Introduction to the Sendy Audio Egret review
The newest Sendy Audio Egret sits firmly in the mid-tier planar magnetic segment, developed by a well-established manufacturer – Sivga – with Sendy Audio serving as its more premium-oriented sub-brand. “Premium” perhaps deserves quotation marks here, because while positioned above Sivga’s mainstream lineup, the Egret still remains far from exorbitant by today’s standards.
Sendy Audio was created as a more ambitious extension of that philosophy. While Sivga’s core lineup spans dynamic and planar designs at accessible price points, Sendy Audio serves as the brand’s exploration into higher-end acoustic engineering and more expressive tuning philosophies.
The brand gained early recognition with models such as the Aiva, which quickly attracted attention for its detailed planar presentation and visually striking wooden construction. Later releases, including the Peacock, reinforced Sendy’s ambition to compete more directly in the upper mid-fi and entry high-end categories.
At $799, we are looking at what can confidently be described as solid mid-range territory. In today’s headphone landscape – where four-figure price tags are increasingly common – this keeps the Egret within reach of a broad and serious enthusiast audience.
It is, however, a highly competitive bracket. The $700-$1,000 range is saturated with strong planar contenders, each promising technical precision, expansive staging, and refined tonal balance. And yet, this is precisely where the Sendy Audio Egret emerges as one of those models that genuinely deserves attention. Why? That’s precisely what we’ll explore throughout the individual sections of this review.
Packaging, Build Quality & Comfort
The reviewed Sendy Audio Egret arrives in a visually appealing, solid, and noticeably weighty cardboard box. It’s a distinctly different approach compared to brands like Meze Audio, which have increasingly moved toward more eco-conscious packaging solutions. Which direction is better? I’ll leave that to you. Personally, it makes little difference to me, as long as what awaits inside represents genuine quality – and here, that condition is certainly met.
Inside the box, we find a beautifully made caramel-colored carrying case crafted from eco-leather. It feels substantial, well-finished, and protective, reinforcing the impression that this is a product positioned thoughtfully within its segment. Within the case sits a linen pouch for the cable – a tasteful detail that adds a touch of refinement – along with a 4.4 mm terminated cable and a 4.4 mm to 3.5 mm adapter. And, naturally, the headphones themselves, which immediately make a strong visual impression.
Several years ago, at the very beginning of Ear Fidelity, I reviewed the Sivga Phoenix, and it is impossible not to notice structural similarities here. The Sendy Audio Egret clearly builds upon proven design solutions that Sivga has refined over time. The headband adjustment system, its mounting architecture, and the hybrid earpads all feel familiar. The adjustment mechanism works reliably, although it could benefit from slightly more resistance for a firmer, more confidence-inspiring feel. The headband itself is solid and comfortable, but I do have some reservations regarding the synthetic leather used in the area where it touches the head. The synthetic leather on the padding is rather thin, and from experience, thinner PU materials can sometimes peel over time. One can only hope that Sendy has addressed long-term durability here and that despite the modest thickness, it will remain intact after extended use.
On the hybrid pads, the material that comes into contact with the skin has a somewhat denim-like character – pleasant to the touch and skin-friendly, yet visually less cohesive than it could be. In my view, a simple black finish would have presented more elegantly. Additionally, this fabric tends to absorb skin oils relatively easily and is more difficult to clean compared to materials like velour.
The earcups themselves are executed very well. The walnut wood is attractive, well-selected, and nicely finished, while the grille pattern adds character without becoming overly decorative. Fit and finish are strong across the board, with good alignment and no sense of looseness or corner-cutting. I have pointed out nearly every detail I could scrutinize, yet most of these remarks feel relatively forced – overall build quality remains a clear strength at this price level. The cable, meanwhile, is slightly longer than I would personally prefer, but it is undeniably comfortable, thick, and wrapped in a subtly textured outer material that feels durable in hand. The wooden splitter is a particularly elegant touch, tying the visual identity together and reinforcing the brand’s consistent use of natural materials.
Comfort
The reviewed Sendy Audio Egret sits very lightly on the head and remains comfortable even during extended listening sessions. The earpads follow fairly standard dimensions, which means my ears fit inside them without any issues. That said, I did have to spend a bit of time carefully adjusting the height of the earcups to ensure a proper seal throughout use. This is, of course, a highly personal matter depending on head shape and ear geometry, but it’s something I don’t encounter particularly often with headphones in this category.
Once properly adjusted, however, the overall experience proved very positive. The Egret quickly became a pair I was happy to reach for, especially during longer listening sessions where comfort becomes just as important as sound quality. The clamping force remains moderate and unobtrusive, allowing the headphones to stay stable without creating pressure hotspots over time.
