Review: Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones

Wireless headphones dominate the market, capturing 78 percent of revenue share in 2024. It’s hardly surprising given the near monopolization of music streaming, the convenience of being wire-free, and the blissful quiet of active noise canceling—but if you prioritize sound quality above all else, a dedicated pair of quality wired headphones should still be the priority.

Audiophile headphones focus on sound quality, design, comfort, and little else. Given the technological innovation from brands such as Sony, Apple, and Bowers & Wilkins with the best wireless headphones, at-home listening remains a niche slice of the market. But paired with a good high-resolution audio source and suitably proficient DAC or headphone amplifier, these plush, wired, over-ear designs can sound jaw-droppingly good.

There are a couple of pairs trying to do it all, most notably the Focal Bathys $849 (9/10 WIRED Recommended), which has a built-in high-quality DAC and headphone jack for wired listening, as well as the ability for wireless Bluetooth playback as well. But the $500 105 Silva aren't trying to please everyone—as open-back headphones (which means they leak music to those around you) they are proudly for “at-home” use, but they certainly make staying in a treat.

Photograph: Chris Haslam

Founded in 2011 in Baia Mare, Romania, Meze Audio has been quietly building a reputation for high-end, exquisitely finished headphones. Founded by artist and industrial designer Antonio Meze, his first product, the 99 Classics (2015), blended machined solid walnut ear cups, all-metal fastenings, luxurious comfort, and great audio for less that the traditional competition.

Nine launches later, including the flagship $3,000 planar magnetic Empyrean II, and Meze’s design language—a mix of strong mid-century shapes, elegant curves, and modern materials—is instantly recognizable. I wasn’t a huge fan of the aesthetic initially, agreeing with WIRED contributor Simon Lucas, who described an earlier pair as “designed by someone who should have had their pencils taken away a lot earlier in the process.”

But with the launch of the 105 Silva, I think the brand has nailed the design brilliantly, without compromising on audio quality, comfort, or brand aesthetic.

Out of the Woods

Photograph: Chris Haslam

With their name translated from the Romanian for forest, the 105 Silva are a pair of easy-to-drive, open-back, 50-mm dynamic driver headphones, which blend milled walnut, steel, cast zinc alloy, PU leather headband, 3D printed radial grille, and velour earpads. Every component can be taken apart and serviced too, which is rarely the case these days, unless you’re spending thousands.

The 105 Silva include a good quality zipped hard case, 1.8m kevlar reinforced, tangle-resistant cable, and a custom 3.5mm-to-USB-C adapter with built-in DAC/amp. My early sample didn’t have this connector, but I did use the tiny Fiio BTR13 DAC when testing with my iPhone.

Aesthetics aside, Meze has designed a 50mm driver with a titanium-coated semicrystalline polymer and carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite. This combination promises reduced resonance, fast response and a sound profile designed to please as many listeners as possible. These are not flat frequency, analytical headphones, but they are detailed, rich and engaging, and a whole lot of fun to listen to.

At 12.5 ounces (350 grams) they’re not especially light, but the combination of sprung steel headband construction and plush ear cups makes them float. These are some of the comfiest headphones I’ve ever worn, with plenty of space for my generously proportioned ears. There’s also no pressure if I’m wearing glasses, and (Apple, please take note re: Airpods Max) there’s no hint of slippage if I dip my head forward. You can wear these cans for hours on end, but as they are open-back cans, don’t think for a second they’re for your daily commute, unless that involves moving from couch to desk.

With an impedance of 42 ohms, the 105 Silva are easy to drive, and you’ll have no issue playing through your phone, but add a DAC or headphone amp in the mix and you will instantly hear the difference. At 112 dB they’re sensitive too, and can play loud whatever your source.

Listening to a range of genres in CD quality 16-bit/44.1 kHz and 24-bit/192 kHz hi-res streaming from Qobuz—using the aforementioned mini DAC, the superb Chord Electronics Mojo 2, and sadly now discontinued Audiolab M-DAC+—and I’m impressed and engrossed from the outset.

Precision Handling

Photograph: Chris Haslam

A play through of The Look by Metronomy and the organ stabs, bass, and percussion are neatly located, with the lead and backing vocals pleasantly balanced. Everything is driving the track forward, and nothing feels lost. The bass is punchy and textured without being overbearing, and sounds best with pacy, rhythmic tracks.

Quieting it down with a demo version of Man in a Shed, and Nick Drake’s unmistakable fingerstyle is gloriously realized. It sounds hauntingly live, as if he were playing in the same room. The very rough edits, and earliest reel-to-reel recordings are a little too raw, but document the period beautifully—and the final studio recording had me staring into space.

Next, I listen to Rolling Stones' Sympathy For The Devil (24-bit/192 kHz), and it's hard to know which to concentrate on first—the percussion, the split between left and right channels, the bassline chugging perfectly, the piano driving it all on further. It's always a treat to hear songs you know so intimately, given a fresh burst of life. Hoo-hoo indeed.

The 105 Silva are up against a lot of competition, however, not least from within their own company. The cheaper, more portable 105 AER ($400), for example, have the same driver, but offer up a little less warmth. While nowhere near as luxurious, the Sennheiser HD 550S ($280) offer plenty of detail and a neutral sound profile, while the pricier Audeze LCD-2 Classic ($800) have planar drivers, extraordinary realism, and vast soundstage.

But at this $500 price, the Meze Audio 105 Silva are a superb pair of open-backed pair of headphones. They can be powered by just about any source and are beautifully comfortable. And while their price is hardly a pittance, given the premium materials, luxury build, attention to detail, and impressive sustainability they feel almost like a bargain. They don’t compete with the $3,000 Focal Stellia that I still dream about, but they’re not supposed to. These headphones are for the music fan who wants to be indulged and immersed in their favorite artists rather than for the audiophile who enjoys the pursuit of perfection instead of just passion.