Sendy Audio Peacock Planar Magnetic Wood Headphone

Sendy Audio Peacock ($1499): Strutting feathers, but is that enough?

5-stars for the build, 4-stars for the sound, which should avg out to 4.5-stars. Dropped 0.25-stars for the rich, laid-back signature, which some will not like. Hence 4.25-stars for the rating. This is a very good unit to me, and personally it gets a 4.5-stars for my rating.

Peacock

Musicteck



Intro: I have and own the excellent Sendy Aiva. I have reviewed the Sivga Phoenix and the Sivga SV021. Upon asking about a demo Peacock, Collin and Sendy sent me a one for review purposes. I have this for what we will call medium-term duration. At the end, my review will be posted on HeadFi, my blog, and various Facebook audio sites. Marketed as a rich, warm sounding open back, with a large planar magnetic unit, the Peacock sits squarely at the top of the Sivga/Sendy food chain. Defined by price and technology, the Peacock utilizes the same stunning looks of all the models, and new technology with the size of the driver.

Upon finishing my review, the unit will be sent back according to our agreement. I stand to gain nothing by promoting this model, and as such will give an open and honest review. What follows are the ramblings of an amateur audiophile, who likes to put words to pen. I will do my best to explain the technology, but you should review from the Sendy and Musicteck sites along with peruse other reviews for a more thorough answer. I thank Sendy for the loan of the unit.



Specs:

Style: Open back
Transducer type: Planar magnetic
Transducer size: 88mm
Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz
Sensitivity: 103dB +/- 3dB
Impedance: 50ohm, +/-15%
Cable length: 2m
Connector: 4.4bal
Weight: 578g


Included items:

Peacock headphone
8-core 6N OCC Copper cable 8-wire, 4.4bal jack
4.4bal to 6.35mm adapter
4.4bal to XLR adapter
Hemp accessories bag
Molded leather case



Gear Used/Compared:

Audeze LCD3 ($2100)

Shanling M6 Pro
MBP/EarMen TR-AMP
MBP/iFi Zen CAN
Cayin N6ii mk2


Songlist:

Alex Fox
Dave Matthews
Joey Alexander-Warna album and others
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado
twenty one pilots
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Big Head Todd & The Monsters-Beautiful World
Mark Knopfler-Down The Road Wherever
Elton John-yep, still good, still cool
Tidal MQA


Unboxing:

Open the tan outlined box, and you are met with the hard headphone case. I won't say what it looks like, because it is such a good case. following the typical Sendy/Sivga pattern, but larger to accommodate those huge 88mm drivers, it is a really nice case.

Packed in a hemp pouch is the cable and two adapters: 4.4bal to 6.35mm & 4.4bal to XLR. I have always liked Sendy cables for how good looking they are and the performance they give; which favors my sound; and this one complete with carved wooden slider makes no exception. From unboxing to use, the Peacock promotes elegance and humbleness. I like both aspect.



Technology:

Quad-former technology is one of the highlights of the Peacock. That promotes double magnets, and double coils on the diaphragms (two on each side). This supposedly allows the diaphragm to act more quickly, giving better response to the tones from within. Combined with a high internal damping of the diaphragm (which took two years to design and build), and you get a rich realistic sound emanating from the Peacock.

The driver housing is aircraft quality aluminum, and each hole promotes proper response by their precise placing, to further enhance the realism of sound. Sendy does not hide from the fact that the Peacock provides the listener with a warmer richness of sound than some may like or expect from an open back at this price. I appreciate their desire to put forth the signature without hiding it.

Adding in a thick gold-stitched goatskin headband, and you get a quality unit with good fit.



Fit/Finish/Build:

One cannot question the build quality of any Sendy/Sivga model, for they are impeccable. Some have noted that the wood looks “too plasticky to be real.” That would be incorrect, for it is the craftmanship of the Sendy models, which to me have raised the bar of what we expect. Exquisite looks combined with first class craftsmanship makes this a trademark Sendy/Sivga product. Even the gold accent under the black “peacock” feathers catches on to me after a while. At first glance, it was garish, but after a bit, you get a slightly subdued look of excellence. That said, I would prefer a bit more understating of the design, but that’s just me.

The wood cups are cut, then carved (I am assuming lathed first), then finished precisely to blend together with the gold accents of the back cover/grill along with the ring, which helps to hold the diaphragm and driver in place on the other side. Precise craftsmanship makes this all seem machined, but the Peacock is hand built to the highest tolerances.

The headband also has an inner cushion made of the same goat skinned leather as the earcups. All are plush and soft, without being too squishy. Fit as a result is plush, but sufficiently snug enough to afford the unit from not bouncing around on your head. Ear cup pressure is sufficient enough to also provide the right fit without being too tight or too loose. I do wish for a bit tighter fit, but the unit does not move when wearing the unit. As a result of all the plush softness, the Peacock can be worn for long periods of time without tiring.

Stitching is even given preferential treatment, with its gold embroidery. But like the grill, it is not too much. The metal parts seem to be powder coated for duration, and so far, have taken the abuse offered of three weeks of hard usage. The gold also matches the copper color of the cable as well (gold & copper). That cable is what has become to me the typical Sendy/Sivga color pattern and weave. But this time the cable of 8-core, 6N OCC is 8-wire, and a bit (slightly) looser of weave. Four each of copper color and four of sheathed brown add to the elegance coming from the overall package. But, to me the cable is a bit too long. It lays nicely, but I did find for best usage, I had to drape a good bit of it across my lap, with the rest hanging down. Due to the mini-XLR connectors though, the weight of the cable was distributed well. Coming in the now mostly standard 4.4bal, the unit also comes with two adapters including a 4.4bal to XLR; a nice addition and hopefully others will catch on. Combine that with the hand carved Y-splitter and cinch strap, and the cable is complete. Smooth of touch, but not slippery of feel, the quality follows suit to the cable and headphone.

The Peacock comes across as a TOTL should. It fits, it is gorgeous at which to look, and the build is as expected of a flagship. In other words, the Peacock can hold its own against those markers from the other makers well.



Sound:

Summary: Going into this, I knew that the Peacock would have a warm, rich signature, which may not be to the liking of some. This thoughtfulness up front helped me gain an understanding going in. I like warmth in signature as well as a rich emotive sound emanating from whatever headphone I am listening to. And the Peacock does not disappoint. This is a V-shaped signature, which will turn off many (see previous Sivga iterations for the “discomfort” those units have caused some in their reviews. But when presented this way, you can go in expecting that darker signature and meet it with a good mix of genre, which will suit that sound. Spanish guitar work sounds deep, rich and bassy. Blues are to die for on this. Male vocals are sublime in presentation, while female vocals do sound a bit jaded or dark sue to that extra bit of rich character. Mids, as is the case with many Sendy/Sivga models may well be the star, coming across as precise, if not completely accurate due to the richer tonality. You are enveloped in warmth, and there is a bit of bass bleed, but it does not hinder the overall listening experience. Treble is tuned to be a bit forward, matching the bass; but the sounds from upon high are not too bright, thankfully. This is indeed a rich sound signature, but to me this is not a one trick pony.

More:

With an 88mm planar driver, there is no dispelling that the unit is big. Combine all of that technology and you could rightly expect an expansive sound. You would be correct as the soundstage comes across as wide, deep and fairly high. For an open back, this is probably slightly above the middle-rated stages, but not so expansive that separation is decided by miles. Nothing sounds so distant in the Peacock to leave you feeling vacant. All levels tie together nicely. That said, the character is one of richness, and a laid back sound, which you may or may not like.

Bass comes out as more on the pleasant side, than deep reaching. Mind you it is there in sufficient quantities and qualities to show fit, but this is not a basshead model. Fairly deep of reach, it is the quality of the bass that shines here. With a certain richness of sound, you expect attack to be faster than decay, giving that sense of delay and a rich, warmer tonality. This is true here, but never does the decay sound too slow or molasses-like. I would use the descriptor of tight or taut to describe the quality of the bass, adding in that there is little bleed into the mids. There is a bit, but this further aids in the richness of sound signature, without overshowing the mids.



