INTRODUCTION

   I really can't even begin to count the number of times when i wanted to listen to my favorite music or watch a movie and the headset i used was mediocre at best in terms of audio quality. Because of this I’m always on the lookout for really good headsets since i like having one both at the office/lab and at home. Of course in the market today one can find good headsets for as low as USD100 and great headsets for as high as USD4000 (yes you read correctly, 4 grand). Not all however can or are willing to go as high as even USD1000 for a great pair of headphones and after talking to several people in many online forums (and quite a few up close) we concluded that the sweet spot considered by most demanding consumers is set at around USD200-300. Thinksound has been one of our favorite manufacturers of headphones and earphones for many years and just recently they released their On2 Supra-aural studio monitor headphones with passive noise isolation which we couldn't wait to get our hands on.

   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.

   If you've been following our reviews then you may know that thinksound released the On1 Studio Monitor HD headphones a few years back which means that the brand new On2 are essentially an updated version. Now both headphones feature a set of 40mm full-range dynamic drivers that sport a frequency range of 5Hz-22KHz with 50 Ohm impedance placed inside earcups made out of high-quality hand-crafted natural wood. Also just like the On1 the On2 also feature an in-line microphone located in one of the two available Kevlar-reinforced tangle-resistant fabric cables which i have to admit are more durable that i thought when i reviewed the On1. Now since we don't see any change in the specifications of the drivers i imagine that thinksound further fine-tuned them instead of changing them all together. There are certainly several design differences between the On1 and the On2 so let's move forward with our review.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Once again at the front of the box we see a product picture, the product name and the company name and logo.

The specifications and features are placed at the rear of the box right next to yet another product picture.

Same as the On1 the On2 are placed inside a cardboard box (made out of recycled materials).

Inside the box the headphones are placed in a formed piece of cardboard.

Along with the On2 Supra-aural studio monitor headphones with passive noise isolation you will also get a cloth carrying/storage pouch (again from recycled materials), warranty information paper, two detachable Kevlar-reinforced tangle-resistant fabric cables and a thank you note from thinksound’s CEO.

THE ON2

Just like the On1 before them the quality of the On2 is something you notice the moment you see them.

We decided it would be a good idea to directly compare the On1 with the On2 and as you can see they are in fact nearly identical, at least at first glance.

The largest aesthetic difference is the different wood used in the earcups of the On2 which is not polished as the one used in the On1 (i like both but the On2 a bit more).

Second aesthetic change is the chrome piece placed right under the Left and Right markings (it was plastic in the On1).

It also seems that thinksound has used thicker memory-foam earpads (could also be that we have the On1 here for a long time).

Both headphones feature hinges that allow their earcups to rotate 90 degrees, fold and tilt for easier storage.

Likewise both headphones can extend for a total of 31mm on each side via a total of 12 increments only 6 of which are visible on the interior.

Another notable difference is the material used on the exterior of the headband since it's made out of leatherette now instead of fabric.

One of the two Kevlar-reinforced tangle-resistant fabric cables features an in-line microphone with a controller.

Both cables however are fitted with gold plated 3.5mm plugs on both ends.

CONCLUSION

   There are three things I’ve always liked about thinksound first that you're not paying extra for a "brand name" like you would with many other brands out there something which i think we are all well aware of and don't like much. Second you're getting a great price/performance balance/ratio (at least with most of their products)) and that i think is the most important aspect when out in the market to buy anything. Last but certainly not least thinksound doesn’t expect large distributors to throw sales since they do several excellent discount offers every year through their online store so you might be able to get one of their products for a greatly reduced price. Now when it comes to the On2 if we leave out the exterior design differences it doesn’t sound all that different to the On1. You will obviously notice that the On2 is focused a bit more in lows and bass (audio is warmer and deeper) compared to the On1 which was focused in mids and highs but that’s actually not a bad thing since the On2 do sound better overall. I think that it’s not a big enough difference to warrant selling your On1 for the On2 (if you happen to have the first) but if I was listening to both and could pick one the On2 would be it. Build quality is also very similar (as is noise isolation) but thanks to the wood used in the On2 and the new headband again the On2 are in front (although that could be just us).

   Currently you can find the On2 Supra-aural studio monitor headphones with passive noise isolation by thinksound for USD199.99 directly from their online store a price which at least to us feels very balanced for what you’re getting (if you don’t want to spend as much then you can always wait for a discount period). Of course there are numerous other choices at around the same price point but not many can rival the On2 (at least not at that price range). Overall the On2 offer exactly what the very good On1 and then some and for that they also get our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Superior Build Quality (Metal/Wood/Recycled Materials)
- Accurate & Extremely Detailed Lows/Mids/Highs
- Good & Warm/Deep Bass
- Design
- Size/Weight
- Turn/Fold/Tilt Capable Earcups
- Passive Noise Isolation
- Removable Kevlar reinforced tangle resistant fabric cables
- Gold Plated Connectors

CONS

- Price (For Some)