INTRODUCTION

    In the headphone world, the fundamentals haven’t changed, drivers, housings, and ergonomics still dictate the experience. But the way manufacturers interpret those fundamentals is what separates the ordinary from the memorable. Some brands chase raw resolution, others chase tuning philosophies, and a few try to balance both with long‑term comfort and build quality. Meze has carved out a reputation for doing exactly that. Their headphones tend to favor natural timbre, fatigue‑free listening, and a build philosophy that borders on heirloom craftsmanship. The 105 Silva enters the lineup as a compact, closed‑back design aimed at delivering Meze’s signature warmth and fluidity in a more accessible package.

    Founded by industrial designer Antonio Meze in 2011, Meze Audio is a high-end audio company from Baia Mare, Romania, crafting headphones and earphones renewed for timeless design, pure comfort and engaging, vivid sound, timeless, original, purposeful. This is what best describes the Meze Audio design philosophy. We strive to create products that are beautiful, yet meticulously engineered to deliver exceptional performance. Each headphone we make evokes a sense of timelessness and longevity, reflecting our commitment to lasting value. To us headphones are a perfect blend of design, high functionality and ergonomics. We are a Romanian brand with soul and technical know-how that does it all out of pure love for sound and art.

    The Meze 105 Silva is an open‑back, over‑ear headphone built around two 50mm dynamic drivers (bio-cellulose composite domes and titanium-coated toruses) housed in a design that blends walnut wood ear cups with a radial PC‑ABS grille, following Meze’s mid‑century modern aesthetic principles. It offers a 5Hz–30kHz frequency range, 42Ω impedance, 112dB SPL sensitivity, and weighs 354 g for long‑wear comfort. The headband uses faux leather, while the pads are velour, and the cable is a detachable 1.8 meter long flat cable with dual‑entry routing and a 3.5 mm mini‑jack termination. Included accessories are a hard EVA case, a cable bag, and adapters for 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm to USB‑C connectivity. The construction emphasizes durability, clean geometry, and a blend of natural and modern materials, consistent with Meze’s design philosophy.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

A drawing of the exterior of the cups and the company logo are what Meze has placed at the front of the box.

The company logo is also placed at the rear right over an paragraph where Meze explains the origins of the word Silva.

Just like with past models by Meze the entire bundle is placed inside a hard storage/carrying case.

Along with the 105 Silva and the hard carrying/storage case Meze has also placed 1.8 meter long twisted OFC 3.5mm jack, 6.3mm gold-plated jack adapter, 3.5mm to USB-C adapter (with integrated DAC/AMP), safety instructions paper and a quick start guide.

THE 105 SILVA

The hard carrying/storage case is the same Meze has been using for years now and has plenty of room inside foe the 105 Silva and its bundle.

The 105 Silva weigh 354g and are primarily made of aluminum, wood, plastic, faux leather, and soft velour.

This is a medium sized headset much like the 105 AER.

The exterior of both earcups pairs walnut wood ear cups with a radial PC‑ABS grille.

The company logo is placed on both ends of the suspension system as are left and right markings.

3.5mm ports are placed at the base of both earcups as seen above.

The soft velour earpads are large and comfortable.

Meze has engraved the model name on top of the suspension headpad as seen above.

As usual to test the Meze 105 Silva I primarily used the R9 audio player by FiiO (followed by the R7 and M23 audio players – different sound signatures).

Forgot to mention that all plugs (3.5mm/6.3mm) are gold plated.

CONCLUSION

    The 105 Silva is loyal to Meze’s signature craftsmanship featuring a walnut wood finish with mid-century aesthetic. Sonically the 105 Silva sits between the detailed 109 Pro and the more relaxed 105 AER, offering controlled mid-bass, smooth highs, and a timbre that breathes life into acoustic and vocal tracks (tilts towards a natural audio signature). Yes, it may not produce the most detailed mids out there but thanks to the very good balance it manages to maintain the end audio result is very accurate. The 105 Silva is also a very comfortable model thanks to its suspension system and so even after 3 hours of continuous use chances are you will not encounter any ear fatigue or discomfort. The bundled USB-C audio DAC/AMP is nothing to get excited over and well, I didn’t expect anything more since it’s just meant to allow the 105 Silva to be used with devices that don’t have a 3.5mm port (modern smartphones and even laptops or computers). Audio performance aside providing an USB-C DAC/amp in the bundle to widen device compatibility is something I welcome, especially since most manufacturers aren’t doing the same.

    Right now, the 105 SILVA by Meze Audio retail for USD499/499Euros directly from their own online stores and so they are priced well. Audio performance, build quality/craftmanship, comfort, and even compatibility, the 105 SILVA deliver on everything that matters and for that the Golden Award is in order.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality
- Overall Audio Performance
- Comfortable
- Self Adjusting Headband
- Bundle (USB C DAC / Amp)
- Open Back Design (For Some)

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Open Back Design (For Some)