Interestingly, despite the reviewed Sendy Audio Egret open-back construction, the headphones provide a subtle degree of passive attenuation. It’s not isolation in the traditional sense, of course, but it’s enough to slightly soften background noise. In practice, this means they work surprisingly well when my robotic vacuum decides to do the chores I’d rather avoid myself or when there’s a gentle ambient noise present in the room. At the same time, environmental awareness remains intact – I can easily hear the doorbell or the occasional mischief from my cat without needing to take the headphones off. This balance between comfort, openness, and light background attenuation makes the Egret particularly pleasant for relaxed, everyday listening at home.
Tech
When it comes to the technologies used here, we are, of course, dealing with planar magnetic headphones. The driver itself is fairly large, measuring 98 × 84 mm, which already places the reviewed Sendy Audio Egret among designs that prioritize surface area and diaphragm control – two elements often associated with the strengths of planar driver technology.
The core of the reviewed Sendy Audio Egret is built around a large-format planar magnetic driver utilizing a nano-scale composite sandwich diaphragm structure, with an ultra-thin magnetic layer reportedly measuring below 800 nm. In theory, such a lightweight construction should help improve impulse response while simultaneously reducing distortion. Sendy also emphasizes that planar magnetic technology distributes driving force evenly across the entire diaphragm surface, which is intended to support higher detail retrieval, more precise imaging, and a consistent tonal balance across the frequency range. Combined with the open-back architecture of the headphones, this design is meant to contribute to a spacious and airy soundstage presentation.
Another aspect highlighted by the manufacturer is the cable system and overall connectivity. The Egret uses dual 3.5 mm connectors on the earcups, allowing users to easily swap or upgrade cables if desired – a practical and widely appreciated solution among enthusiasts. The supplied cable itself is a triple-composite design, combining Furukawa OFC, silver-plated copper, and gold-plated copper conductors, which is of excellent quality.
For the sake of versatility, the package includes a 4.4 mm Pentaconn plug and an adapter for 3.5 mm connection, allowing the headphones to be used directly with any sound source.
Sound of reviewed Sendy Audio Egret
From a sonic perspective, the reviewed Sendy Audio Egret presents itself as a genuinely interesting headphone. Its tuning clearly differs from what many listeners may associate with brands like HiFiMAN, Meze Audio, or Audeze. The Chinese manufacturer has created a pair of headphones that, in my opinion, would be difficult for anyone to outright call “bad.” I wouldn’t necessarily describe the tuning as universally appealing – it’s not a signature that every listener will instantly fall in love with – but it’s equally challenging to imagine someone truly disliking it. The presentation is simply very pleasant overall, striking a balance between detail and smoothness while maintaining a clean and well-organized sound.
Nothing here feels exaggerated or pushed to extremes, yet at the same time the tuning isn’t overly safe or sterile. There is a gentle sense of tonal coloration present, and the final character depends quite noticeably on the source. Fortunately, the Egret pairs well with a wide range of electronics. They are also relatively easy to drive for planar headphones, which is why I feel comfortable skipping a dedicated pairing section later on. If you’re familiar with the character of your own DAC or amplifier, you will likely have a good idea of how that signature will influence the Egret.
In terms of musical preferences, I found myself drifting away from my usual playlists filled with pop, R&B, and rap. Instead, I gravitated more toward calmer jazz recordings, acoustic music, and softer alternative material. At first glance, one might interpret that as a sign that the headphones lack engagement – that they require slower or “safer” music to truly shine. For me, however, the situation was quite the opposite, and I’ll explain why as we move through the individual parts of the frequency range.
Starting, as usual, with the bass. The low end on the reviewed Sendy Audio Egret is remarkably well-behaved. It doesn’t push itself forward or attempt to dominate the presentation, yet it carries an impressive sense of elasticity and control. Despite what I mentioned earlier about my listening habits shifting toward calmer music, I couldn’t resist testing something more energetic – and the track Jump by Blackpink turned out to be a particularly enjoyable example. The bass in this track is genuinely powerful, reaching deep and carrying a noticeable level of emphasis. At the same time, it’s a demanding passage, as the energy in the low end can easily overshadow the upper midrange in many headphones. Here, however, thanks to excellent control and the slightly lighter character of the bass presentation, that never happens. The Egret maintains clarity and balance whether we’re talking about sub-bass extension or mid-bass punch, both of which contribute meaningfully to the overall impact.
Perhaps most importantly, you can feel that the Egret genuinely wants to play bass. It delivers it willingly, with convincing dynamics and a strong sense of differentiation between individual layers of the low-frequency spectrum. Rather than sounding flat or overly restrained, the bass reveals multiple dimensions – depth, texture, and movement – without becoming bloated.
