Meze STRADA vs Verum 2: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Verum 2 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Verum 2 - Outstanding overall at around $499.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Verum 2 leads on 4 of 4 measures.

Meze STRADA
Verum 2

HearWiki score

Sound

7.9

8.9

Value

6.9

9.0

Price (USD)

$800

$500

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

Meze STRADA (2026) against Verum 2 (2025). These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

STRADA20261 yr newer
22025

Specifications

STRADA2

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $800; $500
HearWiki score: 72; 85
Released: 2026; 2025
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 50 mm dynamic; 105 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: dynamic; planar
Driver size: 50 mm; 105 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 30 kHz; -
Impedance: 40 Ω; 8 Ω
Sensitivity: 111 dB/mW; 96 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; No
ANC type: -; none
Transparency mode: -; No
Companion app: -; No
Custom EQ: -; No
Wear detection: -; No
Controls: buttons; -
Voice assistant: -; No
Weight: 330 g; 450 g
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: No; No
Pad material: -; fabric
Connector: 3.5 mm; 3.5 mm
Balanced connection: -; Yes
Call noise reduction: -; No

Specification comparison of Meze STRADA vs Verum 2
Spec	Meze STRADA	Verum 2
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$800	$500
HearWiki score	72 / 100 Great	85 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2026	2025
Audio
Driver	50 mm dynamic	105 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	dynamic	planar
Driver size	50 mm	105 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 30 kHz	-
Impedance	40 Ω	8 Ω
Sensitivity	111 dB/mW	96 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
ANC type	-	none
Transparency mode	-	No
Companion app	-	No
Custom EQ	-	No
Wear detection	-	No
Controls	buttons	-
Voice assistant	-	No
Design
Weight	330 g	450 g
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	No	No
Pad material	-	fabric
Connector	3.5 mm	3.5 mm
Balanced connection	-	Yes
Calls
Call noise reduction	-	No

What reviewers said

Meze STRADA

The Meze STRADA is a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone built around a 50mm dynamic driver, offering a comfortable fit and solid craftsmanship at its price point. Its sound is generally detailed and lively with strong bass, though it can exhibit treble peaks and may benefit from quality amplification or slight EQ to smooth things out. Overall, it's a well-made, engaging option for listeners who prioritize build and comfort, but it isn't a class leader in pure sonic performance.

Pro:Excellent build quality and premium materials
Pro:Comfortable for extended listening sessions
Pro:Strong, clean bass response with good detail

Con:Treble can sound peaky or brittle at times
Con:May not fit smaller heads comfortably
Con:Cable can transmit handling noise

Verum 2

No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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