scarfacegt
1000+ Head-Fier
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It would be great to know how they compare soundvise to the more expensive wireless iems, like Sennheiser, sony, b&w, ect.....
Meze Audio ALBA - A Light in The Shape of Sound
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dbdynsty25
Headphoneus Supremus
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I’m in the market for a tiny comfortable headphone for casual listening and the alba seems to fit the bill. However, them not being available for another few months has me looking for alternatives. Most important to me is size and fit, u or v shaped sound. Are there any alternatives that fit that criteria while I wait for my preorder?
ufospls2
Headphoneus Supremus
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Hey guys, just sharing my review here for anyone who is interested.
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.
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.
Toddy
100+ Head-Fier
Few months
? The now infamous recall-mail said the next batch would be available ‘mid July‘. I hope we don‘t need to wait until all the leaves are turning brown…
Yeah, well, the Meze website now states:Few months
„Deliveries are estimated to start on September 4“.
Heartsmart
100+ Head-Fier
Has anyone seen where to order the 4.4 cable and extra tips in Europe?
Not yet, no! But I would also be interested in both, actually!
MezeTeam
Sponsor: Meze Audio
Dear friends,
All we can say is… WOW! Your enthusiasm and trust in our brand and products were unexpected and overwhelming, and for that, we are truly grateful.
This translated into a demand far beyond our expectations and estimations. In the past two weeks, we hoped and pushed our supply chain to deliver units by mid-July, however, despite our best efforts, we have to admit that we are currently unable to keep up with the demand.
In light of this situation, we believe it is wiser to step back, and to take the time to stock up properly, ensuring that everyone receives their order.
Therefore, ALBA will be again available for delivery in the first week of September.
This approach will ensure that everyone can get their ALBA units without the frustration of delays.
We understand the importance of timely delivery and we apologize for the delay, but our vision for ALBA is built on long-term success rather than short-term fixes.
As always, we are counting on your support and patience and we are sincerely thankful to have such understanding and committed users, which is what motivates us to continuously improve our efforts in delivering the best possible experience to you all. Your support greatly encourages us in this endeavour!
All we can say is… WOW! Your enthusiasm and trust in our brand and products were unexpected and overwhelming, and for that, we are truly grateful.
This translated into a demand far beyond our expectations and estimations. In the past two weeks, we hoped and pushed our supply chain to deliver units by mid-July, however, despite our best efforts, we have to admit that we are currently unable to keep up with the demand.
In light of this situation, we believe it is wiser to step back, and to take the time to stock up properly, ensuring that everyone receives their order.
Therefore, ALBA will be again available for delivery in the first week of September.
This approach will ensure that everyone can get their ALBA units without the frustration of delays.
We understand the importance of timely delivery and we apologize for the delay, but our vision for ALBA is built on long-term success rather than short-term fixes.
As always, we are counting on your support and patience and we are sincerely thankful to have such understanding and committed users, which is what motivates us to continuously improve our efforts in delivering the best possible experience to you all. Your support greatly encourages us in this endeavour!
Toddy
100+ Head-Fier
What does that mean exactly? That you will accept new orders from September and then deliver them directly? In other words, that you will deliver the orders that are still open until then and then accept new ones?
Well, to be quite frank—ordering in June and receiving in July would be an acceptable delay. But further waiting until September would in fact be quite frustrating for a product that at the time of ordering was described as ‘available‘.
Kordonrules
100+ Head-Fier
What a load of crap. They’ve got other issues me thinks. No one “stocks” up for two months.
Kristofa
100+ Head-Fier
I don’t think it is a load of crap. There could be many reasons Meze needs to replenish stock over a two-month period. If they are unhappy with QC from first manufacturer and are in the process of diversifying to ensure stable production, if their existing manufacturer just does not have the capacity to meet demand and they don’t want to eek out product as it comes in, if there is a production issue on anything related (like the DAC) that could slow things down, etc. stuff happens, and if the production timeline they set for themselves was insufficient and they needed to recalculate that, it can be challenging to do. They are a small Romanian company producing boutique headphones, and I am willing to cut them plenty of slack for delays because they have ALWAYS treated me right whenever I have worked with them.
Well, still glad I got mine early seeing how the preorder / delivery situation is like at the moment. Hope everybody will get their hands on this beautfiful little IEM sooner rather than later!
I have been enjoying the Alba for almost two weeks now. No quality, painting or other material issues so far! Hope it stays that way as these are pretty great! If not, I will report back here but I am sure Meze will, as they have promised and also have proved in the past, take care of any issues!
I have been doing some heavy tip rolling lately and have settled on the SpinFit W1 next to the stock tips for now. Both work great for me but I feel like the W1 are a bit smoother in the treble for me which I like on the Alba, personally.
I have been enjoying the Alba for almost two weeks now. No quality, painting or other material issues so far! Hope it stays that way as these are pretty great! If not, I will report back here but I am sure Meze will, as they have promised and also have proved in the past, take care of any issues!
I have been doing some heavy tip rolling lately and have settled on the SpinFit W1 next to the stock tips for now. Both work great for me but I feel like the W1 are a bit smoother in the treble for me which I like on the Alba, personally.
Uebelkraehe
500+ Head-Fier
So was there a recall or not? My dealer certainly made it seem like that was the reason he couldn't deliver despite of their website stating something else when i ordered. Anyways, seems like a giant f up for Meze, they'll probably lose a lot of sales as the Alba won't nearly be as hot anymore once it's finally widely available. I'll cancel mine and reconsider then, if i even think about it any more at this point.
Last edited:
frix
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it's just an IEM guys. A month more waiting time, who cares.
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