A beautifully built, easy-listening open-back that nails comfort and musicality.

First Impressions

This was my first real hands-on experience with Meze Audio, and I’ll say this right up front — I get the hype (or lack of) now. The 105 SILVA looks and feels like something crafted with intent. The walnut wood cups, the open-back grille, the way the headband automatically adjusts — it’s all very Meze, and very refined. I’ve seen some mixed opinions floating around about Meze’s tuning, but after spending time with these, I honestly found them enjoyable, engaging, and just… easy to listen to. Buy them here!

The first thing that stood out to me was comfort. The ear pads are super soft and plush, one of the most comfortable I’ve used in this price range. They do need some break-in time — after about 24 hours of use, the pads soften and the clamp relaxes into a really nice balance. Once broken in, you can wear these for hours with mostly no pressure points or fatigue.

Build & Design

The 105 SILVA has that classic Meze attention to detail. Everything from the wood grain to the headband stitching feels deliberate. The use of real walnut makes it feel alive — each cup has a slightly unique texture and tone. It’s a headphone that looks as good on your desk as it feels on your head.

The build is solid without being heavy. At around 350 grams, it’s light enough for long listening sessions but substantial enough to feel premium. The open-back grille design also looks great — modern, minimal, and clean.

The included cable is high quality, it's legit, no joke! I love that Meze includes a USB-C to 3.5 mm DAC/AMP adapter in the box. That’s something most companies skip, and it’s great if you’re plugging into a laptop or phone and don’t have a dedicated amp. That said, these headphones definitely scale with a better source — plug them into a proper DAC or desktop amp and the sound tightens up beautifully. I ran a SMSL DO400 for this review.

Sound Impressions

Bass

The bass on the 105 SILVA has a punchy, well-controlled quality. It doesn’t hit like a subwoofer, but it’s there when the music calls for it — tight, textured, and clean. It’s more about precision and tone than raw slam. I never felt it bled into the mids or got boomy, which keeps the presentation clean and balanced. Bass is not something I would say these are focused on.

Mids

The midrange is where these really shine for me. Vocals and instruments sound natural and open, with just the right warmth. There’s a slight laid-back character to the mids — not recessed, but relaxed enough to make long sessions fatigue-free. Acoustic guitars, strings, and vocals all carry a very smooth, lifelike tone.

Treble

The top end walks a nice line between detail and smoothness. It’s clear and airy, but not sharp or sibilant. You get texture and definition without harshness. Meze clearly aimed for a more musical treble response rather than an ultra-analytical one, and I think that was the right call for this headphone’s overall character. Buy them here!

Soundstage & Imaging

For an open-back in this price range, the soundstage is nicely wide and layered. There’s good separation between instruments, and it never collapses or feels congested. You get a good sense of space without it feeling artificial or stretched. Imaging is precise — easy to pick out where things sit in the mix, whether it’s vocals dead-center or instruments floating around you.

Comfort & Everyday Use

After a full day of listening, I can easily say comfort is one of the biggest wins here. Once the pads break in, they’re genuinely some of the most comfortable I’ve tried. The headband’s self-adjusting system is effortless — you just put them on, and they settle perfectly every time.

These are open-back, so they’re meant for quiet environments. There’s sound leakage, and they don’t isolate much, but that’s the tradeoff for the spacious sound. On the upside, they breathe really well and don’t trap heat. Pros and cons here definitely.

Who They’re For

If you love clean, natural sound with just a touch of warmth and refinement, the 105 SILVA hits a really sweet spot. They’re perfect for people who do a lot of critical listening, instrumental work, or just want to relax with beautifully balanced sound.

They’re not for bass-heads chasing huge slam, and they’re not the pick for people who want ultra-bright analytical detail. The 105 SILVA is tuned for enjoyment — it’s more about immersing yourself in the music than dissecting it.

Verdict

The Meze Audio 105 SILVA surprised me in all the right ways. It’s got gorgeous build quality, fantastic comfort, and a sound signature that’s refined yet approachable. I went in curious — especially after reading some divided opinions — but came out genuinely impressed.

This is a headphone I can see myself keeping around for late-night listening or long editing sessions where I just want to enjoy music without fatigue. It’s not trying too hard to be analytical or bass-heavy — it just sounds right.

For $499, it’s a beautifully balanced headphone that feels built to last and easy to love. If this is your first Meze, it’s an excellent introduction to what the brand stands for — craftsmanship, comfort, and musical sound that invites you to stay awhile. Buy them here!