MEZE Audio ALBA Review
MEZE Audio ALBA Review
Introduction:
Established in 2011 by Antonio Meze in Baia Mare, Romania, Meze Audio prioritizes aesthetics and sound quality in its headphones and earphones. The brand’s origin story centers around the founder’s desire to create headphones that offered a deeply personal listening experience, similar to the connection a musician feels with a favorite instrument. This focus on design and audio performance culminated in the well-received Meze 99 Classics in 2015, solidifying their presence in the high-end audio market. Their current product lineup offers a variety of options, including the closed-back 99 series (Classics and NEO), the 109 PRO for professional use, in-ear monitors (IEMs) like the Rai Penta and Advar for portability, and the open-back Empyrean II and Elite headphones employing Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology.
MEZE Audio expands its IEM (In-Ear Monitor) line-up with the ALBA. The word “ALBA” translates to “first light” in Romanian, reflecting its role as an entry point into the world of high-fidelity audio. The IEM features a comfortable, ergonomic design that prioritizes noise isolation and a sound signature that leans towards a neutral profile with a touch of warmth, reminiscent of the classic wired earphone experience.
The ALBA’s build combines zinc alloy and anodized aluminum for durability, while the pearlescent finish adds a touch of elegance. The IEM is equipped with a 10.8 mm Dynamic Driver and compatibility is a strong suit, with a gold-plated 3.5mm cable for traditional headphone jacks and a custom-made USB-C adapter featuring a built-in DAC for smartphones with USB-C ports that helps enhance the sound quality from your device.
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank MEZE Audio for providing me the ALBA as review sample. I am not affiliated with MEZE Audio beyond this review and these words reflect my true, unaltered, opinions about the product.
Price & Availability:
The actual MSRP price of the MEZE Audio ALBA is 159€ ($159,00). More details can be found under the link below;
Package & Accessories:
The Meze Audio Alba arrives in a compact, white cardboard box. The box departs from a purely minimalist design with the inclusion of a silver, Mandela-like pattern embossed on the top. Subtly incorporated at the bottom of this design is the Meze Audio branding. This decorative element adds a touch of sophistication to the otherwise clean packaging.
Inside the box are the following items/accessories:
- 1 x pair of MEZE Audio ALBA In-Ear Monitors
- 1 x Detachable SPC Cable with 3.5mm Gold plated headphone jack and 2-Pin connectors
- 1 x Custom-made USB Type-C adapter with built-in DAC/AMP and 3.5mm headphone out
- 4 x pairs of Silicone Ear Tips (S, M, L, XL)
- 1 x Protective eco-leather pouch
- 1 x Print Material
The ALBA came with 4 pairs of white silicone ear tips in different sizes (S, M, L, XL).
The protective eco-leather pouch in white color looks quite stylish and has the MEZE Audio brand logo in silver on the top. However, the size of the case could be slightly larger.
A highlight of the Meze package is the included custom-designed 3.5 mm to USB-C adapter, which arrives in a separate box. This adapter allows you to connect your earphones to any music source that has a USB-C connector, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of devices. Crafted with materials matching the detachable cable, this adapter features a built-in DAC/AMP (Digital-to-Analog Converter) in order to use the ALBA with Smartphones and Tablets and even your PC. For user convenience, the adapter incorporates an LED indicator that illuminates upon successful connection, adding a nice touch.
Design & Build Quality:
The MEZE Audio ALBA borrows design cues from the higher-end ADVAR model, featuring a similar form factor. The main difference lies in the finish, as the Alba boasts an iridescent finish that creates a pearlescent effect that changes depending on the lighting conditions. The shells are constructed from a combination of zinc alloy and anodized aluminum, resulting in a lightweight and durable build quality. Each monitor houses a single, 10.8mm diameter Dynamic Driver. This driver delivers a frequency response, ranging from 15 Hz to 25 kHz that shows a pretty low distortion of less than 0.1% at 1 kHz.
The front features a circular metal plate with a subtle inward curve, finished in a sophisticated gray. A small, centered opening houses the dedicated Single Dynamic Driver unit. The Meze Audio branding and the inscription “Designed in Baia Mare, Romania” adorn the circular area, adding a touch of personality.
The rear of the monitors features slightly angled sound nozzles for a comfortable and secure in-ear fit. A fine woven metal mesh protects these nozzles from unwanted particles like dust and earwax. Additionally, a small vent near the sound nozzle allows for pressure relief from the dynamic driver, enhancing audio clarity.
The top of each monitor shell features a 0.78mm diameter 2-pin connector interface surrounded by a sleek gray metal ring. This interface provides a secure and reliable connection with the detachable cable’s male connector. Notably, the ALBA is the first MEZE IEM to utilize 2-pin connectors instead of MMCX, offering a more widely available and user-friendly option.