Since this comes across as a V-shaped headphone, the mids are a bit withdrawn, but slightly lifted to me. On Bonnie Raitt’s classic Nick Of Time, her lilting voice sounds sumptuous and sensuous. This treatment plays nicely with the rich bass character, but without sounding muddy or slow in response. The sound is definitely warmer, but not so syrupy that you get bogged down. Laid back, definitely but with enough character to not be overly boring.

To me, the treble treatment falls a bit behind the bass, which gives us a leaning-V. I can clearly hear the cymbal crashes, but they do not take center stage up top. Pat Benatar is an excellent choice for gauging the treatment up top, and here on songs such as Hell Is For Children, her sumptuous voice comes across with distinct purpose, and fortitude; but does so without being overly bright. Again, laid back comes to mind. I do wish for a bit more (better?) treble treatment, which would give a bit more excitement up top, but taken as a whole, this amount works and plays well together (something I never got in school...).

Taken as a whole, the Peacock does provide the listener with a rich, warmer sound; which may not be for everyone but to me that laid-back character works well across many genre.

Even with the fairly wide soundstage and the rich tonality, the separation of instruments and layering are quite good, allowing the layers to play towards that slant of warm texture. The instruments are allowed to play nicely across the width as well, but there is a bit more present in the middle of the stage. This is not necessarily a confuddling of too much going on there, just my take on how the stage tends to compress a bit those instruments, which normally reside in the middle. In other words, you could consider this as an anchor of the soundstage, allowing the others to spread out as needed, and done so nicely.



Comparison:

Sendy Audio Peacock ($1499) v Audeze LCD3 ($2100):

This may seem a bit off base in comparison, but when you promote yourself you should strive for moments above your level. See how far your flagship can go in other words. The LCD3 is my go-to reference (and favorite) for open backs, and I shant part with mine most likely for a good long time. As such, I can gauge it critically for what it does well and does less than well. Its bass is sublime in Audeze flair and character. I have not heard many with bass treatment such as this save maybe the HEDDphone and closed Kennerton Rögnir. But the rumble of an Audeze bass is legendary, and I do love the LCD3 for that. The Peacock cannot match that, nor is it tuned as such’ so this would not be taken as a loss.

The mids to me are where the LCD3 shines. Such treatment is a revelation to hear and feel. Natural, honest, as intended, and organic in sound, the mids come across with a level had by few again. But here, the slightly laid back but lifted sound from the Peacock compares well. Mind you that richness of character shows through on the Peacock, which shows less detail than the LCD3. As a result, the clarity is better on the LCD3 (as it should, but again for comparative purpose not too shabby of the Peacock). There is simply more energy up top on the LCD3 as well, and the Peacock cannot (nor is it meant to) compete up there. The tuning of the Peacock goes against that with the rich texture, but that is the way it sounds.

Even though the detail of the LCD3 shines, the Peacock can hold its head up with confidence, due to the rich texture described above. Those that prefer a certain rich, warm tonality might prefer the Peacock. But as stated, this really is not a fair comparison, so look to reviews f similarly priced headphones for more comparisons.



Finale:

Sivga/Sendy has gone through much of late. Sivga has come out with a number of affordable headphones, which are quite polarizing. I did have a good discussion on HeadFi with a gent who did not rate the SV021 as highly as me. This showed to me that civil discourse could indeed happen when two reviewers have opposing opinions. I appreciated his take, even though I preferred the sound more than he. I would gander that some of the same will be true (unfortunately) with the Peacock. Some of the big reviewers have come out with high marks for it, and I can agree with them. I can also note that due to the sound signature of the Peacock, some will not like it. Me? I prefer a darker, warmer, richer texture to the notes that permeate my ear. Therefore, I do indeed like the Peacock. From the fairly deep bass note to the warm, coddling mids; the Peacock comes across as another example of that after work, single malt in hand (and possibly a cigar) listen with which you can unwind. In this day and age of go-go-go and self-care needed to make a day seem ordinary (are there really any now?...) or at least give you that retreat from reality and a certain level of enjoyment we all need.

Call the Peacock a self-medication for sanity, for it can calm your edginess of a day and commute with jazz to die for, bluegrass to keep you lifted and blues to get to your inner-core self. And after all, isn’t that why we listen? To steal away a certain moment of our time, for sanity's sake. For that, I can recommend the Peacock for it did give me notice to ponder larger items than my day to day renderings of time. And for that, it was good.

Sendy Audio Peacock - Flagship Of Music

Sendy Audio Peacock is the latest headphone from Sendy Audio and it is priced at about 1500 USD at the moment of writing this full written review (USA), and 1750 USD (Europe after taxes). The main comparisons will be with Kennerton Thror (3000 USD), Audeze LCD MX4 (3000 USD), Rosson RAD-0 (2600 USD), Spirit Torino SuperLeggera (2000 USD), and Crosszone CZ-1 (2000 USD). We will also be having pairings with Astell&Kern SE180 (1500 USD), Analog Audio AAdac (4000 USD), Keces S3 (1300 USD), and Lotoo PAW6000 (1200 USD).

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Introduction

While I never reviewed any headphone from Sendy Audio before, I did review headphones from their other sub brand, namely Sivga Audio, as they are pretty much the same two companies, led by the same people, and I was quite impressed by the performance delivery of both Sivga P-II and Sivga Phoenix, as they prove that they can provide high quality sonics at an affordable price. They decided to pursue the flagship market now, and I won't take it lightly, so I decided to compare the Peacock with every other high-end flagship I reviewed to date, to keep things interesting. Peacock is highlighted by the magnetostatic drivers, which are basically double sided magnets with double coils, promising to offer better control and overall sonics than their simpler counterparts. Sivga Audio and Sendy Audio are reliable companies for sure, and some of the first companies to offer 4.4mm connectors on their cables by default, so I always watch their headphones with interest. You can think of them as pioneers in our audio world, opening doors to more exciting times, as more companies will need to follow the trend and improve their offers now. Overall, their products are reliable and they offer excellent, top notch warranty.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Sendy Audio, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Sendy Audio for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it. The purpose of this review is to help those interested in Sendy Audio Peacock find their next music companion.



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

The package of the PEacock follows the same style as other Sendy Audio headphones, and we get a very basic looking outer package that is environment friendly, and inside which you basically can find the high-quality carrig case.

We also receive a high-end braided 2 meter cable, and adapters from 4.4mm, the default cable termination, to XLR and to 6.3mm connectors. Sendy Audio has warned me that I will be needing some serious power to drive their Peacock Headphones, so no 3.5mm Single Ended connector was included, but you can easily find a 4.4mm to 3.5mm connector out there.

The leather case is really nice, has that ergonomic shape, and is really hard, offering excellent protection for the headphones during transport. You can even store a high-end DAP able to drive them inside, while transporting them, inside that case.



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

I want to start by saying that those headphones are some really amazing looking ones, the aesthetics were not left out during the design phase, and despite Sendy Audio doing their best for the sonics, they really went all-out with the aesthetics too. The grilles on the headphones resemble a peacock feather model, and they are gold plated too. This may sound a bit like overdoing things, but it should help with the sonics too, as it should lower the overall distortion of the headphones too.

The cable is removable and connected to the headphones via self-latching connectors similar to the ones we've seen on Dan Clark Aeon Flow and other headphones before. This means that you should have no trouble enjoying the Peacock with aftermarket cables too if you want to flavor them a bit, but this time around, this is not only not necessary, not recommended either, as the default cable is ended in a 4.4mm termination and comes with adapters to XLR and 6.3mm plugs. You can basically connect the peacock to anything able to drive them out of the box, which is awesome to say the least.

I can't talk much about the tech inside, but the peacock is actually fairly hard to drive, and I got the best results using high-end sources like the Astell & Kern SE180, and Cyrus One Cast. They mad me appreciate the extra stage and detail that comes with the SEP2 module of SE180, and you should be okay with other high-quality DAPs too, like Lotoo Paw 6000, iBasso DX300 and the like. Desktop equipment works too, like Wells Milo, Mytek Brooklyn DAC+, and Feliks Euforia, but I personally like to find the best balance of convenience and quality, since Peacock can be driven from portables on 4.4mm.

