TASCAM TH-05

Decent sound, painful comfort. The TH-05 is a budget monitoring headphone that's fine for short sessions but a headache for anything longer.

Sound is the headline here, and it's genuinely decent. The 15Hz-22kHz range and 32Ω impedance make these easy to drive from a phone or interface, and the closed-back design keeps outside noise at bay without any active circuitry. But the build quality is mediocre at best, and at 467g these are heavy for plastic monitoring headphones. The wired-only 3.5mm connection feels dated, and there's no mic to speak of, which explains the dismal 15th percentile mic score. For pure listening, they punch above their weight. For everything else, they're stuck in 2015.

The Sony ULT WEAR and JBL Tune 670NC both offer wireless, ANC, and far better comfort, but they cost significantly more. The TOZO HT3 is the real threat here, delivering wireless and ANC at a similar price point while actually being comfortable to wear. The Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT also outclasses the TH-05 in build and comfort. If you need wired monitoring specifically, the Tascam makes sense. If you just want good headphones for music, spend a little more and get the TOZO.

Pricing is all over the place, from USD 39 to USD 67 across three US listings. At the low end, these are a reasonable buy for a backup pair or a first monitoring headphone. At the high end, you're getting fleeced. Newegg has the best deal right now, so if you're going to grab a pair, that's where to look. Just don't pay more than USD 45 for these.

The Tascam TH-05 is a budget monitoring headphone that gets the basics right but stumbles on the stuff you'll feel after an hour. The 40mm drivers deliver surprisingly clear sound for the price, landing in the 74th percentile for audio quality. But comfort is a real problem, sitting near the bottom of our database at the 6th percentile. If you need cheap cans for short tracking sessions, these work. If you're planning marathon listening, your ears will file a complaint.

If you're looking for wireless convenience, active noise cancellation, or all-day comfort, this isn't it. Go get the TOZO HT3 or JBL Tune 670NC instead. If you need a mic for calls or gaming, the TH-05 is a dead end, grab a gaming headset or the Sony ULT WEAR.

The Tascam TH-05 is a one-trick pony, and that trick is decent sound on a budget. For short monitoring sessions or as a spare pair in a studio, they're fine. But the comfort issues are hard to ignore, and the lack of any modern features makes them a tough sell in 2024. If you can find them under USD 45, they're worth considering. Otherwise, save your money for something that won't hurt your head.