Sendy Audio Aiva 2 Headphone Review

Donate

Sendy Audio’s Aiva 2 is a special headphone as it is the numbered sequel to the original Aiva, a legend in the world of audiophiles. For the uninitiated, the wood finish and unique style may go underappreciated, but the planar sound and tuning should still impress. The question is: is the Aiva 2 just as good as the original, or have changes been made that lead to a lesser product? Here is my review.

It’s back, back again

As mentioned in the intro, the Aiva 2 revives the style of the original headphone. Machined from zebrawood, this headphone has a unique aesthetic. The redesigned headband and lamb skin pads help boost the comfort levels of this 420 gram product.

Adding to both style and functionality are the new dual 3.5 mm connectors located at the bottom of each earcup. The included 4.4 mm balanced braided copper cable — with 3.5 mm adapter for wider compatibility — carries the aesthetic flair through to the jack itself.

The Aiva 2 makes use of a new planar magnetic driver design. This boasts a 1-micron diaphragm powered by a double-magnetic array. A huge range of frequencies is outputted by this headphone, with it rated as 20 Hz up to 40 kHz. It can reproduce the lowest lows and highest highs.

A sound improvement?

On to audio performance, which is what diehard Aiva fans will be most interested in. The new Aiva 2s sound different, but not necessarily in a bad way.

The biggest change for me is the warmer tone. While it is slight and I would still describe the Aiva 2 as a neutral headphone, it leans more on the warmer sound, making for a smoother, less analytical experience. For those looking to get the best of both worlds, with a good midpoint between accurate representation and non-fatiguing listening, the Aiva 2 is in a good place.

A key highlight of the Aiva 2s sound is the midrange, with vocals sounding particularly good. Despite the aforementioned warmer-leaning tone, vocals aren’t lost. They sound clean and present in a big way.

Old vs new

Having borrowed the original Aiva for testing and this comparison, I must say that I prefer the Aiva 2 when moving quickly between units. The originals feel ever-so-slightly too boosted in the higher end and, at least for me, become fatiguing more quickly. Of course, if you loved the treble of the original, then this sequel may seem a little too dark in that area, though it is nuanced.

Remember: It’s open-back

The main downside of the Aiva 2 is a downside that impacts all open-back headphones: sound leakage. Naturally, sound played through the Aiva 2 leaks and could annoy others in the vicinity. For those new to the world of headphones, I think it’s important to note this quirk. If this is an issue for you, then closed-back is the way to go.

Disclosure: Review sample provided by Sendy Audio.

Final Verdict

At $599, the Sendy Audio Aiva 2 retains the price of the original, which is impressive given the time between releases and the extremely similar quality of components, at least on the surface level. Obviously, the cost to consumers is still up there, but for those in the market for a legendary planar headphone that has been revived in a great way, the Aiva 2 is well worth considering.