-ears that gave me a similar musical experience to my beloved Sennheiser HD650s. Well, these Thinksounds do it. While on-ears can't be expected to compete in soundstage with over-ear-open phones like the HD650, the On2 does come pretty close. And they actually beat the Senns in midrange/treble clarity and detail. All the while they are very similar to the Sennheisers in easy-to-listen-to musicality - with no annoying distortions whatsoever. After two weeks of listening I am very pleased and have no problem recommending the Thinksound On2. I fully understand why Stereophile gives them a Class-A rating, right next to other brands costing several thousand dollars.

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I was never a really big fan of on-ear or supra-aural headphones in the past. They always seemed to be uncomfortable or not offer a proper seal granting the full sound or decent noise isolation. My stance changed when I got the chance to review the Jays u-Jays a while back. They really surprised me with their build quality and balanced sound presentation. So when I had a chance to test the Thinksound On2 I went into it reservedly optimistic but still a little dubious. What happened next? Well anyone with a lick of sense should have an idea already after seeing my final rating but if you want to know how I came to that conclusion then read on friends.
 
About Thinksound
 
According to the Co-Founder and president of Thinksound Aaron Fournier the company was formed

"to make headphones that we would want to listen to; and we’re not easily satisfied."

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Not only that but they also wanted to make their products using Eco-friendly materials which I think is an admirable attribute for any manufacturer and to top it off they offer discounts on future purchases if you send in your old Thinksound product for their recycling initiative.
 
Disclaimer
 
This sample was sent to me for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product. I'd like to thank Thinksound's Aaron Fournier for the opportunity to test the On2.
 
The On2 can be bought directly from Thinksound's website here for $199 USD and comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
 
Thinksound website
 
 
Packaging and accessories
 
What's in the box:

1. On2 headphone
2. Two (2) 4.5’ long detachable cables – (1) with mic control and (1) without
3. Canvas storage pouch
4. User manual

 
The On2 comes is a plain white box that is both simple and elegant. On the front is a nice, detailed image of the headphone along with the product name. Over on the back is another image as well as specifications, accessories and features.
 
Upon removing the outer sheath we're greeted with another plain box made of unbleached cardboard adorned with a single Thinksound logo. Opening this reveals a canvas storage pouch that is useful for transporting or storing the headphones when not in use. Inside the canvas bag are the two provided cables and user manual. Under the canvas pouch sit the On2 headphones in a cardboard inlay, in their folded configuration. First impressions make a difference and the presentation of the On2 is done very well. It's a coherent, practical package with the colors and materials used hinting at the Eco-friendly and earthy nature of the product.
 

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The provided cables are Kevlar reinforced and braided or fabric covered. They're extremely lightweight, tangle resistant and of good quality. The length is perfect for portability at around 1.37 meters and they roll up easily and sit well well in use. There is also very little microphonics present when in use. One of the cables has an inline remote and microphone and both terminate in a straight, 3.5 mm gold-plated plug adorned with the Thinksound logo. These are of really high quality and are some of my favorite headphone cables to date.
 

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Build, comfort and isolation
 
It's immediately apparent the first time you hold it in your hands that the On2 has excellent build quality. The headband is covered in a smooth pleather material with Thinksound stitched onto the top side.  On the underside of the headband is some padding which at first glance looks a little thin but due to the light weight of the headphones and stellar ergonomics the any pressure is evenly distributed across the head and ears. There is a notched adjustment slider on each side and on the right side you'll notice that the inner side of the clamp has a red face. On the outer side of the right clamp is a little red square with an R marking. Both of these obviously indicate the right side and while very easy to see when you're picking up the headphones they're barely noticeable when you're wearing the On2. It's little touches like this that give me warm fuzzy feelings inside as it shows the attention to detail that the designer has given to their work and it adds to the end user's experience.
 

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Moving further down the sides the arms are made of matte black and slightly textured recycled plastic that not only feels durable but leaves no unsightly fingerprints from handling. Onto the ear-cups now which are crafted of wood and feel every bit as good as they look. Each side is engraved with the Thinksound branding but it's tastefully done and actually complements the natural finish of the wood.
 

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The ear pads are the same smooth pleather that adorns the headband. There's a good amount of thickness to them and they're soft to the touch. They do a pretty good job of covering my larger than average ears and after a few days use they softened up even more and now I find them to be really comfortable even during extended listening. They're attached to the headphones by a clever locking tab design and can be attached or removed with a simple twist. Removing the ear pads reveals a steel mesh that covers and protects the driver. Replacement pads can be bought from the Thinksound website so if the original ones get damaged, lost or worn over time they're really easy to replace.
 

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As I hinted at above, the On2 is a very comfortable headphone, especially for a supra-aural design. With its even lightweight distribution, low clamp force and generously thick ear pads I found I can wear these for hours on end very easily. Because the cups are designed to be folded up for storage or transport they have a good range of rotation and tilt so they sort of settle themselves in the optimal position on your ears. The cable adds to the comfort as it is so light and doesn't pull down on the phones while you're wearing them. Thinksound really hit the ergonomics out of the park here.
 
