What’s your favorite way to listen to music? Is it having your tunes blast through some huge speakers or do you prefer something more intimate and through a set of really good headphones? Regardless, music is a really important part of our lives and for me, it’s something that helps me get through the day as well as the occasional emotional crisis. Music helps me escape the troubles of the world and that’s why I prefer listing to it through a set of really nice headphones. At this point, I have a huge collection of them with some standout favorites. However, it always a nice surprise when something new comes along that blows me away and that’s exactly what the AIAIAI TMA-2 HD Wireless has done.
The AIAIAI TMA-2 HD Wireless is very different and I could already see that as soon as I opened up the box it came in. Unlike other headphones, these are modular and because of that, each part of it came wrapped in its own individually sealed package. I don’t just mean plastic clear bags, but actual, sealed bags like potato chips. The cables came in their own bag, the speaker units came in their own back, the headband came in its own bag, and even the ear cushions came separately. It’s because each of these parts can be customized and replaced to make it your own. In fact, AIAIAI even allows you to build your own headphones based on personal preferences, but that’s for another day.
The AIAIAI TMA-2 HD Wireless is considered their high end model with all the top of the line parts in their catalog. If we break down all the individual components, what you’re getting is the following:
- H05 · HD Bluetooth headband
High quality Bluetooth headband with Aptx HD codec transmitting 24-bit hi-res audio equal to CD quality. Codecs: SBC, AAC, AptX, AptX HD. The headband has a built-in microphone and includes a USB-C charging cable. 16 hours playback time. - 05 · Detailed – 40mm driverEngineered with a speaker diaphragm made from stiff Bio-Cellulose for more defined high-frequency details, more pronounced mid-range, better dynamics, and more natural tonality.
- E08 · Alcantara – over earUltra soft over-ear memory foam cushion covered with Alcantara. The thickness and materials gives better comfort and isolation.
- C15 · Straight – Triad hi-fi – 1.5mStraight, black, 1.5m, Triad hi-fi cable. Designed for durability and reduced magnetic and radio frequency interference.
You will need to assemble the AIAIAI TMA-2 HD Wireless, but it’s not very difficult to do. All that’s needed is for you to slide the speaker units onto the headband and then attach the ear cushions to each speaker unit. One of the speaker units has a red port on it so just make sure you attach the red cable to that port. This is how you determine the correct speaker unit for the right and left sides. That’s all it takes to put them together. You’ll probably want to charge these up before usage and they come with a USB-C charging cable. The C15 cable is used only if you want to plug these into an audio source.
After it’s all assembled, you can really get a feel for how great the AIAIAI TMA-2 HD Wireless look. These are some seriously clean looking headphones and the all matte black finish give them that stealthy feel. What I find really interesting about the design is that most headphones have buttons on the ear cup part whereas these are actually located on the headband. That makes sense seeing as these are supposed to be modular so the headband should be the centerpiece.
The headband has three buttons on it, which are very nicely blended. In fact, they don’t even look that much like buttons and instead look like decorative elements on the headband. These buttons control everything from volume to music playback. They even allow you to pick up phone calls as well as enable your virtual assistants on your phone. They are very easy to use and easy to find by touch because they protrude a bit from the headband.
Sizing the AIAIAI TMA-2 HD Wireless is as simple as just sliding the speaker units up and down on the headband and they’ll click into the holes as you go. This is what holds them in place. They also pivot a bit to better contour to the side of your head. In terms of comfort, these things are super comfortable. The over the ear design means there’s no pressure on your ears at all. What I love though are these Alcantara wrapped ear cushions. The material feels so soft and has a velvet or suede like feel. These are the best feeling ear cushions I’ve ever encountered. The softness of the covering and the plushness of the cushions make for the perfect combination.
Aside from the comfort, the AIAIAI TMA-2 HD Wireless headphones sound amazing. The nice things about these are that you can tailor build these to your listening preferences. The ones I received (S05) were built for better dynamics, and more natural tonality, meaning this is a more all around setup. The highs sound crystal clear and crisp and the bass is deep but not overpowering. The mids do a good job of filling everything else in-between. I’ve used this on a variety of different music genres and there wasn’t anything the the AIAIAI TMA-2 HD Wireless couldn’t handle.
Final Thoughts
I’m really digging the AIAIAI TMA-2 HD Wireless. Not only do these sound really good, but they also look good. They hug your head quite nicely and I’m especially impressed with how comfortable they are. I’ve never seen ear cushions made of Alcantara before and I must say they feel much better than anything else I’ve felt previously. I’m not sure how they’ll hold up with constant use however and only time will tell.
While not cheap in the setup I received, you can spec them however you want so the end price will really be determined by your needs. I think they’re worth every penny and their modular nature really separates them from everything else on the market.
