Meze Audio 105 AER Review

Meze’s 109 Pro is one of the best open-back headphones below a thousand dollars. Now they’ve added a more price-conscious option that will act as a good entry-level to the brand. A $400 price tag might still be a big ask, but it’s definitely more obtainable, and a good way to jump head-first into audiophile headphones without breaking the bank. Can Meze still deliver a premium product in this price range though? Let’s see how the new 105 AER holds up.

What You Get

• 105 AER Open-Back Dynamic Headphones
• Hard EVA Case
• 6.3 mm gold-plated jack adapter
• Mono 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm (1/8 in), 1.8 m (70.9 in) Kevlar OFC cable with mic and black aluminum casings

Look & Feel

The 105 AER takes a lot of cues from the 109 in terms of shape and build, but it differs from it aesthetically. Its grille has a more purposeful design that makes it stand out, however, I would have liked it if it still kept the 109’s wooden materials. A darker wood would have been a good identifier for this line, but the ABS-PC earcups aren’t a bad alternative. It’s a solid frame for the price, supported by a steel spring suspension headband that ensures a premium build that won’t easily show signs of wear. Velour earpads might not be your thing, but the 105 has a good seal while also being flexible thanks to the form-fitting headband.

Design

The 105 AER uses a 50mm dynamic driver with a special W-shaped dome. It uses a carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite that makes the driver durable and lightweight, helping reduce resonance and harmonic distortion. The membrane is surrounded by a copper-zinc alloy stabilizer hoping to improve absorption.

Soundstage

No matter the price, Meze usually delivers great soundstage and imaging properties to their products. Using the 109 might not be the best comparison, but the 105 is close in terms of depth and dimension. While it might be lacking in stereo width, you still get a fantastic display of instrumental positioning and separation that makes everything appear like an individual sound you can point to.

There’s good channel separation, but the extreme left and right sounds are narrower than I’m used to hearing from the brand. The 105 still communicates accurate spatial imaging though, and you can feel the layers unfolding inward and outward. It’s capable of showing you great height with high-frequency content, and the layers stack over each other in a way that makes certain sounds appear out in front of you. However, it does feel like something is keeping the 105 from totally entering the open air.

Low End

This bass has a ton of personality, from its resonant mid-bass to its rumbly sub-bass. It definitely has the most scale compared to other ranges of frequency, but that never puts the bass out of balance. The bloom of the bass is very distinct, especially when a vibrating foundation underneath it backs it up. This brings a smooth timbre to the lows that still feel big and impactful. There’s a fullness to the bass that is very gripping, even if it doesn’t offer the most hard-hitting slam. You still get transparency as well as thickness to the region, enveloping you in a fun bass flavor.

Mids

While the low mids envelop a lot of the frequency response in a nice warmth, the midrange shows more depth than that. It’s not a completely natural presentation, but the clarity of notes is still engaging to listen to on the 105. Everything feels roomy and organized, with a few boosts in gain adding an extended body to certain instruments and vocal performances. Nothing ever appears foggy as the details are able to come through clearly in its tight bubble of space.

Highs

The highs are one of my favorite qualities of the 105. Everything has so much sparkle and crispness, and it brings a detailed brilliance to this sound signature that makes it very impressive. While there are spots of brightness, it is effortlessly brought under control to only exemplify the 105’s colorful sizzle. It adds a ton of top-end height and even opens up the imaging to feature more open space and clearer movement. They jump off the edge of instruments and vocals, tapering off excitingly.

Summary

The Meze 105 AER delivers an impressive package for its price, combining sleek design, thoughtful engineering, and an engaging sound signature. While it doesn’t quite reach the scale or refinement of the 109 Pro, it offers a fantastic entry-level experience for those looking to explore high-fidelity audio. From its textured bass to its crisp highs, the 105 AER proves that Meze can maintain its commitment to quality without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or just beginning your journey, these headphones are worth considering.

The Meze 105 AER is available at Audio46.