Meze 105 Silva

The reviewer finds the Meze 105 Silva visually stunning and exceptionally well-built, but considers its sound quality a step up from the 105 AER yet still not competitive with cheaper alternatives like the Sennheiser HD 550. The treble has an unnatural shimmer, and while the bass and mids are good, the overall tuning requires EQ to fix, which reveals other issues. The reviewer ultimately wishes the premium design were paired with better acoustics.

The reviewer finds the Meze 105 Silva to be a well-built and attractive headphone that offers a warm, smooth, and engaging sound, particularly excelling in the mid-range and imaging. While it may not be the most detailed option at its price, it strikes a good balance between sound quality, design, and consistency, though the bass is not particularly strong and the upper treble may be an issue for sensitive listeners.

The video is a detailed review of the Meze 105 Silva open-back headphones, covering design, build quality, comfort, and sound. The reviewer praises the walnut aesthetics and serviceability, while noting the sound signature is colored and familiar to other Meze models, with a distinct emphasis in the 4-5 kHz range. The verdict is mixed, as the reviewer highlights both strengths and areas where it differs from siblings like the 105 Air and 109 Pro.

The reviewer finds the Meze 105 Silva to be a warm, soft, and comfortable headphone that performs consistently well across various sources, fitting into the 'old Meze' style of being source-agnostic. It is praised for its intimate soundstage and tube-like character by default, though it is not the widest sounding. The main personal gripe is the lack of clear left/right indicators on the ear cups.

The reviewer finds the Meze 105 Silva to be a wonderfully balanced and refined headphone, offering excellent detail and a spacious soundstage. They consider it more tonally mature than the 105 AER and nearly matching the 109 Pro in technical performance, making it a strong value at $499. The main drawbacks are the lack of balanced cable options and the included USB-C adapter, which seems mismatched for an open-back design.

The reviewer finds the Meze 105 Silva to be a well-crafted, easy-to-drive headphone that offers a slightly warmer and less detailed sound than the pricier 109 Pro, but with a touch more treble and midrange presence than the cheaper 105 AER. Its main strength is that it performs well straight from a phone or computer without needing a separate amp or DAC, making it a great choice for casual listeners. However, the reviewer notes that for the extra $100 over the 105 AER, you mainly get wood cups and a dongle DAC, and if you want significantly more clarity, you'd need to step up to the 109 Pro or a planar like the Arya Stealth, which requires better gear.