Sendy Audio Aiva 2 Review

The Sendy Aiva 2 is an update to one of the most visually striking planar magnetic headphones in its price range. With its signature Zebrawood earcups, premium materials, and refined driver design, the Aiva 2 aims to deliver a spacious and immersive listening experience. But how does it truly perform in terms of sound quality, comfort, and build? Let’s break down its design, sound signature, and whether it stands out in the competitive world of planar magnetic headphones.

What You Get

• Aiva planar headphones
• Drawstring pouch
• Detachable 4.4mm balanced headphone cable
• 4.4mm female to 3.5mm male adapter

Look & Feel

Sendy makes a few quality changes for the Aiva 2. Like always, the Zebrawood earcups is its biggest aesthetic flourish, and it’s as expertly crafted as usual. The most impressive aspect of the Aiva 2 though is its sturdy construction. There are great materials used to support this quality build, with its steel plate yokes and suspension headband. The padding is also high quality, with the Aiva 2 using memory foam and high-protein leather to form a secure fit over your ears. For its headband, the Aiva 2 uses a suede leather fabric that is soft and helps reduce extra pressure added to the fit. I find most Sendy and Sivga headphones very comfortable, and the Aiva is no different, especially with its slanted ear cups that help encase your ears more naturally. It’s a snug fit and a wonderful piece of headphone design.

Design

The Aiva 2 uses a 97×76mm Double nepheline magnetic array planar driver with an ultra-nano double-sided magnetic 1-micron composite planar diaphragm. It’s one of the bigger driver configurations available in this price range, with a lot of connotations about its sound properties. Its most immediate effect is its output power, which is efficient with most headphone outputs, although I recommend sticking with the balanced plug since it gives the headphones the most potential.

Soundstage

When I first started listening to the Aiva 2, I was instantly enwrapped by its soundstage and spatial imaging. The Avia 2 bursts out with a sizable wingspan that demonstrates the balance of the left and right channels. It’s an immersive headspace where everything appears around you and in front of you. The sounds are placed in the open air and have tons of movement to them. This might not be the most accurate planar headphone positioning, but the separation of the instruments is highlighted considerably.

The Aiva 2 has an airy presentation that wraps around you like a sphere. It’s almost like all empty space is occupied by the layers of other sound elements, depending on how busy the track is. It results in a soundstage that doesn’t specify where sounds are coming from, as they float around you with a general idea of the stereo field. This works for the Aiva 2 because of how spacious its display is. You might not get much precision from the Aiva 2’s soundstage, but it does have a certain wow factor.

Low End

A satisfying bass response comes from Aiva 2. While it isn’t the most transparent or organized, it reproduces a good texture that adds engrossing properties to the frequency content. The tone is not shaped in a way that defines bass instruments, instead, it is used to underline a lively tone that fills out the sound signature. There’s a nice rumble to it that lifts up the bass frequencies with significant drive, all while separating itself underneath most of the mid-bass and beyond. It creates a pool of frequencies that emanate around your jaw, showcasing depth but lacking tactility.

Mids

The midrange is where the Aiva 2 gets a bit messy. It’s not a very organized response, with the frequencies rarely resonating in ways that give the mids any form. Instruments have a surface level of detail, and specific notes sometimes feel dull. However, the frequency range gains a bit of spark in the upper-mids. Vocals begin to flourish, and the timbre gains a bit more crispness. It brings out the mids to a more non-linear plain, whereas the rest of the frequency response feels a bit underpowered.

Highs

Where the Aiva 2 really shines is in its high-end detail. The frequencies have a solid presence to them, and feature the most clear definition in the sound signature. They give the sound signature great height and establish a sense of airiness in the tone. Notes have a good amount of tale, a taper-off with a nice sizzle. Sometimes the frequencies can be a bit peaky, but it never enters harsh territory. The tone is always satisfying to listen to and offers the right amount of detail to make the highs pop.

Summary

The Sendy Aiva 2 delivers a unique listening experience, combining its exquisite craftsmanship with an expansive soundstage and detailed high-end performance. While its midrange might not be the most precise, and the bass lacks some definition, its immersive spatial presentation and airy treble make it a compelling choice for those who love a spacious, atmospheric sound. If you’re searching for a stylish planar magnetic headphone with a grand, room-filling presence, the Aiva 2 is well worth considering.

The Sendy Aiva 2 is available at Audio46.