When it comes to noise isolation these do surprisingly well. The pads are big enough to cover large ears and there's enough clamp force to hold them in place and get a decent seal. The natural density of the wood blocks out a good amount of sound making the On2 the perfect companion for a noisy environment or a bus/train ride.
Sound
 
Sources used for testing:
 
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Mrobo C5 V2
Benjie X1
Acoustic Research M20
PC/MusicBeen > Audinst HUD-MX2 > Phatlab Sassy2 > On2
 

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Amping:
 
This is a very easy to drive headphone and will sound great even straight from a budget DAP or mobile phone. I didn't notice any significant benefits from throwing more power at them. Having said that however the On2 does reflect the quality of the source you're using and will shine even more when using a good quality DAP or DAC.
 
Summary:
 
Airy, non-fatiguing, engaging and balanced is how I would sum up the sound of the On2. There's a surprising amount of resolution from these and they pick up minute details even at low volume. They sound great with every genre I task them with showing a great depth and agility across the board.
 
Detail:
 
The On2's bass has had a bit of a boost but doesn't try to wow you and is well controlled which isn't surprising as they're part of the monitor series. There's a reason that wood is one of the most favored materials for speaker cabinets and that's due to its inherent resonance properties and density that gives music a natural timbre (and besides that it looks awesome).  The bass is punchy, fast yet still has a natural sounding decay and a real texture. Kick drums and bass notes have a well defined edge that resonates beautifully in the wooden ear-cups. Sub-bass reaches satisfyingly low levels yet is masterfully balanced within the overall sound spectrum. Simply put the On2 has one of the best tuned basses I've heard in the sub $200 category. There's enough drive to bring EDM and hip-hop to life and it's conservative enough to not become overbearing in rock and acoustic music.
 
In "Frosfall" from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim OST the On2 shows a rich fullness in the stringed instruments and orchestral voices but still manages to sound uncolored and natural. I wouldn't call the midrange forward but it certainly isn't recessed - again it's that hovering around neutral yet musical balance that the On2 achieves so well.  Vocals sound great on these too with natural tonality and just the right amount of warmth for male voices although there's a very small range in the upper mids that sometimes borders on being a little thin but for the most part I didn't notice unless I was looking for it. There's great instrument separation and spacing within sounds and the small details that sneak into the music continue to surprise me.
 
The treble is another strong point of the On2 bringing just the right amount of liveliness without becoming strident or peaky, however I did notice that in The Pineapple Thief's "The Final Thing on My Mind" the high hats were a little lacking and  the timbre of some of the cymbals sounded a hint off-kilter. This is just nitpicking really as for the majority of music I've listened to they were spot-on and at no point did they display any sibilance and bring enough in the highs to convey excitement.
 
Soundstage is neither particularly wide or narrow but there's a good perception of space in all directions and imaging and positioning are precise. I feel that the ample thickness of the ear-pads help generate some airiness while keeping the imagery accurate.
 

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Comparison
 
On2 vs Jays u-Jays ($119 USD on Amazon):
 
These both have a well balanced sound. The u-Jays are slightly more intimate and mids are a little more forward than those on the On2. The On2 sounds a little more airy, probably because of creating a little more space from the ears due to their thicker ear-pads. Both have remarkable build quality and great comfort with the On2 having the slightest edge in comfort because of its softer padding on the headband. The u-Jays punch well above their price and come very close to directly competing with the On2 when it comes to sound. If you want more forward and intimate mids or looking to spend a bit less then the u-Jays might be right for you and if you want a slightly more neutral sound with an eco-friendly build then the On2 meets those requirements. You can't go wrong with either one.
 

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Conclusion
 
Recently I met up with a good friend of mine in a coffee shop. He's not an audiophile and has only ever bought budget off the shelf earphones. I'm forever boring him with my never ending gushing over my latest IEMs or DAPs. I asked him if he'd like to hear the On2. He acquiesced and since he's a bit of an old-timer and hails from the USA I chose "Hotel California" from The Eagles' Hell Freezes Over as I wanted something he'd definitely be familiar with. When the song was finished he took the headphones off and asked me what the price was. After I'd told him his next words were "Where can I buy some?" This is a true story and will hopefully give the reader some insight on the immediate impact the On2 can have.
 
They're comfortable, compact, portable and have a charming, detailed and clear sound. On top of that they're environmentally friendly and carry a high degree of build quality. For anyone looking at buying an on-ear headphone under $200 I would unreservedly recommend the Thinksound On2.
 

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Greetings Head-fi!
 
Today we are going to be taking a look at a beautiful supra-aural pair of headphones from thinksound; the On2.
 
thinksound was co-founded in 2009 by Mike Tunney and Aaron Fournier, the one who engineered the On2. Their goal was to make headphones that satisfied a number of lofty goals; meeting their own personal sound expectations, being visually pleasing, comfortable, and environmentally conscious. They're gone so far as to partner with Universal Recycling Technologies and start their own headphone recycling program to achieve this last goal.
 
