MEZE Audio ALBA
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Meze Alba: The ‘Dawn’ of pure sound
The name “Alba” is an excellent choice for this IEM, as it carries meanings such as “clarity” and “purity” in some languages, and “first light of the dawn” in others. In Romanian, it can also mean “white,” all of which are evocative terms that seem to perfectly reflect the spirit and design of this IEM.These qualities appear to have inspired the look and character of the Alba:
Meze Audio’s newest IEM takes their classic over-ear sound and outstanding design aesthetics and shrinks them down to fit comfortably in your ear.
But is the Alba the right IEM for you? Read on to find out.
I would like to thank Meze for providing the Alba for the purposes of this review. If you are interested in finding out more about the Alba, please check out their product page here.
The Alba typically retails for $159.
Before I get into the sound, let me first show you what you can expect out of the box:
What’s in the box
The Meze Alba arrives with a sleek and well-presented unboxing experience with a small box containing a usb-c adapter attached to the main box containing the Alba:
Inside the box, you’ll find:
• A semi-hard carrying case
• 4 pairs of silicone eartips (small, medium, large, and extra-large)
• A 3.5mm standard cable with silver-plated copper wiring
• And a nice USB-C to 3.5mm dongle for added flexibility
The accessories complement the Alba’s beautiful design, though a few extra tip choices would have been appreciated.
Here is everything you get:
Carrying Case
The white carrying case is nice and is a perfect size to be useful - I see too many massive carrying cases that are really too big to carry around with you - this one is about the perfect size to actually fit in your pocket:
Cable
The cable does tangle a little too easily, but it is built well and the connectors are very good quality and follow the excellent “pure” design language:
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Similarly, the usb-c connector has nice quality connectors on either end:
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IEM Build Quality
The Alba’s all-metal shell construction, with a zinc alloy and anodized aluminum mix, gives it a unique and durable yet lightweight feel:
The pearlescent white finish is visually striking, with an organic design that fits the ear beautifully and looks fantastic. While I have used some amazing IEM’s in the past year, I think the Alba is the best looking and most unique looking IEM:
Here is a small video of the IEM from all angles showing the beautiful curved shape of the shell:
Meze’s attention to detail extends to the unique left/right colour indicators embedded into the 2-pin connectors, making it stand out from the competition.
Comfort
One of the standout features for me is the comfort this beautiful design provides. Thanks to its lightweight design and smooth curves, the Alba excels in comfort, allowing long listening sessions without any discomfort. The nozzles are slightly shorter than average but hold eartips securely. For those who prefer a deeper fit, you might need to experiment with longer ear tips, for me the IEM provided a great seal even when out walking without every feeling I was losing the seal.The nozzle is a reasonable size at 6.0mm:
Comparison of the IEM shell
Here is a couple of pictures comparing the Meze Alba shell with from left to right: The Meze Alba, then the FiiO FD15, Truthear Zero Red, Kiwiears KE4 and the very large FiiO FH15:
Here is a short video showing these IEMs from all angles:
Sound Quality
The Meze Alba offers a signature sound with a twist: a neutral-warm midrange, punchy bass, and controlled, non-sibilant treble. It stays true to the Meze house sound while providing a slightly Harman-esque balance.Bass
The bass on the Alba is tight and controlled, delivering ample sub-bass presence without overwhelming the midrange. Tracks like Massive Attack’s Angel showcase its punch and depth, while electronic music and rock genres remain well-balanced with clean, non-boomy bass.Midrange
This IEM shines in the midrange, offering smooth and slightly warm lower mids. Vocals, especially male, come across with natural weight and clarity, while the upper mids have a slight lift to bring out female vocals and higher-pitched instruments without sounding harsh. For fans of vocal-heavy music, this is an outstanding choice. I thought tracks like “My Favourite Things” by “Youn Sun Nah” sounded fantastic with her beautiful voice coming to the forefront.Treble
The treble has a natural timbre, never straying into brightness or harshness. Tracks like In One Ear feature precise cymbal crashes and high-frequency details without any uncomfortable sharpness. It’s not the most forward or detailed treble, but it balances well with the rest of the spectrum, ensuring fatigue-free listening. Tracks like “Billie Jean” by “Michael Jackson” was just about the right balance between detailed but not harsh.Soundstage and Imaging
The Alba provides an intimate but well-defined soundstage, excelling in imaging. Instruments and voices are placed with precision, allowing for a satisfying spatial experience in both simple and complex mixes. But like most well tuned IEM’s it can be hard to get a wide soundstage without messing with midrange tonality.Specifications and Measurements
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Cable length (meters) | 1.2 |
| Color | White |
| Connection types | USB-C, 3.5mm |
| Efficiency (dB) | 109 |
| Frequency response (Hz) | 15Hz-25kHz |
| Resistance (Ohms) | 32 |
Frequency Response
The Alba leans toward a Harman-like tuning, with a slightly elevated upper mid-bass but thankfully has a relaxed 6K mid-treble which is one of the regions where the JM-1 target typically has a lower target:
The frequency response is smooth, and while it doesn’t have a peak in the treble region, it maintains an airy quality, the 10K dip in the treble you see in these measurements (and other 711 coupler measurements) was not present at that frequency when I listened to frequency sweep.
Distortion
Here is a distortion measurement at 104dB showing a well controlled IEM even at crazy loud volumes:
And as a percentage showing less than 2% at most:
Comparison Measurements
I have highlight 4 different areas in the following comparison chart:
- The bass on the Alba is very similar to the Aful Explorers and almost a perfect Harman sub-bass - while the KE4 has a little too much sub-bass
- Shows a perfect harman midrange - with the KE4 having that “new meta” recessed midrange
- Shows that Alba has almost perfect Harman treble but does have a little lower in the 6K region - each of these IEMS makes has a different level of recession in this “controversal” area
- Shows that the upper treble region is very bright in my measurements - I did not hear it that bright, but possible a younger ear might not like this treble level
Rating
I have given the Alba a very pragmatic 5-star rating. It captures the essence of what you’d expect from any Meze product, Stunning design and exceptional comfort. I appreciate how the name perfectly complements the aesthetic, reflecting the thoughtful attention to detail that defines the Alba.Its sound signature not only echoes the quality of Meze’s higher-end headphones but also stays aligned with modern tuning trends that you should expect from a $159 IEM.
Conclusion
For $149, the Meze Alba punches well above its weight in both build and sound quality. Its beautiful design, comfortable fit, and warm, engaging sound signature make it a strong competitor in the crowded budget IEM market. Minor issues like the easily tangled cable or the reverse channels on the usb-c don’t detract from what is otherwise an impressive offering from Meze Audio.The Meze Alba is an easy recommendation from me.
Meze Alba: A Lesson in Excellence
An unbelievable bargain in a crowded segment
Meze Audio: a brand that needs no introduction. But if you’re new to the Hi-Fi space, allow me to introduce them: Meze (pronounced Meh-Zay) is a luxury audio brand hailing from Romania. They build high-end, price-competitive products that are often fully user-serviceable. They have this habit of building a truly great product (99 Classics, 109 Pro, Advar) and building price-competitive versions of them to make their sound even more accessible (99 Neo, 105, Alba). Today, we are taking a look at the Alba — an extremely competitive dynamic driver IEM boasting Meze house sound.You can find the Meze Alba for sale here, on the Meze official website, for $159.
About My Preferences: Heads up, I’m a person! As such, these words are my opinion, and they are tinged by my personal preferences. While I try to mitigate this as much as possible during my review process, I’d be lying if I said my biases are completely erased. So for you, my readers, keep this in mind:
- My ideal sound signature would be one with competent sub-bass, a textured mid-bass, a slightly warm midrange, and an extended treble.
- I have mild treble sensitivity.
Tech Specs
- Driver: 10.8 mm Dynamic Driver
- Sensitivity: 109 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
- Frequency Range: 15 Hz — 25 kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.1% at 1 kHz
- Impedance: 32 Ω
- Weight: 14 g (0.5 oz.)
- Cable standard: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Cable termination: 3.5mm
Sound Signature
Sonic Overview:
Ah, the Meze house sound signature: a tonally-neutral IEM with a dash of warmth to fill out the midrange. To be clear, when I say “tonally neutral”, I’m not speaking about frequency response — the Alba is not frequency-neutral. Frequency-wise, the Alba boasts an elevated bass and sub-bass, a lowered (but internally-linear) midrange with a lift around 4KHz, and a treble that has strategically-placed peaks to bring out just the right amount of air and sparkle.Sonic Breakdown:
Treble: Songs used: In One Ear, Midnight City, Outlands, Satisfy, Little One, Show Me How To Live (Live at the Quart Festival), Bittersweet SymphonyThe Alba’s treble is carefully tuned to be relatively neutral while still giving listeners a little sparkle. The Alba is not “bright” but is a little north of treble-neutral. It’s treble has a natural timbre free from artificial sharpness or sibilance; Meze bucked the trend of over-zealous V-shaped tuning here. This level of restraint on Meze’s part is what, in my opinion, takes the Alba from being good (but forgettable) to outstanding (and a must-hear).