At the rear side of the monitor shell is the MEZE AUdio barnd logo.
Following the tradition of Meze products, the ALBA boasts exceptional build quality. The zinc alloy and anodized aluminum construction, combined with meticulous craftsmanship, ensures a robust and long-lasting design. The Meze Audio logo adorns the rear surface of each earpiece in a matching gray color for a cohesive aesthetic.
SPC Cable:
The Meze Audio ALBA comes with a detachable cable featuring a twisted profile for tangle resistance. The cable is approximately 1.2 meters (120cm) long and is constructed from a 4-core Silver-Plated Copper (SPC) wire material. This material is protected with a transparent plastic insulation layer.
The detachable cable utilizes 0.78mm diameter 2-pin connectors for secure and easy attachment to the earphones. These connectors are protected with transparent plastic housing, with a red color indicator on the right channel for easy identification.
The cable also sports a transparent chin slider for comfortable wear and a stylish metal Y-splitter adorned with the Meze Audio branding.
Finally, the cable terminates in a gold-plated 3.5mm single-ended headphone jack housed in a straight-profiled metal housing. This housing also features the Meze brand logo on the top.
While the cable’s build quality is fine, it tends to tangle easily and doesn’t feel quite as premium as the cables included with some Chi-Fi IEMs.
Fit & Isolation:
The MEZE Audio ALBA offers pretty good comfort thanks to its sinuous-shaped design. This design also helps to enhance the noise isolation properties of the earphones, which are effective for use in relatively noisy environments like buses, subways, or trains.
Technical Specifications:
- Model : ALBA
- Driver Type : 10.8mm Single Dynamic Driver
- Frequency Response : 15 Hz – 25 kHz
- Impedance : 32Ω
- SPL : 109dB/mW
- Distortion : <1% at 1mW/1kHz
- Connector Interface : 0.78mm dia. 2-Pin
- Plug : 3.5mm Single Ended (Gold Plated)
- Cable Material : SPC (Silver Plated Copper)
- Cable Length : approx. 120cm
Paring & Drivability:
The MEZE Audio ALBA is a quite easy-to-drive In-Ear Monitor (IEM) thanks to its low impedance of 32Ω and high sensitivity of 109dB. This combination makes it compatible with even weak sources like smartphones, tablets, and USB DAC dongles that have a 3.5mm headphone output.
Equipment’s used for this review:
- IEM’s : MEZE Audio ALBA, iBasso 3T-154
- DAP/DAC : FiiO M23, MEZE Audio USB DAC/Amplifier Dongle, iFi Audio hip-dac 3
Albums & tracks used for this review:
- Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Apple Music Lossless)
- Adele – My Little Love (Apple Music Lossless)
- Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
- Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Apple Music Lossless)
- Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Apple Music Lossless)
- U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
- Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
- Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
- Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Apple Music Lossless)
- Hans Zimmer – The Dark Knight OST (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Spotify)
- Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Apple Music Lossless)
- Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Apple Music Lossless)
- Miles Davis – So What (Deezer HiFi)
- Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
- Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
- Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)
The Sound:
The Meze Audio ALBA delivers a well-balanced sound with a touch of warmth, featuring punchy yet controlled bass for energetic listening, clear and detailed mids that faithfully reproduce vocals and instruments, and a smooth, detailed treble that avoids harshness. Though the soundstage isn’t the widest, it offers clear separation and layering of instruments, making the ALBA a versatile choice for various genres and a great value for its price range. Let’s take a closer look to each area.
This review of the MEZE Audio ALBA is based on listening after a burn-in period of approximately 50 hours. I used the stock silicone ear tips and the SPC cable included with the earphones. The primary sources for my listening were the FiiO M23, iFi Audio hip-dac 3, and MEZE Audio USB DAC/AMP dongle.
Bass:
The Meze Audio ALBA features a bass response with a slight emphasis. This emphasis enhances the perceived dynamics and energy in the sound signature. Bass notes are produced with tightness, speed and control, delivering a punchy impact without bleeding into the midrange or causing muddiness, which is a remarkable ability.
While the Meze Audio ALBA avoids a strictly neutral sound signature, its bass presence isn’t overpowering or sterile. This emphasis on the low-end contributes to the overall dynamics and energy of the music, particularly for genres that benefit from a solid bass foundation. In summary, the ALBA offers a controlled and clear bass response with a touch of warmth. This tuning may not be ideal for listeners seeking a perfectly neutral sound signature, while it adds the overall presentation a nice sense of musicality that makes it an IEM that is suitable for a wider range of genres.
