Meze Audio ALBA - A Light in The Shape of Sound

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Driver: 10.8 mm Dynamic Driver
• Frequency Range: 15 Hz – 25kHz
• Impedance: 32 Ω at 1kHz
• SPL: 109 dB SPL/V at 1kHz
• Distortion: <0.1% at 1kHz

WHAT COMES IN BOX

• 1 pairs driver
• 2 Cable (3.5mm and 4.4mm)
• 4 pairs ear tips (S, M, L, XL)
• 1 carrying pouch
• 1 USB-C to 3.5mm dongle

This review unit has been provided by Meze for the purpose of evaluation and review. I have not received any form of compensation or incentives to influence the content of this review. The opinions expressed here are solely based on my personal experiences and observations from extensive usage.

The Meze Alba in-ear monitors (IEMs) have these small, lightweight shells made from a mix of zinc alloy and anodized aluminum. They look a lot like a smaller version of the Advar model. The shells feel smooth to the touch with a shiny, pearl-like finish. You can see the Meze logo on each shell, and there's this neat circular metal piece in the middle with the brand's name on it. It's all very well put together.

What's cool is they've got these vents that help with sound quality, and the nozzles are made of metal, which feels solid and helps keep the ear tips snug. Compared to the bigger Advar, these Alba ones are smaller and lighter, which makes them easier to carry around. They fit comfortably in your ears without sticking out, so they're great for wearing for a long time without feeling uncomfortable. Overall, they're stylish, well-made, and perfect for everyday use.

Due to its compact shells and lightweight construction, the Meze Alba provides a snug fit without protruding from the ear, ensuring comfort even during movement. Once fitted with suitable ear tips, these IEMs sit securely and comfortably inside the ear canal. The smooth, ergonomic design of the shells prevents any pressure on the ear, making them ideal for prolonged listening sessions.

The Alba features short nozzles of standard diameter, each equipped with a vent underneath for effective airflow. Additionally, there's a vent integrated into the circular emblem on the shells. Throughout my time using the Alba, I didn't experience any discomfort or driver flex, highlighting its thoughtful design and build quality.

When paired with quality ear tips, the Alba exhibits impressive noise isolation, surpassing many competitors in its price range. It effectively blocks external noise, making it suitable for various environments, including noisy settings where clear audio is essential.

The pouch included with the Meze Alba in-ear monitors (IEMs) is designed to be compact and practical, providing a convenient storage solution for the IEMs. Its small size and sleek white color make it easy to neatly store the IEMs after use, ensuring they are protected from scratches and minor bumps. The pouch is crafted from a durable material that enhances its ability to safeguard the IEMs during transportation or when kept in a pocket. Its design emphasizes simplicity and functionality, offering users a hassle-free way to keep their Alba IEMs secure and organized while on the move.

However, one drawback of the pouch is its white color, which can easily accumulate dirt and stains over time. This aspect may be a concern for users who prioritize maintaining the cleanliness and appearance of their accessories.


The Meze Alba comes with two sets of cables: one with a 3.5mm connector and another with a 4.4mm connector. Both cables share a similar lightweight and easy-to-manage design. Although the aesthetics of the cables might appear somewhat lacking, their quality is solid and they are remarkably comfortable to use.

• Build Quality: The cables are well-constructed with no noticeable microphonics, ensuring a quiet listening experience. Their thin profile avoids adding unnecessary weight when connected to the IEMs.

• Connectors: The Meze Alba utilizes a 2-pin 0.78 connector, different from the MMCX connectors used in the Meze Advar's cable. The connection is robust and securely holds the cable in place, minimizing the risk of accidental disconnection.

• Y-Splitter and Jack: Both the Y-splitter and the jack are made of metal, adding a touch of premium feel to the cables.

While having two different cables instead of one interchangeable cable set like the Meze Advar might seem less convenient, it ensures robustness. However, frequent cable changes may lead to durability concerns over time.


The stock ear tips provided with the Meze Alba vary in fit and performance, which can significantly impact sound quality. Personally, I find them inconsistent; while some may provide a decent fit, others do not sit well in my ears, affecting both comfort and audio clarity.