Whatever tuning Meze did in the upper-treble, they did so with precision and intent. High-hats are resolved beautifully. The crescendo of cymbals and brass at 3:03 in In One Ear was resolved with a shockingly natural timbre. These subtler details are well-textured, fading into the background cleanly and naturally.
Crowded upper-registers such as Bittersweet Symphony are organized neatly and with remarkable transparency. What often sounds blurry and congested on “bright” IEMs sounds well-separated and, dare I say, airy, on the Alba.
Midrange: Songs used: Flagpole Sitta, Jacked Up, I Am The Highway, Dreams, Too Close, Little Black Submarines, Bohemian Rhapsody, Cash Machine
Meze tuned the Alba’s midrange with a comfortable hint of warmth and glow. Instrumentation is full-bodied without thickening up the mids and reducing overall clarity and “air”. The Alba doesn’t have the most resolution in absolute terms, but its tuning masks this extraordinarily well. Without intense A/B comparison testing or dedicated critical listening sessions you might not guess that there are tiny details being passed over here or there.
The Alba’s vocal intelligibility is second to no (dynamic driver) IEM at this price point. If you, the reader, can find a dynamic-driver IEM with a clearer vocal range (that is similar in price), tell me. I want to hear it. The Alba simply resolves vocals without playing games or asking questions. The jubilant layering of contrasting voices in Bohemian Rhapsody is addicting when played through the Alba. Texturing from vocal fry and low-fi filters present well in tracks like Cash Machine and Little Black Submarines — vocal distortion in general is an absolute treat.
Clarity aside, the Alba’s midrange has an addicting tone and timbre. It flows like milk and honey, smoothly and sweetly delivering music to the listener. Vocals are the centerpiece of every song. Male vocals are well-weighted and naturally-toned, while female vocals sound springy and sweet.
Bass: Songs used: Moth, Gold Dust, In For The Kill (Skream Remix), War Pigs (Celldweller Remix)
The Alba’s bass is elevated, but not boomy or blurry. Instead, it is controlled, willing to punch and rumble as needed. In rock songs, such as Moth, the Alba’s bass placement is conservative, filling out the kick of a bass drum or the plucking of a bass guitar as needed in the background. It cooperates harmoniously with the Alba’s lower midrange to cohesively deliver full-spectrum presentation of complex instruments.
Electronic genres play well through the Alba. Its lower midrange is well-extended and tactile, though not boosted. For listeners seeking maximum rumble or punch, look elsewhere — the Alba’s focus is on expression, not aggression. That said, the Alba does resolve the sonorous bass lines of In For the Kill (Skream Remix) nicely. Its sub-bass doesn’t bottom or thin-out, even at the track’s deepest points. The wet mess of Gold Dust was fully resolved with a hint of rumble here and there. The Alba’s ability to shape and sculpt the lower register is impressive, even if it doesn’t do so with maximal slam.
Packaging / Unboxing
Build
Construction Quality
The Alba uses very similar shell geometry to its elder brother, the Advar. It features lighter-weight zinc-alloy shells with organic curves. Complementing the beautifully-polished pearlescent paint is wonderfully-finished anodized aluminum parts, CNC’d with precision.
The concave aluminum piece on the outer face of the shells doubles as a vent. Whatever math Meze had to do to determine its diameter they did well, as it does a great job at preventing pressure from building up in my ear canals while blocking out ambient noise.
Meze’s custom left/right indicators
Instead of using traditional left-right indicators on the shell side, Meze custom-made colored plastic blocks in which they’ve embedded the 2-pin sockets. This is a creative implementation of L/R color indicators that I’ve not seen elsewhere.
The Alba’s nozzles are a little short for my preferences. This reduction in length is contrasted by wider chamfered lips at the tip of the nozzle. This wider geometry holds onto eartips securely and fills out the Alba’s ability to create a passive seal on the wider parts of the inner ear.
The Alba’s cable uses Meze’s preexisting geometry from the Advar, with some very subtle adjustments. It is lighter, slightly thinner, and using a tighter braid design. Underneath the clear plaster outer layer is a silver-plated-copper 4-core braided cable. It looks great and compliments the Alba’s overall “pure” vibe. The 2-pin connectors are housed in clear plastic while the Y-splitter and 3.5mm jack are housed in metal.
Comfort
Disclaimer: comfort is a highly individual metric — no two people will have the same experience.Just like the Advar, the Alba is a a very comfortable IEM. It has ergonomic shells and well-sculpted earguides. The Alba’s nozzles are a little below-average in length and of average width. These properties give the Alba an noninvasive fit. Minimal pressure on the inner-ear means I can wear the Alba indefinitely, albeit with average noise isolation.
Accessories
Inside the Alba’s box you’ll find:
- 4x pairs of silicon eartips
- Semi-hard carrying case
- 1x SPC 3.5mm cable
- 1x USB-C to 3.5mm adapter
The included USB-C adapter is a nice touch — it performs well and is aesthetically matched with the Alba’s stock cable. Attention to detail on this adapter is great — it even has a built-in LED that softly illuminates the clear stress-relief piece at the base of the USB-C housing when in use.
My only gripe with the Alba’s accessories is its case. Look, I get it; when you’re selling something priced this aggressively, the cuts have to come from somewhere — but I know that Meze already has designs for larger IEM cases that wouldn’t force me to tightly wind the cable, nor squish the IEMs into any accessories I store in the top-mesh compartment. As much as I like the style and feel of the stock case, I’ll be swapping my Alba into a roomier one.
Comparisons
1: Meze Advar ($699)Finally I can answer the first question everyone asks when learning about the Alba: does it beat the Advar? Well, that’s a tough question. Both of these IEMs transcend the realm of “good or bad”.
The Alba is far more in line with my preferences as a listener. It has a warmer, weightier midrange with a less forward treble. The Advar has a sharper treble and vocal range, giving it a hotter and more intense upper register presence.
In essence, the Advar is more V-shaped than the Alba. To my ears, the Alba has a deeper soundstage than the Advar with a more natural overall timbre. I noticed the Advar’s treble capturing a little more treble detail, but ultimately the gap in detail retrieval is smaller than the gap in price between these two IEMs.
The Advar has the superior accessory package, particularly when it comes to its case. The Advar’s case is roomy, well-designed, and highly protective. It can store the Advar, spare tips, and a USB-C adapter with no crowding. The same cannot be said for the Alba’s anemic case. The Advar also has the upper-hand with build-quality. It features (the more expensive) MMCX cable standard and uses weightier, more premium materials in its shell construction and finish. These wins are no surprise though as the Advar costs $540 more than the Alba.
The verdict? I like the Alba more. Its significantly lower price makes it a no-brainer for most people where price-to-performance is their main concern. It seems that Meze happens to agree since they’ve recently stopped selling the Advar on their website.
2: Rose Technics QT-9 MK3 ($165)
These are two very different IEMs. The Alba’s focus on remaining tonally neutral departs radically from the QT-9 MK3’s dedicated V-shaped presentation. The QT-9 MK3 has a sharper, far more accentuated treble that makes it brighter and a little airier. The Alba has a warmer, smoother midrange that does a better job at resolving fine details while also being more tonally-even. I prefer the Alba for general listening as its open midrange makes it feel more layered and expressive.
The QT-9 MK3 is far bassier, both in its mid-bass and sub-bass. It punches harder and rumbles longer. Bassheads and listeners who want a pronounced sub-bass presence will likely gravitate to the QT-9.
3: Periodic Audio Carbon V1 (V3 $299 MSRP, $199 on sale right now)
Both of these excellent IEMs are powered by a single dynamic driver. Meze’s Alba uses their 10.8mm driver, while the Carbon uses a bespoke 10mm dynamic driver. The Alba has a cooler, airier sound signature that is closer to a neutral presentation. The Carbon has a more V-shaped sound signature with a treble roll-off that starts around 5KHz. This is somewhat similar to the Alba’s treble (which is more forward and extends farther), and both do a great job at capturing treble-bound details.
The Alba’s open midrange makes it feel cleaner and more spacious, but that gap in perception closes after giving my ears time to adjust to the warmth from the Carbon.
The Alba’s bass is much more tame. It does occasionally rumble a little, but the Carbon’s lower register is firing on all cylinders. It has oodles of mid-bass punch and plenty of low-end rumble. Bass-heads and EDM lovers will probably appreciate the extra oomph over the Alba.
Ultimately, both of the IEMs know what they want to do and do it well. Personal preference for warmth/bass/airiness will tip your scales towards one or the other.
Summary
Articulate treble, silky mids, potent (but controlled) bass, spacious and airy delivery — the Alba suites the general public’s tastes extraordinarily well. How did Meze pull this off? Why are they not boasting more about the Alba? Sure, I had a nit-pick about the accessories, but for less than $160 the Alba brings an absurd level of broad-appeal performance to the table in a stylish, comfortable, and durable package. It perfectly captures the spirit and mission of the Meze Audio I know and love.
Meze, keep this up. If you do, I can see you easily becoming a household name. And with that, I’ve raved enough. I’m off to show off this incredible IEM to my normie friends.