Now, the headphones are really well made and the adjusting mechanism is really nice, hard to move around, so they will stay as you place them. The earpads are high-quality and somewhat hard to the touch, rather than soft leather. This means that they should survive better to heavy usage, and I've been using the Peacock for at least a month now, taking them outdoors and using them portably too, to test their resilience. There's not a single scratch on them, and even the wood has been treated with high quality lacquer to make sure you'll have beautiful cans even years after purchasing them. The fit is excellent, and they are lighter than most Audeze Headphones, all while having large earpads, and they are perfectly comfortable for my ears.

I noticed sme talk about how measurements do not reflect the audible signature entirely, and the reason for this is that it takes some adjusting and some time for the earpads to soften and fit to your head. The bottom part of the earpads tends to create a proper seal about 5 minutes after initially placing them on your head, and that is when bass also gets much better and when the whole sound gets to its intended performance. Basically they sound great, but are harder to measure properly.

As far as the materials go, we have metal, leather, and wood, flagship quality all around. The headband also does an excellent job at distributing the weight of the headphones on your head so you always feel comfortable with no weight hotspots. Although the Peacock is open back, it isolates somewhat from the outside noise, and they leak far less than most open-back headphones like HIFIMAN He400SE and Sundara, or Arya. In fact, I would go as far as to name the Peacock Semi-Open rather than open.



Sound Quality

The overall signature of the Peacock can be described as extremely detailed, clean, heavy, impactful, dynamic and natural. They are made for both detail and overall sonic enjoyment, and you will hear details you haven't heard before, but those won't be forced and the Peacock won't get fatiguing, rather having a beautiful sound, something that should mesmerize the listener, like the feathers of a peacock mesmerizes their partners. There's plenty of impact and plenty of dynamics, and if you drive the Peacock properly, they will grow on you, becoming your main headphone really soon. At times, it feels like they learned everything from all the headphones I previously reviewed, and the company tried to bring the advantages of every other flagship, all while leaving the drawbacks behind.

As Sivga / Sendy Audio presented, they are hard to drive, and if they are underpowered the sound won't reach its full potential. I applied about 100 Hours of Burn-In, as I wanted to make sure that they are primed for review, regardless whether one believes or not in burn-in.

We receive a deep and nuanced bass, which has excellent presence and can deliver a devastating blow when itr is called for, but which is never too much unless called for. This is important, because while I love the thick and bassy presentation of Rosson RAD-0, they are never honest to the recording or truly universal. In this sense, Peacock sounds much better, and they do sound universal, there's not a single part of their sound that's too exaggerated, and the bass makes no exception, it is a clean, fun, deep, and impactful bass that comes as much as the song calls for it.

The midrange first surprises us with the dynamic, punchy and fun presentation. Voicing is beautiful, musical, and there is a nice transition from the deep and nuanced bass to an even more nuanced midrange, presented emotionally, perfect for both male and female voices. The sweeter and more emotional the voice, the more I love listening to it with the Peacock. It is really easy to pick and name every instrument from a song, but they are all blended smoothly together, and iot is really easy to tell whether something is playing at the front or behind the listener. I love the fact that the Peacock has a natural soundstage as it is really easy to imagine yourself standing in the middle of the song, to hear everyone singing around you, and not because they are placed too tightly with you, but because Peacock has a good amount of forwardness in the mids. Guitar riffs are really textured, clean, but there is enough texture to give life to piano keys and villains, without making EDM too grainy.

In fact, now that we reached the treble, I would be willing to say that the Peacock is entirely grain-free and the treble has a smooth texture, although the presentation is quite edgy and there is enough top end bite to hear the cymbals. In most songs you do have to focus a bit, and the treble is not too much, you should never feel like the Peacock is fatiguing. This being said, the upper midrange and lower treble have a bit more emphasis and you can hear when the artist wanted the song to be a bit brighter, and when they wanted to make it smooth.



Comparisons

The comparison list includes most of the flagships I reviewed to date, and some of the flagships that I feel Peacock learned from, so I decided to include comparisons with Audeze LCD-MX4, Crosszone CZ-1, Spirit Torino SuperLeggera, Kennerton Thror, and Rosson RAD-0.

Sendy Audio Peacock vs Audeze LCD MX4 (1500 USD vs 3000 USD) - I think it is a bit unfair to start with what is probably the most competent competitor of the Peacock, but MX4 is a mastering headphone, and one that has been dearly loved by both music enthusiasts and music producers all over the world. It was also one of my first serious reviews, so I had a lot of fun with it. Both are open back headphones, and both are a bit heavy in the end, but MX4 is quite a bit heavier than the Peacock. The Peacock is lighter, more comfortable, and also has a better default cable. The sound of the Peacock is more natural, more naturally textured, with more overall dynamics. MX4 is more focused on details, has more focus on the lows (not necessarily sub lows), and a thicker, smoother sound, where the Peacock sounds more dynamic, more natural, more peppy and open in the treble, more sparkly, and more detailed in the treble and midrange. The bass of the MX4 tends to be fuller, but chokes a bit in the sub-lows, where the Peacock seems to have a more healthy extension. MX4 sounds bassier thanks to the higher amount of bass. Peacock sounds more snappy and natural overall.

Sendy Audio Peacock vs Crosszone CZ-1 (1500 USD vs 2000 USD) - We also have wide sounding headphones like CZ-1, which are by far some of the most convincing headphones that we're not even listening in a room anymore, so you can go thinking you're in an open hall, listening to a live concert. The only downside is that when comparing the two, the comfort is easily noticeable to be better on CZ-1, if you're staying at home, while for moving, the tighter fit of the Peacock is much more welcome. The default cable is better on the peacock, with 4.4mm balanced connectors from the factory too. The overall sound is lighter, more airy, more wide and more dispersed on CZ-1. The overall presentation of the Peacock is far more balanced, more natural, more punchy and more dynamic. Both are hard to drive, but the peacock is a bit easier to drive, being ok from most high-end p[ortables, where you pretty much need a high-end DAC/aMP for the CZ-1. I really enjoy the peacock daily, while CZ-1 is something you generally dust off and use for a large concert experience, and even their CZ-10 is a more versatile headphone for a normal listening experience.

Sendy Audio Peacock vs Spirit Torino SuperLeggera (1500 USD vs 2000 USD) - We have two flagships here, one made in Italy, Europe, and one made in China. You would normally argue that the Chinese one has better value, and generally products made in China do have better value for the money, but Spirit torino managed to make something really special with their headphones, as they brought the art of creating headphones to an artisanal level, both in build and looks. They are most certainly more appreciated locally, but Sendy Audio is slowly gaining ground even in Europe, it is more comfortable, more versatile, and it also looks really good. The overall drive factor is easier on the Peacock, they are easier to drive, where SuperLeggera needs a better, beefier and more controlled source to sound good. I would say that the default cable of the Peacock is better, but SuperLeggera comes with more cables, all high-end, so it is more of a tie here. Peacocks are more comfortable on the head and ears, but they are also heavier, and take more space. They do come with a carrying case, where SuperLeggera does not. The overall sound is much warmer, more musical on SuperLeggera, where it is more controlled, more dynamic, punchy, and more casual, more versatile on the peacock. The bass is deeper on the Peacock, the mids are more natural, and the treble has more extension. The way SuperLeggera paints the mids is more romantic and warmer, thicker, and more romantic, but Peacock is clearly the more natural presentation if you're looking to paint a more honest picture.

Sendy Audio Peacock vs Rosson RAD-0 (1500 USD vs 2600 USD) - We have two proper high-end flagships, and I am willing to say that both are comfortable, similar in build quality, but Sendy Audio placed a better cable in the package of the Peacock. The sound is far more smooth, deeper and thicker, more bassy on RAD-0. By comparison, Peacock sounds much more extended in the treble, with more bite, more sparkle, more soundstage width, better overall resolution, especially in the midrange, and more texture in music. RAD-0 is much smoother, has more sub-bass, and everything played through them sounds happy, sweet and lush. I would say that in general, if you want to hear the smoothest headphone out there, RAD-0 is it, it is the deepest, smoothest, warmest high-end flagship, while Peacock is a really good balanced of everything, from musicality, character, openness, clarity and dynamics. They end up being equally punchy.

