The Sendy Audio Egret planar magnetic headphones arrive as the most technically ambitious release yet from the Chinese manufacturer, pairing cabinetmaker-grade woodworking with a newly developed 98 x 84mm driver. Priced at £799, the open-back over-ears target the high-end personal audio market currently populated by established open-back rivals including the HiFiMAN Arya Organic, Meze 109 Pro, Sennheiser HD 660S2, and Audeze MM-100.
Sendy Audio has built its reputation on luxury finishes and meticulous acoustic engineering, following previous models like the Aiva and the higher-end Peacock. With the Egret, named after the wading bird, the company introduces a bespoke planar magnetic design driven by an ultra-thin composite diaphragm and an advanced manufacturing technique aimed at lowering distortion across extended listening sessions.
Design, Build Quality, and Ergonomics
Crafted with natural-wood earcups featuring unique grain patterns and satin sheens, the Egret draws visual inspiration from the wings of an egret in flight across its open-back metal grilles. Structural elements utilize CNC-machined aluminium treated with a soft gunmetal anodisation finish. The assembly includes yokes, a contoured headband, and hybrid leather earpads featuring breathable fabric along the inner edges to manage heat during multi-hour listening periods.
Weighing in at 420g, the headphones are supported by a light suspension headband designed to distribute weight evenly across the crown. While the weight is noticeable, the moderate clamping force and compliant pad design accommodate extended use, including comfortable wear for glasses users. The open-back architecture means sound leaks freely in both directions, making the Egret best suited for home studios, quiet offices, or private listening rooms. Despite the open design, the chassis provides moderate passive attenuation against low-frequency background hums like desk fans.
Acoustic Engineering and Driver Specifications
At the center of the Egret is a custom 98 x 84mm planar magnetic driver coupled with a nano-scale composite diaphragm measuring under 800nm in thickness. Sendy utilizes an Electron Beam Evaporation Deposition (EBED) process to apply the conductive aluminium trace directly onto the membrane at an atomic level. This method avoids traditional printing or laminating layers, reducing overall diaphragm mass and achieving a more uniform electromechanical response.
Electrical specifications list an impedance of 38Ω and a sensitivity rating of 103dB ± 3dB, with a frequency response spanning 8Hz to 40kHz. These figures make the headphones relatively source-friendly compared to traditional power-hungry planar magnetics. Portable sources like high-resolution USB dongle DACs or compact units like the Chord Mojo 2 provide sufficient headroom to drive the headphones to comfortable listening levels without straining.
The package includes a 1.8m detachable triple-composite balanced cable containing 30 strands of Furukawa oxygen-free copper, 10 strands of silver-plated copper, and 10 strands of enamelled gold-plated copper housed in a graphene-reinforced PVC jacket. The cable terminates in a 4.4mm balanced Pentaconn plug at the source end, with dual 3.5mm balanced connectors at the earcups, alongside bundled 3.5mm and 6.35mm adapters and a tan eco-leather hard case.
Sound Signature and Performance
Testing across dedicated desktop and portable sources using lossless tracks reveals a spacious soundstage that extends noticeably beyond the physical boundaries of the earcups. Complex compositions are handled with clean instrument separation and a three-dimensional layering effect across the sound field.
Bass tuning prioritizes texture and speed over physical impact, delivering clean low-frequency extension without overwhelming sub-bass slam. The midrange serves as the emotional anchor, reproducing male and female vocals with a natural, uncolored presentation that flatters well-mastered recordings while remaining forgiving of average mixes. Treble is tuned for extended, non-fatiguing listening, rendering cymbals and acoustic string instruments with air and controlled transient detail rather than sharp aggression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sendy Audio Egret hard to drive?
No. With a 38Ω impedance and 103dB sensitivity, the Egret reaches comfortable listening levels easily from balanced dongle DACs and portable players, though it scales cleanly with dedicated desktop amplifier chains.
What is the EBED diaphragm manufacturing process?
Electron Beam Evaporation Deposition is a technique where ultra-fine aluminium traces are vapour-deposited directly onto the ultra-thin planar membrane at the atomic level, reducing excess mass and minimizing distortion.
What accessories are included in the box?
The headphones ship with a 1.8m triple-composite balanced cable featuring a 4.4mm Pentaconn termination, 3.5mm and 6.35mm single-ended adapters, a linen cable pouch, and a hardshell carrying case.