Compare Sendy Audio Apollo Pro vs Meze Audio Strada

Open-back leakage and almost no isolation make the Apollo Pro a poor travel companion. It is better suited to a desk, listening chair, or quiet home room.

Light weight, strong isolation, and a protective case suit travel well. Its broad nonfolding shape, bulky case, and long cable keep it from being truly compact.

Sound leakage is substantial, and people nearby may hear much of the music. Shared offices, commuting, and late-night use beside another person are poor fits.

The closed cups keep music contained well at normal listening levels, making the Strada suitable around coworkers or family without broadcasting every track.

The yokes and cups articulate smoothly in multiple directions. That movement helps the pads conform to different head shapes without constant repositioning.

The freely rotating cups aid positioning, but one listener found them too loose and awkward to align quickly with one hand.

Passive isolation is minimal, as expected from an open-back headphone. Outside sounds remain audible, so it works best in a quiet private room.

Passive isolation is unusually strong for an audiophile headphone and works well in offices, homes, and travel. Performance depends on achieving a complete pad seal.

Despite its large planar cups, the frame looks relatively low-profile and cohesive. The design is distinctive without relying on oversized branding.

The Strada has a broad, conspicuous silhouette rather than a discreet profile. Its oversized cups and generous padding are especially noticeable on smaller heads.

A 3.5mm adapter is included, so standard laptop and portable connections are possible. The long adapted plug is awkward, and a dedicated 3.5mm cable would be cleaner.

The standard 3.5mm connection is straightforward and plug-and-play with compatible computers and portable devices.

The suspension headband offers a broad, easy adjustment range that helps the cups settle quickly. Finding a comfortable fit requires little effort.

The sliding mechanism often feels smooth, quiet, and refined, but adjustment range is inconsistent across head sizes. Small heads can remain too loose, while some users want detents or more friction.

A detachable cable and replaceable pads improve serviceability and reduce the need to discard the whole headphone after wear. Buyers should still confirm long-term replacement-part availability.

Screwed, modular construction, magnetic pads, and replaceable parts make repairability a standout advantage. The Strada is designed to be maintained instead of discarded.

The detachable cable can be replaced if it fails, which supports longer ownership. However, the single-ring right-side connector limits compatible aftermarket choices.

Standard dual 3.5mm cup connections make cable replacement and third-party upgrades simple, secure, and widely compatible.

The pads can be removed and replaced without much difficulty. Replacement availability should be checked before purchase, but the design is more serviceable than permanently fixed pads.

Magnetic pads detach and reinstall quickly without tools, simplifying cleaning, replacement, and long-term upkeep.

The Apollo Pro can play from modest sources, but stronger amplification brings firmer dynamics and fuller performance. One listener found it easy to drive, while another preferred a more powerful balanced setup.

The Strada is easy to drive, yet many listeners hear tighter bass, smoother treble, and greater refinement from better-matched amplification. Source synergy matters more than raw power alone.

The response is controlled and broadly balanced, with no exaggerated bass shelf or sharp showroom-style treble boost. Its warmer lower midrange keeps it from being strictly neutral.

The tonal balance is the most disputed part of the Strada. Some hear natural neutrality or gentle warmth, while others describe a U- or W-shaped response with lean lower mids and emphasized upper treble.

Long-term impressions are strongly positive, with listeners enjoying the Apollo Pro across music, films, and gaming. Warmth, comfort, and spaciousness drive most of that enthusiasm.

Most listeners find the Strada engaging, refined, and easy to live with, while a smaller group is frustrated by tonal thinness or treble peaks. Satisfaction depends heavily on fit and sound preference.

The overall sound is consistently described as natural, detailed, and enjoyable, with warmth that avoids muddiness. It stays musical rather than clinical, even when presenting plenty of information.

The sound is widely praised for spaciousness, detail, musicality, and closed-back openness. The central tradeoff is tonal: some hear smooth balance, while others find the upper range too energetic and the lower mids too lean.

Voices and instruments sound full, natural, and easy to follow. The slightly warm presentation adds body without making the midrange thin, brittle, or overly forward.

Vocals and instruments are often praised for clarity, articulation, and natural timbre. Dissenting listeners hear a recessed lower midrange, thin male vocals, or an occasionally shouty upper-mid emphasis.

