Romanian brand Meze Audio is known for creating headphones that blend style, comfort, and sound quality. Their latest release, the 105 AER, brings open-back headphone design to a more approachable $399 price point. Let’s take a closer look at how this model performs in terms of design, functionality, and sound quality.
What Comes In The Box
- 105 AER Open-Back Dynamic Headphones
- Hard EVA Case
- 6.3mm gold-plated jack
- Mono 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable
- Kevlar OFC Cable with mic
Aesthetics and Functionality
The Meze 105 AER is sleek, understated, and modern. Its all-black finish gives it a clean, professional look that pairs well with its sturdy yet lightweight construction. These headphones are also built for comfort; plush ear pads and a gentle clamping force ensure a great fit, even for glasses wearers, making them ideal for long listening sessions. The detachable 3.5mm cable makes setup easy and versatile, letting you plug into a variety of devices. Altogether, the 105 AER combines style, comfort, and practicality in a way that feels premium yet accessible.
Tech Specs
- Driver: 50mm Dynamic
- Impedance 42 Ω
- Frequency Range: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
- Weight: 336 g
- Sensitivity: 112 dB SPL @ 1 kHz, 1mW
- Ear Cups: PC-ABS
Listening Review
Soundstage
The soundstage on the Meze Audio 105 AER is wide and expansive, offering an immersive sense of space that feels open and natural. Instruments and vocals are spread across a broad stereo field, giving the listener a clear sense of placement. While the width is its standout feature, the depth and height are more reserved, meaning it doesn’t create a fully three-dimensional soundstage like some higher-end models. Still, for its price, the imaging is precise, making it easy to distinguish where each instrument or sound is located. This wide soundstage makes it great for genres like classical or live recordings, where space and separation are key to the listening experience.
Low Frequencies
The low-end response of the 105 AER is warm and smooth, with a subtle emphasis that adds depth and body without overpowering the rest of the frequency range. Bass notes are clean, tight, and well-defined, avoiding muddiness even in complex mixes. The headphones handle sub-bass frequencies with a natural resonance that gives tracks a grounded feel, though they stop short of delivering the kind of intense, rumbling bass you’d find in bass-heavy headphones.
On Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk,” the layered percussion is a highlight. The 105 AER captures the rhythmic interplay of drums and other low-end instruments with clarity and texture, making it easy to follow each layer without losing the cohesion of the track. This balance of warmth and precision makes the lows engaging for both casual listening and critical analysis.
Mid-Range Frequencies
The midrange is where the 105 AER truly shines, offering a natural and articulate presentation that brings out the best in vocals and instruments. The mids are smooth and detailed, with excellent separation that allows layers of a mix to stand apart while still sounding cohesive. This balance ensures that everything from vocal performances to guitars, strings, and keys comes through with clarity and authenticity.
In Björk’s “It’s Oh So Quiet,” the 105 AER does a fantastic job of capturing her dynamic vocal range. The hushed, intimate moments feel close and personal, while her dramatic, soaring crescendos are delivered with energy and precision. The headphones handle these contrasts beautifully, letting listeners appreciate the nuances of her performance without losing any detail.
High Frequencies
The treble on the 105 AER is bright and crisp, offering just enough sparkle to add energy and airiness to tracks. High frequencies are smooth and controlled, rolling off gently to avoid harshness or listening fatigue. This makes the headphones suitable for extended listening sessions, even with brighter tracks.
While the treble is detailed, it doesn’t push forward too aggressively, which keeps the overall sound signature balanced. Tracks with intricate high-frequency details, like cymbals or string overtones, come through cleanly without feeling overly sharp. The treble pairs well with the warm mids and lows, ensuring the tonal balance remains cohesive and enjoyable across a wide range of genres.
Summary
The Meze Audio 105 AER is a fantastic entry point into open-back headphones, delivering a warm, clear, and balanced sound signature. While its soundstage doesn’t have the depth of higher-end models, it offers great imaging and an expansive feel that’s perfect for an introductory audiophile experience. Whether you’re listening to the intricate percussion of Fleetwood Mac, the dynamic vocals of Björk, or even something more orchestral, the 105 AER handles a variety of genres with ease. At $399, this headphone is a solid choice for anyone looking to dive into open-back designs without breaking the bank.
The Meze Audio 105 AER is available now at Audio46.
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