As always, happy listening!
Cinder
I noticed that there's a number of reviews out there with some findings that contrast mine. I triple-checked my assessment and will have to respectfully disagree with said contrasting opinions.
Cinder
No problem, I am glad you found it interesting.
I was not trying to make any logical claims about real Meze policy regarding which products they discontinue. I was simply observing the interesting coincidence that the Advar is no longer for sale right when the Alba is released.
Ultimately, when a product is discontinued it is for only one reason: it is not profitable to sell. The Advar's much higher price point made it a harder sell, regardless of quality. The Alba's lower price point makes it easier to recommend while also being cheaper to produce. Meze can take advantage of the economy of scale and spend less up front in manufacturing, all of which makes the Alba easier to sell than the Advar.
Nothing is for certain though, and the Advar or Rai series could certainly make a comeback. I'd be excited to see that happen.
I was not trying to make any logical claims about real Meze policy regarding which products they discontinue. I was simply observing the interesting coincidence that the Advar is no longer for sale right when the Alba is released.
Ultimately, when a product is discontinued it is for only one reason: it is not profitable to sell. The Advar's much higher price point made it a harder sell, regardless of quality. The Alba's lower price point makes it easier to recommend while also being cheaper to produce. Meze can take advantage of the economy of scale and spend less up front in manufacturing, all of which makes the Alba easier to sell than the Advar.
Nothing is for certain though, and the Advar or Rai series could certainly make a comeback. I'd be excited to see that happen.
Disclaimer: Alba was sent by meze for a full review at my youtube channel (Rodrigo Esser).
Technical data:
Driver:10.8mm DD
Frequency Range:15 Hz to 25 kHz.
Impedance: 32 Ohms.
Sensibility: 109 dB.
Price: $159
Construction: Meze is alredy stabelished as one of the most, if not the most luxurious brand in the over ear Market, and at the entry level iem bracket alba performes pretty well with some misteps, the all White acessories and iem are very appelling, at least to my eyes, and the included acessories are more than enough to justify its price.
The shells: All metal with an off-white paiting, beautifull, comfortable, and sturdy 10 out of 10.
The cable: Simple, light, could be modular though, 7 out of 10.
Eartips: Lovely White eartips, very friendly to the skin, and with 4 pairs, more sets of eartips would be great, 8 out of 10.
Case: Simple, yet gorgeous and in a perfect size for the iem, 10 out of 10.
Dongle: One extra acessorie that most brands dont send with their iems, this dongle is simple, but for the easy to drive alba, it is more than enough, just dont try it with more complex iems (planar ones specially) or headphones.
Sound:
I had already some experience with meze stuff, to be more specific with the high end stuff (empyrian 2, elite, and Advar), and was already expecting the warm luxurious sound signature that meze mastered, i have encoutered it here, but with a twist, lets talk about it.
Alba was tested on the following sources and proved to be very easy to dive:
.Fiio k5 pro at low gain.
.LG V60 low gain.
.Meze Dongle.
Bass: Featuring a 10.8mm DD, alba achieves a very coherent bass performance, in the the tonal department i was specting something warmer and fuller coming from a meze iem, but to my ears, the bass is very tight, fast, and with just a hint of warmth that ressembles the meze way of doing things, it has a good sub bass extension, but do not expect a massive sub-bass shelf like some more harman boosted chinese iems, the technical aspect of the bass is superb, it is tight, fast, with good texture and a very noticible impact, it does not invade the mids, and can resolve complex genres with ease to my ears.
Mids: The most divising region IMO, you will love it, or hate it, i just loved what was achieved here, let me explain! The lower mid has a little bloom, this gives alba that meze signature, male vocals and bassier instruments are full, warm, lush, SUPERB, sweet as it can be, and here comes the TWIST! At the upper mids we got an energetic and foward presentation, female vocals are foward and EXTREMELY detailed, metallic instruments got a lot of openning, information, and air.
BUT, this upper mids can sound harsh if you are sensible to glare.
For me the blend of lush lower mids, with an energetic and fizzy upper mids are just marvelous!
Treble: Well extended with focus on the lower treble, it sounds very soothing and yet, with the upper mids and lower treble boost it can sound also very crisp, and exciting, a very interesting combination again. The technical prowess of it is fairly good for the price range, just do not expect a resolving beast, the deal here is the enjoyable felling that alba can achieve with it, one aspect that is very interesting of its treble is the soundstage, it can sound pretty wide for $160, but sadly kinda compressed.
Conclusion: I just loved alba, from the all White acessories, to the well blended lush and warm, yet exiting and fizzly sound signature, alba is more than recommend for anyone willing to try a meze iem, with a tight budget.
Technical data:
Driver:10.8mm DD
Frequency Range:15 Hz to 25 kHz.
Impedance: 32 Ohms.
Sensibility: 109 dB.
Price: $159
Construction: Meze is alredy stabelished as one of the most, if not the most luxurious brand in the over ear Market, and at the entry level iem bracket alba performes pretty well with some misteps, the all White acessories and iem are very appelling, at least to my eyes, and the included acessories are more than enough to justify its price.
The shells: All metal with an off-white paiting, beautifull, comfortable, and sturdy 10 out of 10.
The cable: Simple, light, could be modular though, 7 out of 10.
Eartips: Lovely White eartips, very friendly to the skin, and with 4 pairs, more sets of eartips would be great, 8 out of 10.
Case: Simple, yet gorgeous and in a perfect size for the iem, 10 out of 10.
Dongle: One extra acessorie that most brands dont send with their iems, this dongle is simple, but for the easy to drive alba, it is more than enough, just dont try it with more complex iems (planar ones specially) or headphones.
Sound:
I had already some experience with meze stuff, to be more specific with the high end stuff (empyrian 2, elite, and Advar), and was already expecting the warm luxurious sound signature that meze mastered, i have encoutered it here, but with a twist, lets talk about it.
Alba was tested on the following sources and proved to be very easy to dive:
.Fiio k5 pro at low gain.
.LG V60 low gain.
.Meze Dongle.
Bass: Featuring a 10.8mm DD, alba achieves a very coherent bass performance, in the the tonal department i was specting something warmer and fuller coming from a meze iem, but to my ears, the bass is very tight, fast, and with just a hint of warmth that ressembles the meze way of doing things, it has a good sub bass extension, but do not expect a massive sub-bass shelf like some more harman boosted chinese iems, the technical aspect of the bass is superb, it is tight, fast, with good texture and a very noticible impact, it does not invade the mids, and can resolve complex genres with ease to my ears.
Mids: The most divising region IMO, you will love it, or hate it, i just loved what was achieved here, let me explain! The lower mid has a little bloom, this gives alba that meze signature, male vocals and bassier instruments are full, warm, lush, SUPERB, sweet as it can be, and here comes the TWIST! At the upper mids we got an energetic and foward presentation, female vocals are foward and EXTREMELY detailed, metallic instruments got a lot of openning, information, and air.
BUT, this upper mids can sound harsh if you are sensible to glare.
For me the blend of lush lower mids, with an energetic and fizzy upper mids are just marvelous!
Treble: Well extended with focus on the lower treble, it sounds very soothing and yet, with the upper mids and lower treble boost it can sound also very crisp, and exciting, a very interesting combination again. The technical prowess of it is fairly good for the price range, just do not expect a resolving beast, the deal here is the enjoyable felling that alba can achieve with it, one aspect that is very interesting of its treble is the soundstage, it can sound pretty wide for $160, but sadly kinda compressed.
Conclusion: I just loved alba, from the all White acessories, to the well blended lush and warm, yet exiting and fizzly sound signature, alba is more than recommend for anyone willing to try a meze iem, with a tight budget.
neuromancer
Nice review....but these iem are anything but easy to drive. The only way they begin to shine is with enough voltage swing. I've compared them against numerous iem and these need significantly more boost to actually shine.
neuromancer
All else is spot on!
TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Meze Audio Alba
The Meze Alba have been loaned to me by DeCine, the official distributor for Meze Audio in Spain. DeCine have not made any requests and have in fact been quite patient as I have been inundated with work lately, so the review has taken longer than I expected. I will, of course, do my very best to be as unbiased as humanly possible in my review.
As DeCine does not sell direct, here is the link to the official page of the Meze Alba: https://mezeaudio.com/products/alba
As always, this is a non-affiliate link.
To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews
Intro…
Meze Audio are a brand that I have a lot of respect for. I can’t say that I have loved the tuning of all their products but I also cannot say that I have been able to complain about them. They make elegant, well built, high quality headphones and IEMs. However, except on rare occasions, they also come with a price tag that is a reflection of that quality and elegance.
In the case of the Alba, I believe that this is their most budget friendly set of IEMs to date, coming in at around 159€ here in Spain. Now that is obviously not an “ultra-budget” price, something that I consider under 50€ IEMs to be, but it is a very interesting price for those who are interested in picking up their first set from the Romanian brand.
So, for what can be considered the entry price to Meze, what are we actually getting in the Alba and is it worth the price of admission?
