AIAIAI headphones have been around for just under two decades, and the experts at the brand are always innovating their products to be sustainable and up-to-date with the latest technology.

I’ll be looking into what this relatively young company has to offer. Let’s see what the deal is with AIAIAI and why they’re definitely something to shout about.

Founded in the noughties

No, it’s not a war cry or a parent stepping on a piece of Lego, AIAIAI is a Danish audio company that was founded in 2006.

They released their first pair of headphones in 2012: the TMA-1 DJ headphones. These were incredibly popular and it seemed that AIAIAI had thrown down the gauntlet to be the industry standard DJ headphones.

Due to the success of the DJ line, the company released a studio version with over-ear cups and a different headband.

Some parts were interchangeable with the DJ headphones, and this created a lightbulb moment for AIAIAI, pushing them to design the TMA-2 range: a customisable modular headphone system.

The TMA-2

The AIAIAI TMA-2 range consists of many modular headphone components that can be arranged to suit the user.

These components are purposefully designed for comfort and utility. You can put your headphones together exactly how you want them and switch them up depending on what you’re doing. And if you want to upgrade to the latest components whilst keeping the option to switch back, you can.

AIAIAI’s interchangeable parts make their headphones more sustainable and less wasteful than standard models out there. If you own a pair of TMA-2 headphones and a component breaks, you don’t have to buy a full set of headphones to replace them – better for the environment and your wallet (save cash and sea turtles!).

Better still, AIAIAI aim to make all of their plastic components 100% recycled and recyclable by the end of 2025.

The AIAIAI inventory

Currently, AIAIAI sells six stock configurations of the AIAIAI TMA-2. So, how do they differ?

TMA-2 Studio Wireless+

Let’s start with their flagship piece, the TMA-2 Studio Wireless+.

These come with the S05 detailed sound speaker units and the E08 over-ear Alcantara ear cups.

They also include a Bluetooth headband, so they can be connected to your phone to take calls and listen to music.

The Studio Wireless+ headphones are popular amongst music producers who need high-resolution audio that is latency-free. This means that as well as having built-in Bluetooth for general listening purposes, you also have a separate transmitter pack with higher resolution audio at ultra-low latency – ideal for professional environments such as on stage and in the studio.

The wireless transmitter charges with USB and plugs into your equipment via a 3.5/6.35mm jack. With it, you’re free to move around large distances and do as you wish without a cable to tangle you up.

Shop now | AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+

TMA-2 DJ

The second configuration is the TMA-2 DJ.

These headphones are equipped with the S02 punchy sound speaker units, H02 rugged headband, E02 PU leather ear cups, and the C02 coiled cable with a 6.35mm jack adapter for DJ mixers.

Now, the TMA-2 DJ are a treat to mix with. They provide a supple low-end output so you can hear the bass in a loud club environment, making beat-matching effortless.

Often, DJ headphones get broken or lose parts. A great thing about modular DJ headphones is that if you lose a cable or part of the TMA-2 DJ, you can easily replace it without having to buy a new pair.

They’re a comfortable pair of headphones to wear for an extended period of time, which is great if you’re trying to record a mix. Just think, half an hour in, you drop a clanger, and you have to start the whole thing again… if you know, you know.

Shop now | AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ

TMA-2 Move XE Wireless

Finally, we have the TMA-2 Move XE Wireless.

This configuration features the H01 Slim PU foam headband, S10 Wireless detailed sound speaker units, E10 on-ear REPREVE ear cups, and the C05 straight cable.

The TMA-2 Move XE Wireless is a fantastic all-rounder. Its wireless function is important for day-to-day use, especially with the loss of the aux jack from mobile phones in recent years. It would seem everyone with a smartphone would benefit from owning a pair of wireless headphones.

The headband is designed to be durable, comfortable, and simple, and the cable is a regular straight cable. Plus, the TMA-2 Move XE Wireless is less expensive than the previous models discussed. It’s a good all-rounder that can also master the things that the other TMA-2 models specialise in.

The AIAIAI TMA-2 Move XE Wireless is designed for people looking to buy a pair of AIAIAI headphones with no specific purpose other than to enjoy music or dip their toe into the world of a music professional. These headphones are a jack of all trades, I’d say.

Shop now | AIAIAI TMA-2 Move XE Wireless 

Artists opinions

Many famous artists, producers, and DJs, such as Peggy Gou, Mura Masa, Yaeji, and Sherelle, use AIAIAI headphones.

“It’s so nice using the AIAIAI to create all my work on… The clarity and comfort using the TMA-2 has been super nice for all my radio, production, and DJ work.”

-Sherelle, a renowned DJ and owner of the label BEAUTIFUL from Walthamstow, London.

“The hi-mid-lows feel balanced, and there’s more clarity in the lows. Low latency mode is helpful for when I’m writing music on the road as I don’t have to deal with the mess of cables!“

– Yaeji, a Korean-American singer, DJ, and producer based in Brooklyn, New York.

AIAIAI! I really like these headphones!

I’ve tried the headphones myself for listening to music from my phone and DJing. In both tasks, they exceeded my expectations, and I was impressed by the warmth and clarity of the audio.

They have a really nice low-end response and the earpads and cups isolate the outside world pretty well, which is important in a club environment where the bass is all around you. I found it rather easy to match kick drum with kick drum when mixing records, and the high frequencies were transmitted to my ears pretty well too.

I think that modular headphones are a great idea. You can adapt them to suit your needs and replace broken parts; they’re a good investment and they reduce waste.

Not only do AIAIAI create sustainable and innovative headphone designs, but they also support the wider music community. AIAIAI teamed up with BEAUTIFUL, a label with the purpose of showcasing and supporting LGBTQ+ and black artists. Alongside label owner Sherelle, they host free workshops in London, engaging with their target audience and supporting the people of the music community.

This is important. It shows that AIAIAI have a social and environmental conscience, setting the standard for more companies in the industry to follow.