Preferred Alternatives:
1. Dunu Candy:

• Fit and Comfort: These ear tips fit snugly and comfortably in my ear canal, providing a deep seal that enhances passive noise isolation.
• Sound Enhancement: The Dunu Candy tips noticeably improve sub-bass extension and mid-bass punch. They effectively mitigate unnecessary treble energy, resulting in smoother highs without sharpness.
• Usage Experience: I find them ideal for longer listening sessions due to their ergonomic design and secure fit.

2. AZLA SEDNAEARFIT MAX:

• Fit and Comfort: While the fit may not be as deep for everyone due to their shorter length, they fit my ears perfectly, offering a secure and comfortable seal.
• Sound Enhancement: These tips widen the soundstage slightly and enhance bass response. They add a touch of warmth to the midrange, which reduces sibilance and gives female vocals more body.
• Usage Experience: Despite their shorter length, they provide excellent isolation and comfort, making them suitable for extended use.

Choosing the right ear tips is crucial for optimizing your listening experience with in-ear monitors like the Meze Alba. Properly fitting tips not only improve sound quality by enhancing bass response, reducing treble harshness, and refining midrange clarity but also ensure comfort during prolonged use.

Recommendation:
I recommend experimenting with different ear tips to find the ones that best suit your preferences and ear anatomy. Both the Dunu Candy and AZLA SEDNAEARFIT MAX are excellent options to consider, particularly if you prioritize comfort, sound quality, and a secure fit for your Meze Alba.


When using the Type-C to 3.5mm dongle with the Meze Alba, the sound performance is generally good, though there are some noticeable differences. The bass tightness and impact seem slightly reduced compared to using other sources or adapters. This can lead to a perception of less body in the sound, especially in the lower frequencies. However, the overall audio quality remains satisfactory, providing clear and detailed sound reproduction despite these minor adjustments in bass characteristics. Users who prioritize bass presence and impact might find that using alternative DAC/amp solutions could better suit their preferences for enhanced low-end performance.

Overall, the Type-C to 3.5mm dongle provided by Meze is quite adequate. As a package inclusion, it serves its purpose well and is a valuable addition.

Dap:

• Cowon Plenue R2
• Astell & kern sp1000m
• Hiby R3 ii
• Hiny R5 saver

Dongle:

• Questyle M15
• Cayin ru7
• Ddhifi tc44c
• Moondrop dawn pro
• Hidizs s9 pro plus
• Nicehck TC3
• Apple dongle type c

BT DAC:

• IFI Go Blue
• Fiio btr7 and btr5 2021
• Shanling up4 and up5

Dextop:

• Shanling h5
• IFI Zen dac V2
• IFI Hip DAC V2
• Xduoo xd05 basic

Mobile phone:

• Lg v60
• Asus zenfone 10

To get the best out of the Meze Alba, it doesn't necessarily require a powered source. It can sound good with moderate amplification, but its sound quality truly excels with a quality source. With a top-notch source, the bass response becomes tighter and punchier.

In my experience, pairing the Alba with bright and analytical DACs hasn't provided the refined sound I'm looking for. The treble tends to become overly bright and sharp. For a more engaging and refined performance, I find it pairs well with warmer or neutral sources.

Choosing a warmer or neutral source enhances the Alba's sound, providing a more refined and engaging performance. It helps balance out the treble and offers a comfortable listening experience overall.

Tonality: The sound signature of the Alba is somewhat V-shaped, but very tastefully done, or you could even call it a U-shaped sound. This means the bass and treble are slightly elevated, giving the music a lively and engaging feel without overshadowing the midrange. It’s a pleasant and enjoyable listening experience that suits a variety of genres.

The bass is punchy and well-defined but doesn’t overpower the other frequencies. It’s just right for my taste, providing a solid experience without being overwhelming. Whether I’m listening to bass-heavy genres like hip-hop or more mellow tracks, the bass performance is consistent.

Sub-bass:
The Meze Audio Alba demonstrates a capable handling of sub-bass frequencies, delivering a deep and impactful low-end that enhances the listening experience. In tracks like "God Is a Woman" by Ariana Grande, the Alba reproduces sub-bass notes with clarity and depth, adding a rich foundation to the music without overpowering other frequencies. Similarly, in "Shutterbugg" by Big Boi, the Alba’s sub-bass reproduction remains articulate and well-defined, complementing the track’s bass-heavy production with a controlled resonance.