Presentation…
I would have been surprised if the packaging and presentation of the Alba was not well thought out and elegant… I wasn’t surprised.
While the actual contents are pretty basic, the packaging is elegant and gives the feeling of having purchased a high-end product. The box is white, with a silver design on the top and the logo of Meze underneath, with nothing much else other than Alba written on one side.
Opening the box reveals an interior that follows the same white and silver colour scheme, with the IEMs sitting at the top and a small, oval storage case sitting underneath. Opening the case we find the included cable and tips, once again matching the white and silver theme. As far as tips, we only get 4 sizes of white silicone tips but I found them more than enough to use them for this review.
Apart from the main box, we also receive a Meze Audio dongle, at least I did. As far as I can tell from all the listings online, this dongle DAC is included with all the purchases but please forgive me if I am wrong on this.
In general, I find the presentation of the Alba to be simple and elegant. It may not seem to be the most extensive as far as contents but we do get everything that is needed, plus the dongle DAC, so I can’t find anything to complain about, especially when we move into the build and aesthetics of the contents.
Build and aesthetics…
As soon as I see the name Meze, I automatically think it is going to be well built and look good. Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder but in my eye, they once again look great. The design of the IEMs is basically the same as that of the Advar although this time the colour combination is white and silver, rather than the black and copper of the Advar.
My first impression (apart from “these look great”) was that they seem smaller than I remember the Advar being. However, looking at photos online (as I no longer have the Advar), they seem to be the same size, so I guess I am just remembering wrong.
The quality of construction and finish of the IEMs is identical to that of the Advar, which is to say a 10 out of 10. They are no doubt a well built product and there is the same attention to detail as with all Meze products.
As far as comfort, another very personal thing, these are a shape that I find extremely comfortable. They are such a small size and the shape just fits my ear perfectly, making them disappear when I wear them.
The included cable is a little on the thin side but it is not a bad cable at all. It uses metal hardware except for the connectors to the IEMs, which are transparent, but in this case, the Alba opts for 2 pin connectors instead of the MMCX found on the Advar. This is going to be a positive for some and a negative for others but I personally prefer 2 pin over MMCX.
The transport/storage case is small but is large enough to hold the IEMs and the supplied dongle and has a nice soft interior. The colour of the storage case matches the IEMs, white with silver logo, which has the benefit of looking great but the drawback of not staying white for long if you use it to transport the IEMs.
I have to say that, as usual, it's Meze. I have nothing but praise for the build, comfort and aesthetics.
Sound…
All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)
I think that the vast majority will agree on what I have said about Meze products so far but where there is division is in the sound department, as is to be expected. In the case of the Alba, I am sure that there will also be those who like the sound signature and those that don’t. I personally fall into the first category.
Before getting on with my subjective impressions, here is the graph of the Alba in comparison to my usual preference target for reference:
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Ok, so starting off in the subbass zone and using the usual “Chameleon” torture test, the Alba holds up pretty well. There is a slight emphasis on the subbass over the midbass which is nice and it helps keep the low end from becoming overloaded with this track. Now, I can’t say that the subbass is overly detailed (I’ll comment more on detail shortly) but it manages to hold it’s own. It is neither overpowering nor under delivering in the low end, at least for my personal tastes.
With something a little less dramatic, such as “No Sanctuary Here”, the low end does seem cleaner, with a nice thump to the midbass along with a smooth rumble in the subbass. Again, not overpowering but plenty for my tastes, although I do still get the sensation that the bass ranges are not the most detailed, they are more of a smooth and enjoyable sensation than an impressive boosted low end. I don’t think that bass heads would choose this model, yet those who look for a nicely balanced low end should find the Alba enjoyable in this regard.
With my fatigue test for midbass, “Crazy”, I find that there is a lovely sensation of reverb without it ever becoming the dominant factor in these ranges. It is not boomy, nor is it excessive, it performs at a level that I find nicely balanced, filling in that low end without taking anything away from the rest of the track.
With “Elephants On Ice Skates”, I find that the bass plucks lack a little excitement yet they are once again very well balanced with the rest of the track, making for a very musical presentation rather than a “wow” presentation.
Focusing on vocals, “These Bones” has a very smooth balance to it, without the deep vocals becoming the centre of attention of the acapella track in general and allowing the harmonizing vocals to fill out the soundstage and sound very natural. Once again I find that the focus is more on the overall presentation than showing off any detail.
With female vocals, I found that some vocals could seem to be a little too smooth, such as Sara K. in “All Your Love (Turned To Passion)”, yet this same smoothness works very well for other female vocals such as the voice of Raelee Nikole in “Dreamin’”.
When listening to The Civil Wars in “Billie Jean”, where there are both male and female vocals, I find that the male voice seems better presented when on his own in comparison to the female vocal, however, when they are both singing together, the balance is very good between them.
Moving to Dominique Fils-Aimé in “Strange Fruit”, I like the way the vocals harmonize but I do feel that there is a lack of detail in her vocals. Not enough to be detrimental to the track but, after listening to this song thousands of times, I feel that there is a bit of excitement missing.
Moving into the upper mids, I find that the slight delay in presence does make for a smoother presentation but also adds that slight “lack of excitement” in vocals that I have mentioned. This is a positive in the fact that nothing becomes harsh in these ranges yet it does make vocals sound a little strange on occasions, especially female vocals.
There is no sensation of sibilance in the usual culprits, such as Patricia Barber in “Code Cool”, where I would actually place her sibilance around a -2 on my non-scientific -12 to +12 scale. The same can be said with Paul Simon in “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes”, where he voice has the sibilance reduced slightly in comparison to many other sets, with the brass section also being a lot tamer than on many other presentations.
Soundstage is decent enough. It is not groundbreaking but enough to give a nice sensation of surrounding you in “La Luna”, although the slight lack of detail can make things seem to be slightly more blended together than on other more detailed sets.
And on the subject of detail, it is not that these IEMs are totally lacking detail, it is just not one of the strong points of the Alba. When listening to things like the small details in the background of “Strange Fruit” (that bird through the open window at the beginning) or the decay of the body strikes on the guitar in “All Your Love (Turned To Passion)”, then the details are there, you just need to focus more to hear them and they also roll off quite a bit faster than on other sets that are more detail focused.
Conclusion…
The Meze Alba are a set of very well built, very good looking and very comfortable set of IEMs by a brand that is known for high end products. As far as sound, I would say that they are basically an “all rounder” that focuses much more on a comprehensive overall presentation of music than excelling in any particular way.
If you are someone who is in the world of audiophilia and knows what they want specifically, then I really don’t think that these IEMs are for you. I don't think that they excel at anything in particular (except build of course) and actually come across to me as missing some excitement in the vocal and detail department.
However, they are also a set of IEMs that will do well with whatever you want to listen to, meaning that those who aren’t sure exactly what they want, or just want a general all round set, will get a set that they will be very happy with.
In fact, if someone wants a set of good IEMs from a very respectable company at a price that won’t break the bank and don’t know where to start, I think that the Alba would be a very good choice.
I wouldn’t choose to add them to my own personal collection, as I have already covered the specifics and am crazy enough to use a different set for different genres and moods, but I would not hesitate to recommend them to all the “normal” people around me that just want a good set of IEMs to listen to music.
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As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)
All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link
All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation
Hi Guys,
Today we are taking a look at a new, affordable IEM from Meze Audio – The Alba. The Alba was released a couple of weeks ago and is priced at a very fair $159USD. This price point is incredibly competitive these days, especially in terms of “chi-fi” brands all competing to offer more performance for less money. Although the Alba is made in China vs Romania where Meze is based, it does seem to follow the Meze tradition of well-thought-out design, quality build and craftsmanship, and very nice aesthetics.
The Alba comes with 4 sets of matching white tips from small to large, and a nice but fairly thin silver-plated copper cable which is very flexible and non-microphonic. More surprisingly (especially at this price point,) it also comes with a nice little 3.5mm to USB-C dongle adapter for use with smartphones, or laptops. The Alba also comes in a small “eco-leather” white case for carrying them and protecting them during travel. The Alba uses a single dynamic driver as its driver topology.
So, on to the sound
The overall sound of the Alba is what I would describe as slightly v-shaped.
The bass of the Alba is slightly higher than neutral, and I personally hear it as slightly more sub-bass-focused than mid-bass-focused. There is still a fair amount of mid-bass, which combined with the dynamic driver does help give a fairly high amount of low-end impact. I can listen to the Alba happily with no adjustment to the low end in terms of EQ, which definitely means it’s not straight neutral as I enjoy a more robust low end than the average listener. Although the bass is not as clear and clean as something like the Audeze Euclid, it is also not fair to compare the two as the Euclid is vastly more expensive. Compared to other IEMs in this price point, the Alba does a good job at keeping up and I had no real complaints about its low end over my time listening to them.
