Unveiled at the recent Munich High End trade show, the Meze Alba in-ear monitors are now available from Son-Vidéo.com at €159. These IEMs promise an immersive listening experience, while combining robustness and comfort. A design that makes them an essential choice for music lovers on the move as well as at home. We had the opportunity to test them.
Included accessories
The Meze Alba IEMs come with a detachable, silver-plated, braided Y-cable. It features a dual 2-pin to 3.5mm mini-jack connector. To facilitate connection with the latest smartphones and computers, a custom-designed 3.5mm to USB-C adapter (with integrated DAC/AMP!) is included. Also included are four pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes (S, M, L and XL), a rigid eco-leather carrying pouch and a user manual.
Presentation
Meze Audio presents its latest in-ear monitors, named Alba, which means “dawn” in Romanian. They complement the Meze Advar earphones, forming the entry ticket for Meze wired IEMs. These Alba in-ear monitors draw on Meze’s renowned expertise in both acoustics and design.
A combination of factors led to the creation of the Albas. Coming from a musical background, having maintained direct contact with our customers on a daily basis, and also being an audiophile myself for the better part of a decade, really helped me understand the expectations for a complete and immersive listening experience. Designed for those who dance to their own beat, for the curious and the free-spirited, Alba comprises a perfectly accessible and qualitative introduction into the world of elevated audio enjoyment.
Vlad Toca, Product Manager.
Design and comfort
Made from a zinc and anodized aluminum alloy, these in-ears are both durable and aesthetically appealing. They feature an elegant iridescent white finish that is very pleasant to look at.
In terms of comfort, the Meze Alba come with several silicone ear tips. There are four different sizes (S, M, L, XL) to provide an ideal fit for every user. We would, however, have appreciated a pair of memory foam tips for better in-ear coupling.
As a reminder, the choice of ear tip is very important, both for sound reproduction and wearing comfort. Tips that are too small let ambient sounds through and reduce the presence of the bass, while tips that are too large make it hard to get a secure fit, risking the earpiece falling out.
Audio quality
The Meze Alba IEMs feature 10.8mm dynamic transducers. These offer an extended frequency response from 15Hz to 25kHz to reproduce every nuance of the music. All this with very low distortion, ensuring a pure, accurate sound.
Their 32-ohm impedance and 109 dB/mW sensitivity guarantee optimum compatibility with a wide range of devices. Whether it’s with a smartphone, a DAP or a dedicated amplifier, the Meze Alba in-ear monitors adapt easily to different digital or analog sources.
Cable and connectivity
The Meze Alba in-ear monitors are designed to be compatible with a wide range of music sources, including the latest generations of smartphones equipped with a USB-C connector and those with a 3.5mm mini-jack headphone output. They therefore come with a mini-jack cable, as well as a USB-C adapter. The latter incorporates a 32-bit/384kHz PCM-compatible DAC to guarantee the best sound quality and a reliable connection.
Another nice feature is that rubbing the cable against clothing or skin doesn’t generate microphonic noise that could be unpleasant during listening. What’s more, the connection between the cable and the earphone is very robust.
Key specifications
- Transducer type: 10.8mm dynamic
- Frequency response: 15Hz to 25kHz
- Impedance: 32 Ω at 1 kHz
- SPL: 109 dB SPL/V at 1 kHz
- Distortion: < 0.1% at 1 kHz
- 3.5mm braided mini-jack cable
- Accessories: 4 pairs of ear tips (S, M, L, XL), hard pouch
Listening conditions
For our review, we paired the Meze Alba IEMs with both a smartphone and a computer, using the supplied DAC and an Audioquest DragonFly Red. All Hi-Res music was streamed from Qobuz.
These new Meze in-ear monitors remind us of the Meze Rai Solo earphones we tested a few years ago. They’re easy to position in the ear and still feel comfortable after hours of use. This is largely due to the ergonomic design of the shells, which adapt perfectly to the shape of the ear. The cable, which sits behind the auricle, is fitted with a sheath that can be adjusted to suit the anatomy of the ear, minimizing stress on the earphones and ensuring a perfect fit.
Listening impressions
From the very first notes, the Meze Alba in-ear monitors delivered excellent clarity and balanced musicality. The midrange was rich, ensuring an accurate reproduction of voices and acoustic instruments. The highs were crisp and detailed. The bass was impactful, but could have done with being a little deeper, especially on hip-hop/rock tracks. With Skyfall, Adele’s voice was perfectly highlighted. The violins made their presence felt, while the drums were a little more timid. The IEMs benefit from an analytical sound signature, offering a faithful representation of the original recording. Whether you’re listening to jazz or classical music, the Meze Alba in-ear monitors are perfectly versatile.
The comfort of the Meze Alba in-ear monitors is another strong point worth highlighting. Their ergonomic design ensures a perfect fit and extended wear without discomfort. The materials used, both durable and lightweight, offer excellent build quality.
Meze Alba VS FiiO FH3
Offered at the same price, FiiO FH3 IEMs feature a wider frequency response, ranging from 10Hz to 40kHz. They also come with a larger number of ear tips for a more precise fit. However, the Meze Alba in-ears come with an adapter that also acts as a DAC, so they can be adapted to suit any source. We also appreciated the Meze Alba’s less flashy design.
Who are they for?
The Meze Alba in-ear monitors are designed for a wide audiophile audience. Thanks to their extended frequency response, low distortion and compatibility with a wide range of sources, they are ideal for music lovers who want to enjoy every nuance of their tracks, whether they’re at home, on the move or at work. They will also appeal to lovers of beautiful, robust hi-fi objects.
Conclusion
The Meze Alba in-ear monitors feature excellent build quality, with hard-wearing materials, and are aesthetically very appealing. They offer an analytical, faithful and detailed reproduction of recordings, with rich mids and crisp highs. The USB-C adapter with integrated DAC expands the number of compatible sources and promises a high-quality listening experience. These IEMs are an excellent choice for those wanting to enjoy a high-quality reproduction in any location.
We liked
- The refined design
- The build quality
- The balanced sound reproduction
- The 3.5mm to USB-C adapter and DAC
- The lack of microphonic noise (cable)
- The price!
We would have liked
- Memory foam ear tips
