Closer Examination, Build Quality and Comfort

Once assembled, the AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones feel very light and looks completely unassuming. AIAIAI went with a stealthy matte black color scheme without any visible branding on the outer frame. The light weight is due to the chosen materials—ear cups and headband are made out of plastic. Every plastic surface has a smooth, silky finish and there's no creaking to speak of. That said, you couldn't be blamed for wanting more luxurious materials on a pair of hi-fi headphone costing almost €300. Even though there are no functional issues with the build quality of the AIAIAI TMA-2, it's very clear that its fully plastic exterior will be a dealbreaker to some.


The company logo is engraved on the inner side of the headband. You will also find the left and right channel markings here. The headband that was sent to me (H04) uses microfiber padding and fares very well in terms of comfort. There was no excessive pressure to the top of my head, and the clamping force is adjusted nicely. Thanks to that, I was able to wear the AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones for multiple hours at a time.


The height of the earcups can be adjusted by sliding them up and down the headband. Each "step" is accompanied by a satisfying "click".


The E08 ear pads are the most expensive ones available for the AIAIAI TMA-2 (€55), but they're well worth it. They're filled with memory foam and covered with Alcantara, a soft, suede-like microfiber material known for its durability, which is why you'll often see it covering steering wheels of sport cars. These ear pads are thick and large enough to fully surround your ears, while comfortably resting against the sides of your head. They don't get excessively warm, which is a clear advantage over pleather ear pads AIAIAI also offers (E04, €50). The passive noise isolation is fairly weak, which is definitely something to keep in mind when choosing ear pads for your TMA-2.


The C15 cable is excellent—thick, tangle-resistant, and designed for reduced magnetic and radio frequency interference, according to the manufacturer. It comes with a 6.4-mm audio adapter.