Sendy Audio Peacock vs Kennerton Thror (1500 USD vs 3000 USD) - We are at the final comparison I want to draw, which is between the peacock and the most expensive russian flagship headphone I know of. It is quite clear that the price difference is huge, but the actual package has a carrying case and a better cable for the Peacock, like with most of its competitors... The overall headphone is more configurable for the Thror, as you have multiple screws, but the actual comfort in the end is far better on the Peacock and easier to achieve. Both headphones have the problem of the bottom part breaking the seal first, the earpads feel eerily similar. Thror is heavier, Peacock Lighter, Peacock is easier to drive and to drive well, which is excellent because for Thror you can't use most portables as well. The sound is far more neutral on Thror, with more treble sparkle, less bass and sub-bass extension, a less warm and brighter sound, and with a more technical presentation. The Peacock ends up sounding more musical, warmer, smoother, more natural, with more bass and sub-bass, more dynamics and is more fun to listen to, more versatile, where Thror sounds more analytical and makes it easier to notice certain details. The maximum level of detail is comparable between the two. Something like HIFIMAN He6SE may have a bit more technical ability and detail than either in actual resolution, but it was held back too much by build, too hard to drive, comfort, and package, to be included in the comparison list.



Pairings

Today's review wouldn't be complete without some pairings, to give you a rough idea about driving the peacock and how to get the best performance out of them. For this, I have chosen Astell & Kern SE180, the source I've been using them the most with (since both are rather recent products and I had to offer booth good ear time to understand them better), but also Keces S3, Paw 6000 from Lotoo, and AAdac from Audio Analog.

This should offer a fair view on the peacock and their overall sound with different sources.

Sendy Audio Peacock + Lotoo Paw 6000 (1500 USD vs 1200 USD) - I always and I mean always wanted a high-end DAP with touchscreen, but with excellent sonics and which doesn't rely too much on Android. I dislike Android on music players because it tends to distract a bit from the music experience, so PAW6000, like SE180, makes an excellent option for those who want to enjoy music hassle-free. The overall sonic presentation with PAW6000 is softer, more mellow, more musical, and more gentle than with the other sources. This turns the Peacock really emotional, and it is shocking to listen to some villains and sad songs with the pairing, but it isn't the deepest pair, so for EDM and Rock, the more gentle sound won't cut it, as long as you're here to headbang. If you want to cry and feel all the emotion in your music, this pairing is it.

Sendy Audio Peacock + Keces S3 (1500 USD vs 1300 USD) - You get a warmer and thicker presentation from S3, but for those who feel like the treble of the peacock is a bit too much, maybe a bit shouty and a bit strong headed, then Keces S3 will tame them and give a smoother, more musical sound. This is not the only thing, and this pairing has what I would be willing to call the most organic sound, although it does not have the most technical one. I also enjoyed the overall versatility, since you can use the included adapter for the XLR output of the S3, and we all know it does sound better on the XLR Balanced output than it does on the Single Ended one, this pairing allowing it to truly shine in the most colorful presentation it can have.

Sendy Audio Peacock + Audio Analog AAdac (1500 USD vs 4000 USD) - This is another combination where I could notice new things about the Peacock. AAdac is one of the most dynamic sounding DAC/AMps out there, and despite it being made and intended for desktop guys, it is able to deliver a truly unbelievable punch on the headphone output as well, and well, this is one of the pairings with the most dynamics. The bass is lower in quantity, and it results in a quicker and more snappy sound, paired with a wider soundstage and a brighter presentation. Works well if you ever felt that the Peacock is too warm and thick, but also gives introspection into how much the source can change the sound of a headphone.

Sendy Audio Peacock + Astell & Kern SE180 (1500 USD vs 1500 USD) - I only recently learned that I love the SEP2 module more than the original one, and quite a bit. With that big fire going off at AK or Asahi Kasei factory, most DACs nowadays are provided by ESS, and this isn't a bad thing entirely, but you will notice that the SEP2 module is not only a bit brighter, but more open, and more textured too. This pairs well with Peacock because Peacock is usually fairly smooth and musical, adding a bit more bite to it is essential to make them as detailed as possible. I also am willing to say that as far as portables go, anything with a 4.4mm would do really well, but SE180 is in top 3 DAPs that can drive the Peacock. The other two are PAW6000 and DX300, but SE180 is the most musical, deepest and most dynamic one. It is also the one I crank the loudest, and has the least effective EQ, so I enjoy it as it is. It makes the best source I can recommend portably, as far as sonics go. If you want to learn more about it, please check my review on it, it is quite unique as far as DAPs go.



Value and Conclusion

Sendy Audio is surely threading on risky ground by pricing their latest headphones at 1500 USD, but they delivered more than most companies manage to deliver even when asking double the price of the Peacock, from top to bottom, aesthetics to sonics to build quality, to the overall quality of the headphone. This means that you're totally entitled to think that they took a risky move, but you should keep in mind that Peacock has an excellent value, they are not the kind of headphone you buy and forget, ro ever want to change, and if they click with you, you won't be looking for an upgrade for quite a while.

The overall package is really nice this time around, and the default cable of the Peacock is excellent, braided high quality stuff, not the default cable we usually see with headphones. We also receive adapters to use the Peacock with pretty much any amplifier, DAC or portable player, and although you'll probably have to coil the 2 meters of cable around your neck to take them out portably, it will be worth it, if you get to enjoy this kind of quality on the go.

I will add the Peacock to Audiophile-Heaven's Hall Of Fame for sure, and there are products, even expensive ones that wouldn't get this chance, but the peacock does, I really enjoy its sonics, and for the time being I can consider it a worthy end-game headphone for many folks out there, something you won't feel like giving up soon.

At the end of today's review, if you're looking for a natural, slightly warm, deep, dynamic and punchy headphone with a good amount of treble and a nice soundstage, excellent separation, good comfort, build quality and a nice balanced cable, then Sendy Audio Peacock is a perfect choice, and one of the best headphones I can recommend to you.

As always, my reviews are also available in Spanish on my blog and on YouTube, links at the end of this review.



These headphones have been very kindly sent for review by Keydis, the official distributor for Sendy Audio, along with Sivga, in Spain. Keydis does not sell directly to the public but I have left a link on my blog and YouTube that shows the various stores that carry these brands in Spain.

I am very grateful to Keydis for sending these in and, as always, I will leave my opinions in the most honest and unbiased way possible but, as I always say, it is good to consider the fact that it has not cost me anything to try these headphones.

Intro…

Not long ago I reviewed the Phoenix, which is a headphone by Sivga, who are a brand that belongs to the same company, Sendy Audio. While Sivga focuses on more budget orientated models, Sendy Audio is responsible for the higher end models, with the new Peacock being the TOTL planar magnetic headphone which was released quite recently.

It is my first experience with Sendy, however, this headphone is priced similarly to a headphone that is commonly recommended in this price range, the Hifiman Arya, a headphone that I do have quite a bit of experience with. So, although my review will be focused on the Peacock and how it performs in general, I will make a few comparisons to the Arya later in the review.



Presentation…

The headphones arrive in a simple brown box very similar to that of the Phoenix, with contents that are somewhat similar also but with more focus on quality.

Inside the box we find a headphone case that is also very similar to the one supplied with the Phoenix, however, in this case it is of a brown colour, with a gold coloured zipper and hardware, and has the Sendy Audio logo embossed on the top. This case, while mulded to the shape of the headphones, has four feet on the bottom to allow it to stand upright, making it much easier to store.

Inside the case we find the headphones and a drawstring cloth bag. The bag contains the cable that is supplied with the Peacock, a nicely braided two tone cable which ends in a 4.4mm balanced connector. The nice thing is that Sendy also includes two adapter cables, to convert the 4.4mm balanced to either a 4 pin XLR or a 6.35mm TRS, for those who want to use these headphones unbalanced. There is no 3.5mm option but this is to be expected, as these are not really headphones aimed at being used portably.



