Thinksound ts02+mic review

Lovely headphones for the environmentally conscious Tested at £90

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Eco-friendly buds provide a clear sound and a clearer conscience

Pros

  • +

    Nice build

  • +

    Impressive clarity

  • +

    Good timing

Cons

  • -

    The sound could be weightier

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

It’s not very often that we test products marketed as ‘eco-friendly’. But there’s something admirable about Thinksound, which makes headphones with an environmental conscience.

The packaging is completely recyclable, the carry pouch is made of cotton, and the earphone casing is made from renewable wood.

Even the cabling is PVC-free. We only wish they’d gone the whole way and included a tiny wooden clothes peg instead of a standard plastic cord clip.

Sound quality
But of course, it's the sound that matters most for us, and the Thinksound ts02+mic buds don’t disappoint. This is an insightful pair of headphones, with impressive clarity and detail. They’re rather well balanced, tipping ever so slightly towards a crisp high end.

That said, the midrange is revealing, while the bass is tight and punchy. If you’re inclined to crank it up, these Thinksounds stay very composed. They also display a good sense of timing, which makes for an entertaining listen.

Also consider
However, they’re not quite as engaging as the Award-winning Beyerdynamic MMX 101 iE, whose sound is weightier and more substantial.

They also offer a little more in the way of subtlety and delicacy. The Thinksound earphones favour a more analytical approach that feels competent, if a little clinical.

That’s not a deal-breaker though. The ts02+mic heapdhoness are never less than enjoyable to use, not least because of their lightweight build and comfortable fit.

Factor in the lovely wood-and-metal styling, and these buds present an attractive – and green – option.

See all our headphone Best Buys

Follow whathifi.com on Twitter

Join whathifi.com on Facebook

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


Read more about how we test