The midrange of the Alba is a bit of a different kettle of fish for me personally. I really like its take on the low mids. They are slightly pulled back and less than neutral which attributes to the overall slightly V-shaped response. I tend to enjoy IEMs with this take on the low mids, so it makes sense I enjoy it here also. I do have a bit of an issue with the upper mid-range, and it seems to have something to do with the 1-2kz area. It comes across as slightly harsh, with a bit of a nasal, honky quality to it. I tried a bunch of different tips, and a tip with a slightly smaller diameter opening did help but didn’t entirely eliminate this issue for me. The mids in an overall sense are not warm and enveloping, but help the Alba have a very clean and clear tone and response. The only issue with it for me personally, is that slightly rough and nasal upper mids area. I did try fiddling with EQ and was able to get things to be a bit more in line with my preferences. I think this will depend very much on the user’s own ears, how they are shaped etc… It’s not enough for me to stop listening to the Alba (as I listen to them right now) and I would still recommend trying them, as they might be perfect for you in this area.
The highs of the Alba are again slightly more than neutral, again contributing to the overall slightly v-shaped tuning. The lower treble seems to me to be more prominent than the upper treble, and I think I would personally prefer slightly more upper treble. However, apart from that, the treble is great. For a $159USD pair of IEMs, combined with the fact it’s a single DD, the treble is incredibly well done, and I really enjoyed it in terms of its tuning. I never found it overbearing or harsh, yet also never found myself lacking detail and space from an overly dark tuning. Treble seems to be hit or miss sometimes on single dynamic driver based IEMs, but I really enjoyed the Alba in this area.
In terms of technical performance, I’d say the Alba plays well at its price point. It’s not a giant killer, and some of the Chi-Fi brands at this price point will offer more technical performance and detail for your money. I think that the Alba makes a case for its existence in other ways than solely based on its technical performance. The soundstage isn’t as big and open as some more expansive IEMs, but it’s not overly narrow and “in your head” as some IEMs can be. The overall detail levels are quite good, and certainly competitive with other single Dynamic Drivers at this price point.
Although the Alba is made in China as previously mentioned, it follows the typical Meze attention to detail and build quality. Everything about the Alba is very well done in this area. It is small and extremely comfortable. The accessories are well thought out, and I think that aesthetically the Alba is absolutely superb. I never had any issues with comfort or edges being too sharp and impacting my ears. The little USB-C dongle that comes with the Alba is a very. nice accessory to have, and I used it extensively with my laptop’s USB-C outs. My iPhone has a lightning connector, so I wasn’t able to test it with my phone, but from my laptop, it was very decent sounding for an included accessory. The only negative I noticed is that the white paint does chip/rub off fairly easily on the edges of the round face of the Alba. Overall, Meze continues to impress in its thoughtfulness, and how well they manage the design and build quality of their products.
To sum things up, and as I mentioned earlier the Alba seems to make a case for its use in terms of the overall package. It is $159USD MSRP, the tuning is very much something that will appeal to a very wide audience (including those who aren’t into headphones and audiophile stuff,) it is incredibly comfortable, well built, and comes with a USB C adapter for use with a phone. I can happily listen to the Alba for hours with no EQ tweaking and enjoy it greatly. Apart from a slight issue that I personally have with the upper mid-range (which might not be an issue for others) I really don’t have any complaints about the Alba. I think that if you are looking specifically for detail and technical performance and forgetting about comfort and overall package, there are some options from Chifi manufacturers that would serve you better. However, if you need a more affordable IEM that offers an incredibly compelling overall package for the price, I would highly recommend the Meze Alba.
For the past few years Meze Audio was very busy developing their full sized headphones with the sole exception of the Meze Audio Advar, a $699, single dynamic driver earphone. Rumors were also that Meze had abandoned entry level products to allow more time and resources for their higher end headphones. Reality proved far from the opposite though. It was at the Munich 2024 High End show where Meze Audio presented the Alba, a very affordable in-ear monitor bundled together with a USB type-C to 3.5mm DAC adapter. Priced at just $159, the package includes everything that newcomers will need to start their portable audio journey.
The Meze Audio Alba is a single, 10.8mm dynamic driver earphone with a 15Hz to 25kHz frequency range, 32Ω of impedance and 109dB/V of sensitivity so it is pretty easy to drive. “Alba” means first light in Romanian, you can read the whole literature and the creation procedure behind the Alba by clicking here.
https://mezeaudio.com/pages/alba
Non Audio stuff
The Meze Audio Alba has the exact same appearance with the Advar but it is finished in a lustrous, white pearl color. The combination of zinc alloy and anodized aluminum parts ensures a high quality, durable and premium looking build. The Alba is so exceptionally well made that someone could easily think that it is a much more expensive earphone.
Except for the color there is another notable difference between the Alba and the Advar. The Alba is slightly less heavy than the Advar as it weighs 8g instead of 11g thus it is even more comfortable to use. Actually, it is one of the most comfortable and discreet fitting earphones I have ever tried, it is lightweight with a low profile and compact ear-shells. It fits perfectly and stays secure without exercising much pressure while it also isolates pretty well. The sound tube is a little short in length but not that much as the Sennheiser IE200 so most people are not going to have fit issues. However a couple of double or triple flange ear-tips should have been included for people with shallow ear canals.
Cable
The Meze Audio Alba comes with a 2-pin detachable cable with a 3.5mm gold plated jack that has an aluminum alloy main body. The cable is soft and lightweight without much microphonic noise but it gets easily tangled. The same cable with a 4.4mm plug is also available as an extra purchase. It should be noted that Chi-Fi competition at this price point usually comes with higher quality, modular cables.
Accessories
The package also includes 4 pairs of ear-tips (S, M, L, XL) and an eco-leather carrying pouch with a side zipper that is very beautiful looking but a little small.
The USB DAC cable
The Dac chip found inside the USB audio adapter is not disclosed but supports up to 32bit/384kHz PCM and has a rated power output of 89mW/32Ω. The audio adapter is well made with aluminum plugs on both sides and a soft interconnect cable with strain reliefs. The adapter also features a LED indicator that turns on when properly connected.
The audio performance of the USB cable is good for starters but the Meze Audio Alba can do much better. Both from a sound quality perspective and also when it comes to maximum volume and dynamic swings. The sound signature of the cable is neutral with a mild emphasis on the low end. The treble is smooth, the mids are spacious but the bass is slightly lacking in control and authority while resolution and transparency are not among the best.
Still, the audio adapter offers an instant audio upgrade over your phone's 3.5mm generic plug (or adds if it doesn't have one) and it is the perfect choice for the beginners who don't have to buy anything else. Experienced users are going to use better USB DAC dongles or DAPs that they already own.
Audio stuff
For the evaluation of the Meze Audio Alba I used the 4.4mm cable with the iFi Go bar Kensei and the FiiO KA17.
If you are familiar and fan of the Meze Audio house sound, then you have plenty of reasons to rejoice because the Alba has this same kind of favorable tuning. Pretty much neutral and balanced with a touch of added warmth, the Alba is masterfully tuned to appeal to the main crowds but also satisfy more critical listeners. The sound is especially coherent and naturally flowing as only a single dynamic driver earphone can do without the clutter of multiple drivers and complex crossovers.
The low-end extends pretty well and has a mild boost that is just enough to add some fun and excitement but not that much to ruin the overall tonal balance. Strictly speaking, the mid-bass is not that tonally accurate to be considered neutral-reference but it is not that much colored either to sound veiled or cloud the mid-range. The bass quantity is perfect for casual listening to all kinds of contemporary music and at the same time it can handle classical, as long as the listener is not in a strict critical mood.
Quality is also very satisfying, the bass is quite tight and controlled, relatively fast and well defined. The technical performance is not class leading, the low end can sound a little out of control or hollow and with some excessive reverb but this is something that most people will find rather enjoyable with most kinds of music, especially with synthesized bass. The bass is also weighty and full sounding, with visceral textures and great dynamic impact. The Alba has plenty of meat around the bones and will fill your ears with high quality and enjoyable bass.
The mid-range is musical and engaging, it has a natural and organic timbre with plenty of colorful harmonies. The sound is rich and lush, weighty and full bodied but also transparent and clean. The Alba has excellent resolution and definition for the category both in the mids and the treble. Instruments and voices sound realistic and lifelike without artificiality or any kind of fakeness. The Alba offers the famous Meze Audio immersive listening experience, as found in their pricier models, but at a fraction of the cost. The tuning is balanced without too much upper mid-range emphasis, some people might think that it lacks bite but the truth is that I much prefer this kind of frequency response as the sound is smoother and less aggressive.
The treble is smooth and polite but without lacking in extension and excitement. The Alba has an easy going character but it is not that laid back while it doesn't compromise in clarity and definition. Detail extraction is good but the truth is that the Alba is an earphone made to sound musical and organic rather than excel in sheer technicalities. Truly enough, the timbre is pure and realistic without any signs of metallic sheen or sterility. The sound is free of brightness or any kind of harshness, this is a rather forgiving IEM that you can use for hours long without getting fatigued. The textures are not dry and the decay is medium-fast so high pitched instruments (stringed, brass and percussion) sound alive and not skinny.