Build and aesthetics...

Let’s start with the cable. This is an 8 core braided cable, in two tones of brown, with a wooden chin slider and splitter that has Sendy Audio carved on it. The connectors seem to be of good quality, although I am not sure of the brand. The 4.4mm connectors (both male and female) have spring type cable strain relief and in general feel very nice. In fact, I would say that the cable is one of the nicest cables I have received with headphones for quite some time. I also want to say that I am not a fan of proprietary connectors on headphones, or at least ones that are not common, as I like to make my own cables, but the ones used on the Peacock are very nice, they are smooth and easy to connect and remove. I have found that I am quite a fan of them.

Moving on to the headphones… well… they are certainly aimed at looking high quality. I must say that while I love wooden headphones, I am not really one for gold (not just on headphones but in general, I don’t have any bass guitars with gold hardware either) and the cups sport very large gold and black grilles that certainly stand out. However, independently of my personal tastes, I can not say that these headphones do not look and feel like headphones of their price range.

Everything is well matched, well put together, I really can’t see any flaws in either build or aesthetics (again, ignoring my opinion of gold). Everything that should be metal is metal, everything that should be wood is wood, and even the pads feel and look premium (they actually smell of leather, so I am guessing they are real leather, although I may be wrong). The same goes for the headband, which is metal covered in leather and yellow stitching, with a very nicely padded leather comfort strap.

The headphones do have a little weight to them but they are not heavy enough to be uncomfortable, at least I haven’t found them to be tiring on long sessions (and I have certainly had some long sessions with these over the past week). In fact, I find them to be very comfortable in general, with nice openings inside the cups that are plenty large enough for my ears.



Sound…

When I receive a set of headphones for review, the first thing I do is open them and give them a very brief listen before I put them on another rig for burn in. This is usually only for about a minute, just to make sure that they work correctly and then I put them on the burn in rig for around 150 hours (I am not entering the burn in debate, it just doesn’t cost me anything to do it, so I do and avoid discussions while also avoiding brain burn in). When I did the brief listen of the Peacock, which was just with a Modi3 and Atom, I literally had to force myself to take them off about 30 minutes later.

Admittedly, at the time I was listening to the Marshall MID ANC (preparing for the review), so I guess it wasn’t surprising that the switch to these was very positive, but I just vibed with the music and really enjoyed them. I was actually very sorry to put them on the burn in rig and go back to the MID ANC.

During last week, I did listen to them a few times while I was testing the Zen Signature Stack and found them to be very nice on that set up but I refrained from using them too much until I could dedicate myself to them this week. Now, if you saw my review last week, you know that I finished the week listening to various Hifiman headphones, one of which being my favourite headphones, so normally anything would have been a bit of a let down after those, which is why I usually reset by listening to something else for a couple of days in between. In this case, I just went straight to the Peacock and can’t say that I felt let down but it wasn’t quite as perfect as my first listen may have led me to believe.

Starting with the subbass, as always, these are certainly not a sub bass heavy set of headphones. There is some roll off and I found that the iFi Zen CAN Signature HFM was a very good match for this, giving a little boost in the lowest regions (although the 2kHz boost that came with it wasn’t as much of an improvement as on other sets). This small boost in the lowest regions could be obtained with some very simple equalization but, as you probably know my tastes by now, I really don’t think it needs it because the music that these headphones make me want to listen to really doesn’t have much in the way of subbass anyway.

Moving on to the remaining mid and higher bass frequencies, here the bass is much more balanced and has a very nice warm and rounded sound to it. I have enjoyed listening to lots of blues, rock, simple electric guitar and bass tracks and, of course, my usual acoustic selections. I find the timbre of the bass to be very pleasant and smooth. There is plenty of detail in these lower regions but I don’t find it to have the dryness that I find on other planar offerings, such as the Ananda for example.

To give some examples from my usual test playlist, I basically enjoyed anything with a natural low end, from “No Ordinary Love” by Sade, “Crazy” by Daniela Andrade or “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon, all sounded great to my ears. Other tracks that were more focused on electronic bass, such as “Sun is Shining” or “No Sanctuary Here” didn’t sound bad but didn’t seem to bring out the natural flavour that these headphones exhibit in these lower ranges. The Peacock doesn’t really inspire me to listen to EDM or even Hip-Hop, although it certainly doesn’t do a bad job of it.

In the transition to the mids, I did find that on some songs there was something that sometimes stood out as strange. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was, just on a couple of tracks I found that the bass sort of disconnected from the midrange. Now, this was something that was so slight and so ocasional that I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it or if it was really happening. I noticed it on parts of “Killing in the Name” (although not throughout the whole track) and also in “Hotel California” by the Eagles (the acoustic version), along with a few others.

In the end I cheated and looked for measurements online (usually I don’t look at measurements until after I have listened and come to conclusions) to see if I really was hearing something or if I was just making it up. I found that (according to a couple of graphs) there is a little bit of a dip followed by a slight rise between the 500 to 1000Hz range. It is only slight and I really don’t think it is enough to be noticeable on 99% of the tracks I have listened to (I have listened to a lot of music on the Peacock) but obviously just sometimes coincides with certain frequencies in recordings and makes it seem more apparent. I really don’t think I would have ever been able to find it if it wasn’t for the graphs, in fact, it really isn’t even in the transition between ranges, it is just after the transition, but I thought I would mention it (especially after looking at graphs to make sure I wasn’t going crazy).

In general, the midrange is very nice. It is the sort of midrange that manages to provide plenty of detail while seeming relaxed, not throwing the detail at you. Voices sound rich and smooth, giving them a very intimate feel without feeling close like they do on something like the HD6XX. Voices such as Zella Day in her version of “Seven Nation Army” manage to be present without being overpowering or harsh.

However, moving up towards the top end of the mids and into the treble, here is where I find these headphones differ from what I am used to in planar magnetics. There is the usual dip found around 2kHz that is inherent to the Hifiman line up, however, the following frequencies don’t return quite like they do on said headphones. Rather than 3kHz being higher than the lower and middle of the midrange, the Peacock do not bounce back in the same way. In fact, the frequency response of the higher ranges is at a lower level than the mids all the way up to the highest of ranges.

In fact, the treble range is a little strange, it sort of seems like it is rolling off but in a bit of an intermittent way. This can cause the treble range to sound a little blunt but with certain frequencies cutting through on occasions that are not expected. The positive side to this is that the Peacock does avoid sibilance and harshness in its majority, except for those frequencies that seem to appear on occasions and are sort of unexpected.

I can’t say that I hate the treble, it is not quite as clear as I would like it to be but at the same time does help these to be a bit more of a relaxed listen than other options. I do feel that some EQ could go a long way with these headphones however.

As far as soundstage, it’s also sort of midway. It is not huge and open like on something like the Arya but it does not ever seem to be too closed in either. The image placement is very good, “Bubbles” is very 3D like, but it does it in a way that still feels close though not claustrophobic. For example “Letter”, also by Yosi Horikawa, has great movement but does not really go wide off to the left or right.



Comparison to the Hifiman Arya…

First let me say that these are the Arya 2020 version, not the new Arya with the Stealth Magnets (I will be reviewing those soon but have not yet heard them). If you want to know what I think about the Arya, then you can see my full review of them here. I also want to point out that this is comparing them side by side on the Asgard 3, not on the Zen CAN HFM, which I feel improves the Arya with the HFM+XSpace engaged.

I moved over to the Arya after about 3 hours of constant listening to the Peacock, so obviously things jumped out at me straight away, probably in a more exaggerated fashion at first.

I must point out that, to be at similar listening levels, I kept the same level on the dial of the Asgard and just flipped it to high gain when moving from the Peacock to the Arya (and vice versa), meaning that the Peacock does need less power.

The first thing that struck me straight away was the open soundstage of the Arya. Now, I have mentioned on many occasions that the Arya can sometimes be too open for my preferences, making things sound too far away. However, that is also a very impressive sensation when you first listen to the Arya and coming to them from the Peacock was no exception, the soundstage is huge and does make the Peacock seem very intimate in comparison. I am not saying this as a bad thing, I really like a closer sound on many occasions, but it is certainly something to consider if you are contemplating between these two headphones.