Mid-bass:
Moving to mid-bass frequencies, the Alba maintains a balanced presentation that emphasizes the punch and dynamics of instruments such as bass guitars and drums. In tracks like "Sulfur" by Slipknot, the Alba captures the intensity of mid-bass elements with precision, delivering crisp and impactful drum kicks and bass guitar riffs. Meanwhile, in "A Saucerful of Secrets" by Pink Floyd, the Alba’s mid-bass response enhances the rhythmic foundation of the track, contributing to its atmospheric and textured sound.

Overall Bass Performance:
Overall, the Meze Audio Alba provides a versatile bass performance suitable for a variety of music genres. Whether you enjoy the deep reverberations of sub-bass or the punchy impact of mid-bass instruments, the Alba maintains clarity and musicality throughout. Its ability to handle different bass textures with fidelity ensures a cohesive listening experience across various musical styles.

The midrange of the Meze Audio Alba is clear and natural with a touch of warmth. This gives the music a rich, full sound. The bass enhances the lower mids, adding depth and lushness. The midrange is almost neutral, making instruments and vocals sound realistic. However, I feel that the midrange could be a bit sweeter and more detailed.

Male Vocals:
Male vocals sound rich and full on the Alba. They don’t sound thin or weak. In "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, Freddie Mercury’s voice is powerful and clear, capturing the song’s emotion. In "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant’s voice has a natural warmth, making the song’s storytelling more engaging. The Alba captures the texture and detail of male vocals well, making them sound lifelike and engaging.

Female Vocals:
Female vocals are well-reproduced with a slightly energetic quality, adding a bit of brightness and presence. In "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks’ voice stands out clearly against the music, making her performance the highlight of the track. Adele’s voice in "Hello" is powerful and emotional, and the Alba captures this beautifully with an added touch of energy that makes the vocals more engaging. The vocals are detailed and rich, making female singers sound lively and real.

Instrument Performance:
The Alba handles instruments with good clarity and detail. Pianos and string instruments sound natural and have a sweet, lingering impact. In "Playing God" by Polyphia, the guitars are clear and energetic, with no harshness. The intricate guitar work is easy to follow, showing the Alba’s ability to handle complex music. In "The Dance of Eternity" by Dream Theater, the various instruments are well-separated and clear, even in the most complex parts of the song. The weight and texture of each note are well-reproduced, making instruments sound realistic.

Overall, the midrange performance of the Meze Audio Alba IEMs is impressive. It offers a balanced, natural sound that enhances both vocals and instruments. While the midrange could be a bit more detailed, the Alba provides a warm and enjoyable listening experience. It’s a great choice if you want clear and rich midrange performance in your IEMs.

The treble, or high-frequency range, of the Meze Audio Alba IEMs is well-tuned to be lively without being too sharp. This makes the highs clear and engaging, providing a good amount of detail. While the Alba doesn’t capture every tiny detail in the highest frequencies, it offers a balanced and safe sound that is pleasant to listen to.

When listening to instruments like cymbals and high-pitched strings, the notes are clear and distinct. For example, in rock or pop songs where cymbals are prominent, you can hear each hit clearly, although they don’t dominate the overall sound. The treble has a nice sparkle, adding brightness and richness to the music without becoming piercing.

The treble extension, or how far the high notes reach, is decent. The natural decay means that the high notes fade away smoothly and quickly. This gives a realistic and comfortable listening experience, although it means the highest notes might not linger as long. Despite this, the Alba still manages to present all the essential details. For instance, in classical music or jazz, the high notes from instruments like flutes and violins are clear and well-defined.

Overall, the treble of the Meze Audio Alba is forgiving, meaning it won’t cause ear fatigue even during long listening sessions. This makes the Alba a great choice for people who enjoy a smooth, detailed sound that doesn’t overemphasize the high frequencies.

In summary, the Meze Audio Alba IEMs offer a treble performance that is lively and detailed. They provide clear and pleasant high frequencies without harshness, making them ideal for long listening periods. If you prefer a balanced sound that highlights details without being overly sharp, the Alba is a solid choice.