This character also shines in Behind the Wheel from the album Music for the Masses. It’s an album I often return to, partly because of how beautifully it was recorded. The bass here is subtle, nuanced, and pleasantly layered, and the Egret handles it with admirable finesse. It sits naturally within the mix, gently resonating in the background without leaning toward any extremes. Ultimately, it’s simply a well-executed, musically satisfying bass presentation. Some listeners may wish for a bit more sheer mass or physical weight, but that’s hardly unusual for open-back planar headphones. In exchange, what we gain is excellent control, impressive differentiation, and a pleasing sense of texture – which, in my view, is a very fair trade-off at this price point.
The midrange is, in my opinion, the least universally appealing part of the Sendy Audio Egret’s tuning. If there is any area where these headphones might not resonate with some listeners, it will most likely be here. In a few words, the midrange offers excellent detail retrieval and convincing texture, accompanied by a noticeable sense of air. At the same time, its tonal character sits somewhere on the boundary between natural and slightly dry. It doesn’t particularly push itself forward and doesn’t add too much juiciness on its own. That characteristic is quite noticeable, especially if you switch to the Sendy Audio Egret from headphones that carry even a mildly warm tonal balance – the contrast becomes apparent almost immediately.
Following my usual breakdown, male vocals tend to come across as calm and somewhat restrained. I would even say they are very slightly leaner than neutral, which contributes to the perception of additional openness and space within the midrange. Michael Kiwanuka, for example, doesn’t sound exactly the way I would ideally prefer. His voice often carries a thicker, more grounded presence, whereas here it is presented in a slightly lighter and more delicate fashion. That said, many listeners may actually appreciate this approach, as it prevents the midrange from feeling congested.
A somewhat higher-pitched voice, like Kendrick Lamar’s, behaves differently. His vocals feel more filled-in and energetic, although they sit a touch further back in the mix. In “HUMBLE.”, his voice appears just slightly behind the instrumental arrangement – not masked by it, but clearly positioned a half-step further away. A similar presentation occurs in “United in Grief”. Interestingly, the piano toward the end of that track sounds absolutely fantastic on the Egret, with beautiful clarity and articulation.
Female vocals, on the other hand, feel somewhat more emphasized within the presentation. They are subtly smoothed and presented with a sense of evenness that keeps them balanced across their range. They never feel muted, yet they also avoid excessive brightness or spotlighting. Instead, they maintain a calm and composed character while remaining clean and detailed. Overall, as mentioned earlier, the midrange is presented in a well-balanced and controlled manner. Some listeners might miss a bit of tonal richness or color here, but this is something that can be easily adjusted with system matching. Pairing the reviewed Sendy Audio Egret with a slightly warmer source – for example, a DAC built around an R2R architecture – can add just enough body and harmonic weight to complement this tuning very nicely.
The treble follows a philosophy similar to the midrange. It is very airy and open, yet carefully restrained. There are no sudden spikes, no excessive sparkle, and certainly no problematic sibilance. Instead, the high frequencies remain composed and controlled, integrating smoothly with the rest of the spectrum. This approach works remarkably well across a wide range of genres – from classical recordings to pop and even metal.
At first listen, the treble might seem partially uneventful, almost understated. It doesn’t immediately draw attention to itself, and listeners accustomed to more energetic or sharper top ends might initially perceive it as slightly dull. However, with longer and more attentive listening sessions, I began to appreciate this approach much more. The treble has a distinctly refined, almost noble character. It remains pleasant and effortless, doing its job quietly in the background without ever disrupting the balance of the presentation. As mentioned earlier, the sense of air throughout the entire sound signature is substantial, and the treble plays a major role in that perception. It flows naturally alongside the rest of the music, creating a cohesive and relaxed listening experience. That said, if you prefer a more aggressive, sparkling top end, even pairing the Egret with brighter electronics is unlikely to push it into that territory.
The soundstage, on the other hand, was a very pleasant surprise. Thanks to the abundance of air in the overall presentation, spatial information is exceptionally well organized. The stage feels large both horizontally and vertically, allowing instruments and effects to occupy clearly defined positions within the mix. In many recordings, it can be genuinely surprising how the space unfolds, occasionally revealing elements that had previously gone unnoticed.
A good example is “Oxytocin” by Billie Eilish. It’s a track I thought I knew extremely well, having heard it countless times across dozens of different systems. Yet with the Egret I discovered something entirely new. In certain moments, a sound appeared that initially felt almost disconnected from the rest of the arrangement – positioned far behind the listener and very low in the soundstage. It was the kind of spatial detail that suddenly makes you realize there are still layers left to uncover in recordings you believed were already thoroughly explored.
This characteristic makes the soundstage particularly engaging. Even listeners who might initially find the Egret’s calm and balanced tonal signature slightly understated could become fascinated by the way space is presented. The headphones handle both large orchestral arrangements and small ensembles with equal confidence, which ultimately makes them extremely versatile in this regard. Interestingly, this spatial performance also translates well into gaming, where positional cues and environmental depth benefit from the same sense of openness and precise separation.
