What we liked
- The balanced, natural sound reproduction
- The precise instrument separation
- The well-structured soundstage
- The comfort
- The build quality and high quality materials
We would have liked
- More effective passive insulation
- Better bass response
Our expert’s opinion
The Meze Strada immediately won me over with their look and build quality. The leather ear pads and headband, the Macassar ebony ear cups, the metallic green finish and the precise build reflect a genuine attention to detail, true to the DNA of Meze Audio. The Strada deliver a balanced, precise sound reproduction. The soundstage is well-structured, instruments perfectly outlined, and vocals naturally rendered. The overall coherence and fidelity of the musical message are paramount, with a real ability to bring out all the subtleties of the best recordings. The Meze Strada reveal their full potential when paired with a high-quality amplifier capable of providing the necessary current to enhance dynamics, control and fullness. Under these conditions, the soundstage becomes airier, bass more precise, and the overall balance even more refined.
With the Strada, Meze Audio enriches its catalog with a new pair of closed hi-fi headphones designed for music lovers in search of immersion and refinement. The Meze Strada fills a previously unoccupied space in the brand’s hi-fi range, situated in between the two Meze LIRIC models and the 99 Classics 2nd Gen. Priced at €799, they are the first closed-back Meze headphones in this price category, with the goal of combining passive isolation, comfort and audiophile performance. The Strada is aimed above all at discerning closed-back headphone enthusiasts, who pay particular attention to sound quality, design, and build quality.
Introducing the Meze Strada
The Strada are Meze’s latest high-end, closed-back hi-fi headphones. Inspired by the silhouette of the LIRIC, this model retains the aesthetic and hand-crafted DNA for which the Romanian manufacturer is renowned. Every element, from the choice of materials (metal, leather, real wood) to the final assembly in Romania, reflects the company’s determination to create headphones that are durable, elegant and technically accomplished.
A design that combines craftsmanship and modernity
From the very first glance, the Meze Strada headphones exude a strong aesthetic personality. The Macassar ebony ear cups immediately attract attention with their deep natural grain, each pair featuring a unique pattern. The contrast between the dark wood and the metallic green magnesium frame creates a visual signature that’s both modern and warm. The frame’s finish shows real attention to detail. The deep green paint reveals subtle metallic reflections, adding a classy touch to these 2026 Meze headphones.
The Meze Strada’s headband features a soft, elegant structure, with a wide, generously padded cushion. Its cross pattern distributes pressure evenly and promotes air circulation, stopping the headphones from becoming too warm during long listening sessions.
The headband of the Meze Strada hi-fi headphones has a cross structure that effectively distributes pressure over the head. This design also favors air circulation to limit overheating during long listening sessions. 
The Strada logo, discreetly printed on the leather, reinforces the feeling of holding a genuine high-end headphone without being showy.
The finely machined rods and mechanical components ensure that the Meze Strada hi-fi headphones’ ear cups move smoothly and precisely to perfectly adapt to the shape of your head.
The screen-printed Meze logo on the adjustment rod is a reminder of the Meze Strada hi-fi headphones’ attention to detail. Finely machined metal parts underline the build quality and reinforce the Strada’s premium feel. 
“Made in Romania” is etched onto the back of the adjustment rods, indicating the provenance of the headphones and highlighting that they are handmade in Europe.
The overall impression is one of controlled solidity, while retaining a relatively compact silhouette for closed-back over-ear headphones. Last but not least, the magnetic mounting system for the ear pads is in line with Meze’s commitment to durability: it facilitates maintenance and replacement of worn or damaged pads. We’re sure that Meze will soon be offering replacement ear pads and headbands, as is currently the case with the 99 Classics, to extend the lifespan of these hi-fi headphones.
Acoustic architecture designed for precision and immersion
The Meze Strada hi-fi headphones have a meticulous acoustic design, inherited from the Romanian manufacturer’s expertise in audiophile headphones. At the heart is a large, 50mm dynamic transducer, originally developed for the Meze 109 PRO. However, here it has been optimized to deliver the best performance in a closed-back configuration.
