Meze Alba Vs Sennheiser IE 200 Comparison Review

When it comes to high-quality in-ear monitors (IEMs), the Meze Alba and Sennheiser IE 200 are two excellent contenders. Both brands are known for delivering exceptional sound performance and craftsmanship, but which one is the right fit for you? In this comparison, we’ll dive deep into the features, sound quality, and overall performance of these two IEMs to help you make an informed decision.

What You Get

Look & Feel

The Alba has the flashiest design, but it also uses the best materials of the two. You get a build quality that feels almost too premium for the price, while the IE 200 uses more common plastic parts for its construction. However, this also makes the IE 200 more lightweight, which adds to its comfort level. I think the Alba has a strong fit, but those with smaller ears will definitely prefer the IE 200 over the Alba. Both IEMs come with detachable cables, but finding an MMCX cable for the IE 200 can be a bit hard since there are some that can’t fit its socket. You’ll have an easier time replacing the 2-pin cable of the Alba, but if you’re looking for IE 200 cables, the Strauss & Wagner Vienna is a good option.

Design

Sennheiser uses their usual 7mm TrueResposne dynamic driver for the IE 200, while the Alba uses a 10.8mm dynamic driver. While they’re both single dynamic IEMs, you can get some good power out of them with the right DAC dongle. The Alba even comes with its own DAC dongle that is USB-C. I find this funny since the IE 200 is actually considerably harder to drive than the Alba so it could do with its own DAC dongle.

Soundstage

I consider both the IE 200 and the Alba to have a wide soundstage. The Alba might have slightly more width and dimension, but the IE 200 gives you more pinpoint accuracy and cohesion. Both IEMs have very articulate and organized spatial imaging, with great channel separation for their respective price points. The Alba has great depth but also feels floatier with its positioning, while the IE 200 is very firm and exact. They both carry a soundstage where the placement of instruments, and the unfolding of layers is easy to localize, but they serve different purposes. I enjoyed the immersive qualities of the Alba more than the IE 200, but if I need to use my IEMs more for critical listening I trust the IE 200 more.

Low End

Bass heads will get more from the Meze Alba than the IE 200. Its bass is rich and detailed, featuring good impact and rumble. The IE 200 had more of a neutral and balanced bass timbre. It’s good at retrieving basic bass detail, but its tone is much leaner than the Alba, which likes to have more fun with its dynamic range of low-end character.

Mids

While the Alba continues its lush response with the warm midrange, the IE 200 is more flat and even. The low mids of both IEMs have warmth, but the IE 200 does a better job of using it to add more weight behind its sound. I think the Alba has more texture, musicality, and emotion behind its mids, but the IE 200 does a better job communicating realism. Instruments and effects are more physical, where notes are more defined and precise. Both IEMs have a fine resolution to them but operate differently from one another, which helps differentiate them well.

Highs

Both IEMs have a nice present treble with their own personality. The Alba glistens with a smooth spark that is colorful and fun to take in, while the IE 200 has a similar sparkle with colder qualities. Those colder qualities make its bright spots a bit peakier than the Alba, but not harsh to listen to. The IE 200 is also flatter and more linear with its high frequencies, whereas the Alba gains height, adding more depth to its sound signature.

Summary

Both the Meze Alba and Sennheiser IE 200 cater to different audiences. If you’re an audiophile seeking a lush, warm sound with premium build quality, the Meze Alba is your best bet. On the other hand, if you’re after neutral sound accuracy with a comfortable, lightweight design, the Sennheiser IE 200 offers incredible value for money.

The Meze Alba and Sennheiser IE 200 are available at Audio46.