INTRODUCTION

   Taking long walks is something that i happen to enjoy quite a bit not only because it's good for my health but also because doing so means i get to spend lots of time with all the latest headphones and earphones to reach our lab. Now as many of you are already aware wireless earphones/earsets may be getting more popular as we move forward due to their lack or wires but wired models are still leading sales and although this is primarily because the majority of people put cost over performance still there are those who care about audio quality/clarity above all else. Thinksound has released numerous award winning headphones and earphones over the years but it wasn't until just recently that they released their very first model manufactured in the USA called the USP1 which we have here with us today.

   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.

   Although the USP1 Monitor Series model is indeed assembled inside the USA it's actually made mostly out of foreign materials placed inside hand-poured metal pewter housings. Pewter metal (alloy consisting out of tin, copper, antimony and/or other harder metals) may not be as expensive and durable as for example silver but since it's softer it's a lot easier to work with and unlike silver it doesn't tarnish so we really believe thinksound was right to choose it over other materials (we've been expecting thinksound to use metal housings for one of their earsets instead of wood for a long time). For the USP1 thinksound has used their brand new precision-tuned 8mm dynamic drivers (once again voiced by their CEO and acclaimed audio engineer Aaron Fournier) that feature a frequency response of 10Hz-20KHz, 93dB +-3dB sensitivity and 16 Ohm impedance. The USP1 are compatible with both android and iOS devices and feature passive noise isolation, 45 degrees angle gold plated 3.5" plug, 4 feet long Kevlar-reinforced tangle-resistant cord and are sweat resistant.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Just like the TS03+Mic the USP1 also gets shipped in a small aluminum case that has a product picture at the top along with the product name and driver size.

The product specifications are printed at the bottom of the box right next to contact information for thinksound and of course the Made In USA logo.

Once again all pieces of the bundle are nicely arranged inside the case.

Along with the USP1 headphones you will also get carrying pouch, thank you note, warning information, 3 sets of ear fittings (4 with the already mounted ones) and a cord shirt clip.

THE USP1

The USP1 gets shipped with 4 sets of silicon ear fittings.

Thinksound has used a 4 feet long Kevlar-reinforced tangle-resistant cable.

The hand-poured metal pewter housings may not look as elegant as wooden ones but to me these look and feel much better.

To get a better idea of what I’m talking about here we see the TS03+mic next to the USP1.

Thinksound has placed their logo and left/right markings on both the metal housings and the cable coming out of them.

Although the USP1 uses the same size dynamic drivers (8mm) as the TS03+mic these are further fine-tuned.

At the end of the 4 feet cable we find the 45 degrees angled 3.5" gold plated plug.

CONCLUSION

   The USP1 is the current flagship in-ear model by thinksound so naturally we had very high expectations from it when it arrived in our lab roughly 3 weeks ago and i have to say that it passed all our tests with flying colors. You see unlike most in-ear models the USP1 deliver both very crisp and accurate highs and mids and plenty of bass. As a matter of fact the only other in-ear model that we have in our lab currently with higher/richer bass is the TS03+mic again by Thinksound. So in a way if rich bass is what you're after when looking to get a brand new in-ear set then the TS03+mic might actually be a better overall choice for you. On the other hand however the USP1 with its fine-tuned drivers offers superior/precise sound reproduction and thus is ideal for people (even professionals) looking for an audiophile grade in-ear model. Unfortunately as the name clearly states the USP1 don't feature an in-line microphone for making/answering calls so if you were hoping this was also a hands free model that's not the case (thinksound may always update the USP1 to USP1+mic in the near future depending of course on its success).

   Since the USP1 Monitor Series is the latest and most advanced in-ear model in the Thinksound product line it goes without saying that it's also their most expensive one. Still thinksound has always followed an aggressive pricing policy in order to compete with the "big" players in the market and so currently the USP1 costs USD179.99 directly from their very own online store a price tag which is almost half compared to what some manufacturers ask for their top of the line models. Now we're obviously not saying that the USP1 can compete with models that cost twice as much or more but at the end of the day they deliver a better price/performance ratio than anything we've heard and/or tested in their price category and that's why they get our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality (Metal Pewter Housings)
- Audio Reproduction (Bass And Crisp Mids/Highs)
- Kevlar Reinforced & Tangle resistant 4 Feet Long Cable
- 45 Degrees Angled Gold Plated 3.5mm Plug
- Carrying Pouch
- 4 Sets Of Silicon Ear Fittings

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- No Microphone (Monitor Series)