The soundstage is open and spacious with good imaging and separation. Not class leading and mostly horizontal rather than deep, it is slightly lacking in layering and holography, but still can handle all kinds of music without sounding congested or restrained. The listener can focus on individual instruments while it is worth noting that the soundstage opens up more with a high quality balanced source.
Comparison with the Meze Audio Advar
The Advar still has the distinctive Meze Audio house sound but it is quite differently tuned from the Alba. It doesn't have the same kind of sub-bass extension and the low-end is primarily focused on the mid-bass. Upper mid-range is more subdued and the treble gets much more prominence so it is an earphone with sharper and brighter higher frequencies. The Advar has a personality of its own, it is not as casually tuned as the Alba, it is also more punchy and impactful with stronger technical performance.
Comparison with the FiiO FD15
The FiiO FD15 is a single, 13.8mm dynamic driver earphone with magnalium diaphragm DLC gasket driver. It has stainless steel ear-shells with a rounded shape that are more heavy (12g) and not as compact or comfortable as the Alba. The cable of the FD15 is modular and of higher quality but it is longer and considerably heavier so not as suitable for use on the go as the Alba. The package of the FD15 includes more ear-tips, an extra tuning tube, a bigger but plastic made and rather uninspiring carrying case while it misses the USB adapter cable.
When it comes to sound, the FiiO FD15 has a more neutrally tuned and tonally accurate bass that is tighter and better controlled. The bass is faster and more dynamic but also a bit drier and not as visceral and weighty as in the Alba. The mid-range of the FD15 sits close to perfection with the exact needed amounts of presence, energy, bite and musicality but it is not as lush and warm as in the Alba. The FD15 has superior technicalities, clarity, resolution and detail retrieval are better while the treble is more sparkling. The Alba is more polite, smoother and friendly for treble sensitive people. The overall sound signature of the FD15 is more suitable for critical listening without sacrificing musicality when the Alba is more fun, expressive and open heart without lacking that much in technicalities.
Conclusion
It was a long time ago since Meze Audio released a budget friendly earphone but now they are back with a new product that directly competes with Chi-Fi offerings. The Meze Audio Alba is the brand's least expensive earphone, however it doesn't cut on performance as it embodies both their well regarded sonic signature and excellent build quality. Balanced, cozy and fun sounding with great technicalities for the category, the Alba is also super comfortable and easy to drive, an ideal choice for everyday use on the go. And if you are a beginner, don't worry because the package includes a USB DAC so you can immediately start enjoying your new earphones. A solid offering from Meze Audio that will appeal to all newcomers and those who look to get acquainted with Meze Audio.
The review sample was kindly provided free of charge. The price of the Meze Audio Alba is $159 and you can order it from the Meze Audio online shop.
The Meze Audio Alba is a single, 10.8mm dynamic driver earphone with a 15Hz to 25kHz frequency range, 32Ω of impedance and 109dB/V of sensitivity so it is pretty easy to drive. “Alba” means first light in Romanian, you can read the whole literature and the creation procedure behind the Alba by clicking here.
https://mezeaudio.com/pages/alba
Non Audio stuff
The Meze Audio Alba has the exact same appearance with the Advar but it is finished in a lustrous, white pearl color. The combination of zinc alloy and anodized aluminum parts ensures a high quality, durable and premium looking build. The Alba is so exceptionally well made that someone could easily think that it is a much more expensive earphone.
Except for the color there is another notable difference between the Alba and the Advar. The Alba is slightly less heavy than the Advar as it weighs 8g instead of 11g thus it is even more comfortable to use. Actually, it is one of the most comfortable and discreet fitting earphones I have ever tried, it is lightweight with a low profile and compact ear-shells. It fits perfectly and stays secure without exercising much pressure while it also isolates pretty well. The sound tube is a little short in length but not that much as the Sennheiser IE200 so most people are not going to have fit issues. However a couple of double or triple flange ear-tips should have been included for people with shallow ear canals.
Cable
The Meze Audio Alba comes with a 2-pin detachable cable with a 3.5mm gold plated jack that has an aluminum alloy main body. The cable is soft and lightweight without much microphonic noise but it gets easily tangled. The same cable with a 4.4mm plug is also available as an extra purchase. It should be noted that Chi-Fi competition at this price point usually comes with higher quality, modular cables.
Accessories
The package also includes 4 pairs of ear-tips (S, M, L, XL) and an eco-leather carrying pouch with a side zipper that is very beautiful looking but a little small.
The USB DAC cable
The Dac chip found inside the USB audio adapter is not disclosed but supports up to 32bit/384kHz PCM and has a rated power output of 89mW/32Ω. The audio adapter is well made with aluminum plugs on both sides and a soft interconnect cable with strain reliefs. The adapter also features a LED indicator that turns on when properly connected.
The audio performance of the USB cable is good for starters but the Meze Audio Alba can do much better. Both from a sound quality perspective and also when it comes to maximum volume and dynamic swings. The sound signature of the cable is neutral with a mild emphasis on the low end. The treble is smooth, the mids are spacious but the bass is slightly lacking in control and authority while resolution and transparency are not among the best.
Still, the audio adapter offers an instant audio upgrade over your phone's 3.5mm generic plug (or adds if it doesn't have one) and it is the perfect choice for the beginners who don't have to buy anything else. Experienced users are going to use better USB DAC dongles or DAPs that they already own.
Audio stuff
For the evaluation of the Meze Audio Alba I used the 4.4mm cable with the iFi Go bar Kensei and the FiiO KA17.
If you are familiar and fan of the Meze Audio house sound, then you have plenty of reasons to rejoice because the Alba has this same kind of favorable tuning. Pretty much neutral and balanced with a touch of added warmth, the Alba is masterfully tuned to appeal to the main crowds but also satisfy more critical listeners. The sound is especially coherent and naturally flowing as only a single dynamic driver earphone can do without the clutter of multiple drivers and complex crossovers.
The low-end extends pretty well and has a mild boost that is just enough to add some fun and excitement but not that much to ruin the overall tonal balance. Strictly speaking, the mid-bass is not that tonally accurate to be considered neutral-reference but it is not that much colored either to sound veiled or cloud the mid-range. The bass quantity is perfect for casual listening to all kinds of contemporary music and at the same time it can handle classical, as long as the listener is not in a strict critical mood.
Quality is also very satisfying, the bass is quite tight and controlled, relatively fast and well defined. The technical performance is not class leading, the low end can sound a little out of control or hollow and with some excessive reverb but this is something that most people will find rather enjoyable with most kinds of music, especially with synthesized bass. The bass is also weighty and full sounding, with visceral textures and great dynamic impact. The Alba has plenty of meat around the bones and will fill your ears with high quality and enjoyable bass.
The mid-range is musical and engaging, it has a natural and organic timbre with plenty of colorful harmonies. The sound is rich and lush, weighty and full bodied but also transparent and clean. The Alba has excellent resolution and definition for the category both in the mids and the treble. Instruments and voices sound realistic and lifelike without artificiality or any kind of fakeness. The Alba offers the famous Meze Audio immersive listening experience, as found in their pricier models, but at a fraction of the cost. The tuning is balanced without too much upper mid-range emphasis, some people might think that it lacks bite but the truth is that I much prefer this kind of frequency response as the sound is smoother and less aggressive.
The treble is smooth and polite but without lacking in extension and excitement. The Alba has an easy going character but it is not that laid back while it doesn't compromise in clarity and definition. Detail extraction is good but the truth is that the Alba is an earphone made to sound musical and organic rather than excel in sheer technicalities. Truly enough, the timbre is pure and realistic without any signs of metallic sheen or sterility. The sound is free of brightness or any kind of harshness, this is a rather forgiving IEM that you can use for hours long without getting fatigued. The textures are not dry and the decay is medium-fast so high pitched instruments (stringed, brass and percussion) sound alive and not skinny.
The soundstage is open and spacious with good imaging and separation. Not class leading and mostly horizontal rather than deep, it is slightly lacking in layering and holography, but still can handle all kinds of music without sounding congested or restrained. The listener can focus on individual instruments while it is worth noting that the soundstage opens up more with a high quality balanced source.
Comparison with the Meze Audio Advar
The Advar still has the distinctive Meze Audio house sound but it is quite differently tuned from the Alba. It doesn't have the same kind of sub-bass extension and the low-end is primarily focused on the mid-bass. Upper mid-range is more subdued and the treble gets much more prominence so it is an earphone with sharper and brighter higher frequencies. The Advar has a personality of its own, it is not as casually tuned as the Alba, it is also more punchy and impactful with stronger technical performance.
Comparison with the FiiO FD15
The FiiO FD15 is a single, 13.8mm dynamic driver earphone with magnalium diaphragm DLC gasket driver. It has stainless steel ear-shells with a rounded shape that are more heavy (12g) and not as compact or comfortable as the Alba. The cable of the FD15 is modular and of higher quality but it is longer and considerably heavier so not as suitable for use on the go as the Alba. The package of the FD15 includes more ear-tips, an extra tuning tube, a bigger but plastic made and rather uninspiring carrying case while it misses the USB adapter cable.
