Current testing methodology is v1.2
October 21, 2013
Price not available
1.15 lb
9.8 x 7.8 x 3.6 in
Takstar is known to produce affordable and quality audio products ranging from professional to consumer markets.
One of their headphones, the Takstar HD 2000, is just under $40. It’s listed as DJ or Studio headphones, but are they?
The HD 2000 has been out for a decade now and after all these years, is it still a contender in the current market? Or are you better off with another set of cans?
We’ll find out in this review. Let’s go!
Takstar HD 2000
A no-nonsense pair of headphones for under $40.
TL:DR;
The Takstar HD 2000 might be an old model, but it still has a few things up its sleeve, such as decent audio quality.
However, it’s obvious that it’s a cheap pair due to its build quality and comfort. This doesn’t mean that the HD 2000 is a poor choice when looking for budget headphones.
It has a fairly neutral sound signature – which video editors love, but if you care about build quality, then you may want to look elsewhere.
Overall, the Takstar HD 2000 is still a great pair of headphones, as long as you treat them with extra care to prevent them from breaking.
The Specs
- Type: Wired, closed design
- Transducer Principle: Dynamic
- Wearing Style: Over-Ear Headphones
- Microphone: No
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-25kHz
- Sensitivity: 101dB±3dB at 1kHz
- Driver Diameter: Ø50mm
- Max.Input Power: 100mW
- Rated Power: 30mW
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Connector: Stereo Ø3.5mm + Ø6.3 gold plated
- Cable: Ø2.2mm x 2m, Y-type fixed cable
- Net Weight: 200g
What’s in the Box?
- Takstar HD 2000 Headphones
- 1 x 3.5mm to 6.3mm Gold Plated Connectors
- 1 x User Manual
Stuff I like
- Decent sound quality
- Fair sound stage
- Affordable price
- Adapter included
Stuff I like less
- Cheap plastic build
- Flimsy cables
- Uncomfortable ear pads
Where to get it
Comparable products to consider
At $50, the Audio Technica ATH-M20X is a bit pricier featuring a neutral sound signature and better comfort for longer listening sessions.
First Impressions
The Takstar HD 2000 has a simple and plain design.
It’s made of mostly plastic while the earcups are made from a faux leather material with a soft padding on the band. Personally, I’m not a fan of this design.
It has a Y-cable so that’s one for each ear cup. I don’t like the cable since it’s too flimsy and thin – it feels like an accidental thug will rip it off easily.
I’m also not a fan of the shiny gloss black material. It’s a fingerprint magnet and is prone to scratches.
There’s a Takstar branding on the earcups with “professional monitor headphones” text and the HD 2000 label. It’s not pleasing to look but it surely adds to the early 2010s look of it.
The earcups swivel at around 25 degrees and it works well with my face. It can also swivel outward at 180 degrees if you want to.
Build Quality
Moving on to the build quality, the Takstar HD 2000 is primarily made of plastic which makes them lightweight. The downside is durability.
It extends enough to fit large heads but the actual headband (where the foam lies) is fixed and doesn’t flex enough.
The continuous flex in certain areas, especially near the adjustment, is prone to breakage in the future.
Another point of concern is the faux leather material as it tends to break down in a few months if it accumulates sweat and oils from your face.
To sum up, the build quality is acceptable given its price but you’d need to take good care of it. It’ll last longer if you’re just using it at home.
Add some TLC and the HD 2000 should last long.
Sound Quality
The Takstar HD 2000 has decent sound quality.
It’s not mind-blowing like other headphones out there but it doesn’t disappoint either. Of course, at this price point, you’d have to tone down your expectations.
So what are you getting with these sub-$40 cans?
Takstar managed to create headphones that have a good balance.
The highs and mids are great but the lower frequencies are lacking. Bass heads will have to look elsewhere.
I listened to my usual sound tests such as “Dani California” by Red Hot Chili Peppers and “Do I Wanna Know” by Arctic Monkeys.
Doing so made it clear that the low end is not the strong point of these headphones. It lacks thump and felt quite underwhelming.
I also listened to “Fire Rhythm” by Yosha to validate my feelings about the bass. The song has a lot of funky bass lines and the HD 2000 wasn’t able to give it justice, unlike my other (and more expensive) headphones.
On a positive note, the vocals are clear and the soundstage is more than enough for casual listening.
The sound stage isn’t as wide as open-back headphones. However, there’s still enough separation between the instruments.
The sound quality is far from professional studio quality so if that’s what you are looking for, you may want to look elsewhere. However, the sound can be compared to headphones that are double the price.
Takstar HD 2000 for Gaming
Playing with dedicated headphones is better than those marketed as gaming headsets so I put the HD 2000 to the test.
I played Mortal Kombat 11, Apex Legends, Valorant, Dota 2, and The Last Of Us with these headphones and it was a pleasurable experience.
Playing single-player titles with these headphones is great but it gets uncomfortable after using it for an hour or more. It gets sweaty behind the ears so it’s a no-go for me when it comes to long gaming sessions.
It’s great for competitive games like Valorant and Overwatch since the footsteps and crucial audio cues can be heard clearly.
All in all, the Takstar HD 2000 is a great option if you want dedicated headphones for gaming. It veers away from the usual bass-heavy gaming headsets from top manufacturers.
Takstar HD 2000 for Video Editing
The Takstar HD 2000 has a neutral sound signature so you can expect that the bass is lacking.
However, this is good news for video editors and those who are in the same industry.
The flat sound means editors can work on the audio clearly. There’ll be no inconsistencies in the edits even if the viewer or listener has a different setup.
My wife, who’s a video editor, tried the HD 2000 and she said that she felt good with the setup.
She mentioned that she can clearly hear the voices while editing but she had to take it off after an hour or two because it got too uncomfortable.
As mentioned previously, I had a similar experience while gaming with it.
Overall, the Takstar HD 200 is great for video editing. It’s better than generic headphones at the same price point – the only drawback is that they can get quite uncomfortable after some time.
Conclusion
A decade after it came out, the Takstar HD 2000 is still an excellent option for headphones under $40.
It has great sound quality at the expense of its build quality.
Playing games or casual listening with it is doable. For professional work, you might want to go for something a little more expensive like the Audio Technica ATH M20X.
Is the Takstar HD 2000 worth buying?
If you’re really on a tight budget, then I’d recommend that you go ahead and purchase it since you’re getting excellent sound that’s comparable to headphones twice their price.
If you’re not in a rush to buy a pair of headphones and you can still save up more, then I’d recommend looking for something that costs more but with better quality.
Aim is a tech and gaming content writer who loves playing Apex Legends, Valorant, and Dota 2. He also plays casual games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Pokemon titles on his Nintendo Switch too. He also builds gaming computers and does tech troubleshooting on the side.
This post was last updated on 2025-02-05 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.