Midrange:
The MEZE Audio ALBA is equipped with a nicely tunned Single Dynamic Driver IEM that shows a midrange with a great level of musicality and technicality. The midrange has a rich and pretty fluid character audible while listen to both vocals and instruments that is enriching the listening experience. Female voices like Adel, Diana Krall and Edith Piaf as well as instruments benefit from the clarity and the texture that is created in the upper midrange. Subtle details like breathy sighs on a saxophone or delicate string plucks remain clear and present, which is impressive for an IEM at this price level.
While not overly analytical, the midrange offers enough detail for a satisfying listening experience. Overall, the ALBA’s midrange provides a well-rounded and engaging presentation that is enjoyable with various genres and sources.
Treble:
The MEZE Audio ALBA’s treble offers a pleasant balance between detail and smoothness. It delivers precise cymbals and hi-hats in energetic tracks like Rush’s “Tom Sawyer,” and this precision extends to electric guitars as well. Intricate picking patterns and harmonic overtones shine through in classic rock and metal genres. There’s a subtle emphasis in the lower treble register, likely contributing to the overall clarity of vocals and definition of instruments.
Thankfully, this emphasis is free of harshness or sibilance, since there is a mildly roll of after the upper treble register. Additionally, the airiness, brilliance and extension of the upper treble range adds a touch of sparkle without becoming fatiguing. This allows delicate cymbal work and subtle high-frequency details to come through naturally, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Soundstage & Imaging:
The soundstage of the MEZE Audio ALBA is well-suited for its price range. The width of the stage is pretty good, while the depth is on a moderate level. However, the stage doesn’t feel cramped and delivers a comfortable listening experience. Instrument separation is clear and precise, and layering is decent, allowing each element to be heard distinctly within the soundstage. This focus on clarity makes the ALBA a good choice for genres that rely on distinct instrumentation, like classical music and movies with intricate soundtracks.
Comparison:
MEZE Audio ALBA versus iBasso 3T-154:
Both the MEZE Audio ALBA and iBasso 3T-154 are single dynamic driver earphones, with the ALBA sporting a 10.8mm unit and the 3T-154 featuring a larger 15.4mm driver.
The MEZE Audio ALBA excels with its impactful low-end response that adds a solid foundation and dynamic energy into its presentation. The bass remains tight and controlled, delivering satisfying thumps and rumbles without bleeding into the midrange and muddying the overall presentation audible while listen to bass drums and basslines that are clear and defined, without interfering with the clarity of vocals or instruments. The iBasso 3T-154, on the other hand, prioritizes a more neutral and linear bass response. While this ensures accurate reproduction of low frequencies, it leaves some desiring of a touch more low-end presence, especially when compared to the ALBA’s impactful delivery.
The MEZE Audio ALBA has a rich and musical midrange presentation feels natural and engaging. The midrange can be described as clear and well-defined. The 3T-154, on the other hand, prioritizes a neutral sound signature that delivers a clean and accurate midrange presentation, while vocals and instruments sounding a touch clinical or analytical compared to the ALBA. If you crave a detailed yet musical listening experience, the ALBA’s midrange might be the perfect fit. However, for those who prioritize absolute neutrality and analytical detail above all else, the 3T-154 remains a strong contender.
When it comes to treble performance, both the MEZE Audio ALBA and iBasso Audio 3T-154 show a relatively smooth and controlled tuning. However, the ALBA leans slightly towards a more forgiving approach. Its balanced treble presentation prioritizes a comfortable listening experience, ensuring that even bright recordings remain pleasant. The iBasso 3T-154, in contrast, offers a more accurate take on the treble with a touch more emphasis. This results in a slightly brighter, more detailed sound that some listeners might prefer for its ability to uncover fine sonic details. However, for those who favor a smoother experience, particularly in the higher treble frequencies, the ALBA could be the better option.
The Meze Audio ALBA offers a relative spacious soundstage, which is good for its price range. The iBasso 3T-154 on the other hand shows a better sense of depth and wideness, where instruments have a slightly more space.
Conclusion:
The MEZE Audio ALBA delivers a well-balanced sound for the budget-minded listener. Its ergonomic design prioritizes comfort and noise isolation, while the build quality utilizes durable materials for a lightweight and attractive product. The sound signature leans towards a neutral profile with a touch of warmth, offering a balanced representation across frequencies. The inclusion of USB-C connectivity via a custom adapter with DAC functionality enhances compatibility across a wide range of devices. Overall, the ALBA offers a compelling feature set and sonic performance at an attractive price point, making it a strong contender for audiophiles on a budget
Pros & Cons:
- + Easy-to-Enjoy, Well-Balanced Sound Ideal for Various Genres
- + Clarity and Resolution
- + Stylish Design
- + Built Quality
- + Fit and Comfort
- + Comes with a USB Type-C DAC/Amplifier dongle
- + Good Value for the Price
- – Limited Selection of Ear Tips
- – Carry Case is a bit small
- – Cable tends to tangle easily
