{"id":5149,"date":"2026-04-27T14:52:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/?p=5149"},"modified":"2026-04-21T17:58:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T15:58:33","slug":"meze-alba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/en\/tests\/meze-alba\/","title":{"rendered":"MEZE Alba"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A regular on our test benches, Meze returns this year not with headphones but with in-ear headphones: the Meze Alba. A model presented as more accessible than its big brother, the Advar, aimed at both novice music lovers and demanding audiophiles looking for affordable, stylish, and high-performance headphones. No small feat. A new gem from the Romanian manufacturer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stunning from every angle, the Alba boasts a curvaceous silhouette, beautifully highlighted by a pearlescent white finish. This livery contrasts sharply with the purplish hues of the Advar, which, we must admit, is not to our displeasure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The younger sibling of the Advar, the latest addition makes no secret of its lineage, replicating the latter’s appearance almost exactly: the same undulating shell (an ode to Romania’s archaeological heritage) combining injected metal and CNC machining; the same zinc\/aluminum alloy instead of anodized steel, for reasons of budget and lightness; the same decompression vent, a veritable central whirlpool, bearing the brand name and a proud \u201cmade\/designed in Romania\u201d label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nestled beneath this spiral is a brand new dynamic transducer, featuring a large 10.8 mm diaphragm, powered by a strong neodymium magnet. What does this new speaker promise? A naturally engaging sound thanks to its increased sensitivity (109 dB @1 mW\/1 kHz) and reduced impedance (32 ohms), perfectly suited to portable sources such as audiophile music players, DAC amplifiers, or even a simple smartphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In terms of the frequency spectrum reproduced, the Alba is unsurprisingly less prolific than its big brother, or even the Penta, with a range extending from 15 Hz to 25 kHz. These are more than respectable values, covering almost the entire audible spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, there are numerous details here and there that demonstrate the almost obsessive meticulousness of Antonio and his team, such as the serial number engraved on the MMCX socket ring, the metal debris guard mounted on the nozzle (also made of metal), and the subtly engraved lyre bird on the back of the ear cups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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COMFORT AND BUNDLE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A world away from the 109 Pro or even the 99 Classics, the Alba is easy to carry around thanks to its ultra-compact size and particularly light weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much more comfortable than the Rai Penta\/Solo, these in-ear headphones fit effortlessly into the ear canal, perfectly hugging the tortuous convolutions of the ear for an optimal fit and natural feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while they don’t benefit from the same attention to detail as the Advar, with Meze opting not to include Final Audio’s delightful Type E ear tips, it has to be said that even with the traditional silicone tips, we still get a good deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Last but not least, despite its entry-level positioning, the Alba comes with a surprisingly comprehensive bundle: a silver-plated multi-strand twisted copper cable, a white faux leather carrying case and, above all, the brand even offers a USB-C dongle to complement a USB source \u2013 a challenge at this level!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only downside is the choice of a 2-pin connector rather than MMCX for the cable\/earphone connection, which is justified by the price, but less mobile and therefore less comfortable. Finally, for the most demanding audiophiles, there is always the option of purchasing a balanced cable and enjoying the benefits offered by TRRS or Pentaconn outputs, available on almost all audiophile music players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE SETUP OF THE MEZE ALBA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Particularly sensitive, the Alba doesn’t need much to be happy. However, although a simple smartphone is perfectly capable of powering it, it really comes into its own when paired with an audiophile music player or an amplifier\/DAC. This is especially true given its high sensitivity and measured impedance, which make it difficult to prevent background noise, particularly with poorly isolated sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if there’s one area where the Alba doesn’t outperform the Advar, it’s in terms of isolation. And with good reason: with its semi-open design, it’s difficult for our little in-ear headphones to compete with closed models, especially with their metal shell, which is more permeable than silicone models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE SOUND OF THE MEZE ALBA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Its overall consistency makes it a true all-rounder. Whether it’s orchestral music, uninhibited dubstep, or vocal jazz, the Alba never falters, even though there is a certain preponderance in the midrange\u2014without ever going overboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It retains the presence, power, and above all, confidence of its predecessors. Less rigid and more playful, it remains exemplary in its precision, magnified by the dynamics offered by the new dynamic transducer, surpassing the old Rai Solo in every respect. It effortlessly handles the most violent attacks, rewarding us with an almost abyssal level of bass, without ever detracting from the clarity of the soundstage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only slight regret is the lack of articulation in the upper midrange, with certain nuances in our favorite tracks, such as \u201cBirds\u201d by Dominique Fils-Aim\u00e9, remaining inaudible, despite the combination of renowned sources such as our monstrous FiiO M17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pitfall is quickly overcome when switching to electronic music, with the Alba proving to be a formidable companion, allowing you to discern the softest nuances and the most thunderous impacts at any volume level. Moreover, although the isolation is inferior to a closed model, it is ultimately sufficient to attenuate the cacophony of urban traffic, and we were never tempted to turn up the volume more than was reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is the magic of the Alba: its ability to recreate a soundstage worthy of portable headphones, even when connected to a mid-range source such as our FiiO K17. Proof, if any were needed, that the imposing dynamic transducer is not there for show, and whether it’s the electro layers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

saturated with Infected Mushroom, the guttural polyphony of Zingara, or simply the guitar riffs of Justice, it’s hard to find fault with the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while it never quite reaches the mastery of the Advar\u2014fortunately, we might add\u2014it’s hard not to be captivated by the exceptional musicality of the latest addition to the range, supported by fluid transients and a particularly rich soundstage, a true hallmark of Meze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fine achievement, highlighted by virtually zero harmonic distortion, enabling gradual increases in volume without noticeable crosstalk or phase inconsistency, even at high volumes. An explosive experience, halfway between open-back headphones and classic in-ear monitors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OUR CONCLUSION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yet another example of Romanian manufacturing excellence, the Meze Alba stands out as one of the best in-ear headphones in its category. Superb in both form and function, this mini-Advar is just as musical, benefiting from nearly a decade of experience, without ever surpassing its predecessor\u2014which was never the goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Author(s):<\/strong> Haja Randrianarison<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical Sheet: MEZE Alba<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n