Sendy Audio isn’t just another Chinese headphone brand—it’s the luxury arm of Sivga, the Dongguan-based company behind cult favorites like the Phoenix and SV021. While Sivga delivers wallet-friendly options, Sendy stakes its claim in the high-end arena, blending meticulous craftsmanship with eye-catching design. Many of you know Sendy from our previous reviews of the Peacock and the Apollo, and the new Aiva 2 continues that tradition of flagship ambition. The original Aiva was a hit, so naturally Sendy decided to iterate—but is the Aiva 2 a true upgrade or just a sideways shuffle?
For context, the same factory handles R&D and production for both brands, meaning quality control isn’t just a buzzword. Sendy’s line starts around $300 and tops out at $1,600 for the flagship, so bargain hunters need not apply—but audiophiles who care about build, detail, and sonic flair will want to pay attention.
Sendy Audio Aiva 2: Technology & Specifications
Sendy has made meaningful changes to the Aiva where it counts most: the drivers. They remain planar-magnetic and measure 97 x 76 millimeters, but the thickness has been trimmed to just a single micron. Combined with double-sided magnets, this design tweak is meant to deliver a more dynamic and detailed sound—though we’ll put that claim to the test in our listening impressions.
The impedance and sensitivity remain unchanged at 32 Ohms and 96 dB/mW, which is a relief for anyone who enjoyed how easily the original Aiva could be driven.
Sendy Audio Aiva 2: Design, Build Quality & Comfort
At $599, you’d expect the Aiva 2 to be built like something special—and it is. These headphones are not just solid; they also turn heads. The zebrawood cup housings are now a darker shade, giving the Aiva 2 a more mature, understated look—a change I appreciate.
The rest of the design is largely unchanged from the original Aiva, and that’s a good thing. CNC-machined aluminum, spring steel in the headband, and lambskin padding all convey quality. I’m a fan of the open-back mesh, styled like fish scales, which adds subtle flair without feeling gaudy. Overall, the Aiva 2 looks luxurious and well worth its price, and yes, it wouldn’t look out of place atop a coffee table in a rustic Swiss chalet.
The included cable deserves its own paragraph. It’s arguably the best bundled cable I’ve seen under $1,000: a four-core 6N OCC braided design that’s flexible, lightweight, and visually striking. Wooden splitters, fish-scale connectors, and metal spring strain reliefs make it feel like a separate high-end purchase. Accessories don’t stop there—you also get a leather hard case (plush enough to look like a baby’s bottom), a portable hemp bag, and a 4.4mm-to-3.5mm adapter. Sendy clearly didn’t cut corners here.
Comfort-wise, the Aiva 2 is impressive despite tipping the scales at 420 grams. Weight distribution is excellent, and lateral clamp force is just right. The contoured earpads mold around your ears, preventing pressure points while offering airflow—something that will matter in hotter climates.
Minor quibbles: the earcups don’t rotate fully, so resting the headphones on a table or around your neck is awkward. I’m also picky about symmetry, so the free-moving headband adjustment mechanism isn’t my favorite. Both are minor, personal issues that most users likely won’t notice.
Listening
For this review, the Sendy Audio Aiva 2 was put through the wringer across a wide range of source gear. On the portable side, that included the FiiO BTR17, Campfire Audio Relay, and Shanling M3 Plus DAP. Desktop testing involved high-powered setups such as the SMSL DO400 and FiiO K17 DAC/amps, both with and without the Aune S17 Pro amplifier.
A mix of Spotify streams and hi-res FLAC files served as the soundtrack, giving a clear picture of the Aiva 2’s sonic capabilities. Here’s what I discovered.
Bass
If you’re chasing earth-shattering bass, the Aiva 2 isn’t your weapon of choice. But for high-quality, textured lows, it’s right in the sweet spot.
The bass doesn’t hit with the brute force of something like the HiFiMAN Arya, yet there’s plenty of detail, layering, and nuance to keep the rhythm satisfying. There’s a whisper of roll-off starting around 60 Hz, but it’s subtle—barely noticeable in most tracks.
Only when listening to “Why So Serious?” by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard did I notice that the 20 Hz rumble doesn’t pop quite as vividly as it would on a headphone with a completely flat bass response, like the Fosi Audio i5.
Midrange
The midrange on the Sendy Aiva 2 is solid, offering a natural, organic presentation that handles most instruments and vocals with convincing accuracy. But it’s not without its quirks.
The upper mids lean a touch hot, which can introduce mild fatigue during longer listening sessions. Coupled with a dead-flat lower midrange, some tracks come across a bit lean. For instance, Chris Martin’s vocals on Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” lacked the fullness I was hoping for, making them sound slightly thin compared to more mid-forward headphones.
Treble
Overall, the Aiva 2 leans bright, but it’s far from harsh or grating—just not what I’d call a relaxed listen.
There’s plenty of sparkle, giving tracks a sense of clarity and enhancing perceived detail. L’Impératrice’s “La Lune” was a perfect example, where the high-pitched triangle hits stood out with ease.
For me, the treble is the Aiva 2’s highlight. It’s crystal clear, perfectly pitched, and never drifts into fatiguing territory, making it a joy for extended listening sessions.
Imaging & Soundstage
The Aiva 2 delivers what I’d call a truly “coherent” soundstage. Every instrument and vocal sits exactly where it should—no guessing, no imaginary repositioning—and no, I’m not talking about the Radiohead song. This level of spatial clarity is something many headphones simply can’t achieve.
Imaging is excellent, and the soundstage impressively expansive, stretching far in both height and width. For comparison, it’s more open than the Fosi Audio i5 but not quite as vast as the HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled—which, to be fair, costs over four times as much.
Drivability
The Sendy Audio Aiva 2 has a low impedance but a middling sensitivity. That means you’ll want some form of dedicated amplification to get the most out of them, though most portable devices will handle them adequately.
For instance, they sounded impressive straight from the Campfire Audio Relay dongle DAC, reaching ear-piercing volumes with at least 15 steps to spare.
That said, the Aiva 2 really shines with higher-quality source gear. Switching to the FiiO K17 DAC/Amp—which delivers almost ten times the wattage of the Relay—brought noticeable improvements in attack, decay, bass texture, and overall macrodynamics.
The Bottom Line
The Sendy Audio Aiva 2 delivers premium craftsmanship and impressive sonic performance for $599, making it one of the best high-end headphones under $1,000. The planar-magnetic drivers offer clear, detailed mids and treble, a coherent soundstage, and textured bass—though bass impact is restrained for those chasing heavy low-end.
Build quality is exceptional, with luxurious materials and one of the best included cables in its class. Minor quibbles include slightly hot upper mids and limited earcup rotation, but for most listeners, the Aiva 2 hits the sweet spot between design, comfort, and sound.
Pros:
- Luxurious, solid build with premium materials
- Included four-core 6N OCC cable feels high-end and flexible
- Comfortable fit with well-distributed weight and contoured earpads
- Clear, detailed treble with minimal fatigue
- Coherent, immersive soundstage with precise imaging
- Scales well with higher-quality source gear
Cons:
- Upper mids can feel slightly hot during long sessions
- Midrange may sound lean on certain tracks
- Earcups don’t rotate fully, limiting resting positions
- 420 grams
Where to buy:
For more information: sendyaudio.com
Related Reading:
- Sendy Apollo Headphones: Review
- Sendy Audio Peacock Planar Magnetic Headphones: Review
- Sivga Luan Open-Back Headphones: Review
- Sivga SV023 Open Back Headphones: Review
- Best In Show Headphones At CanJam London 2025 & Must-Hear Highlights
