Review: Nextbit x AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones
In Croatia, only a few people are familiar with the company Nextbit that I started following from the start. I also can say that I’m the proud owner of Robin smartphone, on which review I’m working. More information about nextbit Robin can be found on the official website.
In early May on they official Twitter account nextbit run a contest where they ask for everyone to put the song that would go with a picture of the pyramid they post. The first song that came to my mind was “Walk Like An Egyptian” of the group The Bangles. Winning award was AIAIAI TMA-2 headset.
I have not previously had contact with the company AIAIAI. The only thing I knew that their headphones TMA-1 are highly praised in DJ circles because of its modularity. After I won, I look for all details about headset and was very excited about them. I couldn’t wait for them to arrive to hear my favorite songs on this premium headphones.
When the headphones were delivered, the first thing I was pleasantly surprised was their packaging. A big box with nextbit logo which when opened contains gratitude and headphone parts: cable in mint color, headband, speakers unit and PU leather earpads. Every part was packed in an own sealed bag. Frankly, I didn’t want to open them because it looked so nice.
You can look at the unpacking video on my FB page. Just a note that video is on Croatian and a little awkward because it went live without any special preparation.
To merge headphones you don’t need manual and it’s all over in a few minutes. The only warning that comes with headphones is that in the first 24 hours speakers unit shouldn’t be overloaded. I have stuck to that rule. Also, I can never listen to music on high volume because no matter how good headphones are, vocal lose its quality.
As far as the technical characteristics, they are:
- Driver diameter: 40 mm
- SPL: 120 dB
- Resonance freq.: 85 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Rated power: 20 mW
- Max power: 30 mW
- Diaphragm: PET
- Magnet: Premium Neodymium
- Weight: 255 g
More details about this configuration can be found on AIAIAI site.
Of course, what matters most is how music sounds in the headphones. Two words that best describe everything would be crystal clear. The sound in all songs were clear — the vocals where crisp, you could hear all backing vocals and instruments. Only when you have a good headset like this, you realize that some songs are very complex and they have a lot of layers of sound.
While listening music in quiet, sound is perfect and it is enough that volume level little less than half of maximum. On the street where there is a lot of traffic noise, you need to boost volume. I have feeling that earpads don’t isolate enough. Maybe with another setup, results would be better. What I loved about this earpads are how soft they are and there wasn’t problem wearing headphones for a couple of hours. As pads are made from PU leather, you can expect ear sweating in summer.
Certainly, the best past of AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones is their modularity. Everyone can customize headphones they taste. Let’s say if someone wants speakers with stronger bass or better headband, they can such configuration. The headphone price depends on the configuration.
The special nextbit TMA-2 version has cable in mint color that goes perfectly with a mint version of Robin. The cable is 120 centimeters long and also contains a microphone.
These headphones can be purchased through the official nextbit store for $225 US dollars.