Tascam TH-02From real comments

Verdict distilled from 36 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment58%
PROS 58%
CONS 42%

Rank based on 36 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want inexpensive closed-back headphones for basic mixing or reference listening
  • You're comfortable replacing stock earpads for better comfort and sound
  • You want a long cord and foldable design for portability

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need strong bass response for your listening or production style
  • You have a smaller head or wear glasses and need guaranteed comfort
  • You expect premium build quality and long-term durability without any wear

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Transparency ModeNoise CancellationSound QualityiOS/Apple Ecosystem Lock-inDurability/Crackling ConcernsHigh Price
Transparency Mode
Noise Cancellation
Sound Quality
iOS/Apple Ecosystem Lock-in
Durability/Crackling Concerns
High Price
2Mid
Signature haptic bass slider
Signature haptic bass slider
3Premium
Exceptional comfortStrong for gaming and imagingImprovement over HD 650/6XXIrritating L/R lettering inside padsBuild/pad quality issues reportedHigh price relative to alternatives
Exceptional comfort
Strong for gaming and imaging
Improvement over HD 650/6XX
Irritating L/R lettering inside pads
Build/pad quality issues reported
High price relative to alternatives
4Mid
Exceptional durabilityBalanced, quality soundFully repairable/modularCable-to-driver cutout issuesStrong clamping forceUnconventional cable entry side
Exceptional durability
Balanced, quality sound
Fully repairable/modular
Cable-to-driver cutout issues
Strong clamping force
Unconventional cable entry side
5Mid
Exceptional comfort
Exceptional comfort
Best value
6Premium
Smooth, detailed treble and clarityStrong perceived value and end-game satisfactionTight, deep bassHigh price pointSibilant or fatiguing treble for sensitive earsTight fit for larger ears
Smooth, detailed treble and clarity
Strong perceived value and end-game satisfaction
Tight, deep bass
High price point
Sibilant or fatiguing treble for sensitive ears
Tight fit for larger ears
7Premium
Excellent Call and Mic QualityAll-Day ComfortIndustry-Leading Noise CancellationHigh Price PointInconsistent Call Clarity in Certain EnvironmentsBluetooth Pairing Problems
Excellent Call and Mic Quality
All-Day Comfort
Industry-Leading Noise Cancellation
High Price Point
Inconsistent Call Clarity in Certain Environments
Bluetooth Pairing Problems
8Premium
Neutral, accurate soundExceptional comfortGreat detail and resolutionPerceived as 'boring' by some listenersElevated mid-bass/sub-bass not fully neutralSound highly dependent on seal and source
Neutral, accurate sound
Exceptional comfort
Great detail and resolution
Perceived as 'boring' by some listeners
Elevated mid-bass/sub-bass not fully neutral
Sound highly dependent on seal and source
9Budget
Exceptional value for moneyOutstanding comfortDetailed, neutral sound signatureLight or rolled-off bassCheap-feeling build qualityPerceived treble grain/sibilance
Exceptional value for money
Outstanding comfort
Detailed, neutral sound signature
Light or rolled-off bass
Cheap-feeling build quality
Perceived treble grain/sibilance
10Budget
Excellent Sound Quality for PriceComfortable for Extended UseNo Charging RequiredLimited Noise IsolationBuild Quality ConcernsNot Secure for Active Use
Excellent Sound Quality for Price
Comfortable for Extended Use
No Charging Required
Limited Noise Isolation
Build Quality Concerns
Not Secure for Active Use
You are here
31Budget
Tascam TH-02
Strong value for priceDurable long-term use for some ownersGood for mixing and monitoringWeak or absent bassBoxy or hollow sound for some listenersBuild quality and durability failures
Tascam TH-02
Strong value for price
Durable long-term use for some owners
Good for mixing and monitoring
Weak or absent bass
Boxy or hollow sound for some listeners
Build quality and durability failures

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality divides opinion between 'great for the price' and 'boxy and hollow.' Several long-term users say the TH-02 sounds clean and reliable enough that mixes translating well on them also translated well elsewhere, and some claim they beat pricier headphones in side-by-side listening. Others found the sound boxy, hollow, sibilant, or bassless, with one reviewer directly preferring cheaper earbuds. A recurring theme is that these are treble/high-focused monitor-style headphones not meant to deliver bass punch, so expectations should be calibrated for reference use rather than fun consumer listening.

Comfort and fit vary a lot from person to person. Some users, including glasses wearers, report no discomfort at all straight out of the box, while others describe the TH-02 as tight, uncomfortable, or painful, particularly one reviewer who found them very tight as a woman. Multiple owners note comfort holds up for only about an hour before needing a break. Aftermarket earpad swaps (foam or leather replacements) are commonly recommended fixes for both comfort and fit issues.

Durability is mixed, with wear over time but decent longevity for some. Owners who kept theirs for several years report the faux-leather top material cracking or peeling after a couple of years, though the material underneath remains usable, and one user had to glue a broken arch. Others experienced faster failures: cracking plastic, cable crackling within a year, or a snapped 3.5mm jack. Several commenters note a 2021 revision addressed earlier reliability complaints, suggesting build quality has improved on current units.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?