The next thing which is obvious is the treble of the Arya, being more elevated, making for a brighter sound signature but without losing that power of the bass that the Arya can portray when needed. But at the same time, the lower end of the Phoenix is far warmer, even if it is not more elevated in those frequencies than the Arya. It is the reduction in the higher ranges that makes the low end more noticeable on the Peacock.

For example, listening to “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman on both headphones, it is as though the guitar is being played through two completely different amplifiers/cabs. On the Arya it comes across as a rather clean guitar tone, while on the Peacock it comes across as a much warmer tone, as though it is being played through a warm tube amp (if that makes any sense to you non-guitarists, or even to the guitarists out there). Her vocals are pleasant on both headphones, however, the Arya does seem to bring them further forwards.

In fact, the comparison of amps I just made is quite relevant to these two headphones in general. As a bassist, and a lover of both clean tones and warm tubey tones, I would say that the Arya is the clean rig while the Peacock is the warm tube rig. Which one anyone will prefer will depend on their personal tastes.



Conclusion…

I really like the Peacock but I like it for reasons that are not usually my main focus when listening to, or chosing, headphones. The Peacock brings a warm and relaxed presentation, which I have found very enjoyable for long listening sessions, especially for a lot of my acoustic and also blues genres.

There is plenty of detail, however, that treble range does make the detail take a bit of a back seat behind the lushness of the lower end. It is certainly something that I have found more enjoyable for a relaxed session rather than a “focus on detail” session.

These are a set of very well built headphones, they look good (if you are into wood and gold) and they perform very well in comparison to so many other headphones. They include accessories that I wish other companies would take note of, especially in the cable department, and are quite easily powered for such a large set of planars (although the answer is no, I don’t suggest connecting them to a smartphone).

The question of whether these are for you or not will depend far more on your taste in sound signature than anything else. If you want a relaxed, warm set of planar magnetics, then the Peacock should certainly be on your list to try. If you are more of a clean and extremely detailed person, then maybe you might prefer some other options.

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Disclaimer

The review unit is loaned from Musicteck for my honest review. Peacock is now available at Musicteck with an early bird discount!

Introduction

Sendy Audio is a Chinese audio company that just started its business a couple of years ago. Sendy Audio is also known as the Luxury Sub-brand of Sivga Audio. My first and experience with Sendy Audio were with their “Trailblazer” headphones—Aiva. I was thoroughly impressed by the tuning of that headphones. Back then, my verdict to the Aiva was it is extremely fine-tuned headphones with OK to decent technical performance. I was very optimistic about Sendy, and I certainly believe they can continuously deliver great value and quality headphones to the community. Gladly, I found Peacock is a HUGE step up from the Aiva when I put them on my head. I was again stunned by Sendy Audio.



Tech Inside

The primary technology highlights are “Quad Former” Technology and that giant 80mm planar driver! The details of those technologies are shown below (copied from their website).





In reality, I found Peacock has the sense of “reverb” which was rarely heard from other headphones without EQ, and I guess it is caused by the Quad-Former based on the technology descriptions. I will talk more about this in the sound analysis.

Package and Accessory

Like the predecessor Aiva, Peacock comes with the Sendy “Butt Case”. Only this time, the brown leather looks and feels a lot more premium!

The accessory is somewhat basic: it has one 8-core 6N OCC cable terminated in 4.4mm balanced. 2 adapters, one from 4.4mm to 6.35mm single end, another from 4.4mm to 4-pin balanced.

Build Design and Comfort

Peacock has two quite large houses to hold those two giant 88mm drivers. The headphone itself is on the heavier side, but the weight distribution and the ergonomics are fantastic. I can easily wear them the whole day without any issue. The overall comforts are slightly below Empyrean and HD800s(due to the weight), right there with Beyerdynamic T1 & Fostex TH900, definitely top 5 in my collection.

The build quality of Peacock is decent too. The wood frame feels very solid and assembled very well with the gold plate. However, the gold plated looks a bit cheap and plasticky. Most conners and joints are trimmed very well. Peacock’s build quality is definitely above average at the sub $1500 price bracket.


Sound Analysis

Equipment I am using:

Source: SONICTRANSPORTER I5—Bricasti M1SE On Board Player
DAC: Bricasti M1SE/ Gustard X26Pro
AMP: Wells Audio Headtrip II/ Cayin HA300/ SMSL SP400
DAP: Hiby R8

Comparison Headphones: Sennheiser HD800s/LSA HP-1/Hifiman HE-6

Sound Signature

I would use three words to summarize the sound signature of Peacock: Warm, Smooth, and Colored. It has a very decent dynamic performance and quite impressive speed. Although it was tuned more towards warm than neutral, the overall tonality is very appealing. Peacock is one of those “synthetic sounds” but done well. You will find some apparent artificial tastes, but they are beautifully organized together as a whole aural presentation.

The closest headphones to Peacock in terms of sound signature are Audeze LCD3 (pf), and ZMF Verite Closed from all the headphones I have heard. You can imagine a more open, slightly brighter, and more detailed LCD 3 or a more open sounding, slightly warmer ZMF VC then plus a little reverb, minus some transparency, that would be the Peacock.

Stage and Image

The soundstage of Peacock is surprisingly wide horizontally. The instrument separation is also fantastic at its price. The positioning is reasonably good, only in the Z-axis direction, Peacock does reach very far no matter which system I tested it on.

The image is on the larger side, but don’t worry, it is still accurate. The only problem is that some K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop were recorded with a very upfront vocal position; the vocal image appears too large when playing these tracks. I found it sometimes interrupts my enjoyment.

Bass

The bass from Peacock is relaxed with significant decay and great texture. The speed is OK for many genres, but the bass seems a little slow when it comes to Metal and some EDM records. When pair Peacock with Headtrip, the bass is much tighter than the pair with SP400 and HA300.


The sub-bass of Peacock reaches pretty deep, but when it goes to the deepest frequency, the bass started to loosen up, the image begins to diffuse. The mid-bass has enough bass quantity, and the mid-bass attack leans towards the soft and gentle side. You will get an excellent bass texture when listening to the double bass in the jazz and classic tracks, but it is not ideal for electronic bass or bass drums.


Mid

The mid-range is the most attractive part of this headphone. Peacock delivers a significantly more flavored and enjoyable mid-range than many other headphones at this price range like HD800s and LSA-HP-1. I would say the overall mid and vocal performance is very close to Empyrean and ZMF Veritie Closed. Natural tune with a touch of added sweetness and warmness makes the mid of Peacock very invigorating yet smooth.

You can easily grab a ton of details while listening to acoustic guitar and other string instruments sitting between upper-mid to lower treble. The transition is also fantastic from mid to treble. It is gaplessly smooth.

The only part that I don’t like about the mid is the “reverberation”. The added reverberation somehow makes some tracks sound less transparent than those from other headphones that I have tested. Sometimes it is a little bit unnatural.

Treble

The upper range of Peacock is on the neutral to the darker side. It is about as dark as VC( if not darker). The details are there, but the presences are not that dominant because of this dark signature.

The lower treble from Peacock is very smooth and creamy. Some of the cymbals and snare resonances(from upper mid) are noticeably rolled off. At the ultra-high frequency, you will find it is well polished. It is a good yet bad thing. You will have a very easy-going upper treble without any fatigue. Still, as a trade-off, you will also lose the exciting experience when listening to some trumpet-heavy songs.

Comparison

I have compared Peacock to all the headphones in my collection. I was surprised by how close it is to some of the best and most expansive headphones in the market. For the headphones at around the $1500 price range, Peacock is highly competitive.

Peacock v.s. HD800s

Both two headphones have a huge soundstage. You will not have any problem in position and separation with either of these headphones. HD800s is still a better performer in terms of 3-dimensional scaling. But when it comes to texture, tactility, and frequency distribution, Peacock is the superior headphone. You will have a more colorful mid, a more refined treble, and more impactful bass with Peacock.

