Every once in a while, a product comes along that you just have to have - the most awesomest product that the cool kids oooh and ahhhh over and kneejerk purchase just because it looks sooo hot. And when the AIAIAI marketing machine kicked into gear and pushed their very lovely TMA-1 headphones under the noses of gadget hungry punters everywhere, it became apparent that for the first time in a dogs age, the Sennheiser tenancy on the headphone thrown looked to be getting a little competition.
So do the TMA-1s live up to the expectation of the masses? Or are they just an exercise in minimalist cosmetics? Read on...
In The Box: Oh the box... before I get started on this, I'd like to state that having worked in the packaging trade for years before skratchworx, and generally having an ethical issue with just how much money is spent on such things, just to essentially clog up landfill, you'll understand if I'm not swayed by the obviously luxuriant high spec box that the TMA-1s arrive in.
It's an exercise in over the top packaging design, that gives the headphones a first impression like no other. From the matt/gloss varnish heavyweight box, to the sound proofing foam style interior - this box screams pick me up, open me and then buy me. And when you do, the presentation of the innards is equally impressive. But you don't get much more than any other decent headphones - heavyweight cable, spare foam earpads, a soft carry bag and an instruction book. But it does feel like you get more than that, because of the presentation.
Looks: This is obviously an read that AIAIAI have spent a lot of time and money. Having already covered the swanky box, the actual headphones themselves are a real mashup of the best bits of other cans, but with a clear nod towards the Sennheiser HD25s.
When you see them out of the box, they actually look like a computer render - all matt finish and diffused lighting. There's nothing really shiny about them at all, as all the moulded plastic parts have a matt lacquer. Even the cable is more matt than shine, giving the whole aesthetic an ethereal quality.
One observation - other than a recessed AIAIAI logo on the inside of the headband, there is no branding. From a looks point of view, the TMA-1s depend entirely on their unique image to be promoted to the masses in the clubs. I guess people will ask the DJ, who in turn will be happy to brag about their new head puppies. When you wear them, they certainly don't scream out loud at all. Very subtle, but still making a statement.
There really is nothing like the TMA-1s on the market. In this respect, they're uniquely wonderful, and will garner looks of admiration from fellow DJs and punters alike.
Build Quality: Having orgasmed over the surface gloss (or matt as the case may be), now we get down to the nitty gritty. But just staying with this matt finish for a moment - the beauty really is only skin deep. If the TMA-1s receive any kind of knock, the matt finish goes less matt, to the point of going shiny. The headband is matt finish, but soon shines up in use. And the cups have a matt lacquer that chips off, leaving a shiny plastic base. So unless you heap lashings of loving care upon your expensive purchase, I suspect they'll look battered in a short amount of time. And the supplied bag is merely adequate enough to stop even the slightest amount of wear and tear.
Thankfully the actual build quality is very high indeed. They lack the numerous hinge mechanisms that usually spell doom to other brands and truly feel like they'll take a proper beating. With some headphones, it feels like a twist or tug too far will snap the band or break a hinge, but not here. I've twisted the headband, wobbled the cups and generally smashed them around in and out of the skratchlab, and bar surface shininess becoming apparent, they haven't complained one bit.
I do have one complaint in the area, which is entirely subjective, and some may see it as a plus, and others as a minus. The perhaps too rubbery cable is for me a wee bit too rigid and has a mind of its own. And while it is removable, it only plugs into the left cup with a minijack - and doesn't lock. The actual socket is really solid, but I would have preferred for it to lock in place. I guess it does mean that you can plug any old cable in that you like though - perhaps an even heavier audiophile cable if that's your bag.
Clearly AIAIAI have studied the headphone design blueprints, identified the weak points and eliminated them completely. They are a design tour de force that will probably signal a move away from traditional design from here on. A striking thing is the utter simplicity of the design. There isn't a single screw to be seen, thus no ill fitting covers or cosmetic design mistakes. The TMA-1s ooze the same quality that the packaging does.
Sound Quality: AIAIAI have gone to great lengths to ensure that the audio quality is the best it can be. And it is. The one thing I noticed was that they most definitely had to be broken in - more so that any other headphone I used. There was a definite feeling of being seriously let down when first using them. But after a couple of days of solid use, it's fair to say that the audio quality is outstanding.
DJ headphones need to be bass driven, and these most definitely are. While the full range is punchy and bright at all volumes, the bass comes through every time. The other thing I like about them is that there's zero distortion - even when pushed hard. Audio is an area where the TMA_1s excel.
Isolation: And here too. Like the Sennheisers, these closed cup on-ear designs offer outstanding isolation - not only for the listener, but also for those sat around them. Not absolute hermetically sealed ears you understand, but as good as anything I've reviewed in the past. If however you choose to use the spare foam set of earpieces, expect a degredation in isolation.
Comfort and Stability: It must be said that the TMA-1s have the widest range of adjustability in any headphone I've every used. Everyone from Mini-Me to Shrek can use these cans as they have a full 60mm of travel per side.
Being on-ear headphones, comfort is likely to be down to your own personal physical characteristics. But on my ears, they feel wonderful. The headband however is a different matter. It lacks any soft strip and only has a hard rubber band. While this grips your head, it also becomes uncomfortable after around 5 minutes. I don't do hats, and I'm not prepared to don a beanie just to wear these for hours.
Stability wise, the rigidity of the construction and lack of moving parts means that when used on both ears, these stick to your head like glue. And this is the same for one and 2 ear use.
Compactness: Again, the construction stops the TMA-1s from being as space efficient as the rest of the market. So with no hinges or folding parts, they are as big as they are. But in the whole scheme of things, they still won't take up much room in your DJ luggage. And wouldn't you rather have them without weak points anyway?
Value for money: While they're a wee bit more expensive than their peers, the TMA-1s have a lot going for them in the price category. The image, build and audio quality are extremely high, so from a longevity point of view, they're likely to more than fulfil your bang to buck requirements.
Summary
Perhaps because I don't drink Koolaid, the marketing hype that had people cock-a-hoop about buying a pair because they looked so damned cool just bounces off me. Having spent years in advertising and packaging environments, I know to dig below the surface and judge products on what I see and feel. And what I find is a pair of bloody good DJ focussed headphones, that easily make it into my recommended list, but with just enough wrinkles to not sit at the top.
For me, the TMA-1s are a mixed bag. AIAIAI are clearly playing the image card here, and they play it extremely well. They look great, but you pay for expensive packaging but only get a flimsy and quite inadequate protection bag. The quality is high, but minimalism may have been taken a step too far from a comfort point of view.
But when all is said and done, it's about how they perform, and strictly in this respect, they're not going to disappoint anyone. They sound amazing, stick to your head like a flesh magnet and aren't likely to break in a hurry. You'll most certainly be wearing to cool badge amongst your peers.
Hype: Build, audio, image, isolation
Gripe: Surface gloss, headband comfort, non-locking cable.
