At the moment, Nihal evaluations the Sendy Audio Aiva 2, a second-generation set of open-back dual-sided 97mm x 76mm planar driver magnetic headphones. They’re presently priced at $599.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in change for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank Sendy Audio for his or her assist.
Click on right here to study extra about Sendy Audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This submit follows our present scoring pointers, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
Sendy Audio Aiva 2 Assessment
Abstract
The Sendy Audio Aiva 2 a really aggressive set of open-back planar headphones in its worth vary. It has a premium construct, well-thought-out equipment, with a sound that may attraction to those that lean towards an analytical taste
Professionals
Immersive soundstage.
Textured and detailed bass.
Premium construct high quality and good set of equipment.
Cons
Decrease midrange may have extra physique.
Exaggerated highs.
Sendy Audio has not been within the scene for very lengthy. Whereas their sister model, SIVGA, has been fairly energetic within the finances IEM and headphone area, Sendy hasn’t launched a brand new product in practically half a decade.
I by no means had the possibility to strive any of Sendy Audio’s choices, however contemplating they share the identical stage of expertise as SIVGA merchandise and that they cater to the mid-fi market, their lineup is sort of fascinating.
They’ve now provide you with the Aiva 2, which is presently priced at $599. The Aiva 2 is the successor to their extensively appreciated planar magnetic headphone, the Aiva, which Marcus reviewed practically six years in the past.
On this assessment, we’ll take an in-depth take a look at the brand new launch, examine it to some distinguished headphones such because the SIVGA SV023 and Sennheiser HD 660S2, and see if the lengthy wait was value it.
Options
Like its predecessor, the Aiva 2 is a planar magnetic driver headphone. The drivers are 97×76mm double Nepheline magnetic array planars with a 1-micron-thin diaphragm.
This ultra-thin design delivers wonderful decision, detailed mids and treble, sturdy transients, and a spacious soundstage.
The Aiva 2 has an impedance of 32 Ω @ 1 kHz and a sensitivity score of 96 dB/Vrms. It drives pretty simply with a lot of the sources I attempted, be it a cellphone, a dongle, or different low-rated sources. With higher energy, the dynamics do enhance.
Design
Like earlier Sendy Audio fashions, the Aiva 2 includes a related construct with picket earcups and a dual-structure headband comprising a metallic arch with a leather-based strap beneath it.
It seems similar to the earlier Aiva model, with the important thing distinction being the deeper colours on the earcups of the newer mannequin.
The headscarf makes use of a easy floating suspension system that may be adjusted by sliding the leather-based strap up and down. I discovered it pretty easy to regulate to my head dimension.
The outer cups are crafted from stable zebrawood with a sublime end. The shiny outer grille shows a geometrical scale-like sample resembling a mermaid’s physique, which additionally aids in acoustic transparency for the planar magnetic drivers.
This identical sample can be current on the cable {hardware}. The mix of the pure wooden end and the commercial grille creates a luxury-meets-tech aesthetic.
The cable connects utilizing twin 3.5mm mini jacks on the earcup ends. The ear pads are manufactured from leather-based lined with a mushy, velvet-like materials for enhanced consolation. Additionally they have a novel indirect design to suit the contours across the ears.
Consolation & Isolation
At any time when I strive headphones, the burden and luxury are a very powerful components for me, as I can not bear heavy headphones. Fortunately, the Aiva 2, with its weight of 420gm, will not be too heavy for me.
The thoughtfully designed headband helps in distributing the burden evenly and doesn’t put any added strain on the pinnacle. The headscarf has a easy sliding mechanism to regulate the headphones.
There may be very minimal clamping power, which provides rather a lot to the consolation issue. The ear cups have mushy and breathable ear pads on them, offering sufficient area for my ears to take a seat in comfortably.
The ear pads usually are not flat, as with a lot of the headphones that I strive. They’ve a contoured form, adjusting to the realm they contact across the ears.
The ear cups swivel 30 levels, which I believe is much less, as a full swivel permits for simpler dealing with. I don’t discover isolation to be a powerful swimsuit of those headphones, as a substantial quantity of noise seeps in when they’re over the ears.
Total, I don’t have many complaints concerning the consolation issue of those headphones. They’re fairly comfy, and I may put on them for hours.
Inventory Cable
The inventory cable on the Aiva 2 jogs my memory of premium-built IEM cables. The cable is a 4-wire 6N OCC, with two wires having a copper look and the opposite two a darker look. It’s slim but very robustly constructed. The braiding is completed very exactly, avoiding any gaps in between.
The adapter has a really stable construct; it’s skinny, including to the slim issue. The adapter additionally has an analogous sample matching these on the earcups.
There’s a spring masking on the junction the place the cable meets the adapter, including numerous flexibility and assist in case the cable bends from there, thus securing the cable.
The Y splitter and chin cinch are manufactured from wooden. The Y splitter has the model’s brand on it. The three.5mm pins connecting to the headphones have metallic plugs with an analogous sample to these on the adapter and earcups.
Apart from this, there’s a 3.5mm to 4.4mm converter, which once more matches the general scheme. Unsure why this adapter will not be 6.35mm ended; it may assist in case somebody needs to connect with devoted amps {and professional} audio tools.
