Meze Alba is actually really good! IEM Review

[@JoshuaValour]

This Meze Alba will be part of the December Giveaways - Make sure you follow in Instagram for the giveaway! - instagram.com/joshua.valour/

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

🎉❤🎉

[@josephkim007]

followed!

[@FrontyardSoccer]

I’ve had my set since the first orders were shipped. These are absolutely phenomenal for the price, and i’m still enjoying them even more than day one.

[@FrontyardSoccer]

as an update i’d like to add: i was not a big fan of the stock tips. I use Spinfit tips, but a lot of people have enjoyed the Sedna tips as well.

[@erik-rw7ft]

Absolutely love my alba even compared to my full sized headphones

[@calvinchann1996]

These and the IE200/600 are the best fit for my peculiar ears. Size is very important for me.

[@Tssukiii]

Same for me; if you find anything else that fits like these, let me know haha

[@CharLessMajor7Music]

How do they compare in terms of the sound?

[@davidjtorresii7921]

awesome review - as usual I love how you talk about headphones! Will you be doing a sperate review for the SR7000 or making a closed back headphones under 1000.00 review and including SR7000 in it?

[@sudipchatterjee]

I've been using it since launch and it's wonderful! It also came with a dongle-dac which is superb! Now I am waiting for the balanced cable that Meze launched for this IEM.

[@venvedam]

Frequency response plots would aid your impressions Josh, please do include those in the video if you have measured

[@flourishingfog]

Looking forward to your Pietus Maximus review!

[@spencerjeremiah]

My favorite Josh face is the "side profile pretending we're not watching him pretend to listen" face

[@ilyeshammadi7278]

Thanks for the review man. I'm wondering how it compares to some of the top sub 200 IEMs like PULA PA02, SuperMix 4 and the Aful 5.

[@Silverjerk]

Very different set. This is Meze’s tuning, IEM edition. Warm, lacking sub bass, typical Meze treble. If you want a budget set that competes with the $200 market, look at the Letshouer S08. The Alba is fantastic, but the S08 will be more consistent with the JM-1 and typical Harman tunings.

[@3ildcard]

They have a hard time. Not that it's bad but moreso nothing outstanding in that price range. If you like the looks, wait to see if they'll go on sale. But yeah, with Meze, you pay a good bit for the brand name just like Sennheiser. 160 is a little too ambitious for what they are.

[@Empty12345]

​@@3ildcardHave you tried those headphones yourself & made your own opinion or did you listen to somebody else?

[@alejandroelcid]

The Meze Alba has replaced my Starfield in my backpack. While it is not neutral, it is also not as bassy as the 99 headphone series; I have been enjoying the included cable ending in 4.4mm (pre-order) along with the Moondrop Dawn. I had to switch the tips to Moondrop's version of Xlastic tips, but they fit well with no discomfort to my ears.

[@demometalico8074]

I noticed that you have the Apos Gremlin tube amp on desk. Really hype for the review on it.

[@CJDilag]

Had mine for a week already. I enjoy the sound signature as it's generally likeable/safe. Alternating between Spinfit W1 and Divinus Velvet Wide bore ear tips. Bought a Kinera Rum cable for the Alba. Not a fan of the tiny IEM case.

[@243577689744664]

This with a moondrop little white is a hell of a night 🤙🏻

[@peterandersson6762]

I ordered the Albas from USA to sweden onley couse they couldent deliver with the 4.4 balanced cabel in sweden. connected to a ifi hip dac 3. A wonderful couple!

[@geniunegamers1996]

Od200 vs meze alba which sounds better

[@grahambinoreviews]

Thanks for the review, I'm definitely considering them. Although, did they send you a USB-C to 3.5mm? I know it wouldn't be stellar but that was a nice part of the value proposition for me as a primarily mobile user.

[@stevec4100]

it comes with one yes which is actually an unusual value boon

[@Nightjar726]

Funny as I ordered this last night. I hope it’s not as shrill in the treble like the KATO. It’s almost impossible to dial out from the Kato as well. Cheers

[@JKfourseven]

Definitely a bit of upper treble elevation.. Why do you buy IEMS which measure that way if you're not a fan?

[@Nightjar726]

@@JKfourseven good question. I’m new to the world of IEMs and they seem to sound a bit different than equal measurements with over ear headphones. I guess over ear headphones aren’t as shrill just because they don’t go directly into the ear canal.

