Community Insights – Meze Audio Alba Review

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ALBA – A stylish, affordable, and extremely comfortable entry into the audiophile world of IEMs

Meze Audio may not yet be a household name outside the audiophile community, especially for those who casually browse headphones and tend to gravitate towards the latest offerings from Apple, Bose, or Sony. However, the Romanian headphone manufacturer has long been synonymous with excellent sound, superb craftsmanship, and high-quality materials – coupled with outstanding customer service.

This reputation, though, comes with a hefty price tag, as Meze products often fall within the higher three to four figure range. Perhaps this is why they haven’t gained mainstream popularity yet, but it’s likely that this wasn’t their goal either.

When it comes to IEMs (wired in-ear monitors), Meze has typically focused on premium offerings, like the now-discontinued “Rai Penta” or the “Advar,” with only a few exceptions like the “Rai Solo.” However, the newest addition, simply called “Alba” (meaning “morning light”), is set to change things for Meze in this regard. I’ve been using them for a few weeks now and have grown quite fond of these little gems. But what makes them so appealing? Well, for one, they are relatively affordable (around €159), have a sleek design, and boast excellent build quality – something that isn’t always guaranteed at this price point.

Right out of the box, you don’t feel like you’re making any compromises with the Alba, which makes for a fantastic first impression. More importantly, they are incredibly lightweight (just 7g each) and small, with an ergonomic design that practically disappears in your ears. This is a huge advantage for people who don’t enjoy the feeling of larger IEMs or find them uncomfortable.

But the most crucial aspect – they sound excellent! The Meze Alba strikes a perfect balance between modern sound tuning and an audiophile entry-level experience, creating an exciting blend that is sure to impress.

Sound Quality

The Alba delivers a warm sound profile with a tasteful and controlled emphasis on the bass. The low end is punchy and always present but never overwhelming, thanks to the 10.8mm dynamic drivers that handle bass with finesse. The midrange is clear, with well-balanced vocal tones and excellent instrument separation.

As with any in-ear headphones, finding the right size of silicone ear tips is essential. Only with a proper seal can the Alba truly showcase their full potential, especially in the bass and midrange. Using the wrong tips may result in weaker bass and harsher vocals.

The Meze Alba covers a frequency range from 15Hz to 25kHz – far beyond what most people can hear. The highs are clear and provide a sense of airiness while maintaining energy and bite when needed, allowing the headphones to breathe even in the higher frequencies.

The soundstage, typical for IEMs, is not particularly wide, and the sound tends to revolve closely around the listener’s head. However, personal preferences vary, and for under €200, I’ve yet to find any IEMs that match or surpass the Alba’s overall performance.

It should be noted that while we aren’t talking about the pinnacle of IEM performance here, you’d have to spend significantly more to notice a substantial improvement in sound quality. This is perhaps the biggest compliment one can give the Meze Alba. As an “all-rounder IEM” for beginners (and even more experienced users), they are a wonderful piece of audio technology.

For comparison, I’ve tried the Sennheiser IE600, which costs about three times as much and is highly praised in the audiophile community. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel like I was missing much with the Alba. While the Sennheiser may have a slight technical edge, I personally prefer the Alba’s tuning!

For those interested, the Alba can play extremely loud without distortion, thanks to its low impedance of 32 ohms and high sensitivity (109 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz).

The included white-silver 2-pin to 3.5mm cable, typical for Meze, looks fantastic but can tangle quickly due to its lightweight and thin design. However, this sounds more negative than it actually is – the cable wears comfortably and doesn’t produce noise when it touches your body or clothing. Meze also offers an optional 4.4mm balanced cable for audiophile enthusiasts, though this might only be relevant for those with the highest demands.

The carrying case, in my opinion, is a bit too small. It takes some effort to roll the Alba and its cable neatly into the case, but maybe that’s just my clumsy handling. I would have preferred a slightly larger case! But hey, there’s always something, right?

The cherry on top?

Meze includes a small USB-C DAC adapter with the Alba, so you can easily use the IEMs with your smartphone or tablet. This adapter, like the Alba, is high-quality and well-designed – a thoughtful final touch to a well-rounded IEM package.

Rarely has it been easier and more affordable to enter the world of audiophile sound. And above all, the Alba is just plain fun to use! Well done, Meze!

You can find the Meze Alba here.

Many thanks to our community-author Fabio De Feo.