The membrane adopts a composite structure combining cellulose reinforced with carbon fiber, guaranteeing lightness, rigidity and excellent micro-detail reproduction. It is surrounded by a semi-crystalline polymer torus, coated with beryllium by physical vapor deposition (PVD). This combination improves the transient response, as well as the precision and stability of membrane’s movement. A copper-zinc alloy stabilizer ring completes the assembly to absorb micro-vibrations and limit distortion.
In terms of measurements, the Meze Strada boast an extended frequency response from 5Hz to 30kHz, reflecting their ability to reproduce both extreme low and high frequencies with fullness. Their 40-ohm impedance and high sensitivity of 111 dB SPL/mW at 1kHz make them ideal for use with a wide range of sources, from DAPs to dedicated headphone amplifiers and DACs. The claimed total harmonic distortion of less than 0.1% at 1kHz testifies to the care taken to control the transducer. Thanks to their closed design, the Strada promise good passive isolation for a true sonic cocoon.
Included accessories
The Meze Strada headphones come in recyclable cardboard packaging, with no use of plastic, foam or non-recyclable materials.
The box contains:
- the Meze Strada headphones,
- a 1.8m twisted Y cable fastened by a Velcro strap with the manufacturer’s logo,
- a 3.5mm mini-jack to 6.35mm jack adapter,
- a storage pouch for cable and adapter,
- and a semi-rigid case for headphones and accessories, measuring approximately 23 x 28 x 11cm.
Because the model we tested was a pre-release version, the balanced cable wasn’t included in our review package, but a 4.4mm balanced cable will be included with all Strada headphones sold commercially.
Connectors
The Meze Strada headphones have a simple connection system: each ear cup is equipped with a 3.5mm mini-jack connector, enabling a balanced connection. This architecture is particularly appreciated by audiophiles for its compatibility with many DACs, headphone amplifiers and audio cables. Meze offers a number of optional cables, including a 4.4mm balanced model, to suit all configurations.
At the other end, the 3.5mm mini-jack connector enables immediate compatibility with the majority of portable and sedentary sources, while the included 6.35mm adapter allows use with an external DAC or hi-fi amplifier. The whole package is in keeping with Meze’s philosophy of functional, durable and future-proof design.
Key specifications
- 50mm dynamic transducers
- Closed-back design inspired by the Meze LIRIC
- Macassar ebony ear cup covers
- Leather earpads and headband
- Impedance: 40Ω
- Frequency range: 5Hz – 30kHz
- Sensitivity: 111 dB
- Weight: 330g
Test conditions
The Meze Strada hi-fi headphones were tested primarily with the FiiO R7 headphone amplifier and network audio player, and a Dekoni 4.4mm cable with 3.5mm connectors. We listened to tracks via Qobuz to ensure an accurate reproduction consistent with the headphones’ audiophile vocation.
The FiiO R7 is a particularly suitable reference amp, thanks to its neutral reproduction, comfortable power reserve and versatility, enabling us to evaluate the Meze Strada in conditions similar to those of a home headphone hi-fi installation. If you’d like to find out more, you can read the FiiO R7 headphone amp review on the blog.
In order to stabilize the diaphragm and appreciate the headphones’ true sound signature, these tests were carried out after a break-in period of around 30 hours.
My impressions
Being familiar with the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen, I immediately noticed a change in approach with the Meze Strada, which are more clearly geared towards serious hi-fi audio. A far cry from today’s plastic-laden products, these headphones are appealing thanks to their premium finish and reassuringly high-quality craftsmanship, which is evident as soon as you take them out of the box. The Meze Strada hi-fi headphones provide a comfortable fit thanks to their circumaural ear cups and weight-distributing headband. The structure of the rods and the angle of the ear cups ensure stable, even positioning, although some users may notice slight pressure on their jawbone. Once correctly positioned, the Strada feel light and are pleasant to wear. It should be noted that the height adjustment system is slightly impractical, but its rigidity allows this setting to be maintained indefinitely.
