Philips TAH2000 Review: Is This Retro Headphone a Best Buy?

When dealing with high-end headphones, I sometimes find myself missing the simplicity of lighter, more effortless gear. That is why I picked this up. Recently, I introduced the Philips 100th Anniversary SHP9500CY wired headphones, nicknamed “The Freddie” after Freddie Mercury. This time, I am looking at the Philips 100th Anniversary TAH2000 wireless headphones, nicknamed “The Ringo” after The Beatles’ Ringo Starr. With a serious retro vibe, let’s see if it offers more than just its affordable price tag.

Unboxing and Accessories

The packaging is practical. Inside the paper box, you will find the unit and a manual. What stands out are the additional ear pads. Along with the default gray, you get grapefruit and lemon-colored pads, allowing you to customize the look based on your mood. Considering the price is in the 20,000 KRW range, I was impressed by the build quality and the thoughtful inclusions.

Design and Comfort

The design is the epitome of minimalism. Thanks to its Y2K aesthetic, it works perfectly as a fashion accessory. It weighs only about 80g, making it incredibly lightweight. As an on-ear model, it sits directly on the ears, but the pads are soft enough that there is almost no pressure. The headband tension is gentle, making it ideal for casual walks. It is so comfortable that I felt no pain even after long listening sessions.

Core Sound Quality

The overall sound balance leans towards a clear, crisp profile that emphasizes vocals and highs. Without the muddiness often found in low-cost audio gear, the transparent highs bring out the shimmer of instruments, and the forward-positioned vocals ensure excellent clarity in lyrics. While the bass isn’t about deep, booming impact, it provides a tight, firm finish that maintains balance. For those who crave heavy bass, it might feel a bit thin, but the tuning clearly prioritizes a clean, clutter-free sound. I wish it supported LDAC for a small price increase, but for this price point, this tuning makes perfect sense.

Resolution, Soundstage, and Imaging

Even within the physical limitations of an on-ear design, the layering of instruments is quite respectable. The sound doesn’t become a jumbled mess; it offers decent directional cues and stable resolution. While it doesn’t reach the expansive soundstage or micro-detail of high-end equipment, its core performance is rock-solid for the price. It truly shines when listening to simple instrumentals or casual video consumption.

Real-World Usage

After using these for a few days, it became clear that this product is laser-focused on practicality and convenience. The ability to fine-tune the EQ via a dedicated app is a rare and powerful feature in this price range. At first, the extremely light weight made it feel a bit like a toy, but as I wore it through long hours of work and chores, I grew to appreciate the sense of liberation it provides.

The Bluetooth connection stability exceeded expectations, and the multi-point support was incredibly convenient, allowing me to switch instantly from watching videos on my laptop to taking calls on my phone. It’s a device with a unique charm that lets you enjoy music like a background to your daily life without the analytical fatigue of high-end gear.

Pros

• Extremely lightweight with a comfortable fit
• Retro design makes for a great fashion statement
• Affordable price makes it an excellent, thoughtful gift
• Up to 26 hours of battery life with 6 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge

Cons

• No noise cancellation and the on-ear design lets in ambient noise
• Audiophiles seeking LDAC or extreme soundstage depth may feel it’s lacking

Tips Before Buying

I highly recommend installing the Philips app if you want to play with the EQ. Personally, I found the “Dynamic Bass” enhancement mode more satisfying than manual EQ settings. Also, a new brown color option has been released; since it’s a newer addition, the brown box even features the VGP 2025 SUMMER award logo.

Final Thoughts

This product showcases the strength of a brand like Philips. At the 20,000 KRW price point, they’ve packed in retro flair, decent sound, and practical features. It may not offer earth-shattering performance, but it is an unbeatable companion for daily listening. I hope you get to experience the surprise of its unexpectedly high-quality sound.

Philips TAH2000 The Ringo Retro Open-back 40mm Wireless Bluetooth Headphones naver.me