When I first started djing, my older cousin Noel (RIP) told me one of the most important things to consider was the quality of your headphones. Don’t play out w/ janky unless you have no other choice. Phones are second to your needles & headshell setup. Nevermind anything else, the sound quality must at all times be razor sharp. Although I agreed 100%, the truth is I’m a sucker for forward fresh design aesthetics. Especially when It comes to electronics.

The TMA-1 DJ Headphones by Danish electronics company AIAIAI definitley garner a complete win in the design department. They stand as collabo between AIAIAI and fellow countrymen Kibisi. Digging deeper we find that TMA-1 is machine in Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey that was built with the most durable specifications.

Kibisi quotes, “The design of TMA-1 is simple, and then some. It is stripped down to nothing more than the essentials. No ornaments, colors or other distractions. Only a very discrete and hidden logo indicates that these headphones come from an established brand.”“This marks a new route in a terrain, that for the last couple of years have seen an endless array of products branded with extensive logos, and marketed by celebrities. The TMA-1 travels on a different road, and with it’s simple and iconic look, it is essentially nothing more, than the idea of the headphone.”“In total 28 of the world’s most progressive DJ’s have been consulted through both the developmental and testing stages, in questions related to sound, form and durability.”“The entire process has given a valuable insight into the needs among touring musicians, whose headphones are to endure 4-5 gigs a week, and a load of travelling on top of that. The TMA-1 built for musicians, by musicians.”Among the list of primo beta testers Flying Lotus, Matthew Dear. Set to launch this month AIAIAI going very exclusive in terms of marketing and retail. Stateside they will only be available at TurntableLab, Apple Stores and the venerable Ghostly International record label.The global launch dates are: Berlin on the 11th of august Tokyo on the 14th of august New York on the 18th of august