TEST: Sendy Audio Aiva

 When I first heard the name Sendy Audio, I had to admit to my shame that I had never heard this name before. However, a little research made me aware that the Chinese manufacturer appears to be an established manufacturer in the HiFi sector that now wants to expand its presence into the pro studio area. For testing, we have the Sendy Audio Aiva, which, with a retail price of €649, is in the upper price range and faces plenty of competition from established manufacturers such as Beyerdynamic, AKG, Fostex and many others. Let's see what the Aiva has to offer in terms of setting features.

The packaging and accessories of the Sendy Audio Aiva

Anyone like me who has around 15 headphones to store in their studio is always happy to have packaging that offers stacking as a third storage option in addition to the usual stuffing in drawers or sometimes helplessly hanging them on microphone stands. Here, Sendy takes the pole position by adding a durable hard case with a coarsely toothed zipper plus 4 plastic feet for upright positioning to the headphones. Unfortunately, a few threads came loose from the zipper seams after a short time, but these could be cut off.

What is an absolute no-go, however, is the repeated use of real leather within the product. The entire cover of the hard case and, as it later turned out, the carrying strap and the ear pads were made from so-called high-protein leather, which is no longer ethically sustainable these days. There is a huge amount of synthetic leather, such as that used in all Apple accessories, which is even superior to the skin of dead animals in several wearing and care aspects and excludes the suffering involved in obtaining real leather.

In addition to the actual headphones, there is also a small fabric bag inside in which the connecting cable and an adapter are housed. This is where you come across the first unusual approach that the Sendy Audio Aiva has to offer. The copper-colored, double-sided and pluggable headphone cable is supplied in the basic version with the extremely rare 4.4 mm Pentaconn plug. Well, it may be that the acceptance of this plug may increase in the future and a short adapter cable is also included for regular stereo mini jack operation, but wait, isn't there something missing? It's hard to believe, but it's actually true that anyone who wants to use these headphones with the standard 6.3 mm jack output, which is used in 99.9% of all listening situations in the studio, has to buy an additional adapter. A decision that I absolutely cannot understand.

Well, maybe the manufacturer is focusing more on the classic mobile device as a sound source, which would also explain the low impedance of just 32 ohms, but here too the adapter solution is not convincing. The Pentaconn mini jack adapter is very solid, but also so heavy that it puts excessive strain on a headphone jack when in use, not to mention a lightning to 3.5 mm adapter. For me personally, this is a very questionable and completely impractical solution in every respect.

The design of the headphones

Let's turn to the headphones. As expected, the real wood shells are the big eye-catchers, which are made from zebra wood (zebrano), a protected tropical wood grown in West Africa. The foam pads are cut asymmetrically and try to compensate for the shape of the face, which normally gets slimmer towards the bottom, to ensure even pressure. In my case, this worked very well. The unusual hinge solution for adjusting the head width was also impressive in detail, although a little stiff.

What worried me personally, however, was the very heavy weight of the headphones in my test model, which weighed 460 grams without a cable and 540 grams with a cable, which caused several problems. Firstly, I found the latent pressure on the neck area to be quite tiring, and secondly, the weight of the headphones meant that when I turned my head quickly, they exerted a lot of centrifugal force, which made them unstable on my head at least. However, everyone should decide for themselves whether they can cope with this weight.

For people with small heads, there may be problems with the pressure of the headphones. For my head shape, the smallest setting was just enough to give the headphones the necessary stability; unfortunately, a tighter setting was not possible. Although you can open the connection of the strap using a Torx screwdriver, it is unfortunately not possible to increase the tension due to the widened shape of the strap.

The technical data of the Sendy Audio Aiva

The first setting feature of the Sendy Audio Aiva is the planar magnetic drivers, which are said to be very insensitive to any kind of sound distortion due to their design (very thin film between 2 magnets) and also impress with a very fast response and an extremely neutral sound. According to the data sheet, the headphones have a frequency response of 5 - 50,000 Hz, which is far above what the human ear can perceive in both the bass and treble ranges. The extent to which this approach makes sense is controversially discussed by several experts, so I don't want to open up this can of worms in this test report. The headphones are designed to be open, with the sound pressure reaching a rather low value of 96 dB.

The sound of the Sendy Audio Aiva

Connected to an iPhone X, the headphones seem relatively quiet at first glance despite their comparatively low impedance. In order to get a decent level, I had to use the Lightning adapter to turn up the volume to the upper quarter. When using a high-quality headphone amplifier, in my case an SPL Phonitor, this point was of course irrelevant. In terms of sound, however, the headphones are convincing in several respects. Firstly, the headphones sound very "calm" without sounding too analytical. The general sound impression is very balanced and immediately leaves a pleasant basic mood. The detail is very good and, even with heavily mastered material, still provides enough instrumental differentiation, which is often lacking, especially with tonally questionable material. A very good example is the hi-hat or the entire cymbal area of ​​a drum set, which in many heavy productions only exists on paper, but here it can sometimes hold its own very well in the sound.

The often problematic mid-range is also convincing. In several productions, both in the reference range and in albums I produced myself, the guitars, whether in standard or drop tuning down to baritone tuning, held their own and were reproduced with accentuation. The vocals were also drawn with sufficient detail without the corresponding sibilants being resolved too finely.

In terms of tone, the Sendy Audio Aiva brings out the typical planar magnetic sound, i.e. the headphones are extremely quick to respond, bring out the bass range discreetly but tightly and color the highs very slightly with a touch of compression. The ultra-high range is somewhat reduced than with other headphones, but this does not detract from the good overall sound. In contrast to its limited wearing comfort, in my opinion, the long-term acoustic use offers no reason for criticism. The sound is still pleasant even after a long studio session and enables fatigue-free work.