I highly respect thinksound for their prominent use of recycled and natural materials in the construction and packaging of their products. You might expect this to hinder the overall build and construction quality, and but that's not at all the case. In-hand the On2 feels like a quality item, and on-ear this feeling is further reinforced. Out of everything I've listened to this year, the On2 stands above all else as my favorite audio product. Let's look at why.
 
Disclaimer:
 
I would like to thank Aaron for sending over a review sample of the On2 in exchange for a fair and impartial review. While I get to keep the On2 following the completion of this review, I still consider it the property of thinksound. There is no financial incentive for writing about this product. All comments and opinions within are my own and do not represent thinksound or any other entity.
 
At the time of this review the On2 retailed for 199 USD. You can check it out here on thinksound's site; https://store.thinksound.com/products/on2-monitor-series
 
Little About Me:
 

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Packaging and Accessories:
 
The On2's packaging is beautiful in it's simplicity. The white cardboard sheath contains a detailed, glossy image of the On2 with the product name and a brief description; "Supra-aural studio monitor with passive noise isolation". Both sides are adorned with the thinksound logo. Flipping to the back you are presented with another glossy, high detail image of the On2 vertically displayed. In addition, you are provided the specifications, features, and accessories.
 
Sliding off the sheath reveals a plain, but very solid, cardboard box with the thinksound logo centered on the front of the lid. Removing the lid you're presented with a durable canvas bag containing two detachable cables and the manual.
 
The included cables are 4.5' long which I found to be a good length for mobile use. Both are fabric-coated and Kevlar reinforced, terminated in steel-reinforced, gold-plated, 3.5mm jacks. There is no proprietary lock or connection making for easy replacement if necessary. One cable contains a single button remote housed in steel that is compatible with iDevices and Android, the other is nothing but cable. Normally I'm not a fan of fabric cables since they tend to transmit unacceptable levels of noise (microphonics), but thinksound's cables are pretty darn good. A bit of noise comes through, but it's far from overbearing or intrusive, something that can quickly ruin a headphone for me.
 
Underneath the canvas carrying pouch is the On2 itself nestled within a formed inlay made of what feels like very dense egg-carton cardboard. It's kind of odd, but I like it. The first thing I noticed about the headphones themselves was the alluring glow of the matte finish on their wood ear cups. Next I noticed the folding mechanism and how compact and flat they were when tucked in and ready for transport. While not ideal, the On2 when folded up is compact enough to fit in the rear and side pockets of my jeans.
 
While the unboxing experience is simple, it's effective in it's presentation, and the included accessories are quality items. The fabric cables in particular were much nicer than I was expecting.
 

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Build, Comfort, Isolation:
 
Excellent build quality and great comfort are two aspects of a portable headphone I find extremely important to get right. If they're fragile and flimsy, they won't survive the rigors of daily use and abuse. If they're not comfortable, I'm not going to want to use them no matter how good they sound. I'll instead go find something that's "good enough" but comfortable. Isolation, well, sometimes I like lots and sometimes I like very little. With something that isolates well like the On2 does, being able to free up one ear by sliding back an ear cup without sacrificing overall stability and comfort is always welcome. The On2 does pretty much everything right, and as a result they make for a near perfect traveling companion.
 
The recycled plastics selected for use with the On2 feel dense and durable. The swivel and pivot mechanisms move without any restrictive friction and from what little I can see upon close examination, contain some small metal rods that should help with longevity. It's not all plastic doing the work. The headband extension expands in well-defined increments and is supported by steel or aluminum bands that further aid in structural integrity and durability.
 
Padding on the headband isn't extremely thick but the On2's lightness and excellent ergonomics spread the weight evenly across your head to make the most of the padding in place. I never once found myself wanting more cushion, let alone thinking about it outside of writing this portion of the review. The ear pads are frankly outstanding for an on-ear headphone. Out of the box they may seem a touch stiff when combined with the On2's above average clamping force, but after using them for nearly two months they've softened up considerably making this, by far, the most comfortable supra-aural headphone I've used to date.
 
Construction of the ear cups is beautiful. The clear finish over the real wood allows each cup's unique grain to shine. On the top of the left ear cup, under the arm, there is a spot that could have used some additional sanding and finish, but it's hardly noticeable and adds to their naturalness and character of the wood. Removing the ear pads is easy, requiring a simple twist to unclip and remove them. Underneath you're greeted to a stiff, steel mesh protecting the driver, twelve small holes surrounding it that act as vents, in addition to three clips that hold on the ear cup and double as vents.
 
The On2 could make a nice project headphone for modders. Since there are only four screws holding each plastic face plate on, they're very easy to disassemble. Once you have the plate off, there's a fair bit of space to work with despite the compact size of each cup. Disregarding modding potential, this easy disassembly process means they should be easy to repair if you somehow manage to break them.
 