The package is generous, with a leather case, accessory pouch, balanced cable, and multiple adapters. The selection feels complete, although the adapter arrangement is not especially elegant.

Two useful cables, adapters, a protective case, and a cable pouch form a complete, high-quality package with little obviously missing.

The Apollo Pro earns strong recommendations for home listeners who prioritize comfort, spaciousness, and a warm but detailed sound. It is less suitable for commuters, bass-heads, or treble-sensitive buyers.

The Strada earns broad recommendation for its craftsmanship, comfort, isolation, and spacious presentation. It is not a universal pick: treble-sensitive listeners and people with smaller heads should audition before buying.

The Apollo Pro reaches practical listening levels from many dongles and portable sources. A cleaner or more powerful amplifier can still improve dynamics and bass control.

High sensitivity provides ample loudness from portable sources, with enough headroom for demanding recordings without needing a large desktop amplifier.

Wide staging and precise directional placement make footsteps and effects easy to locate. It works especially well for immersive single-player gaming, though voice chat needs a separate microphone.

Wide staging, strong positional cues, isolation, and impactful low frequencies make the Strada highly effective for games and films. Competitive players may still prefer sharper imaging or a less treble-forward presentation.

Treble is detailed and airy without becoming consistently harsh, making long sessions easier. Some listeners may still find the upper range a little spicy on bright recordings.

Treble opinions are sharply divided. Many hear airy detail, smooth extension, and fatigue-free sparkle, while others report 4–7kHz peaks, glare, or long-session fatigue.

Left and right channels track closely, supporting a stable center image and accurate positioning. No meaningful imbalance was reported.

Measured and perceived channel balance is consistently excellent, with only minor unit-level deviations reported.

The stock braided cable feels premium, durable, and low in handling noise. Its weight and unusual connector arrangement are the main practical drawbacks.

The two braided cables are generally considered well made and useful, especially with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations. A few listeners report shape memory, microphonics, or a finish that feels modest for the price.

The deep velvet pads are soft, breathable, and unusually comfortable. Their cushioning spreads pressure well and reduces heat compared with many synthetic-leather pads.

The large, soft magnetic pads support comfort and sealing well. Their synthetic-leather surface can become warm for some listeners during extended use.

The balanced cable and included 3.5mm and 6.35mm adapters cover many portable and desktop sources. The adapter stack can become bulky, but compatibility is broad out of the box.

Dual 3.5mm earcup inputs, 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm cables, and an adapter make the wired setup flexible across portable and desktop gear.

The adjustment hardware feels firm, holds its position, and does not creak. The moving parts give a reassuring impression of careful tolerances.

The joints and moving hardware feel precise, solid, and engineered for long-term use rather than looseness or flex.

Clamp is secure enough to keep the cups stable without pressing hard around the jaw. It should suit long listening sessions better than many heavier planars.

Clamp is usually secure and gently judged, holding the seal without creating a vise-like squeeze. A few heads may find it firmer or less adaptable than expected.

The leather case is sturdy, protective, and notably nicer than typical included cases. It makes storage safer even though the headphone itself is not ideal for travel.

The rigid case protects the headphones well and feels appropriately premium, although its generous size is less convenient for light travel.

Films and spacious recordings benefit from broad imaging, stable placement, and clear layering. The presentation can feel more speaker-like than many conventional headphones.

The Strada creates convincing depth, width, and placement for a closed-back design. Imaging is usually engaging and realistic, though a minority finds it diffuse, shallow, or less precise than top technical rivals.

Dense arrangements remain organized, with individual instruments easy to distinguish without sounding artificially disconnected. Fast passages and layered mixes are handled especially well.

Layering and separation are clear strengths, giving instruments distinct space even in busy arrangements. A few listeners hear less depth or coherence when the treble dominates.

The broad, softly padded headband spreads weight effectively and avoids a concentrated crown hotspot. It supports the headphone’s excellent long-session comfort.

The broad, ventilated headband spreads pressure evenly and helps prevent hot spots, making its relatively light padding work better than expected.

The zebrawood, aluminum frame, leather details, and careful finishing create a convincingly premium impression. It looks and feels appropriate for its price class.