In general, the Sendy Audio Aiva makes a variety of signals sound "better" than is sometimes the case. This headphone is very suitable for "feeling good", but you should definitely listen to it again and again on various "challenging" monitors to be on the safe side.

Conclusion

The Sendy Audio Aiva leaves a polarizing impression in its overall impression. In terms of sound, the planar magnetic headphones impress with a very balanced and cleanly accentuated sound, which is very relaxed with plenty of headroom and is a very good tool for longer sessions.

On the other hand, it scares users off with its high weight, impractical cabling including a lack of adapter accessories, limited wearing comfort with a small head circumference and the use of ethically questionable materials.

If the Chinese manufacturer were to eliminate the negative points, which are all very easy to fix, you would be dealing with a top-class headphone that only sounds excellent. As it is at the moment, everyone has to decide for themselves whether to give the Sendy Audio Aiva a chance.

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Additional Informations:

In the realm of high-fidelity audio, few brands have emerged with such impact and reverence as Sendy Audio. Known for their commitment to craftsmanship and exceptional sound quality, Sendy Audio has quickly established itself as a prominent player in the world of audiophile headphones. This is the story of how Sendy Audio began, the challenges it overcame, and the innovations that have defined its journey.

### The Vision: Where Passion Meets Precision

Sendy Audio was founded with a singular vision: to create headphones that offer unparalleled sound quality and design. This vision was the brainchild of a group of passionate audiophiles and engineers based in China. United by their love for music and high-fidelity audio, they aimed to challenge the status quo and deliver products that could rival the best in the industry.

From the outset, the founders of Sendy Audio were driven by a deep understanding of sound and a commitment to quality. They believed that exceptional audio equipment could enhance the listening experience, allowing music to be heard as the artist intended. This belief became the cornerstone of Sendy Audio's philosophy and guided every aspect of their work.

### Early Challenges: Building a Brand from the Ground Up

Like many startups, Sendy Audio faced numerous challenges in its early days. The company began as a small operation, with limited resources and a tight-knit team of engineers and designers. Despite these constraints, the team was determined to create headphones that stood out in a crowded market.

One of the biggest challenges was sourcing high-quality materials that met their exacting standards. The team spent countless hours researching and testing different materials, from diaphragms to ear pads, to ensure that every component contributed to the overall sound quality and durability of the headphones. This meticulous attention to detail would become a hallmark of Sendy Audio's products.

### The Breakthrough: Introduction of the Aiva

Sendy Audio's breakthrough came with the introduction of the Aiva, an open-back planar magnetic headphone that quickly gained acclaim for its exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship. The Aiva was a product of years of research and development, embodying the company's dedication to innovation and excellence.

The Aiva featured a unique design with a handcrafted wooden ear cup, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. But it was the sound quality that truly set it apart. The planar magnetic drivers delivered a wide, immersive soundstage with precise imaging and rich, detailed bass. Audiophiles and critics alike praised the Aiva for its ability to reproduce music with remarkable clarity and accuracy.

The success of the Aiva put Sendy Audio on the map, earning the company a reputation for producing high-end headphones that could compete with established brands. It also provided the momentum needed to continue developing new and innovative products.

### Innovation and Expansion: Pushing the Boundaries of Sound

Building on the success of the Aiva, Sendy Audio continued to innovate and expand its product line. The company invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and advanced research and development to push the boundaries of what was possible in headphone design.

One of the key areas of focus was the development of planar magnetic technology. Sendy Audio's engineers worked tirelessly to refine and enhance this technology, resulting in headphones that offered even greater precision and performance. Each new model incorporated the latest advancements in materials and design, further solidifying Sendy Audio's position as a leader in the industry.

### The Spirit of Craftsmanship: A Commitment to Quality

At the heart of Sendy Audio's success is a commitment to craftsmanship and quality. Every pair of headphones is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans who take pride in their work. From the selection of materials to the final assembly, each step of the manufacturing process is carefully monitored to ensure that every product meets the highest standards of excellence.

This dedication to quality extends to customer service as well. Sendy Audio is known for its responsive and attentive customer support, ensuring that every customer receives the best possible experience. Whether it's answering questions about products or providing assistance with warranty claims, the company's commitment to its customers is unwavering.

### Collaborations and Partnerships: Enhancing the Listening Experience

Sendy Audio's commitment to excellence has led to several collaborations and partnerships with renowned audio engineers and musicians. These collaborations have played a crucial role in the development of new products and have helped the company stay at the forefront of the industry.

One notable collaboration was with a leading acoustic engineer who helped refine the tuning of the Aiva and subsequent models. This partnership resulted in headphones that not only met but exceeded the expectations of even the most discerning audiophiles. Such collaborations exemplify Sendy Audio's dedication to working with the best in the industry to create products that set new standards of quality and performance.

### Looking Ahead: The Future of Sendy Audio

As Sendy Audio looks to the future, the company remains committed to its core values of innovation, quality, and craftsmanship. With a strong foundation built on years of experience and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Sendy Audio is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of high-fidelity audio.

The company plans to expand its product line, exploring new technologies and materials to create headphones that offer even greater performance and value. Additionally, Sendy Audio is committed to sustainability, implementing environmentally friendly practices and materials in its production processes. This commitment to sustainability reflects the company's broader mission to create products that are not only exceptional in performance but also responsible in their production.

### Conclusion: A Journey of Passion and Precision

The story of Sendy Audio is one of passion, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. From its humble beginnings to its status as a leader in the high-fidelity audio industry, Sendy Audio has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in headphone design and performance. With a focus on quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction, Sendy Audio continues to set new standards in the world of audiophile headphones, creating products that inspire and enable music lovers to experience their favorite tracks in all their glory.