Comparisons
The HiFiMAN Arya Organic approaches sound from a noticeably different perspective than the reviewed Sendy Audio Egret. First and foremost, the Arya Organic is clearly more focused on delivering a highly precise and forward presentation of detail. Microdetail is more prominent, and the overall character leans further toward a technical interpretation of the recording. This is also reflected in the bass response, which is more clearly emphasized and carries slightly stronger presence within the mix.
The midrange and treble follow that same philosophy. On the Arya Organic they appear more analytical and technically oriented, whereas the Egret leans toward a slightly more relaxed yet very natural style of presentation. The Sendy does not dissect the recording with the same directness; instead, it presents the music in a smoother and less binary way. In other words, the Egret feels less “on-off” in how it exposes elements of a mix, offering a presentation that flows more organically rather than highlighting every detail with surgical precision.
When it comes to soundstage, both headphones deliver a broadly comparable spatial scale. However, the way this space is rendered differs in subtle ways. The Egret tends to create slightly more overall space, but at the same time it presents larger phantom images. As a result, the differences between the two can initially appear smaller than they actually are, because both convey a convincing sense of openness and scale. Only after spending more time with each model does the distinction in spatial presentation become clearer.
Build quality is an area where the Egret clearly stands out. The Sendy Audio headphones feel more robust and visually distinctive, with their wooden construction adding both character and a sense of craftsmanship. In comparison, the HiFiMAN design feels more utilitarian and less unique from a materials standpoint.
Despite these differences, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner between the two. Both operate on a broadly similar performance level, but they place their emphasis on different aspects of the listening experience. The Arya Organic leans more toward technical precision and explicit detail, while the Egret focuses more on a relaxed, natural, and cohesive presentation.
VS Meze 109 Pro
The Meze 109 Pro and the reviewed Sendy Audio Egret share a somewhat similar sonic philosophy. Both headphones aim for a presentation that is enjoyable, balanced, and broadly versatile, with a natural and even-handed approach to tonality. Neither of them feels overly aggressive or analytically tuned, which makes them easy to listen to across a wide variety of genres.
There are, however, several notable differences. The Meze 109 Pro carries slightly more bass presence overall, giving it a bit more warmth and weight in the lower frequencies. Its midrange also feels somewhat smoother and more polished, which can make vocals and instruments appear slightly rounder in their presentation. The treble on the Meze is also a bit more shimmering, adding a touch more brightness compared to the calmer top end of the Egret.
The spatial presentation is where the Sendy begins to pull ahead in certain respects. The soundstage on the Egret feels wider and positioned further away from the listener, creating a more expansive and distant perspective. In contrast, the Meze 109 Pro delivers a more intimate presentation, bringing the listener closer to the performers.
Separation between instruments remains broadly comparable between the two models, but the Egret demonstrates stronger holography. The way it distributes elements within the soundstage can feel more three-dimensional, contributing to a greater sense of spatial layering.
As with the comparison against HiFiMAN, it’s ultimately difficult to state definitively that one of these headphones is objectively superior. Both operate at a very similar level and share a broadly related tuning philosophy, yet they emphasize different aspects of musical presentation. The choice between them will likely depend more on personal preference than on any clear technical hierarchy.
Sendy Audio Egret review – summary
The Sendy Audio Egret is not the kind of headphone that tries to impress instantly with a dramatic first listen. Instead, it gradually draws the listener in, revealing its strengths over time and quietly encouraging longer and longer listening sessions. Its presentation is well-balanced and airy, with detail delivered in a pleasing and natural manner, and a midrange that largely reflects the character of the source it is paired with. All of this comes together into a cohesive and engaging whole, further supported by high build quality and a generous accessory package that feels particularly strong for this price category.
What stands out most is that the Egret doesn’t really present any obvious weaknesses. Even after extended listening, it remains difficult to point to an element that could clearly be described as a flaw. For that reason, I still believe it would be hard for anyone to outright call these headphones bad – their tuning simply avoids the kinds of extremes that often divide listeners.
Ultimately, the Egret delivers a relaxed, enjoyable, and highly listenable sound signature that allows you to simply immerse yourself in your favorite music. Even recordings that are less than perfect remain pleasant and approachable, which further reinforces the idea that these headphones are designed first and foremost for long-term musical enjoyment rather than analytical scrutiny.
Highly recommended.
Big thanks to Sendy Audio/Sivga and Jackrabbit Media for providing us with the Egret for this review. I wasn’t paid or asked to say anything good or bad about this product, all of the above is just my personal, unbiased opinion.
I am a 24 years old audiophile, photographer, coffee lover and Star Wars fan. I love checking out new audio stuff and sharing my opinions with people, not being overly bloviating. Furthermore, I believe that a review acts as a guide to just interest people, and then comes the most important part, which is actually testing the device by themselves.