Flagship-derived materials, hand finishing, wood cups, and precise hardware make the Strada look and feel more expensive than its price. Its unusually light frame can briefly seem less substantial until handled closely.

The open-back presentation creates a broad, stable stage with convincing depth and placement. Most listeners praise its spaciousness, though one found it less expansive than the widest open-back alternatives.

An unusually airy, wide stage is one of the clearest strengths for a closed-back headphone. Its exact depth and scale remain recording-dependent, and a few listeners hear a more intimate presentation.

Although the cups look large, the 354-gram frame feels lighter than expected. Good distribution keeps the headphone from dragging downward or creating a narrow hotspot.

The roughly 300–330g build feels notably light for its size and materials, reducing neck and head fatigue during extended listening.

Bass reaches deep with good texture and control, but physical slam is more restrained than bass-heavy dynamic headphones. The tuning favors warmth and definition over subwoofer-like impact.

Bass impressions vary with seal, source, and taste. Many hear deep, controlled sub-bass with satisfying punch, while others want more upper-bass weight, speed, or consistency.

Comfort is a standout strength, with several listeners able to wear it through multiple albums or all day. The fit stays secure without creating obvious pressure points.

Low weight, soft memory-foam pads, and well-distributed pressure make long sessions a major strength. The key exception is fit: smaller heads may struggle even at the minimum adjustment.

Zebrawood cups, exposed metal, and the sunburst grille give the Apollo Pro a distinctive premium look. The styling earns strong praise, though its decorative appearance will not suit every taste.

Macassar ebony and metallic green give the Strada a distinctive, luxurious identity. The craftsmanship is widely admired, but the bold colorway is unmistakably polarizing.

The build, comfort, accessories, and sound make the $449 price competitive. It is not a bargain for everyone, but several listeners consider the package excellent for the money.

Most consider $799 compelling for the flagship-like chassis, accessories, serviceability, and spacious sound. Buyers who dislike the tuning may see less value, especially when cheaper or more neutral alternatives exist.

Build quality is repeatedly praised for solid metalwork, clean fitting, and reassuring adjustment hardware. Nothing feels loose or unfinished, and the construction competes well above its price.

The magnesium frame, ebony cups, precise assembly, and premium finish draw near-universal praise. Only isolated adjustment, creaking, or cable-connector quirks interrupt an otherwise exceptional construction story.

Glasses did not meaningfully break the seal or reduce bass response in testing. The soft pads adapt well around frames while staying comfortable.

Soft pads maintain comfort and a useful seal with thin-framed glasses, avoiding the pinching some closed-backs create.

This is a desk-focused headphone rather than a portable one. The large open cups, substantial cable, and limited privacy make travel inconvenient despite the included case.

The light chassis travels better than its size suggests, but the nonfolding frame and large case take up considerable bag space.

Its musical performance and adaptability earned a High Nines award from one publication.

The materials and modular construction inspire confidence that the Strada is built for long ownership rather than short replacement cycles.

Movement noise is generally low, though isolated units produced mild creaking or rattling when the cups rotated.

EQ can tame upper-treble energy, add lower-mid body, or improve bass balance. For the most treble-sensitive listener, correction may require narrower and more deliberate filters rather than one broad adjustment.

There is no built-in microphone, so online gaming and calls require a separate mic. That omission matters mainly for users seeking an all-in-one gaming headset.

Dynamic headroom and low distortion preserve clarity at elevated levels, although treble-sensitive material can become more aggressive as volume rises.

Standard analog connections let the Strada work easily across computers, home audio gear, consoles, and handheld gaming devices.

The broader modular design allows major wear components to be replaced rather than forcing disposal of the entire headphone.

The glossy zebrawood finish can show skin oils, small marks, and surface wear. Regular wiping and careful storage will help preserve its appearance.

The passive wired design is refreshingly simple: connect the appropriate cable and start listening without apps, pairing, or configuration.

The fit is secure for many users and suitable for walking, but cup angle and head size can make seal and positioning fussy for others.

Ventilated headband padding and Alcantara-lined pads limit heat better than many closed-backs. Synthetic contact surfaces can still grow warm in long or hot sessions.

With a wired Xbox setup, the Strada delivers immersive directional cues and impactful game audio that one listener described as a game changer.