The Meze Strada hi-fi headphones revealed a balanced, natural and highly legible sound reproduction, with a wide, well-structured soundstage. Instrument separation was one of its strong points: each sound element easily found its place, without overlapping, with clearly distinct vocals, backing vocals and instruments. The spatial imaging was convincing and the stereo well constructed, offering pleasant, coherent immersion. As a user of the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen, whose reproduction is warmer, I immediately noticed a greater level of precision with the Strada.
The passive isolation was decent without being exceptional. It allowed me to fully enjoy my music in calm and moderately animated environments, but still lags behind other closed-back headphones that place more emphasis on isolation. The Meze Strada headphones favor a combination of comfort, airiness and immersion rather than a total cut-off from the outside world, which generally entails greater pressure being exerted on the head.
Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
With this song, the Strada delivered a rather wide soundstage. The guitar was very present and precise. The vocals were airy and well-centered. Finally, the drums kicked in very smoothly. Each instrument retained its place without overpowering the others, making this classic track a particularly enjoyable listen.
bad guy – Billie Eilish
The Meze Strada hi-fi headphones brought out the track’s signature bass with a good level of control and definition, especially when properly powered. Billie Eilish’s voice shone through with clarity and finesse, while the harmonies and details of the instruments remained perfectly audible. The sound was very consistent overall, although the bass could have been a touch tighter and more impactful during the most intense parts of the song.
Skyfall – Adele
Right from the introduction, the deep bass immediately set an immersive mood. The piano was rendered very naturally, and Adele’s voice displayed all its emotional power without ever sounding forced. The highs remained perfectly defined and each instrument was correctly placed. The soundstage could have been more open to reinforce the feeling of breadth.
Meze Strada compared to the Focal Elegia
Although older, the Focal Elegia remain a benchmark renowned for their analytical character. They are also some of the few closed-back hi-fi headphones positioned in a price range comparable to that of the Meze Strada at the time of their release, making them a relevant basis for comparison.
Under similar listening conditions, with the same amplifier and cable, the Elegia maintain their rigorous, precise reproduction. However, compared with the Meze Strada, they lag slightly behind in terms of instrument separation and overall ease of playback. The Strada are smoother, more natural and more immersive, with a wider soundstage and better separation of the different sound planes.
In terms of design, the Focal Elegia and Meze Strada adopt two very distinct philosophies. The Elegia opt for a minimalist aesthetic, with their leather-covered aluminum headband and microfiber ear pads. The Meze Strada, on the other hand, take a warmer, hand-crafted approach, with their Macassar ebony and metallic green finish giving them a more appealing visual identity.
Who are Meze Strada headphones designed for?
The Meze Strada hi-fi headphones are aimed above all at discerning audiophiles in search of a precise, detailed and analytical reproduction, without sacrificing listening pleasure. They will also appeal to those who prefer luxurious materials, seen here as a guarantee of durability and long-term elegance. It will particularly appeal to hi-fi enthusiasts looking for closed-back headphones capable of offering excellent legibility, a structured soundstage and a faithful reproduction of recordings.
The Strada don’t seek to make a spectacular impact, but rather to deliver accuracy and control. They are designed for those who prioritize attentive and immersive listening, without compromising on long-term comfort. Their pricing and sound signature make them a serious option for anyone looking for high-end closed-back headphones focused on precision and consistency.
Frequently asked questions about the Meze Strada
The Meze Strada are closed-back over-ear hi-fi headphones, designed to offer good passive isolation while maintaining natural spatialization.
With an impedance of 40 ohms and a high sensitivity of 111 dB, the Meze Strada can work with many sources (DAC, amp, CD…) but will reveal their full potential with a dedicated headphone amplifier.
Yes, the Meze Strada’s ear pads are magnetically attached, making them easy to replace. The cable is also detachable, thanks to the 3.5mm mini-jack connectors on each ear cup.
The Meze Strada is a model with dynamic transducers, while the LIRIC uses magnetic planar technology. The Strada stands out for its more accessible approach and lower price, while retaining a design inspired by the LIRIC.
Thanks to their closed design, low weight (330g) and good passive isolation, the Meze Strada can be used on the move, even though they are primarily intended for hi-fi listening at home.
The Meze Strada’s cross-structured headband and circumaural ear pads are designed to evenly distribute pressure and limit fatigue during extended listening sessions.
