Costs less, Sounds better. Meze 105 AER REVIEW

[@thelastrhino2581]

Best reviewer these days. Good job!

[@SuperReview]

🙏

[@penisman456]

i tried 109pro for myself way back, and i agree. that thing was WAY bright, but so incredibly comfortable. excited to try this one, maybe this will finally be a meze headphone that i enjoy.

[@trog69]

I did not get the Pro, but I love the Drop version of the 99 Classics and I'll be grabbing a pair of these AER's when available.

[@csch92]

i have my 109 for 2 years now and they are never bright to me

[@Xerpocalypse_]

I really like how reserved these look. A bit less flashy. If these are an improvement, I'd consider them.

[@SuperReview]

All-black is a bit of a cliche, but... for sure it looks really nice. Helps that these have some styling besides the color.

[@Garrettdx1988]

I love this design

[@SuperReview]

Saaaaaame

[@En_Joshi-Godrez]

My GF has trypophobia. She really wanted the focal bethys, but couldn't because the face plates triggered it.

[@Rsalmond83]

Same. I totally understand.

[@Suoh2]

​@@gavin8489 Trypophobia is an actual diagnosed condition, if she wanted attention she would have done so in other ways but a headphone? nah of she is really faking it she would have gotten it anyway

[@Tenith-f4i]

Please report gavin. This behaviour has no place anywhere, let alone an audio review channel.

[@mayonotes9849]

​@@Tenith-f4iI'm doing my part.

[@skengasaurus]

​@@Tenith-f4iI am perpetually turned on by his cadence and reported him for sexual content

[@theonlyegg]

Very intrigued to see how this matches up with the FT1 Pro at fully half the price. Comes with better cables, too.

[@Jordonater]

The Fiio is not as well built clearly but could sound better.

[@GarrisonKeller]

@@Jordonater I had the ft1 pro, and am waiting on the 105aer. If you want a warmer sound signature, I can definitively say the ft1 pro is not that. It sounds pretty darn neutral, and if you're sensitive to 3-4 khz and upper treble, they might be a little zingy, but they fall right on target with Harman, apart from having a very linear and well extended bass reponse. If you like hifiman, I think you'd like the ft1 pro

[@Garrettdx1988]

Ugh, I really didnt want to buy a new set of headphones, but here we are

[@SuperReview]

They do make it hard.

[@mikeyhope7577]

I just bought the mdr-mv1. Now I gotta consider returning them and getting these.

[@SuperReview]

There's always something new 😅

[@Hijynx87]

do you like the mv1? I got the aune ar5000 and quite like it.

[@Petrus-d2f]

Thanks for the review. Here's one for you, the new Sigva - "Anser" headphones are superb. I'll leave the experts for the review.But I did compare against the latest Sonys. In my opinion the twice is good.

[@MoonshineBeforeSunshine]

Man, I don't know if you've tried Aune AR5000, but from everything I've read and watched on it, it's always described as mid-forward with great bass extension which should be up your alley. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the AR5000 and its comparison to the 105 AER, especially which one has done the midrange representation - timbre and vocals - better. In fact, I think your review of AR5000 would be a valuable one.

[@sirjonsmithiii992]

Wonder how this one compares to the Sivga Anser (which is half the price)?

[@SuperReview]

Anser is bassier.

[@Kamakurajoe]

Thank you for a great review, as always. 😊😊 I will only buy headphones with great midrange like hd600. Meze never has that even though its headphones are so beautiful and well-made. 😢😢

[@SuperReview]

There ain't many of them.

[@TotoroJourney]

How's earpads change mechanism ?! I didnot saw it mentioned on the video, how's the system, its easy to detach/replace or not ?!

[@SuperReview]

?! Same as 109 / 99 Classics, standard stretchable lip.

[@hartyewh1]

109 is probably my favourite for the looks, but AB comparing it with relevant comopetition shows it as a rather blunted and low detail headphone. The brightness gives a feel that balances it a bit, but they really don't compete for sound quality like Meze traditionally hasn't which is a shame.

