Meze Audio 105 AER

Introduction

Meze Audio is currently on fire producing some of the best headphones out there at a swathe of price points. These 105 AER (Aer is Romanian for Air) are at a tantalising price point for the more engaged listener benefitting, it appears, from the technology invested in the superb 109 Pro. These 105 AERs are a compelling listen, which is saying something, as I have the new Meze Audio POET here, too.

Design

The Meze Audio 105 AER are dynamic, wired, circumaural open-backed headphones with a 3.5mm headphone jack.  The dynamic driver is of similar construction to the 109 Pro though I am unclear if the 105s have the beryllium coating that is described with the 109s.  The idea of Beryllium, which is a very rare earth metal, is that it helps with rigidity making drivers ‘faster’ and more responsive, one might say ‘airy’.

The 50mm carbon fibre-reinforced cellulose composite driver is in the W-shaped dome of the 109s, with the torus surrounding the dome made of PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), a semicrystalline polymer. The 105s have a copper-zinc alloy stabilizer around the outside to reduce distortion; this sounds similar to the 109s.

Quality

The word sumptuous comes to mind firstly; the velour pads are velvet soft, offering a good fit on my ‘medium head’, and the familiar headband frame is light and easy fitting with the headband itself flexing with a piece of elasticated band inside it.  The 105s come with a 1.8m fabric feel Kevlar OFC (oxygen-free cable) cable.  Meze Audio claims the headphone bits are fully sustainable, with spares like earpads, headbands, etc., on the website. The driver covering on the ear side of the cup seems to be a black mesh/fabric.  The inside of the 109s has a machined diffuser, and it is unclear if the 105s are angled towards the ear as the 109s are.

Overall, colour wise, we are in stealth mode, with the black cup housing and outer open back pattern blending nicely with the black headband, cable, carry box and cable carrier.

In the luxurious box, there is a firm black rucksack-style storage case, the 1.8m Kevlar cable, a 6.3mm jack adapter, a round cable pouch, and the Meze Audio 105 AER itself.

Specification and Price

Performance

Review Equipment

On my desktop, I’m using mainly the Chord Electronics Hugo 2, the Mojo 2, the iFi Audio Diablo 2, and the A&ultima SP3000M on the move.

Since I have these and the super new POETs from Meze, I have upgraded to an AudioQuest Carbon USB cable over the Chord-supplied cable in their box.

Physically

These 105AER are extremely comfortable. The compact design covers my ears well. The 1.8m fabric-feel Kevlar OFC cable offers minimal noise when used, either on the desktop or on the move with the A&ultima.

Chord Electronics Hugo 2

The bass response is nicely controlled. Individual low-frequency notes are still clear and do not blend together…

With the Hugo 2, I have the lowest crossfeed setting and the bottom filter setting 1.

I do not wish to labour the Meze Audio 109 Pro point, but these headphones seem to have very similar specifications and feel to the 109s. Though the 109s had tremendous detail and clarity, I’m going with these 105s being a fraction more ‘soft and relaxed’, laid-back, and, in the end, more rounded vs the 109 Pros. I’m not suggesting there’s much in it, though. Overall, I would suggest that the 109s are more front-of-head stage in direct comparison.

The bass response is nicely controlled. Individual low-frequency notes are still clear and do not blend together, and there is no hint of flabbiness. Take the excellent bass control in Benson Boone’s Ghost Town (Tidal FLAC 24-bit, 44.1kHz). At 32”, the bass is full in the 105s; I get more in the 109s, though. The decaying cymbals feel a fraction more real in Taylor Swift’s All Too Well (Tidal FLAC 24 bit, 96kHz), however.

The detail in these headphones is impressive overall. Take Dylan’s Hurricane (Tidal FLAC 24-bit, 192kHz). The guitar string detail is excellent but forgiving in 105s. This same detail is presented perfectly in Van Gogh’s Ear (Seamus Fogarty, Tidal FLAC 24 bit, 44.1kHz).

If I’m listening for aer, air that is, I often choose George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord (Tidal FLAC 24 bit, 192kHz), and here in Phil Spector’s layered guitars, the 105s offer a more expansive soundstage that is extremely impressive.

A&ultima SP3000M

As suggested in the review, the performance of the 105s is similar to the Hugo and the 105s complement the 3000M well.  On the move, in this colder weather, the 105s are excellent ear muffs and are very easy to wear on the move, the grip is very solid on the head.

Schiit VALI 3 tube headphone amplifier– The Magic Flute

I really enjoy the VALI 3 because I can stare at the glowing tube and get that fatter bass response. There is no reason for it other than being able to do it. Using fixed analogue output from the Hugo 2, the 105s travel further up my list of favourite headphones for their ease of listening and comfort.

Since everything appears to be rather comfortable, it is time to listen to my second entire opera. Because I have actually seen La Traviata at the Royal Opera House, I’ve chosen, on advice from Google, Mozart’s The Magic Flute.  One of the better recordings is Sir Charles Mackerras’ London Philharmonic Orchestra recording.

Opera, in particular, and classical music often challenge that dynamic response, especially when something is happening in an opera.  Here, such is the ease of listening and the post-Bristol fug, I fall asleep, which I believe is an excellent recommendation for a pair of quality and comfortable headphones.

Tidal Playlist

I’ve been using an updated version of the Meze Audio 109 Pro Playlist.

Thoughts

I may have spent too much time swapping between the 109s and the 105s, but at the end of the day, you cannot fault these 105s. It may be that if money was no object, I would tend towards the accuracy of the 109s (or, for that matter, with an unlimited budget the ELITE); they are more immediate and have a special feel.  But on price, the 105 AER is rather unique.

Overall

An excellent pair of headphones that checks all the boxes for comfort, resolution, tonality, and price, the Meze Audio 105 AER is a proper, affordable first step into the audiophile experience if you have the right source.