If you don't like supra-aural designs the On2 probably isn't going to win you over, but it makes a damned good attempt. If you prefer a supra-aural design for your portable headphone but often struggle with comfort, I think we've found your winner. As touched on briefly above, I find the On2 extremely comfortable for an on-ear style product. Once they've broken in, the clamping force is just right, the ear pads extremely cushy, and weight distribution near perfect. Surprisingly I never ran into an issue with my ears getting hot, even during extended listening sessions. I have a fairly small head and expand the headband by only one click on either side, however, you're given just over an inch of extension on either side to work with. There shouldn't be too many out there that will have issues with fit.
 
For me, the On2 offers up good enough isolation to feel the need to have one ear free when walking about outside, even at the low volumes I typically listen. They're don't isolate to the extreme, but I like to be able to hear what's going on around me and that's not really something they allow.
 
Since I haven't really listed any negatives so far, I had to dig to find something. Consider this nitpicking. When I take my headphones off I like to set them down pad-first so the cups don't get scratched. With the On2, you can't just take them off and set them down pad first; left driver on the left, right channel on the right. You have to reverse channels *gasp* and turn them over. On the flipside (pun intended), this protects the drivers from the elements if the headphones are hanging from your neck. A worthy sacrifice, I suppose.
 
Overall the On2 is phenomenally well-built, well-isolating, and extremely comfortable on-ear headphone.
 

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Sound:
 
Eyes closed. Head bobbing. Subtle smile present during every song. It doesn't matter what I'm listening to or the quality of the source, they make it sound so good. When it comes to sound signature and sound quality, I have zero complaints about the On2.
 
Out of the box I found them lacking a little in sub-bass extension, but after what has easily exceeded 100 hours of listening this is no longer an issue. The signature I hear has been expertly balanced with a mild boost to the low end to give them some added warmth and weight. They're billed as being part of thinksound's monitor series, so a flat-ish sound would make sense. Don't mistake this for being dull, however, as the On2 is very musical and carries that much-desired ability to let you lose yourself in the music. Too much times during my critical listening sessions I found myself getting lost in the music, forgetting to take notes and having to listen to the same parts over a couple times. Darn eh?
 
The On2's treble response is very natural and well placed. I find if an earphone has overly boosted treble, the fireworks going off at the end of Aesop Rock's 'Saturn Missles' sound too in-your-face and edgy, while lacking sparkle if too recessed. Through the On2 they sound realistic and just right in their placement in the mix. Gramatik's 'Bluestep' has sharp, digital high hats prickling about through the entire track. With poorly done treble, they lack definition and accuracy. The On2 keeps them sharp and precise with the right amount of decay. This quality continues through to the awesome instrumental epic that is Incubus' 'Movement of the Odyssey', parts two through four in particular.
 
The mid-range on this headphone is a treat. The transition from lower treble to upper mids is smooth and free of the occasionally unsettling aggression you hear the JVC products I'm so fond of. I find that the On2 teeters on a very, very fine edge of coming across a touch thin sounding in the upper mids, a thought offset as you continue through into the lower mid-range where there is some added girth and weight. Keisza's vocals on 'Hideaway' seem to fit right into this transition period sounding full and lush until she starting edging into higher notes. This even more apparent on Jessie J.'s 'Bang Bang' anytime she or Ariana transition into upper ranges. I found that rock and metal was portrayed through the On2 quite well, handling it with great competence. The level of detail on offer combined with the layering and separation is beyond most anything my other headphones can give off, rivaling the AKG K553 Pro, my headphone mid-range benchmark
 
Given I listen mostly to electronic music, much of which relies on a prominent bass line to carry the track, I appreciate when my headphones have some elevation down low. It doesn't have to be a lot, though that can be fun if it doesn't interfere with the rest of the audio spectrum. The On2 brings with it some enhanced bass presence, but it's tastefully applied and doesn't forget that depth is necessary.
 
The first thing that caught my ear was that the On2's bass is full of information. The decay is quick so quick transitions, pitch changes, etc. aren't lost or muddied. They have just enough slam and punch too. The texture and detail is outstanding. Listening to quality bass riffs, such as on Pink Floyd's 'Money', is an absolute joy. Nothing is lost. Many of my other headphones seemingly toss the bass at you. They lack the fluidity and movement you get with the On2. Use this headphone with some action films and you'll see what I mean. This presentation really adds to the sense of space.
 
Speaking of space, I really don't think the On2 has a large soundstage but what is there is consistent in size front to back, top to bottom, side to side. It makes for a fairly intimate but accurate listen as the imaging is spot on and shifts in position are well-defined. Instrument separation seems to be quite good, easily portraying the chaos apparent in the final moments of King Crimson's 'Starless and Bible Black'.
 