[@JKfourseven]

@@Nightjar726 Fair enough! I like treble/bass so can't suggest much from my collection. But I'm borrowing some Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite which are pretty good - emphasised mids and smooth/rolled off treble at a similar price point so maybe look at those.

[@vancebente5186]

First 2 links for Meze Alba Here and the Also Mentioned IE200 in the description are duplicated.

[@blackduncan9812]

Do you feel that these are an upgrade over the ie200.

[@madsmix]

It really is strange how so many overlook the mid-forward nature of this IEM. Trust me, this isn't brand-bashing, but I get the feeling that blind brand-adoration is playing a massive role in it's success. I, for one, dislike my Alba. I have tried so many different eartips but just could not get the strident upper-mids to tone down. They are not harsh by any means, but really upsets the balance of the tuning. The quest to find eartips that will correct its tuning still goes on. That said, this is by far the most comfortable IEM I have tested, but 5 mins and the mids make me want to remove them.

[@emilnagy3549]

Azla crystal

[@madsmix]

@@emilnagy3549 Thanks!

[@michaeljbus]

They definitely have a bit of a hump in the mids at 1-2khz, which I perceive as bringing vocals forward, so they sort of sit slightly in front of the other instruments. I quite like it though, for me it contributes to a greater sense of vocal details and overall space in the soundstage.

[@Empty12345]

I was going to buy Alba's, but they literally ship everywhere else except Northern Europe.... I guess no Meze for me 🙃

[@-E-M-M-]

what big sound sage with deep texutred bass do you recomend on this price bracket?

[@carlog234]

What's your favorite soundstage and imaging IEM in this $150 range?

[@HiFiInsider]

I like their RAI Penta.

[@josephkim007]

would this sound different if you're using a dac? i noticed you were using one, so i was wondering if that affected how it sounded. perhaps a review of the sound with and without the dac would be great

[@Prof.waleedkhalid]

Joshua what mic do you use?

[@kirkhamilton775]

yours didnt come with a free USB-C dongle?

[@V4Now]

Use a DAC, like a real man!💪🏿

[@teamnitrogen210]

@@V4Nowthe dongle is a dac

[@soulfulfool]

@@teamnitrogen210 🤣 yes it is or maybe he ment DAP

[@AgnisRoz]

How would it compare to FiiO FH3?

[@oliver_1997]

Love my pair but the paint is pealing off, I’ve emailed Meze just waiting for a response

[@maohaoc]

Bought the Alba when it was released. Love the sound and all. Only minor complaint is the white paint chipped a bit on both sides.

[@darrencotter8206]

Don't buy the 4.4mm cable. I've had two sets of Alba's and on both the right hand side was loose. The 3.5mm cable is fine.

[@mitchy5994]

I bought the Monarch MkIII due to the insane amount of good reviews. Absolutely loved the sound but couldn't get over the fact that I'd get listening fatigue due to the sound coming from inside my ear canal as compared to a speaker. Not sure exactly why this happens to me, but I believe it has to do something with your brain trying to make the sounds like real life. Anyway, that coupled with I found IEMs are relatively uncomfortable and that I already have very comfortable and great sounding Arya Organic's I due parted with them and have no reason to go back.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Joshua, thank you for another wonderful earphone review! 👌 Reverend Dr. Thomas, ✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

Almost everything being said here, sounds like you are describing a different IEM. The alba do not sound like this at all to my ears.

[@sheanreal]

Alba or Hexa?

[@Rorensuwl8]

Hexa

[@stevenmichael7770]

Holy loud intro music, lol

[@Whires]

why do you never refer to a products frequently response? ik you mentioned 12k to 17k but when you talk about midrange or bass you didn't mention the fr once

[@natalyakeane]

they are a great iem, but i had one pair die after literally a week of use.

[@masterazlan6999]

Ie200 not gd example of gd transations, sony iem does..yup m7, m9..hmm z1r indeed...Peace!

[@fazzxides8429]

You’re left-eared 😆

[@One-Two_swift-kickbox]

IEMs are so tedious

[@SpongeBob-xh8ir]

Complete garbage

[@authenticNL2]

Elaborate?

[@Taine117]

?

[@DumbOrangeFrog]

Have you heard them? I'm asking because there are a bunch of people who say "(headphone/iem) is trash, the fr looks trash🙄🙄🙄" when they never even heard the iem/headphone in question

[@KIBICKE94]

Got it, you introduced yourself 😂