When it comes to sound, the FiiO FD15 has a more neutrally tuned and tonally accurate bass that is tighter and better controlled. The bass is faster and more dynamic but also a bit drier and not as visceral and weighty as in the Alba. The mid-range of the FD15 sits close to perfection with the exact needed amounts of presence, energy, bite and musicality but it is not as lush and warm as in the Alba. The FD15 has superior technicalities, clarity, resolution and detail retrieval are better while the treble is more sparkling. The Alba is more polite, smoother and friendly for treble sensitive people. The overall sound signature of the FD15 is more suitable for critical listening without sacrificing musicality when the Alba is more fun, expressive and open heart without lacking that much in technicalities.
Conclusion
It was a long time ago since Meze Audio released a budget friendly earphone but now they are back with a new product that directly competes with Chi-Fi offerings. The Meze Audio Alba is the brand's least expensive earphone, however it doesn't cut on performance as it embodies both their well regarded sonic signature and excellent build quality. Balanced, cozy and fun sounding with great technicalities for the category, the Alba is also super comfortable and easy to drive, an ideal choice for everyday use on the go. And if you are a beginner, don't worry because the package includes a USB DAC so you can immediately start enjoying your new earphones. A solid offering from Meze Audio that will appeal to all newcomers and those who look to get acquainted with Meze Audio.
The review sample was kindly provided free of charge. The price of the Meze Audio Alba is $159 and you can order it from the Meze Audio online shop.
Ichos
Thank you. They sent one for the review and told me that will be available for extra purchase. I don't know when.
The packaging is understated yet sophisticated, with information and essential documentation located on the back of the box. Inside, one discovers the ALBA and a beautiful, albeit smaller, case entirely in white, presenting a stark contrast to the previous offering, which was all in black. A cable made of silver-coated copper wire is stunning and pairs perfectly with the ALBA, offering various sized tips and a dongle-DAC in matching colors. The presentation exceeds expectations for this price point.
The ALBA's sound profile is a warm Harman curve, finely tuned for enjoyment without any harsh peaks in the mids and treble, delivering a rich and gratifying experience across various music genres, especially excelling in Rock. Its well-managed and extended upper treble exceeds that of many other in-ear monitors, providing a broader stage and delicate brightness. The high-quality single dynamic driver of the Alba plays a significant role in its natural sound presentation.
Specifications:
Driver tech: 10.8mm Single Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 32Ω at 1kHz
Sensitivity: 109 dB at 1kHz
Connector type: Flush 2-Pin
Frequency Range: 15-25000 Hz
Sound:
The bass resonates broadly and openly, akin to standing before finely tuned monitors. The sub-bass is well-textured and controlled, exuding a refined smoothness. The mid-bass delivers a punchy yet lighter impact, characterized by its clear definition and quickness.
Mids:
The midrange delivers warm and full-bodied vocals; male voices sound rich and lush, while female vocals, though lighter, are equally captivating and natural. Both are a delight to the ear. The clarity is good, and the mids are warm and smooth. In general, I believe many will find this pleasant across all genres of music.
Treble:
The ALBA's highs extend well into the upper treble, yet they do so without any harshness, and the overall smoothness of the treble ensures it remains enjoyable and well-balanced. There is sufficient energy and sparkle to maintain the natural sound of instruments and details.
Soundstage:
The soundstage of the Alba is expansive, offering good depth and height. It has precise placement and separation. Although the Alba is not an overly technical IEM, it possesses enough qualities to satisfy me.
Afterthoughts:
The Meze ALBA, a Harman-tuned IEM priced under $160 USD, boasts exceptional build quality, is very comfortable, and delivers the signature MEZE sound, akin to the 99 Classic but with a less dark treble. It's an excellent choice for pure enjoyment.
The Alba is a $160 IEM that includes a USB-C DAC, 4 pairs of tips, and a nice looking SPC cable. They are extremely comfortable, thanks to the shape and small shell. If you ever use IEMs in bed, or lay on your side, something this compact is excellent.
Sound overview:
This is a warmer sound profile, with no glaring peaks in the mid range. It's full sounding, and very rewarding for mixed genres. It has more upper treble extension than many other IEMs, resulting in a wider stage with some added sparkle. Because it's a single DD, I don't have the same timbre issues I experience with something like the SuperMix 4 from Simgot. The SuperMix 4 had somewhat of a metallic/dry presentation due to the tweeter arrangement, where the Alba is much more natural sounding.
When pushed to higher volume limits with bass-heavy tracks, the Alba struggles a little with micro details. This is something a hybrid IEM tends to excel at, as the Balanced Armatures handle higher frequencies separate from the Dynamic Drivers handling bass duties. On the Alba, everything comes from a single driver, which has it's own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Overall, I love the cohesive sound presentation of the Alba. They sound great with rock, string instruments, and vocals. For bass heads listening to a lot of EDM/rap, something like the Truthear Nova may be a better choice. The Nova has a cleaner bass presentation with a lot of extension, and great separation. It's sounds a little more dry/boring when it comes to rock though, and the shell size is significantly larger as well. I think the Alba is one of the best choices under $200, but it's important to understand where the strengths and weaknesses lie, and if that aligns with what you're looking for. I think if you factor in the warmer, safer sound profile with stellar comfort, it's an easy top pick at this price.
I specialize in video reviews, and here's the full review here: GadgetryTech YouTube Review
Sound overview:
This is a warmer sound profile, with no glaring peaks in the mid range. It's full sounding, and very rewarding for mixed genres. It has more upper treble extension than many other IEMs, resulting in a wider stage with some added sparkle. Because it's a single DD, I don't have the same timbre issues I experience with something like the SuperMix 4 from Simgot. The SuperMix 4 had somewhat of a metallic/dry presentation due to the tweeter arrangement, where the Alba is much more natural sounding.
When pushed to higher volume limits with bass-heavy tracks, the Alba struggles a little with micro details. This is something a hybrid IEM tends to excel at, as the Balanced Armatures handle higher frequencies separate from the Dynamic Drivers handling bass duties. On the Alba, everything comes from a single driver, which has it's own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Overall, I love the cohesive sound presentation of the Alba. They sound great with rock, string instruments, and vocals. For bass heads listening to a lot of EDM/rap, something like the Truthear Nova may be a better choice. The Nova has a cleaner bass presentation with a lot of extension, and great separation. It's sounds a little more dry/boring when it comes to rock though, and the shell size is significantly larger as well. I think the Alba is one of the best choices under $200, but it's important to understand where the strengths and weaknesses lie, and if that aligns with what you're looking for. I think if you factor in the warmer, safer sound profile with stellar comfort, it's an easy top pick at this price.
I specialize in video reviews, and here's the full review here: GadgetryTech YouTube Review
pk4425
That is such a classic Meze frequency curve. Looks like it might suit me! I just wonder how much better the Alba is than the single-DD Kefine Delci, which is a fantastic set at $60.
Thanks for the quality review.
Thanks for the quality review.
GadgetryTech
So I have the Delci as well! The Delci has more bass, and a different peak. The highs come in closer to 6-8k on the Delci, with less sparkle/air. The bass is boosted a bit much, which can get in the way of itself. If the track is busy with bass notes and many other cues going on, the Delci starts to get a little bit sloppy and I think it takes away too much of the mid details. For a "clean bass hit", such as a less complex EDM or hip hop song, the bass of the Delci is a lot of fun. Here are both measurements compared: https://gadgetrytech.squig.link/?share=Harman_2019v2_Target,Kefine_Delci,Meze_Alba
MEZE also has a successful history of making affordable headphones and IEMs. I still vividly remember the MEZE 11 Neo and MEZE 12 Classic IEMs, both priced under $200 when they were released way back in 2016. The 12 Classics made a brief comeback in 2021 as the 12 Classics V2. MEZE also released the $200 Rai Solo in 2020, which featured a neutral-bright tuning, as opposed to the warm, natural tuning MEZE is known for.
MEZE is re-entering the budget segment in 2024 with the MEZE ALBA, priced at 159 EUR. It is, in fact, part of a triple release. MEZE also revealed the open-back 105 AER, which is among the most stunning, prettiest headphones I have seen. Their flagship release this time is the "White Empyrean," a new bold color scheme for the otherwise stealthy Empyrean flagship headphones.
What is ALBA?
ALBA translates to the Romanian phrase "The First Light." This is a subtle reference to ALBA being the entry point of the entire current MEZE lineup. ALBA can be viewed as a more affordable and accessible alternative to the $699 MEZE ADVAR, like Rai Solo was to the $1099 Rai Penta.