All together I find the On2 to be exciting, engaging, and non-fatiguing, without sacrificing much of anything to achieve this. Sure, they could have a larger soundstage, but they're a compact on-ear and the presentation on-hand matches perfectly with their signature. I wouldn't have them any other way.
 

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Comparisons:
 
Unfortunately I don't really own anything that is in direct competition with the On2, or would really be worthy of a head-to-head. I have a number of circumaural portables, but most are under 100 USD and don't hold a candle to this particular headphone, with the exception of the Logitech/Ultimate Ears UE6000. With their amplifier, I mean "noise canceling", feature off they present a similar tone, but the UE6000 is darker, lacks the sub-bass extension, and doesn't provide the same level of mid-range detail.
 
The Sony MDR-ZX600 supra-aural again has a similar style of tuning, but with significantly more mid-bass presence and nowhere near the clarity or detail. Build quality is night and day in favor of the On2, as is comfort.
 
The AKG K553 Pro would make for one of the better comparisons as it offers up a similar level of quality to it's sound, but on the other hand it's a full-sized desktop headphone masquerading as a portable. Sure, it's about as easy to drive as the On2 but the 12 million foot long cable makes portable use less than convenient. The ear cups are also nearly three times the size of the On2's. It's tuning is more treble/mid heavy with a distinct absence of sub-bass extension, thereby lacking the balance of the On2. When wearing them out what little bass the K553 has to offer is almost completely nullified by the lack of isolation so they're best heard indoors and in a quiet area. The On2 has a significantly more intimate presentation, but then again the K553 is unusually open sounding for a closed-back over ear so this is no surprise.
 
The Sennheiser PX100ii best the On2 when looking purely at the perspective of portability and convenience. When folded, it is easily the most compact headphone I've come across. They weigh next to nothing and pretty much disappear when worn. While their build is almost entirely plastic, the quality is there, it's flexible, and quite durable. The cable isn't detachable, however, and feels a little fragile unlike the two removable options included with the On2. The Sennheiser's also lack a mic, which I personally think is near mandatory for portable use. Another area they are lacking is in isolation. The PX100ii is open backed, so really, there is none. Finally, while I enjoy the PX100ii's sound, the mid-bass boost is undesirable for critical listening as it bleeds into the lower mids, they're very dark, and they lack the raw technical prowess of the On2.
 

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Final Thoughts:
 
I said it at the start and I'll say it again here; the On2 stands above all else as my favorite audio product of 2016.
 
The attractive plastic and wood construction is pure quality with excellent fit and finish. The ergonomics are excellent making them very comfortable for an on-ear. The folding mechanism and carrying case mean they're easy to travel with, and the two cable options give you some added flexibility for mobile use. Finally, they have a well-balanced signature with a small lift in the bass that works well both on the move and in the quiet confines of your home. There really isn't anything I can think of that they do wrong.
 
The On2 is simply a good headphone. Actually, scratch that. They're a great headphone. They are undoubtedly worth a listen and will result in years upon years of enjoyment should you choose to purchase a pair.
 
Thanks for reading!
 
- B9Scrambler
 
 
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Test Songs:
 
Aesop Rock - Saturn Missles
BT - The Antikythera Mechanism
Daft Punk - Touch
Gramatik - Bluestep (Album Version)
Incubus - 2nd/3rd/4th Movements of the Odyssey
Infected Mushroom - Converting Vegetarians
Infected Mushroom - Deeply Disturbed
Jessie J - Bang Bang
Kiesza - Hideaway
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black
Pink Floyd - Money
Run The Jewels - Oh My Darling (Don't Cry)
Skindred - Death to all Spies
Supertramp - Rudy
The Prodigy - Get Your Fight On

​

 

