Despite the rise of wireless headphones, which account for 78 percent of revenue in 2024, dedicated wired headphones still hold significant appeal for audiophiles who prioritize sound quality. These headphones, particularly open-back designs, offer an immersive listening experience when paired with a high-resolution audio source and a suitable amplifier—and the $500 Meze Audio 105 Silva headphones are a prime example of this. They successfully blend stunning aesthetics with impressive audio performance.
The Growing Niche of Audiophile Headphones
While brands like Sony, Apple, and Bowers & Wilkins continue to innovate in the wireless headphone space, the demand for at-home listening experiences remains strong. Audiophile headphones are built for critical listening, focusing on sound quality, design, comfort, and durability. While products like the Focal Bathys ($849) attempt to cater to both wired and wireless listeners, the 105 Silva are purpose-built for a specific use case: immersive, at-home listening.
The Romanian Design House
Meze Audio, founded in 2011 in Baia Mare, Romania, has earned a reputation for creating high-end headphones characterized by exquisite finishes. Antonio Meze, the founder and an artist and industrial designer, launched the 99 Classics in 2015 – headphones that combined walnut earcups, metal fastenings, and luxurious comfort with excellent sound—undercutting competitors in price.
Since then, Meze has launched nine additional products, including the flagship $3,000 Empyrean II. The brand’s distinct design language—a blend of mid-century shapes, elegant curves, and modern materials—is immediately recognizable. Initially met with some criticism—including a description by WIRED contributor Simon Lucas—the design has matured, culminating in the refined aesthetics of the 105 Silva.
Design and Construction: A Forest of Premium Materials
The 105 Silva’s name, translated from Romanian for “forest,” is reflected in the headphones’ construction. They feature a 50mm dynamic driver housed within a combination of milled walnut, steel, cast zinc alloy, a PU leather headband, a 3D printed radial grille, and plush velour earpads. Notably, every component can be disassembled and serviced, a rarity in modern headphones, even those costing significantly more.
The package includes a zippered hard case, a tangle-resistant cable reinforced with Kevlar, and a custom 3.5mm-to-USB-C adapter with an integrated DAC/amp—though the review sample initially lacked this connector.
Beyond aesthetics, the 105 Silva boast a meticulously engineered 50mm driver incorporating a titanium-coated semicrystalline polymer and a carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite. This combination is designed to minimize resonance, ensure rapid response, and deliver a sound profile appealing to a wide range of listeners—an experience best enjoyed with external DAC or headphone amp.
Comfort and Performance
At 12.5 ounces (350 grams), the 105 Silva aren’t the lightest headphones, but the sprung steel headband and plush earcups create a comfortable “floating” feel. The design is particularly accommodating for users with larger ears and those who wear glasses, eliminating pressure and slippage. With an impedance of 42 ohms, they’re easy to drive from a smartphone but truly shine when paired with a DAC or headphone amplifier, significantly enhancing sound quality.
Testing across a range of CD-quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz) and 24-bit/192 kHz high-resolution streaming from Qobuz—using a variety of sources—demonstrates the headphones’ impressive capabilities.
Sound Quality: Precision and Engagement
The headphones demonstrate exceptional sound across various genres. Metronomy’s “The Look” sounds precise and balanced, with neatly located instruments and vocals. The bass is punchy without being overpowering, especially on rhythmic tracks. Nick Drake’s “Man in a Shed” realizes his delicate fingerstyle with a haunting live quality. Finally, Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” reveals fresh details in a song listeners know intimately, with a lively and engaging listening experience.
Competition and Value
The Meze Audio 105 Silva face stiff competition. The cheaper, more portable 105 AER shares the same driver but offers less warmth. Sennheiser HD 550S provide detail and a neutral sound profile at a lower price, while the Audeze LCD-2 Classic offers planar drivers and a vast soundstage at a higher cost.
However, at $500, the Meze Audio 105 Silva represent exceptional value. Their ease of use, beautiful comfort, premium materials, luxurious build quality, detailed construction, and impressive sustainability make them feel like a bargain. While they may not compete with the high-end Focal Stellia, the 105 Silva deliver an immersive and enjoyable listening experience ideal for music enthusiasts seeking premium sound and design.
