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It’s quite a challenge making something inexpensive seem high-end. At least, I assume that’s the case, because it’s pretty rare. There are cheap products, and there are expensive products, and it’s usually pretty easy to tell them apart. Of course, there are some notable exceptions, but it’s more likely that something expensive has been designed so poorly it seems cheap (ahem, Cybertruck) than the other way around. Without the luxury of material and build choices afforded by a higher price, inexpensive products tend to look and perform, well, like inexpensive products.
Then there are the Meze Alba in-ear monitors. Featuring a zinc-and-aluminum-alloy shell, pearlescent finish, and removable braided cable, they look and feel much higher-end than their price of $159 (all prices USD) would imply. Inside each earphone is a 10.8mm dynamic driver, and despite all that, they’re a lightweight 14gm. Most impressive though, considering their cost, is how they sound.
In the box
With the Albas you get a small, rather luxe-looking “eco-leather” case and four sizes of silicone eartips. You know me—I’m always a fan of having more than three size choices. The fourth option here is XL, but I got a comfortable fit with the pre-installed medium, so those with smaller ear canals shouldn’t have an issue with the small tips. The braided cable is wrapped up neatly in the case in a way that I’m 100 percent positive I’d never be able to repeat.
Not included in the box, but in a separate box included with the Albas, is a USB-C-to-3.5mm headphone dongle. When they’re connected, a tiny LED in the USB-C connector lights up. I used this, as well as a separate amp and the analog headphone-out of a portable media player, for my review.
Use
There are no “L” or “R” markings on the Albas themselves, so if you’re an idiot like me, it takes a moment to figure out how to connect them to the detachable cable (hint: the logo faces aft). If you’re smarter and/or unboxing them with decent light, the right bud’s connection plate has a slightly red tinge to match the red highlight on the plug for the right channel. There’s an instruction sheet in the box that explains this if you care to read it before you start writing a review like a big bald dummy.
The cable itself is also fairly short at 1.2m. Given the size and price of the Albas, it’s an easy assumption that they’re intended for use with portable devices that won’t be farther away than that.
Sound
The Albas have a bit of a boost in the treble, and a little in the upper bass/lower midrange, but overall they offer a sound that’s fun to listen to and extremely well balanced.
I started with Lauren O’Connell’s “Power Out” (Framingham, 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC, Sugar Glider / Qobuz), which is a quiet, largely acoustic track with guitar, voice, some light percussion, and a bit of synth organ. The gentle plucks of the guitar were bright and smooth, while O’Connell’s voice was dead-center and well balanced in the mix. The lower notes of the synth and the thumps of the percussion had some heft, but not too much. If anything, the Albas leaned a little toward the treble.
The soundstage wasn’t particularly wide, which wasn’t too surprising, given that they’re well-sealed IEMs. The opening guitars of America’s “Ventura Highway” (Homecoming, 24/192 FLAC, Rhino Entertainment / Qobuz) didn’t seem too far beyond my ears. This track features lots of jingles and the occasional jangle, and the Albas reproduced those with aplomb. The treble was never harsh, staying smooth across the upper frequency range.
With something more bass-heavy like Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go!” (The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, 24/44.1 FLAC, Island Records / Qobuz), the Albas handled themselves well. There was plenty of bass, though not an overwhelming amount. It was well controlled and never boomy. Roan’s voice soared above the mix, though there was some competition from the synth snare and cymbals. It wasn’t enough to sound unbalanced, however, and if anything, this range added a bit of excitement to some tracks.
With a claimed 32-ohm impedance and sensitivity of 109dB/mW at 1kHz, the Albas are pretty easy to drive. With the included dongle, I was able to get plenty of volume, easily into the “dangerously loud” range. I was even able to get “pretty loud” out of the Sony NW-A306, a rare achievement for that device.
Comparison
I compared the Albas to the Westone Audio Pro X10 earphones, which are just slightly more expensive at $199, and my ancient-but-beloved Bowers & Wilkins C5 S2s ($180 in 2015 money).
The C5 S2s are (in)famous for their bass, of course, but I also love their comfortable fit and big soundstage. With Passenger’s “Simple Song” (The Boy Who Cried Wolf, 16/44.1 FLAC, Black Crow Records / Qobuz), the C5 S2s’ bass—let’s say “enthusiasm”—was on full display. The B&Ws’ big, deep, and inarguably unbalanced low end gave this otherwise light folk/indie track significantly more weight than necessary. The highs were delicate, though, and the soundstage was expansive for in-ears. The Albas were far better balanced. There was still enough low end to discourage bass haters, but way less than the C5s and far less distracting. The snare had a better, sharper snap to it, and Mike Rosenberg’s voice was higher in the mix. No contest, the Albas were better.
Compared to the Albas, the Westones have a more midrange focus, especially lower midrage / upper bass. With the funk / city pop “Garasumado” by Buzz (DJ Notoya Presents Tokyo Bliss, 24/44.1 FLAC, WeWantSounds / Qobuz), they sounded less accurate and lumpier in their response than the Albas. The Albas were warmer while having smoother treble, and they had better, more natural-sounding response in the vocal range.
Conclusion
What a fantastic deal. For $159, the Alba earphones are lively and accurate, with enough drive to the bass for an overall exciting, balanced sound. They’re enjoyable to listen to, comfortable to wear, and good looking. What an impressively solid combo at a great price.
. . . Geoffrey Morrison
Associated Equipment
- Smartphone: Google Pixel 9 Pro
- PC: iBuyPower Windows 10
- DAC/headphone amplifier: Schiit Audio Magni
- Portable media player: Sony NW-A306
Meze Audio Alba earphones
Price: $159
Warranty: One year (two years within the EU)
Meze Audio
1-3 Morii Street
Baia Mare, 430162, Romania
Phone: +40 770-769-376
Website: www.mezeaudio.com