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Thinksound On2 Review: A Wonderful Wooden On-Ear With A Small Ecological Footprint[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]I like Thinksound products. I always have, with the exception of the On1. It was a product that had so much going for it, but had too many areas in need of improvement. Aaron Fournier, the man behind much of Thinksound’s products, heard us, and the On2 lends some pretty notable improvements over the On1, but is that enough to make it competitive?[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]You can buy the On2 for $199 on Thinksound’s official website here.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Disclaimer: This review is based upon a sample unit provided to me by a manufacturer or distributor in exchange for my honest opinion and un-edited words. I do not profit in any way from the writing of the review. I would like to thank Aaron at Thinksound for sending me this review unit[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Preference and Bias: Before reading a review, it is worth mentioning that there is no way for a reviewer to objectively pass judgment on the enjoy-ability of a product: such a thing is inherently subjective. Therefore, I find it necessary for you to read and understand what I take a natural liking to and how that might affect my rating of a product.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]My ideal sound signature would be an extended sub-bass with a leveled, but textured, bass. The mids should be slightly less pronounced than the treble, but still ahead of the bass. I prefer a more bright upper range.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Source: The On2 was powered like so:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]PC optical out-> HifiMe SPDIF 9018 DAC 3.5mm out-> earphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]or[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]AP100 or HiFiMAN Megamini-> earphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]All music was served as MP3 @320Kbps or as FLAC.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Sound Signature[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Initial Impressions:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]I’m hearing a rather lean but dynamic mix. The bass I’ve become so accustomed to with Thinksound’s IEMs is still there in timbre and tuning, but is much less pronounced, pushing the On2 closer to a neutral (but not flat) tuning. Treble is present and tuned well, but can sound harsh on certain sources. I found my AP100 and Megamini to do quite well in taming it, as did my Nexus 6P and HTC One M8.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Treble: Songs used: White Flag, Midnight City, Outlands[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Treble is pretty source dependent. When played off higher-impedance sources, it seems there is a noticeable harshening of the treble, making it difficult to listen to for long periods of time. However, when played off sources with low impedance, such as the vast majority of consumer electronics like PCs and smartphones, the treble falls back down into a manageable state. And when it does, it behaves quite nicely. Good extension and retrieval, with a healthy presentation that doesn’t hurt the ears at all. Background effects and high-hats come through very well and have a healthy attack and decay, something I give Aaron serious props for considering the supra-aural nature of the On2.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Mids: Songs used: Flagpole Sitta, Jacked Up, I Am The Highway, Good Life[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Electric guitars and bass guitars sound fantastic on the On2. While they could use a bit more of a hard edge, I’m really satisfied with the way it sounds. The pianos are presented similarly well, and are separated nicely. The vocals from all of my mids test songs sounded very clear, enunciated words more accurately than on most of my other earphones and headphones.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Bass: Songs used: Lights, Gold Dust, 99 Problems (Hugo Cover), In For The Kill (Skream’s Let’s Get Ravey Remix)[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The On2’s bass isn’t particularly strong. I don’t think this is due to a lack of a strong seal, as the bass doesn’t increase that much when I push the On2 very close to my ears. I get the feeling that the On2 was designed with standard instruments in mind, as the On2 really nails the mid and sub-bass placement for bass guitars, kick-drums, and other bass-bound instruments as it has a good level of bass shaping and texturing. I find that many electronic songs do still sound good out of the On2, despite its lower bass quantity, as precision and extension are still notable.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Clarity: Songs used: Throne, Map of The Problimatique, I’m Not Alright[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The On2 is clear, and gives off a good sense of precision, something that I hear Thinksound IEMs get a lot of flack for lacking. I didn’t notice any crackling or distortion on my test songs, even at high volumes. I did notice that on lower-end sources, the On2 does tend to drop details during busy parts of my songs. However, even with my best two sources, I did notice a loss in micro-details. This is something I generally expect from supra-aural headphones as its pretty hard to get a good seal to prevent the outside world from interfering with the more intricate parts of the sound.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Packaging / Unboxing[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Minimalist, eco-friendly packaging. I like it.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)][/color]
 

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Build[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Construction Quality[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The On2 is built well, and feels nice in the hands. The reclaimed wood that the ear-cups are built from gives the On2 heft, and looks great. The frame of the headphones is built from a thick matte plastic, with the inner sliding frame constructed from aluminum. The left and right sides of the headphone are clearly marked. The frame folds really nicely, making the On2 quite portable.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The headband is cushioned from what appears to be leather, the same material the ear pads are made from.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The dual-color braided cable is detachable, and terminates in a 3.5mm jack. The cable is honestly one of my favorite parts of this headphone. It’s visually attractive, well-built, easy to coil, and premium-feeling. In my opinion, this is close to a perfect cable. The inline controls are housed inside a hard metallic cylinder with a tough rubber acting as the buttons.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Controls[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The inline controls are built from a single button, and has a satisfying click to it. The button acts as a pause/play button and can skip to the next track on both iOS and Android devices.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Comfort[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]My head is shaped weirdly. I don’t fit well into any of the 8 on-ear headphones I’ve tested. However, the On2 is one of the first supra-aural headphones I’ve been able to wear for over 3 hours without fatiguing too badly. I do, however, wish that there was a little more clamping power with slightly larger cups, as the On2 does tend to slide around when I bend over.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]EDIT: I found out that you can actually bend the headband to contour your head better. I went around my area and asked a good number of people how they liked the feel, and they all came to the same conclusion as I did: The On2 is very comfortable once shaped correctly. [/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Accessories[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The On2 comes with sparse accessories as is Thinksound tradition. Inside the box you will find:[/color]

1. 1 Reclaimed cotton carrying pouch
2. 1 Cable with inline-controls and mic
3. 1 Standard cable

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)][/color]
 
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]I can give Thinksound a pass on this one, because everything that is included with the On2 is of a high quality, especially the cables. I absolutely love them.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Summary[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The On2 is an note-worthy improvement over the On1, and is quite versatile. Its comfort and style makes it a pleasure to wear, and its sound quality keeps drawing you back to it. For $200, there are a lot of good options out there. The On2 excels in instrumental songs, but might not be a bass-head’s cup of tea. However, if you are interested in a eco-friendly, portable, and stylish pair of supra-aural cans, the On2 won’t let you down.[/color]

**disclaimer**  I am not a high end audiophile, nor, am I veresed in the lingo.  I'm just a guy guy who loves music, and loves to listen to it  through great headphones/iem's powered by great sources.
 
 
first and foremost I would like to thank Aaron Fournier for his generosity providing me a review sample of the ON2.
 
