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ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
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Lstn Troubadours Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£120Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:8 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Lstn Troubadours Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Lstn Troubadours
6.1/10

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
Score components

80%

6.1

Technical score

20%

6.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 56% of headphones
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 59%
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 60% of models
Score components

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.5

Design

8%

6.5

Connectivity

6%

5.5

Battery

4%

6.4

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 60%
6.1

User score

User score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

1.7

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 96%
  • lstn-troubadours
  • lstn-troubadours
lstn-troubadours
lstn-troubadours
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Lstn Troubadours

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 60% of models
Score components:

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.5

Design

8%

6.5

Connectivity

6%

5.5

Battery

4%

6.4

Calls & Controls

6.1
User score
User score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

1.7

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.1
Popularity
Popularity
1.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Popularity:
Lstn Troubadours has a popularity score of 1.7 points, which is lower than that of 72.7% of products in this category.
1.7
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
18 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 18 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 49.6% of headphones and equal to 3.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
4.1
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 4.1, newer Bluetooth version than 62.3% of headphones and equal to 5.4% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
9 m
Market range: <10 m – >15 m
This pair of headphones offers a Bluetooth range of 9 m, lower Bluetooth range than 98.7% of headphones and equal to 1.1% of headphones.
Audio latency
?
Multipoint support
yes
This pair of headphones supports multipoint. 69.4% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
8 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 8 hours, lower battery life than 93.7% of headphones and equal to 4% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
2.5 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 2.5 hours to charge, higher charging time than 53% of headphones and equal to 13% of headphones.
Quick charge
yes
This pair of headphones supports quick charge. 67% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
?
Show more
Brand name
Lstn
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
195 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 195 g, lighter than 57.4% of headphones and equal to 0.9% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Lstn Troubadours vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • 10.6% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (195 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    195 g vs 218 g
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 10.6% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (195 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    195 g vs 218 g
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 4.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    5 % vs 0.3 %
  • 22 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    8 hours vs 30 hours
  • 0.5 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (2.5 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    2.5 hours vs 2 hours
  • 30.9% lower user score
    User score
    6.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Lstn Troubadours
    the average pair of headphones
    Lstn Troubadours has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.11 vs 8).
    6.11 vs 8
  • 2.5 dB looser channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (3 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    truncated or unusable channel-balance source.
    3 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • 3.43x less popular
    Lstn Troubadours is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1.71 vs 5.9).
    1.71 vs 5.87
  • 1 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 30.9% lower user score
    User score
    6.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Lstn Troubadours
    the average pair of headphones
    Lstn Troubadours has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.11 vs 8).
    6.11 vs 8
  • 3.43x less popular
    Lstn Troubadours is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1.71 vs 5.9).
    1.71 vs 5.87
  • 4.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    5 % vs 0.3 %
  • 2.5 dB looser channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (3 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    truncated or unusable channel-balance source.
    3 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • 1 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 22 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    8 hours vs 30 hours
  • 0.5 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (2.5 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    2.5 hours vs 2 hours

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

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Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

the-gadgeteer.com
07/01/2014
Hands-on test · Retro wood headphones
Verdict
The LSTN Troubadours are stylish, warm-sounding retro headphones that suit vocals, classic rock and older recordings, but disappoint hip-hop fans who want more bass.
pcmag.com
02/07/2013
Listening test · Wood-cup headphones
Verdict
The LSTN Troubadours sound great with crisp highs and rich lows, but the padding-free metal headband makes them uncomfortable.
soundguys.com
27/02/2015
Listening test · Retro wood headphones
Verdict
The LSTN Troubadour sounds warm and fun, especially with older recordings, but its tight-fitting cups may be uncomfortable.
newatlas.com
22/07/2013
Hands-on test · Wood-cup headphones
Verdict
The LSTN Troubadours are a light, comfortable wood-cupped pair that blocks some room noise, but bass-heavy tuning blurs busy tracks.
digitaltrends.com
23/08/2019
Full review · Wood-cup headphones
Verdict
The LSTN Troubadour is a stylish reclaimed-wood pair whose boomy bass suits hip-hop but muddies most music, so better-value rivals win.
headphone.guru
29/04/2015
Hands-on review · Wooden on-ear headphones
Verdict
The LSTN Troubadours are a laid-back, bassy on-ear pair that needs no amp, with comfortable pads but a raw-looking headband and a mic that snags.
H
head-fi.org
12/06/2013
Summary of the review
A Noobs review of the LSTN Troubadours Would you like to see reviews for the Troubadour 2 or the Wireless version to compare how the design evolved?
W
wanderingeducators.com
17/03/2015
Summary of the review
LSTN: The Stylish Headphones That Give Back Would you like to see a list of similar wooden headphones that offer better comfort and padding?
M
mensstylepro.com
02/01/2015
Summary of the review
The Gift Of Sound With LSTN Troubadour Headphones
pursuit.ca
09/03/2016
Short test · Wood-cup headphones
Verdict
The LSTN Troubadours are a warm, deep-bass pair that sounds far better than earbuds, but this review's testing covered only one week.

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Lstn Troubadours

  • Eco-friendly construction using reclaimed wood
  • Attractive, unique retro-inspired design
  • Portion of proceeds supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation
  • Lightweight and surprisingly portable for their look
  • Detachable nylon-covered cable increases durability and value
  • Sound signature is warm and generally pleasant for older recordings like classic rock
  • Effective passive noise isolation for daily commuting

What customers don't like about Lstn Troubadours

  • Uncomfortable headband with little to no padding
  • Awkward fit; triangular ear cups may sit poorly on some ear shapes
  • Bass can become 'soupy' or distorted at higher volumes
  • Limited inline remote lacks volume control
  • Fragile feel despite the use of metal and wood
  • Included carrying pouch offers minimal protection against drops or pressure
  • Priced higher than competitors with similar or better audio performance

Verdict

The LSTN Troubadours are handcrafted on-ear headphones featuring real reclaimed wood ear cups—available in varieties like Zebra, Beech, and Cherry—and 40mm neodymium drivers that deliver a warm, natural sound profile with a frequency response of 18Hz to 22kHz. Key characteristics include a 32-ohm impedance for easy driving by mobile devices, 101dB sensitivity, and a durable 1.2m nylon-wrapped detachable cable with an integrated microphone and remote. Their main advantages lie in their unique eco-friendly aesthetic, surprisingly lightweight 195g build, and social mission where sales support hearing restoration. However, they are often noted for having inconsistent long-term comfort due to an unpadded metal headband, a lack of a protective hard case, and a sound signature that can occasionally lack deep sub-bass or experience distortion at very high volumes.

Compare Lstn Troubadours with other products in the Headphones category

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