Staging:
On the technical front, the Meze Audio Alba IEMs perform reasonably well, especially considering their price point. The soundstage—the perceived space and environment where the sound appears to come from—offers a moderate width. It’s neither too wide nor too intimate, striking a balance that works well for most types of music. However, the depth of the soundstage is just average, meaning the sense of distance from front to back is not very pronounced. This makes the Alba less suitable for those who are looking for a fully immersive, holographic listening experience where sounds seem to come from all around your head.

Imaging:
The imaging capabilities of the Meze Audio Alba are exceptional, especially for its price range. Imaging refers to the ability of the IEMs to place sounds accurately within the soundstage, and the Alba excels in this aspect. With these IEMs, you can pinpoint the exact location of each instrument and vocal within the soundstage. For example, when listening to a live concert recording, you can distinctly place where the guitar, drums, and vocals are positioned on stage. This precise placement adds to the realism and immersion of the listening experience, making it feel like you are in the middle of the performance. The accuracy in imaging ensures that every sound is well-defined and positioned correctly, contributing to a more engaging and lifelike audio experience.

Note Separation:
Note separation is another strong point of the Meze Audio Alba. This aspect refers to the ability to distinguish individual notes and instruments without them blending into each other. The Alba performs admirably, keeping different sounds clear and distinct. Whether you're listening to a complex orchestral piece or a busy rock track, you can easily differentiate between the various instruments and notes. This clarity helps you appreciate the details and nuances of the music, making for a more engaging listening experience. The excellent note separation ensures that each element of the track maintains its own space within the mix, allowing for a more coherent and enjoyable sound.

Detail Retrieval:
Detail retrieval refers to the IEM's ability to capture and present fine details in the music. The Meze Audio Alba performs well in this area, picking up subtle elements that add depth and texture to the sound. For instance, you can hear the slight nuances in a singer's breath, the subtle vibrations of a string instrument, or the faint background effects in a complex track. While the Alba might not retrieve every microscopic detail like some high-end IEMs, it provides a level of detail that is satisfying and impressive for its price range. The Alba's ability to present these fine details enhances the overall listening experience, bringing more life and realism to the music.

Dynamics:
In terms of dynamics—the contrast between the quiet and loud parts of the music—the Alba performs well. It captures the energy and variations in the music effectively. The vocals sit clearly above the instruments, making them stand out without being overwhelmed. Background elements, such as supporting instruments or effects, maintain their own space and do not blend too much into each other. This separation helps in creating a clean and detailed sound. The dynamic range is handled with finesse, ensuring that both the subtle and powerful moments in the music are delivered with appropriate impact.

Overall, the Meze Audio Alba IEMs offer exceptional performance in imaging, with strong capabilities in staging, dynamics, note separation, and detail retrieval, especially at their price point. While the soundstage is moderately wide and the depth is average, the decent layering and instrument separation provide a clear and organized listening experience. The imaging stands out as a highlight, allowing you to precisely pinpoint the location of each sound within the soundstage, adding to the realism and immersion. The note separation is excellent, ensuring that each instrument and note is distinct and clear. The detail retrieval captures subtle nuances in the music, enhancing the listening experience. The dynamics are handled well, with vocals and instruments maintaining their distinct positions, making the Alba a fantastic choice for those who appreciate a detailed and balanced sound.

1.Casual listeners and commuters: The Alba offers a stylish, compact design with comfortable fit and good noise isolation, making them ideal for everyday use and travel.

2. Listeners preferring a balanced sound with a touch of warmth: The Alba's V-shaped sound signature (with slightly elevated bass and treble) provides an engaging yet not overpowering audio experience across various music genres.

3. Those valuing build quality and aesthetics: With their well-crafted zinc alloy and aluminum shells, the Alba IEMs are durable and visually appealing, suitable for users who appreciate premium materials.

4. Users seeking good detail retrieval and imaging: The Alba excels in imaging and note separation, offering a clear and precise soundstage where instruments and vocals are well-defined.

5. People with diverse music tastes: From bass-heavy genres to intricate instrumental pieces, the Alba handles a wide range of music styles competently, thanks to its versatile sound profile.

1. Audiophiles seeking a completely flat response: If you prefer a strictly neutral sound signature without any emphasis on bass or treble, the Alba's V-shaped sound may not align with your preferences.

2.Listeners needing a wide soundstage with deep immersion: While the Alba's soundstage is adequate for its price range, users specifically seeking a very wide and deep soundstage for a more immersive listening experience might need to consider higher-end options.