[@AnDr3w066]

Because that is not what they are going for. They go for better materials, more musical and more flavored sound. They have a different target vs something like hifiman

[@joggometer5393]

Or to say otherwise: Meze Audio is underperforming on a technical level but overperforming on used materials, build quality, presentation and overall haptic feeling of a really high quality product. Tuning and sound quality remain highly subjective, so anyone has to judge this on a personal level. All regarding corresponding price brackets. Personally i'm all in for that and for me the elite is overall the best headphone I've heard and used for myself. I adore the look of the tungsten variant and their magnetic pad attachment should be adopted by anyone! With all their headphones they nail the highly listenable nature for hours on end. Combining this with exceptional comfort and their exquisite craftsmanship its hard to beat.

[@hartyewh1]

@AnDr3w066 I said they sound muffled and low-fi. Nothing about FR.

[@AnDr3w066]

@ because you are most likely a detail w.. which is fine but again that is not what they aim for so not really a fair bar since its not a bar they ever aim for.

[@hartyewh1]

@AnDr3w066 I just can't imagine someone would want to make a headphone sound less detailed at least past tuning so lowered treble etc is perfectly fine. Sounds like a tv smoothing over the image putting foam between the ears and headphone to hear less.

[@syanhc]

I would never part with my HD600. But that doesn't mean I can only own one headphone. That's the joy of this endeavour ❤

[@GarrisonKeller]

This seems preferable to the 109 pro stock due to the more relaxed upper treble, but how does it compare to the 109 pro with the foam discs or zmf titanium mesh? I see you have those measurements on your squig, and you allude to them in the 109 pro review. Additionally, as a fan of the edition XS, are there headphones with similar sound signatures you'd recommend? The edition XS sound great (especially after a pad swap), but they're just too uncomfortable with me, even with something like the capra audio strap.

[@hkmrsrg1367]

I'm wondering, which would be better in terms of sound quality, 500USD headphones or 500USD IEM?

[@SuperReview]

They're just different -- I would decide on which form factor you want and find the best within that, versus trying to find the best at a price across multiple form factors.

[@SugarFreeTargets]

How do you use the microphone if you want to use your amp to power these headphones?

[@SuperReview]

I believe it comes with a splitter so that you can run one cable into your amp and the other into your mic input.

[@elasmojones]

Happy with the 99 Noir. Bring the bass!

[@theonlyegg]

Riddle me this: does it still have leather-on-metal microphonic problem where it squeaks every time you move or breathe? Referring to 99's.

[@MrBayren]

How does this compare to the Fiio FT5?

[@SuperReview]

The Meze sounds more normal than the Fiio.

[@FenrirAlter]

Fiio ft5 is a warmer headphone compared to this. This one is more for people that like cleaner sound with a slight boost in bass. Also fiio is a planar while these are dynamic.

[@cobaltross9059]

Would a Schiit Fulla be an adequate pairing with these or should I spring for something better? I’m pretty new to all this

[@authenticNL2]

Yes, the low impedance will help and you could probably run almost all Meze headphones off $200 amp and dacs and still have comparable sound to more expensive components.

[@cobaltross9059]

@@authenticNL2 appreciate it!

[@rajeebdas1724]

Great review. But how does it compare against the Edition XS? That is closer to this in terms of price

[@Morsella]

Please review sony mdr -m1

[@SuperReview]

Might check it out, but wouldn't be until next year I think.

[@Morsella]

@SuperReview I guess its too much review backlog? Anyway thanks for considering it

[@SuperReview]

@@Morsella Yeah, a bit behind at the moment 😅

[@bogdanflorea6116]

Just so you know, Meze being a romanian brand, “aer” means “air” in romanian

[@feardrake9]

would have never guessed that

[@En_Joshi-Godrez]

The 109 is effectivly $500 now. I think they realised that the above $500 but below $1000 range is not that sort after. Doesn't help that iys competitor, the edition xs went down to $350.

[@lellol4167]

Its 269 now

[@John-wv9iw]

Edition xs is 270 now

[@John-wv9iw]

The problem with the meze 109 pro is that you can get a similar sound signature for less than half the price and on the other hand if you add in a couple hundred more, there are some used zmf and abyss headphone around low 1k so meze 109 pro can't compete in either side, now this meze 105 aer are an interesting value proposition not just on sound but on build and aesthetics.

