I have very little need for escapism. I live in a very peaceful area, surrounded by lakes, trees, and very little traffic. My listening room is in my basement, further isolated still. My marriage is a happy one, and we have no kids at home. Only the occasional visit from the parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren makes for real noise, and it's highly welcomed. In any case, I am not the usual customer in need of a good set of headphones, yet I can certainly appreciate escaping in the right pair.
This was my original mindset as I ogled the beautiful Sendy Apollo headphones. I was about to be swayed.
What They Are
The Sendy Apollos ($499) are a lightweight, open back, planar design utilizing a 68mm large diameter double magnet diaphragm driver. The earcups feature both a glossed rosewood outer ring as well as a sunlight steel mesh décor center, making them a rather attractive set of cans. The headband is goatskin, while the earpads are made with memory foam. All this combines for an immediately comfortable fit, even for long listening sessions, which I can attest to. A 6N OCC braided cable lends to the high-end feel of the Sendys, but for my tastes, could be a tad longer as it restricted the distance from my headphone amp a bit. It is detachable and upgradable, therefore the cable choice is your option to do as you please here. A sturdy carrying case is included as part of the package should you choose to travel with your Apollos.
To the point of being lightweight, the Apollos come in at just under 14 ounces (395g). This lends to an instant comfort when wearing them, which is furthered by a comfortable balance and forward-angled cable outputs. The earpads seem to be leather, though I can find nothing to substantiate that.
The 16-ohm resistance and 95dB sensitivity make the Sendy Apollos easy for a quality headphone amplifier, such as my Questyle CMA Twelve, to drive effectively. The native gold-plated 4.4mm plug mated up snugly into the Questyle, while the included 3.5 (also gold-plated) mated up well to the portable DACs that I use with my mobile device.
Listening
The unmistakable first impression of the Sendy Apollos is that of a large, full sound spectrum. Starting with tracks on CD, running from the PS Audio Lambda transport into the Questyle, "Shut Your Eyes" by Snow Patrol becomes the initial tune for the listening session. There is a sharp focus to the song as it starts with only an overdubbed guitar. Over the top of the guitars lies a faint airy string drone that I have never heard before. I replay the intro several times to take it in. Once the bass kicks in, real weight is given to the lower end. It isn't over emphasized or forced but comes in with natural tone and balance in the soundstage. The percussion finds a space far outside the immediate headspace while the keyboard resides somewhere deep within.
On MoFi's release of Supertramp's Crime of the Century, "Rudy" provides an immediately expansive experience. The train noise surrounds while the piano and keyboard respectively come from far right and left. Starting out quiet, the song becomes very punchy and driving, which makes me a tad nervous as I turn the volume up a bit. The Sendy Apollos respond like absolute champions, delivering every ounce of the intense dynamics of this recording with authority and accuracy. Responding much more like a set of multi-thousand dollar headphones, the Apollos reproduce hi-res kick drum, snare, and horns, simultaneously dotting details across the spectrum and keeping vocals flowing and warm. It's a neat trick.
Many folks choose to use their headphones as travel buddies, so I would be remiss if I didn't test the Sendy Apollos accordingly. Using the included 3.5mm adapter, an AudioQuest DragonFly Black DAC with DragonTail, I plugged into my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra cell phone and begin perusing my Qobuz playlists. "I Am the Moon" by Tedeschi Trucks Band (24-bit/192kHz) demonstrated a couple of pros and cons to the travel setup.
Cons?
The phone and DAC setup will not drive the Apollos to the kind of volume that a headphone amp will, but it is at a satisfying level. Still, quieter tracks may become a little lost, especially if you are on an airplane, or in a noisy place that you're… well… escaping from. This is going to come down to preference. I find the level adequate. Your results may vary.
Pros?
Even with a cell phone and an inexpensive DAC, the sound is more than I expect from a portable solution. In other words, as an audiophile, I could not only travel with this, but I could certainly enjoy this. The sound quality coupled with what I am now finding to be the long-term comfort of the Sendy Apollos make these a fantastic traveling companion. Just don't let them out of your sight.
Back to the track. The Apollos, in this portable scenario, project the duet vocals with a round and smooth tone, rolling over the acoustic guitars. Though the mids aren't as pronounced here, I blame that more on the overall setup than the headphones. Highs are still crisp and defined. Most importantly, the overall presentation is large and full.
The Beatles "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (24-bit/96kHz) makes for an instant treat, and more clearly demonstrates the Apollos' capabilities. As the intro notes pan back and forth, the Sendys become spacious and open, throwing the tones out into a farther reach. Vocals sit tight against the ears, while the drums distinctively come from behind my head. It is now an expansive, multi-dimensional sphere, weightless and tremendously enjoyable.
Wrapping It Up
During my time with Sendy Apollos, I compared them to a few of my own headphones, plus another pair on loan to me. With each comparison, I found the Apollos to be far and away a more comfortable, balanced, and better fit around my ears. Since some of my listening sessions with them went long, this comfort was hugely appreciated. Sonically, the Apollos performed well above their $499 price point, even with the use of a mobile phone. I may even invent a few reasons to escape before our time is done.
Apollo Headphones
Retail: $499
Sendy Audio