Disclaimer: I am an audiophile and a reviewer who works with Mr. @Sajid Amit of Amplify Audio Reviews. Amplify generally covers high-end IEMs, Accessories, DAC Amps, and Headphones, with occasional reviews of some budget products. Check out our video reviews at: https://www.youtube.com/@amplifyaudioreviews
Price:
£/€159
Specifications:
Driver tech: 10.8mm Single Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 32Ω at 1kHz
Sensitivity: 109 dB at 1kHz
Connector type: Flush 2-Pin
Frequency Range: 15-25000 Hz
Unboxing, Build Quality, and Comfort
The ALBA comes packed in a minimalistic white box with a beautiful pattern printed on the topside. Packaging Aesthetics is one of the things that sets MEZE apart from a number of its competitors. It is always a sophisticated, elegant experience with MEZE unboxings as opposed to being tacky or callously barebone. MEZE also generously provides a type c to 3.5mm dongle DAC Amp as a complimentary extra. The dongle supports up to 32-bit 384 kHz and sounds pretty nice for what it is. I will share more thoughts on the dongle in a later portion of this review. Inside the box, MEZE provides a rather pretty-looking, soft pouch alongside a set of ear tips in S/M/L size and two separate cables, one with a 3.5mm single-ended termination and the other with a 4.4mm balanced one.
Though the ALBA has a form factor similar to the ADVAR, the build materials are different this time. ALBA's earpieces feature materials such as anodized Aluminum and Zinc alloy. The iridescent white color scheme gives it the appearance of a shiny, beautiful pearl. ALBA is probably the prettiest sub $200 IEM in the world right now, with a rock-solid fit and finish. MEZE has also made another interesting change.
MEZE has exclusively used MMCX connection for its IEMs, like Campfire Audio. With the ALBA, however, MEZE has finally joined the 2-Pin universe. The connector quality is flawless. I often come across high-end IEMs with subpar 2-Pin connections that are either too tight or lack the optimal friction. I am happy to report that MEZE has not skimped on quality with the ALBA. Stock tips are comfortable and fine as it is. As for aftermarket ones, I would suggest Final E Type, Spinfit W1, or Divinus velvet with the ALBA. The stock cables are soft and malleable. I would recommend carefully organizing them after each listening session as they can tangle up sometimes. The Dongle DAC uses the same wire material as the stock cable. It is lightweight and easy to manage, therefore putting zero strain on the source device's type C port.
Thanks to its small footprint and smooth, ergonomic contours, ALBA is easily the comfiest IEM under $200. Its comfort is only rivaled by the Sennheiser IE 200, which has a much cheaper, all-plastic build. Isolation was pretty solid in noisy environments, such as public transport.
Sound
ALBA's sound signature is immediately recognizable as MEZE house sound if you are already familiar with their headphones and IEMs. It features a smooth, warm neutral tonality with lustrous vocals. ALBA's bass response immediately got me hooked. The bass response is deep and textured and can be quite authoritative when the track calls for it. Under the $200 price point, bass quality is one of the things I generally struggle with. There are a few planar IEMs in this range that do a commendable job but lack the natural decay and viscerality of a good single DD. Chi fi IEMs, on the other hand, compromise bass quality to a significant margin in order to emphasize clarity and detail. There are a few that do bass well, but then technical prowess gets sacrificed as a trade-off. ALBA is not a basshead set per se, but it has the right amount of punch and intensity to keep things interesting. The bass response scales significantly with better gear and amplification.
ALBA's bass reached a whole new level with the Aroma Audio A100TB portable amplifier, for example. It is an expensive combo, and ALBA buyers might most likely stick to budget sources, but the return is worth it nonetheless. I thoroughly enjoyed the ALBA with tracks such as Evidence by Faith No More and Bombtrack by Rage Against the Machine, both of which featured mesmerizing basslines.
The midrange is beautiful, lush, and warm, just like the venerable 99 Classic and the 109 Pro. ALBA is a vocal lover's delight, and it does a much better job portraying vocals than most of its competition. Male vocals sound dense and rich thanks to the warmish lower mids. There is also some upper midrange emphasis; therefore, female vocals sound lively and realistic, as much as the male vocals do. Bouts of shoutiness are ultra-rare and completely absent on higher-end sources like the iFi Gryphon or DITA Navigator. Aside from the supplied dongle, I would also highly suggest the Colorfly CDA M1P as a budget pairing, as I found the synergy between these two to be excellent.
ALBA's treble is not as dark as the older MEZE Classic 12 IEM's. It shares some similarities with 109 Pro's treble. There is some emphasis in the presence region, but with optimum control, percussions and S/Th voices do not come across as piercing. Thus, what I got was plentiful sparkle and fun minus the fatigue. The lower treble management of the ALBA is also commendable. I am personally very sensitive in this region and faced issues with budget planar IEMs alongside numerous hyped-up ones thanks to the sharp rise of around 8-9k region. ALBA has a very smooth and even lower treble rendition but does not snub it out completely. It does not have the suck-out effect of lower treble omission, which is an unfortunate trade-off often made for non-offensive tunings.
I loved the ALBA's staging capability. It creates a realistic 360-degree soundscape with pinpoint central imaging, which makes story-based gaming and content-watching a joy. Dialogues sound exactly where they should and how they should. Stage width and height are almost even, therefore perfectly balanced. On the Sennheiser IE200, for example, I had a hard time with multiplayer campaigns as the imaging was often unfaithful, and directional cues became hazy. These issues are handily resolved with the ALBA. Thanks to its natural bass decay and authoritative yet controlled low end, footsteps and gunshots are easy to locate. Explosions and electronic dubstep effects sound fun as hell at the height of the battle. Right now, ALBA is among the best IEMs you can buy for gaming under a strict $200 budget, and it does a far superior job than consumer-grade "Gaming" headphones.
ALBA's resolution level is above average for the price, actually quite impressive even regardless of price. Its resolution and background nuances scale significantly with better sources. Microdetails, separation, and dynamics scale alongside. The bundled dongle sounds decent and clean and does not suck out much juice from the source device. For casual listening and outdoor use, it does a swell job. I would highly suggest investing in a good source still. Otherwise, ALBA's true potential will remain untapped.
Comparisons:
Sennheiser IE 200:
The IE 200 is the youngest sibling of the IE trio from Sennheiser. After its initial release, many hyped it up to be even better than the IE 600, which it is not. The IE 200 has a good base tuning, but it simply cannot hold a candle against the ALBA. ALBA is markedly superior in every imaginable category. The bass response is better, the midrange has more heft, and it's more forward and natural. The Treble does not shimmer and cause fatigue like the IE200. It is a superior IEM from a technical standpoint as well, not to mention build quality and accessorization. The IE200 is equally comfortable, though it does not isolate well at all, while the ALBA is fantastic at both.
Letshuoer S12/S12 Pro:
I actually like the S12/S12 Pro a lot. Being planar IEMs, they excel in certain things. S12's bass is deep and textured, though it lacks the natural decay and timbre of ALBA's bass. The midrange is clearly superior on the ALBA. The S12 is also much brighter, especially in the lower treble. Isolation is almost non-existent in noisy environments, which, on the other hand, is one of the major strengths of MEZE ALBA.
Simgot IEMs:
Simgot IEMs are back in the limelight again, and they have had a few successful releases. They are good IEMs and sport decent midrange timbre and clarity, but I ultimately find most of them thin and anemic in the bass. Simgots also have this overly intense upper midrange emphasis that I struggle hard to vibe with. ALBA is a better-tuned product than what Simgot is currently offering, in my opinion.
Moondrop Kato and Aria V2:
The KATO is a good IEM, and I enjoyed my time with it. However, it lacks sub-bass depth, and the upper treble lift sounds unnatural. From a tonal perspective, I actually preferred the Aria 2 more. Both have very short nozzles and are not that comfortable to wear. The MEZE ALBA has a more polished, even tonality and has significantly better bass quality than both. Soundstage and imaging are markedly superior on the ALBA as well.
Kiwi Ears Quintet:
I had a good honeymoon period with the Quintet when I bought it. It did not last long, unfortunately. The quintet has a very nice and present treble tuning, but the one-note bass response and lack of coherence became more and more off-putting as time passed. The midrange is also leaner than I generally prefer. Quintet also feels very cheaply made when held. The raw detail/resolution of Quintet and ALBA are about the same. ALBA has a superior soundstage, more precise imaging, and just plain better tuning and scalability overall.
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A8PB21
Oooh, a review with a comparison part that is really interesting.... 
I've probably been reading reviews of many in-ears for a week now, and I'm in total confusion and indecision.
In the end, Letshuoer, Simgot and Moondrop are in my interest (the S12 much more of the three), but Hidizs MP145, MS2 and MS4, Binary × Gizaudio Chopin and the MEZE Alba are in the final stages (I hope).
Do you have any suggestions as to which of the last mentioned would be best?
Thanks in advance.
I've probably been reading reviews of many in-ears for a week now, and I'm in total confusion and indecision.
In the end, Letshuoer, Simgot and Moondrop are in my interest (the S12 much more of the three), but Hidizs MP145, MS2 and MS4, Binary × Gizaudio Chopin and the MEZE Alba are in the final stages (I hope).
Do you have any suggestions as to which of the last mentioned would be best?
Thanks in advance.
BonGoBiLai
I have not tried the ones you mentioned yet except the MP145 (I am not much into budget items lately). 145 is not bad; it is pretty good, in fact. It sounds similar to other v-shaped budget planar chi-fi items (male vocals could use a bit more heft). Kind of heavy and uncomfortable for me, though. I prefer the ALBA both in terms of comfort and timbre.