Packaging & Equipment
The headphone is packed in a light-brown, giant field with a minimal look, that includes brand artwork and an animated image of the Aiva 2 on the highest. This design theme is much like latest headphones I’ve acquired, such because the SIVGA Anser and P2 Professional.
Opening the field, you might be greeted with the headphone case, which is fitted right into a high-density foam cutout that may be very mushy and wrapped in premium material.
The headphone case homes all of the contents: the headphones, a inventory 4.4 mm-terminated cable, an interchangeable cable adapter (3.5mm to 4.4mm), and a small carry pouch. The carry pouch can be utilized to retailer the cable and the converter.
The general presentation will not be overly fancy however seems clear and carries the fitting premium contact. The truth that each accent is properly constructed is actually a bonus.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions of the Sendy Audio Aiva 2 have been accomplished utilizing a combination of my most important supply, Lotoo’s Paw Gold Contact, the Earmen Angel, and the Questyle CMA18 Grasp. For the assessment, I paired the headphones with the inventory cable.
Abstract
The Aiva 2 reveals the true traits of a planar headphone with its snappy and exact presentation, providing crisp particulars. They’re typically in-your-face, relying on the supply you pair them with.
The bass boasts a properly rounded character with satisfying depth and first rate amount. The midrange stays very pure and true to the music, with none added coloration or extreme heat. The treble has a barely sharp nature however by no means sounds harsh or overly exaggerated.
In the event you’re somebody who enjoys additional sparkle and zing within the higher frequency areas, the Aiva 2 ought to be an immediate favourite.
The technical points hit the fitting spot, making it a headphone that balances each technical efficiency and musicality very well. Relying on the supply you select, the Aiva shifts gears fairly effortlessly.
Bass
I don’t search for overwhelmingly impactful bass. Somewhat, I choose one thing that retains the enjoyable and pleasure alive. Aiva 2 delivers precisely the sort of bass I recognize.
The bass is fast and has a quick decay, whereas the impression is satisfying. It doesn’t linger for too lengthy like dynamic drivers, however makes its presence felt with a delicate contact of reverberation.
The feel and layering are on par with the headphones on this worth vary. It resolves bass strains from numerous sources fairly nicely. So, greater than the amount, it’s the standard that wins you over.
I perceive that some bassheads would possibly need a bit extra depth within the sub-bass area and a stronger impression within the mid-bass, however it by no means actually feels missing. The sub-bass has pleasing depth with sufficient rumble to maintain you engaged, particularly for those who get pleasure from tapping your ft to kick drums and bass strains.
Regardless that I stated the bass isn’t tremendous highly effective, that doesn’t imply it’s weak or flat; it’s not like that. The managed nature of this bass permits ample area for the higher frequencies to shine. With higher amplification, the bass positive aspects the ultimate bits of lacking impression, including a way of scale.
Midrange
The bass stays managed and doesn’t overwhelm the midrange, which provides the midrange area to face out. Nevertheless, this additionally means the decrease midrange sounds a bit lean, missing the depth and weight that some would possibly anticipate.
This impacts male vocals and a few devices like bass guitars and cellos, which miss nuances, and the presence feels a bit shallow.
Opposite to this lean decrease midrange, we’ve an brisk and vibrant higher midrange, which provides some sense of openness and a passable extension to the midrange. I discover feminine vocals hitting the fitting spot for me.
There are some minor flaws with the midrange, although. I discover it a bit inexpressive and missing emotion. On one hand, the midrange manages to hit the fitting tonality with a clear timbre and naturalness, however it misses on the depth and engagement entrance.
Additionally, the decision could possibly be a bit higher at revealing extra info whereas giving some added weight to the notes. Apart from these, the midrange is interesting in a normal sense.
Treble
The treble on the Aiva 2 is nothing lower than a delight for trebleheads. It’s a daring treble, the place you have got loads of sparkle and a passable stage of element on provide.
The treble notes are very resolving and layer fairly nicely. They really feel pure. The cymbals and excessive hats are crisp and have the correct quantity of vitality to them.
Typically, although, the treble could seem to have extra vitality. It’s not a kind of easy trebles that I can take heed to for lengthy. In case you are somebody who enjoys treble, the Aiva 2 received’t allow you to down. That stated, the treble could possibly be a bit smoothed out, giving it a toned-down character.
With bright-leaning sources, the synergy will not be first rate, and the treble seems fairly vivid and exaggerated. Add that with a leaner bass shelf, this aggressive tuning could also be off-putting for a lot of.
Staging & Dynamics
Once I first put the Aiva 2 on, I used to be shocked by the soundstage I used to be perceiving. It’s a really holographic soundstage with sufficient depth and width.
The soundstage is sort of tall, including to a satisfying 3-D really feel to the presentation. The sound has an ample sense of openness, due to the treble profile on Aiva 2. The channel-to-channel motion is sort of correct.
Total, the stage is grand, and it looks like you’re getting sound from the fitting corners, giving a really true-to-life immersive presentation.
The imaging is sort of first rate as nicely, serving to to very precisely place devices throughout the stage. Nevertheless, as a result of additional vitality within the tuning, imaging takes successful.
The spacious stage provides ample area to the instrument to breathe, thus giving it the ability to deal with complicated tracks fairly nicely. Even with a not-so-resolving midrange, the small print are fairly vivid right here. Some enhancements in decision would have helped the stage acquire extra depth.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my really useful pairings and chosen comparisons.