Peacock v.s. LSA HP-1

HP-1 is one of my best discoveries in 2021 so far. LSA HP-1 is perfectly neutral, uncolored, and pure. Peacock, on the other side, is beautifully colored. It is something that has its own attitude. The bass from HP-1 is tighter and has more attacks, whereas Peacock’s bass is softer but more impactful. The mid from HP-1 is almost perfectly neutral and linear, but Peacock is noticeably colored with more presence between 500Hz to around 2kHz. In the treble, HP-1 has the attack and some well-controlled sparkles that Peacock is missing. Peacock has some smooth yet still fun treble under a creamy coating that can be rarely found from other headphones. Both headphones are masterpieces at this price!

Peacock v.s. HE6

HE6 was my reference headphones under $2000. The synergy between HE6 and Headtrip is fabulous. With power, HE6 can deliver a crystal clear sound, TOTL level clarity, and transparency. HE6 is all about micros, where you can get an insane amount of details, very precise microdynamics, extremely fitted image size… However, Peacock is always more enjoyable to my ears when it comes to the musicality, engagement, fluidity, macro soundstage, and tonality.

Ultimately, I would rank Peacock, 1 tier below Susvara, 1266, and D8000 pro for the overall placement. A half tier above HD8000s and TH900, and pretty much the same tier with LSA-HP1 and Hifiman HE6( with proper amp).



Final Verdict

Peacock is one of the best headphones I discovered in 2021, along with HP-1. It not only has a beautiful design and comfortable fit but also sounds fantastic. The unique yet enjoyable tuning can easily draw your attention in a mild and gentle approach. It quickly took the place of HD800s in my line-up as my new so-called “multitasking” headphones. I really enjoy using Peacock while working or reading. The sound is cozy, refined, and comforting, just like a cup of Latte that can relieve all your tiredness. I highly recommend you test Peacock. If you like its tuning, it may be a “giant killer” for you.

My Tastes and Background
I come from the world of 2-channel and love vinyl and tube amps. Over the past several years I’ve tried a ton of headphone gear. If I had to state a preference I’d say I’m an R2R DAC, tube amp, open back planar kind of guy (although I totally dig on dynamic cans, estats, SS amps and all kinds of gear). In terms of “house sound” I probably lean toward Kennerton and ZMF.

I tried to read as little about these headphones as possible prior to reviewing to avoid influence.

Unboxing and First Impressions
As with some of their other offerings, Sendy Audio has put a lot of effort into making the headphones, accessories, and packaging feel special. I’ve had my hands on much more expensive headphones that felt less exciting upon first impression. The build feels solid, the headband structure works well, and the materials seem to be high quality. What you think of the looks comes down to personal taste. For me, it's just a little over the top.

Accessories
The Peacock comes with a handsome travel case and a nice cable system. The cable terminates in a 4.4mm balanced connector and includes adapters for both quarter-inch TRS and 4-pin XLR connections. The headphone side of the cable terminates in push-pull style 4-pin connectors you find on Dan Clark Audio headphones. I’m not a huge fan of these since they are a bit fiddly and you are less likely to already own aftermarket cables that work with this system. On the plus side, they feel very secure when connected and I don’t feel any urgency to replace the included cable.

My Setup
I let the headphones burn in for a bit before digging in which I think they really needed as they continue to tighten up the more I listen. I listened to the Peacock with a couple of DAC (Border Patrol, Chord Mojo, and Denifrips Pontus II) and amp (A&S Bigger Ben, Schiit Mjolnir, Decware Taboo, and Audio-GD NFB-1AMP) combinations. I had a few pairs of headphones on hand as well to help provide perspective.

Listening Impressions
Ok, enough preamble, how does it sound? When I put them on the first few times words like smooth, rich, and forgiving immediately came to mind. This headphone has a pretty different approach when compared to similarly priced offerings which tend to be eager to show off their technical prowess. With the Peacock, details are not yanked from the track and shoved into your ear canals but rather bubble up unobtrusively. When you bring your focus to the music you’re rewarded with a surprising sense of depth and texture. The details are present but not as immediately accessible, they are instead interwoven into a thicker, softer, and more fluid presentation. The Peacock does not break the music apart for analysis but rather encourages the listener to take a moment and just relax. I’ve heard many headphones with better separation, greater detail retrieval, and more energy, but I don’t think that’s what Sendy Audio was going for.

To my ear, the Peacock was most successful with musical pieces that featured less layering and complexity. Solo piano, chamber music, jazz quartets, and pieces that focused on a vocalist with more restrained instrumentation were all very enjoyable to sink into. I had some nice moments rocking out and kicking it with some beat-driven tracks, but with highly complex music the fluid presentation of the Peacock was less enjoyable. That being said, the Peacock can definitely grab your attention when a more energetic track pops up in your playlist. If you drive the Peacock a little harder it has the ability to wake up and get the party started.

Let’s run through the tonal range quickly.

• Highs - Easy going, good definition. Nonfatiguing for all-day listening.
• Upper mids - Could use a little more energy for my taste.
• Mids - Full-bodied with a little pocket of space around them. Very nice.
• Lower mids - You guessed it, thick. This HP definitely carries its weight down low.
• Bass - Plentiful but not super tight. Enjoyed the rumble but could be a bit tidier.

The soundstage strikes a nice balance between giving the listener a good amount of space without losing a sense of connection. Vocals come forward stepping out from the instrumentation but aren’t so intimate as to feel like they are inside your head.

Pairings
I found the Peacocks benefited from a signal that has a bit more structure. So from the DACs I had on hand the Pontus was the best match. Thinking back to my Chord Qutest days I could imagine that being an even better match.

The Peacocks got along pretty well with most of the amps I had available. The Taboo was probably my favorite combo (once I got the tubes dialed in). It offered a nice sense of openness with its built-in Lucid mode, had a good amount of punch to keep things lively, but also celebrated the inherent sweetness of the headphones. I think a lot of people would dig the NFB-1AMP pairing as that amp excels at emphasizing separation and clarity. The Mjolnir was the least successful to my ears with its very thick sound signature.

If you like tube rolling or digital EQing you can definitely push this headphone to be more in line with your taste. I found that the right rectifier tube did wonders to tighten up the bass presentation.

Competition
Considering the price ($1,500) and typology (open-backed planar) if you are interested in this headphone you might be cross-shopping the Audeze LCD-X, Hifiman Arya, DCA Ether Flow, and LSA HP-1 (made by Kennerton). I’ve not heard all of these headphones but I’ve heard several things from each of these manufacturers and think I have a sense of the approximate house sound of each brand.

Audeze and Kennerton feel closer to me in that they both offer a fuller sound signature. I think the Peacock differentiates from both of those brands. It is smoother than the HP-1 and a bit more open and playful than the Audezes I’ve heard. Not necessarily better or worse, just different and which you prefer totally comes down to taste. Also, please take this section with a big grain of salt as I’m going from memory and not A/B testing.

Takeaways and Recommendations
If you are looking for a crazy energetic, impactful, and sharp-natured set of cans this is probably not the right choice for you. If you’re more of a pleasure seeker but still want a technically competent set of headphones then the Peacocks could be a great fit. As a self-proclaimed audio nerd I totally geek out on gear with superhuman technical capabilities but as a music lover, I often feel like that same gear is just pulling me out of the listening experience. I don’t think the Peacocks are without their faults, but I am happy to have an option that offers a more relaxed and fun-loving point of view in this performance tier.

In my opinion, the most important part of a headphone review, is to first understand the sound preferences of the reviewer. All descriptions of a headphone are irrelevant unless you have a reference point for the reviewer.
What headphone(s) does the reviewer like and prefer? And what qualities of a headphone does the reviewer value?

WHAT'S YOUR (P) REFERENCE

So before I talk about Sendy Audio's current flagship headphone, the Peacock, I want to talk a little bit about the ZMF Verite (open). The Verite is my reference and preference headphone.

The Verite is my favorite headphone of all time, at any price. It has this uncanny ability to, simultaneously, sound highly detailed and smooth at the same time. In my opinion, this is a supremely difficult formula to master.