 
SPECS:
 
• Hand crafted natural wood housing for accurate music reproduction 
• Award-winning thinksound™ signature acoustics 
• Two (2) 4.5’ long detachable cables – (1) with mic control and (1) without 
• Single button microphone + call/music control for mobile communication 
• Compatible with iPhone® Android® and more (see thinksound.com for details) 
• 5Hz-22kHz frequency response, 50Ω, 40mm dynamic driver 
• 3.5mm steel reinforced gold plated stereo plug for increased sound clarity 
• Passive noise isolation minimizes ambient sounds 
• Kevlar® reinforced, tangle-resistant fabric cable 
• Memory Foam ear pads for maximum comfort and wearability 
• Flexible metal headband with comfortable faux leather overlay
 
 
INSIDE THE BOX:
 
 
Everything came securely, and nicely packaged.  Inside you will find the headphones on top, and underneath; the carrying bag, one cable with mic control and one without.
The first thing I noticed about the ON2 is how beautiful they are, and hoped they sounded as such.  The cables are very well made, and don't foresee any fragility issues in the future...unless you're a brute.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
TEST TRACKS AND SOURCE:
 
I used the XDUOO X3, and moto g2 (to test mic control).
 
James Brown: super bad
U.S. Warren and the Ghengis pea: hard headed woman
Lord Tanamo: come down
Radiohead: bangers & mash
Placebo: planes
sun kil moon: space travel is boring
Teebs: bound ball
 
 
 
 

 

 
COMFORT & SOUND:
 
 
I wore the ON2 for 2 1/2 during one listen.  I had no problems with comfort, as a matter of fact they were quite comfy!  I read the only other review on these and I have to agree, I can't hear squat with these on.  I tested sound leakage using my 8year old daughter as the guinea pig, and no leakage what so ever!
The mic controls work as advertised, but did not use my phone as a review source due to horrible sound quality.
 
**I will not separate highs, mids, and lows, nor will I use graphs for sound**
 
 
       As these were in the process of shipping, I read reviews regarding the ON1, and one thing stuck out like a sore thumb; SIBILANCE, SIBILANCE, SIBILANCE!  I am very pleased with the on2 quality of sound.  with experience, basing a purchase from reviews is that sound and how it sounds to you and I, is subjective.  I love neutrality! I am not a bass head, not to say I hate it, just that I like a tight sounding bass.  The ON2 are a win in that department...the bass is controlled and well defined; it is not imposing at all.  The highs took a little getting used to (which is not bad in this case)  The highs are clear and articulate, yet, delicate and gentle.  I have come to love the highs of the ON2.  The mids are gorgeous, and lush.
    when listening to James Brown, Clyde Stubblefield (James' drummer at that time) sounded like he was right there with me..  These things shine with drum heavy tracks.
    ah, soundstage.  sweet, and bursting your personal bubble soundstage.  I happen to love their staging,  but, there are times during congestive tracks where they are a little too up close and personal (which is rare)  I noticed this during bangers & mash by radiohead.  This does not mean the ON2 could not keep up with or separate during the congestion - they could indeed.  Some people may not be able to deal with the staging, and it may be a deal breaker.
     I have found that these guys are revealing of poorly produced tracks.  I almost forgot to mention, that during my hours and hours of listening, the cord does not produce any microphonics if touched or tapped in any way.
 
 
CONCLUSION:
 
Would I recommend these? abolutely!!  The clarity, the separation, the highs, mids, and lows are everything I look for in SQ.  like I said, the sound stage is the only detail I can findn that might be a sonic thorn in the listeners side.  For what it's worth, I they are fantastic!!

https://store.thinksound.com/
 

 
 
I would like to give a hearty thanks to Thinksound's Aaron Fournier for reaching out to me for this review. I was provided with a review sample of the ON2 to provide my thoughts about his newest creations. The ON2 MS02 and the Rain3.
 
First a bit about thinksound.
 
"Thinksound headphones are assembled primarily from renewable, recyclable resources like wood and aluminum, and feature PVC-free cables . The packaging is made from recycled materials. The design eliminates the typical plastic bubble normally associated with headphones and small electronics packaging that are bad for the environment and often hard to open."
 
On a personal note this is very cool that a manufacturer cares enough about environmental impact to use materials that are sustainable and recyclable. I think when we all go out and purchase a phone we never think about just how much material a manufacturer has to use to create your headphone but I would imagine there is quite a bit of waste involved and probably not so good for the environment so big thumbs up from me for having this business model.
 
Now onto my thoughts about these headphones.
 
