Timsok TS-1024: Unboxing

Introduction

Here we have the new kid on the headphone block: Timsok.

Not much to say or introduce about the brand here; it’s a fresh face with basically zero track record, and this TS-1024 planar headphone (brought in by Linsoul) is their debut in the headphone scene. Typically chifi companies tend to play it safe with their debutante ball and go with a more budget entry, but not Timsok.

Timsok has decided to make a splash by diving headfirst into what isn’t just kilobuck territory, but into double kilobuck territory. It’s a bold strategy Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for ’em.

Well, now I guess it’s time to answer the burning question: how good is the TS-1024 actually?

Product page: https://www.linsoul.com/products/timsok-ts-1024

MSRP: $2,000

Driver type: Planar magnetic

This TS-1024 was kindly provided by Linsoul.

Non-audio opinions

My unboxing posts are pretty much the only times I’ll ever talk about build quality, accessories and the like. I’m not really the person to ask about these things as I don’t really care about them that much.

Accessories:

4.4mm balanced to 2.5mm balanced adapter
4.4mm balanced to 3.5mm SE adapter
4.4mm balanced to XLR balanced adapter
USB drive containing QC measurements

Cable: 8-core round braid. A little stiff, and strangely odd to see it on a headphone. Seems like a cable that’s more fitting for an IEM for some reason.

Connection: 3.5mm TRS per channel, terminated into 4.4mm balanced.

Build: solid metal, no obvious weak points. Minimal squeaking around the hinges, overall sturdy at first glance.

Fit: back of the pads is a lot thicker, which does help in maintaining a good seal especially for larger heads. Wished that the headband would extend a little further, but otherwise no complaints on comfort.

Isolation: open-backed, no need to say more.

Initial impressions

Not as bad as the measurements suggest.
Does remind me a little of the Sendy Aiva. A decent planar, not too much upper-mid suckout and the lower-mids are fairly restrained without being overly boxy like the Empyrean or something.
Treble is a concern and a potential dealbreaker. Does help to balance out the lower frequencies but the overall tuning just comes off as slightly imbalanced as a result.
I think I prefer this over the GL2000.
Timsok does provide individualised QC measurements for every TS-1024, which is a nice bonus that I hope more manufacturers start adopting.
- Considering that Timsok is using an Audio Precision system, it’s fair to say that they’re probably using a GRAS 45CA or KEMAR which would be compatible with my measurements database.
- Also, their scaling makes the TS-1024’s treble spike look even worse. Yikes.
Big problem is the price tag. $2,000 commands the expectation of “some of the best in the world”, and bluntly speaking the TS-1024 is nowhere close to that. Decent maybe for around $500.
- Timsok seems to be a little inconsistent with their measurement methodology. They registered channel imbalance in my unit whereas my own measurements show nothing out of the ordinary.

Measurements

All data has been uploaded to the Graph Comparison Tool.
URL sharing has also been enabled:
https://crinacle.com/graphs/headphones/graphtool/?share=IEF_Neutral_Target,TS-1024

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