As an independent audio engineer who likes to have access to my projects wherever I am, headphones have become an essential part of my workflow, especially when I’m traveling or working outside of a traditional studio. They give me flexibility to check mixes in different environments, catch details I might miss on monitors, and stay productive even when I don’t have a proper control room.
I’ve tried a wide variety of headphones in my quest to find what will give me the most utility for producing in all sorts of spaces, and when I heard about the TMA-2 Studio Wireless headphones from the Danish company AIAIAI, I had to check them out. There are plenty of interesting design ideas going on here, but what really grabbed me was the promise of “ultra-low latency wireless audio.” Previously, I hadn’t thought of using wireless devices like this when I’m tracking or mixing, as Bluetooth-connected headphones come with all kinds of technical challenges. Even the lowest-latency signals transmitted over Bluetooth can lag enough to affect a performance, and the audio quality generally suffers from data compression. With the TMA-2, AIAIAI uses their W+ Link technology to transmit an uncompressed signal with a latency of under 10 ms, making their responsiveness feel a lot more like a wired pair of headphones. And if you do want to connect the headphones direct to Bluetooth devices, you can easily do so without the transmitter.
Like the other models in the AIAIAI catalog, these headphones are modular. The speaker units, earpads, and headband can be swapped out, upgraded, or replaced. When I first received the headphones, the modular parts were all neatly disassembled in the box. Putting them together was easy and intuitive. I appreciate AIAIAI’s eco-friendly approach and their focus on sustainability as well. The modular parts are made from recycled plastic, and the company encourages you to repair rather than replace. It’s a refreshing business model in a world where built-in obsolescence and disposability are the norm. They may not be as tank-like as something like the Audeze LCD-X [Tape Op #119], but once the parts come together, they feel lightweight yet solid and durable, which matters a lot to me since I’m often lugging headphones from studio to studio. They’re also extremely comfortable to wear. I feel like I’d easily be able to use these for hours at a time without any discomfort.
The first thing I did was hook the TMA-2s up to Pro Tools with the transmitter connected to my audio interface. I loaded up a mix I’d been working on and immediately noticed how nice it was to have the freedom of being wireless. I could wander around the room without any hassle. When I needed a drink or a quick break, I could just get up and move around without ever taking the headphones off. Sonically, they delivered a balanced response. They had tight, focused lows, transparent mids, and clear highs that weren’t too harsh. I tried them with Sonarworks SoundID Reference (an app that calibrates headphones and speakers for a more accurate sound), and I did personally prefer having SoundID on. The TMA-2s now gave me a sense that I could really trust what I was hearing and make accurate EQ and mix decisions.
One thing I noticed was a persistent noise floor when nothing was playing. While it was a subtle, soft hiss in the background, it was noticeable enough during quiet sections, which might be a consideration when working on very quiet or dynamic material. I could definitely see it worsening the ear fatigue that already comes with working on headphones for extended periods of time. However, there is a feature that allows you to adjust the level of noise floor with the joystick on the side of the headphones. So, if you’re more sensitive to that kind of persistent noise, like I am, you can fine-tune it to your liking.
After messing around on my own mixing projects, I had a recording session with a jazz band. While we were setting up headphone levels, the upright bass player asked if we had another set of headphones that would help him hear his parts better. I handed him the TMA2s. He was a little skeptical about going wireless, but once I explained AIAIAI’s low latency system, he was up for it. He was much happier with the sound, and he loved not having to worry about his headphone cable banging against his bass while moving around. The low end on these headphones worked better for him, and he could track along with the band without any noticeable latency. The battery on both the headphones and the transmitter lasted the entire 9-hour tracking session without a problem. The website says the battery can last over 20 hours, but we didn’t test it for that long.
After my session, I went for a walk and paired the headphones with my phone over Bluetooth using the AIAIAI app. The app lets you switch between four sound profiles: Detailed, Accurate, Natural, and Custom. I ended up liking the Natural setting best. You can also save your own settings with the customizable five-band EQ within the app. These might not replace my favorite headphones for casual listening, but it was fun to see all the ways you can use them. I can appreciate the versatility and thought behind the design.
Overall, AIAIAI deserves credit for making headphones that are both practical and flexible. The TMA2 Studio Wireless headphones are a solid, clean-sounding, low latency, utilitarian tool. For $300, you can find wired headphones with higher sound quality, but you won’t get the modular build or the ability to move freely without tangling in cables. Note that you do have to keep both the headphones and the transmitter charged, so there’s a bit of extra maintenance compared to a simple wired pair. But for engineers or musicians who want the freedom to easily move around the studio without being tied to a cable, the TMA2 Studio Wireless headphones are worth a look. Being able to move around your space while still tracking or mixing is pretty awesome, and it might just change the way you work or interact with your space. Plus, the eco-friendly repairable design ensures that they’ll last.