Like many of you when you open a new box that has your new headphones in it. It is the very first listen that can have an immediate impact on how your perceive your brand new phone and I am no different. What you get out of the box is the phones a cloth bag and in it has 2 very nice clothed cables. This is what comes in the box.
 
+Hand crafted natural wood cups for accurate music production
+Two 4.5' long detachable cables. 1 with mic and 1 without
+Single button microphone +call/music control for mobile communication
+Compatible with IPhone, Android and more.
+5Hz-22Hz Freq response
+3.5mm steel reinforced gold plated plug for increased clarity.
+Passive noise isolation minimized ambient sounds
+Kevlar reinforced, tangle resistant fabric cable
+Memory foam pads for maximum comfort
+Flexible metal headband with comfortable faux leather overlay
+Storage pouch
+2 year limited warranty.
 
Build wise these things look and feel absolutely solid. The pads were actually off the cups on open box and a little assembly is required by the user to put that pads in place. The pads are on a small frame that have slots that protrude to fit the cups. It is as easy as pushing the pads into place and turning the pads firmly onto the cups. Once this is done I was ready to hear these. The only previous headphones I have heard from Thinksound was the Rain2 and another in ear Aaron was responsible for called an IEB6 micro driver earphones.  Both these earphones had their merits but what I was hearing from the ON2 right from the get go was a surprise. 
 
First thought that came to my mind was how clear and agile the sound was. I tested out a few tracks connected to my Pono and then proceeded to throw these on the burn in station. I periodically checked in on them and the one positive bit of change I could detect was the only one that I was concerned about. From open box the treble has a bit of grain a touch of rawness on open listen which I was hoping would go away with some brisk drum n bass and that is exactly what happened. That initial bit of grain now turned into treble detail. 
 
When out doors and walking about in a crowd these things isolate perhaps a bit too well. I can't hear a darn thing outside when my music is playing and that is a good thing. Passive noise isolation is excellent on these.  Actually out of all my portable headphones fullsized or on ear. These actually have the best isolation by far.  One way I test isolation and sound leakage is if the sound leaks out if I close the cups together while burning in. Sound leakage is at a very minimum if at all. Meaning yes you can have your woodie at a library!
 
Now back to the sound.
Sound signature wise these have a monitor like tuning meaning the balance is there with clear emphasis on treble and a tight refined full bass end. Where these shine from most of your monitor type sound profile is that the mids absolutely shine on these and was not an afterthought. Not too forward and not laid back, just right. Wood housing lends to some of the best timbre for music and these have it in spades. Vocal nuances and range has emphasis you can't hear in lesser on ears, instruments has excellent transparency and imagery. Drums have power, rawness with a perfect amount of pitch and speed. Treble shimmer and timbre lends to the overall clear, cool tonality of the sound definition of lower to upper trebles. Some may find the treble to be a touch unforgiving and a bit hard at times as there is no perceived treble roll of.  Clarity is in all parts of the sound including the treble so this might add to the perception of brightness but to me there is a clear difference here in that the ON2s emit clear treble vs being peaky. A control that I have not heard on any of the other Thinksound products to date. I think the treble could use a touch more refinement here but for what it has it is excellent extended treble and goes perfectly with this monitor sound on the go. Mid bass emphasis is very appropriate for this sound signature and it is not shy on the bass end. Neutrality be damned the bass will punch you in the face and let you know your listening to your favorite bass tracks,.which to me is what you want on the go.  Sub bass absolutely brings it for the low end that rumbles your ear lobes.  Sound balancing is excellent on these even with a touch of mid bass emphasis and treble sparkle nothing sounds out of line. As small as these headphones are measuring 2 and 3/4 inches at the cups/pads. They have a large and in charge sound that are tuned to let you enjoy your favorites anywhere you deemed them worthy to go.
 
In a word. These simply sound superb, any where at any time.
 
The catch on these? They are on ears. Meaning yes you have to have them on your ears and not over them. They do have a pillow like feel to the pads on these and the thick lipped padding with memory foam does feel comfortable after initial light clamp. I suppose if your the type that absolutely hate on ears than I suppose no amount of sound quality can influence you but for what it is I can't think of too many smallish portable cans that have the SQ of the ON2. 
 
There are out of your head moments on these headphones with well recorded tracks that let you know your hearing some very nicely tuned headphones. Nature of smallish closed headphones is that they will take a hit on sound stage. However, the imagery is so well done here you quickly forget this sound is coming from a small portable can.
 
Rated at 50 ohms, the ON2s are easy to drive either using my phone or out of my Pono, Fiio X3ii. They all drive the ON2 with blazing not good for you volumes. Using the micd cord on my LG phone It does exactly what it was meant to do with solid vocal clarity. 
 
Last words;
 
Walking out with the ON2s on with my X3ii in my pocket.  I can't hear a single word the wife is saying to me while I am doing yard work with the sweet vocals of Donny Hathaway. Life is good.