[@Jordonater]

The edition XS is built like a plastic toy and the weak kind at that while also having a headband that feels like a stone was placed on your head. Not sure why you'd get that over this thing

[@En_Joshi-Godrez]

@@Jordonater maybe because it's half its price again now, and most people prefer its sound.

[@mkunikow]

Great review ,,, I wanted to get Sony .....

[@ralphjohnticsay8771]

is this on ear or over ear?

[@stefjonkers]

over

[@jamesmiller4487]

The 105 looks like a great headphone! If I didn’t already have the 109 I would definitely pick one up. I agree the 109’s upper treble can be a bit spicy, but some light EQ deals with that 😁

[@SuperReview]

I use AKG K240 foam discs to help with the treble on 109 :D

[@jamesmiller4487]

@ yup! I remember you recommending foam disks in your 109 review and I purchased some right after getting the 109 based on your experience! Recently I have started to use EQ more just because I can better tailor all of the frequencies if I want on my headphones and IEMs.

[@christiharris292]

@@SuperReview I have used them since you recommended them and they have made a big difference for me. I love the 109's

[@spamcan9208]

​@SuperReview thanks for the tip

[@woosaucin]

has anyone tried both of these(or maybe just the 108s since these 105s are new) and any of the new/old focals and can compare? my hd6xx makes rap boring and unlistenable. need way more bass and slam/punch was looking at lcd-2c, azurys/hadenys/clear og, mdr-mv1, 105 aer and bokeh.

[@Omegawerewolfx]

$400? Meh. Too much for my taste. Nice review ^_^

[@mtnmankeith9069]

Thanks for the review! Be cool if you could get the Arya stealth in for review. Now that it’s $599.99 seems like the headphone to beat in that price category.

[@SuperReview]

I had issues with the treble on Arya stealth, couldn't listen for more than 5 minutes.

[@miscwork-qb7pd]

The problem with all headphones in this price range: Why would I buy when HD600 is available?

[@SuperReview]

Kinda the problem with most headphones. Though with HD 600, people want more bass + more stage, which something like the Meze delivers, so it has a purpose.

[@hartyewh1]

True, but if you EQ then there's plenty of reasons to go for something else.

[@KiwiNickG]

Stick with my 6XX and Hifiman XS

[@PEANUTGALLERY81]

It’s all about that bass

[@hartyewh1]

@@PEANUTGALLERY81 Sea bass.

[@Jordonater]

It seems cheaper headphones are improving but expensive ones are getting worse and even more expensive what an earth is wrong with this industry?

[@stoianovadrian8772]

Didn't they (Meze) mentioned that AER = AIR in Romanian! Open back = air = AER

[@SuperReview]

🤷‍♂️

[@flowstatelabs]

Heard it was bright and sibilant. I wanna like meze but damn they gotta chill on the treble

[@liamporter1137]

Meze looks better.

[@ronyrohan157]

❤

[@derzemel]

It's not pronounced "A.E.R.", but "Aer" (which stands for "air" in Romanian)

[@SuperReview]

It's too late.

[@humanbass]

Meze cant avoid their agressive high mids

[@SuperReview]

It has its benefits, makes it an exciting and open-sounding headphone a lot of people will like for sure.

[@hartyewh1]

It hides the low technical performance and lack of detail.

[@zoltantoth1566]

name: it is not o but 0 [zero]

[@Haru_no_ki]

Really don’t understand people with phobias. Not a single soul that I personally know has any phobia, feel like people just invented it. Cool headphones, might consider them over the hifiman xs and sennheiser hd 660s

[@SuperReview]

How many people do you know?

[@JMAudioEditions]

HD600 >

[@SuperReview]

Too stronk

[@AliArghavan]

How does it compare to Edition XS / Ananda Nano?

[@SuperReview]

Similar vocal tuning as Edition XS, a bit more bass, less shimmer on upper treble. I think the Edition XS has exceptional performance with high frequency percussion without being fatiguing.