It also has a fairly wide and holographic soundstage. And although it's not the widest that I've heard, it can make it sound like sounds are popping out from behind your head. I love that soundstage effect.

Of course anyone who has ever seen a ZMF product knows they're gorgeous to look at and are built impeccably by hand. They're also very comfortable due to a fantastic headband system. So to me, they represent the total package.
So those are the qualities in a headphone that make me smile. By the way, I fully acknowledge that the Verite is not a "neutral" headphone.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE

In general, I prefer headphones that don't stray too far from neutral, but lean more towards the smoother end of the spectrum, as I am moderately sensitive to upper mids and treble harshness.
That said, I don't want a headphone that lacks detail and resolution (appropriate for its price point).

For example, I love the detail, resolution, and soundstage of the Sennheiser 800S, but it's too fatiguing for me to listen to for a prolonged period of time. So that being said, you know I'm not going to like the tuning of many Beyerdynamics, Grados, or Ultrasones.

WHAT DID YOU USE

So for my review, most of my listening was done with the Singxer SA-1 amplifier in low gain and Modius DAC. I mainly listened to the Peacock balanced, since the Singxer is a balanced amp. I chose the SA-1 so that I could quickly switch between the Verite (XLR) and Peacock (4.4mm) while both were running balanced.

WHAT'S THE COMFORT AND BUILD LIKE

The build quality is simply excellent for its price. The Peacock is made almost entirely of wood, metal, and high quality leather. It absolutely shames the flimsy, plastic build of the Hifiman Arya. And in spite of the use of premium materials, it's still very comfortable to wear. The earcups allow some swivel and the clamping force is light-moderate.

Compared to something that costs more than it, like the HEDDphone, it still comes out on top. While the HEDDphone is made fairly well, it uses a lot more plastic, is much heavier in weight, and has a much higher clamping force. As a former owner of the HEDDphone, I can personally say that its lack of comfort was a deal breaker. For all the premium materials of the Peacock, it's still much lighter and much more comfortable.

I think it's built better than the entire Audeze LCD 2,3, and 4(since they're all built the same). Audeze does use premium materials but I have had too many problems with their headband system. For some unknown reason, Audeze doesn't create enough space between the headband and comfort strap. So when worn, the comfort strap will come into contact with the metal headband, which will quickly create a hot spot. I had no such issue with the Peacock and I had the headband at full extension. I also find it inexcusable that Audeze uses glued on earpads for their entire LCD line, including the 4 and 4Z, that retail for $4000! The Peacock is nearly 1/3 that cost so they get a pass to use any method they like to mount their earpads.

Serious question though: why can't more companies use super, user-friendly magnetic earpad attachments like Abyss, Meze, and Ultrasone?

WHAT ABOUT THE BASS

The bass is fairly solid and definitely not lacking. The sub bass is present and doesn't sound like there's much roll off down to 20hz. The mid bass sounds just a little north of neutral by maybe 3 or 4 db's, which I like. To my ears, completely neutral bass just doesn't give music enough body and soul.

I think the quantity of the mid bass is just about perfect, but it sounds just a tad spongy. I would prefer it to be tighter, but I'll take a little spongy over anemic every day of the week. It doesn't hit quite as hard as the Verite or decay as fast, but at half the price, it's no slouch! I'd say the bass quantity sits between the Verite and Auteur.

On some tracks, the mid bass can sound a little subdued, even though I said earlier that it has sufficient quantity. But I think that is more of a tuning issue of the mids, rather than the amount of bass. I'll talk more about this next.

WHAT ABOUT THE MIDS

The mids are where I have a little issue with the Peacock. There is a broad elevation somewhere in the neighborhood of 900hz - 2khz. And then it is followed by an upper mid recession, and a toned-down treble region as well.

This presents a small problem because it throws off the tonal balance and higher order harmonics. I think this tuning makes it harder to pick out finer details. We all know that a higher volume will bring out more mid bass impact as well as treble detail, due to the Fletcher-Munson curve.

But the Peacock already has extra energy in the low-mids, so if you try to turn up the volume to bring out more of the bass and treble, then the mids can become a little shouty. I actually don't think the Peacock lacks detail for its price point, but the stock tuning can make it seem that way. In my opinion, the balance amongst the lower mids, upper mids, and treble needs a little work.

WHAT ABOUT THE TREBLE

The treble of the Peacock is on the more relaxed and smooth side. As someone who does not like bright headphones, I tend to prefer this type of tuning. However, this has to be balanced with the rest of the frequency spectrum or music can sound dull and lifeless.

Again, I think the treble quantity is actually sufficient for detail, if the lower mids weren't so elevated and the upper mids weren't so recessed. But based on the tuning as it is, I feel the Peacock could use a tad more treble energy. But then that opens up another can of worms, because if you EQ more treble, then you're going to have to EQ more bass. In my opinion, Sendy Audio would have covered a multitude of sins if they simply had a flatter tuning of the mids.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

At the end of the day, I really enjoyed the Sendy Audio Peacock. In general, it is tuned more towards my preference, as I don't like bright headphones. It is built well, comfortable to wear, includes a high quality cable, and has an exceptional soundstage. It's ability to create "ambience" might be its greatest strength. It's certainly my favorite part of it.

In all honesty, the Peacock reminds me of the Audeze house sound, but with a better stock tuning (even though it could also use a little EQ), and a significantly wider soundstage. From a pure enjoyment standpoint, I'd take it over the entire LCD line except the LCD 4. It's just a more enjoyable listen.

However, I do have to say that I think Sendy took it just a smidge too far towards the smooth and relaxed end of the spectrum.

Compared to the Verite, the Peacock lacks a little refinement and articulation. Since it's a planar and the Verite is a dynamic, you'd expect more snap in the transients or leading edges of notes. But that is not the case. Sounds from the Peacock have a little extra butter on them. I guess I'm saying some may find the Peacock smooth to a fault.

I like the extra body in the lower mids, because it prevents the mids from sounding lean or anemic. But you need to balance that extra energy out with the upper mids and treble for clarity.

But what it lacks in refinement, it makes up for with "atmosphere". With the right recording, the Peacock can make a normal track almost sound binaural. It just has such great width to its soundstage that it can "paint" music with a large canvas. So ambient and electronic music sound downright majestic on it. Actually, anything mixed to take advantage of soundstage sounds great with these; think Hans Zimmer for example.

It's smooth tonal balance does also mean it's very forgiving of poor recordings. I really think the Peacock strikes a nice balance between technical and fun. It extracts sufficient detail for its price point without ever sounding sterile.

In terms of only technical proficiency, it neither competes with the summit-fi offerings from Abyss or Hifiman, nor does it's price stake that claim anyway. But I do place it at the top end of mid-fi. But when you factor in the total package of build quality, cable quality, accessories, comfort, and staging ability, it extends closer to summit-fi than many other headphones in its pricing hierarchy.

FOR WHOM DO YOU RECOMMEND

I recommend the Peacock to anyone who likes the Audeze LCD house sound but has always wanted more soundstage than they offer. If you prefer headphones that are on the smoother and more forgiving side, then these are for you.

If you prefer a bright and analytical sound like the Hifiman HEK line, Abyss Diana Phi, Sennheiser hd 800, Beyerdynamic T1, etc., then these are not for you.

If you liked the trippy soundstage of the Hifiman Arya, but wished they weren't so etchy and bright in the upper mids and treble, then you need to audition these. The soundstage of the Peacock is not as tall as the Arya, but it's even wider.

If you like the ZMF Verite but can't afford it, these may make you smile for half the price.

If you like the tuning of the ZMF Auteur but find it just a tad too neutral, you may want to try these.

If you like the more relaxed sound of the Sennheiser HD650, and are looking for an upgrade path with a similar tonality, then put these on your list.

If you love the staging capability of the Sennheiser 800S, but want more bass, less brightness, more soul, and don't mind sacrificing a little detail and technical proficiency, then take these for a ride.

If all you care about is technical performance, you are not impressed by soundstage and ambience, and you always want your coffee black and never with cream or sugar, then sashay away from these.