Compare Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones vs Audio-Technica ATH-R70XA Headphones

One review directly praised the product as visually appealing and authentic.

Aesthetics are generally praised as stylish, sleek, discreet, professional, or modern.

Bass was generally praised for control, texture, punch, and warmth, with repeated caveats that sub-bass slam is limited or the low end can feel bloomy.

Bass is the most divided sound attribute: some reviewers hear tight, extended, accurate lows, while others want more punch, richness, or sub-bass headroom.

Build quality was consistently praised as robust, premium, refined, and carefully assembled.

Build quality is sharply split, ranging from flimsy, rattly, and delicate to solid, sturdy, excellent, and well constructed.

The included USB-C DAC adapter was praised for convenience, but the evidence supports an external adapter rather than a fully built-in headphone DAC.

Cable feedback was mixed: some liked the sturdiness or low microphonics, while others criticized ergonomics, microphonics, or the lack of a balanced option.

Cable quality is mixed: reviewers like the useful length and dual cable in some contexts, but others criticize the split design, length, memory, and ergonomics.

The included case was consistently praised as robust, well-made, useful, and attractive.

Carry case feedback is mixed: one reviewer liked the soft carry case, while another wanted a harder protective case.

Clamp was mostly comfortable and well distributed, though one review found it a bit tight at first.

Clamping force is praised as light and low-pressure, including for eyeglass users, while still staying usable on at least one reviewer’s head.

Comfort was one of the strongest points, with reviewers repeatedly praising long-session wearability and Meze’s ergonomics.

Long-session comfort is a major strength thanks to the light build and soft contact points, though fit can be poor for smaller heads.

Connectivity was mixed because USB-C/3.5mm convenience was offset by narrow connectors and the absence of a balanced stock cable.

Connectivity is limited to wired use; one review frames that as a drawback versus wireless options, while another appreciates having no wireless complexity.

Design was a major strength, with reviewers praising the walnut-accented look, vintage-modern styling, and overall visual execution.

One reviewer praises the overall design as professional-looking and good-feeling.

Detachable cable use was mixed, with secure connection praised but aftermarket cable fit called harder due to the recessed/narrow connectors.

The detachable cable system is convenient for some because it locks, removes, and routes either way, but others dislike the proprietary or over-complicated design.

The USB-C dongle/DAC was received positively as a convenient and classy included accessory.

Durability expectations were positive due to flexibility and a design intended for long-term ownership.

One reviewer raises a clear durability concern, saying the light construction did not inspire confidence for longevity.

Earpads were widely praised as soft, plush, comfortable, and well made.

The ear pads are generally described as soft, comfortable, breathable, and well padded, with one caveat that they can feel slightly shallow.

Cup articulation was praised for helping fit and seal, with one review noting broad pivoting movement.

One review criticizes the ear cup swivel for not rotating enough to help the fit and seal.

Feature depth is limited, with one review calling the features sparse despite a few useful extras.

Tuning was described as smooth, balanced, and coherent by many, but not neutral; several reviewers noted colorations and divisive response traits.

Frequency response is mostly praised as neutral, flat, even, and suitable for critical listening, though one reviewer heard a warm-but-lean tonal balance.

The self-adjusting headband was repeatedly praised for fit, convenience, and comfort.

Headband adjustability is inconsistent, with serious complaints about fit and the strap design alongside one reviewer who found adjustment easy.

One review praised the headband’s pressure distribution across the top of the head.

Headband padding feedback is split between one complaint that the pad collapses into the metal and one praise for comfort.

One review criticizes the hinge/swivel area as weak and a source of rattles.

Immersive audio was a repeated strength, with reviewers describing lifelike, emotional, three-dimensional, or enveloping presentation.

Immersive audio impressions are positive, with reviewers describing an entrancing and surrounding presentation.

Included accessories were positively viewed, especially when tied to the case, adapters, cable, and overall value.

One review positively notes the included long lead as a useful standard accessory.

Instrument separation and imaging were consistently praised, with reviewers highlighting precise placement, strong layering, and easy focus on individual sounds.

Instrument separation and imaging are repeatedly praised, especially for stereo placement, mix decisions, and hearing individual elements clearly.

The left/right-independent cable routing is repeatedly treated as useful, clever, or cool.

One review specifically said the headphones kept dynamics intact at louder volumes.

One reviewer found resolution and clarity weaker at low levels, saying the headphone opens up more when played louder.

Midrange was often treated as a strength, especially for clarity, timbre, and vocals, but a few reviewers noted forwardness, hollowness, or harshness with some voices.

Midrange clarity is usually a strength, with vocals and mids described as clear, present, and revealing, though one reviewer found the mids shouty and honky.

Source and platform compatibility was strong overall, with reviewers saying it works well from phones, laptops, DAPs, and varied sources.

Passive isolation was considered weak or reduced, which reviewers framed as expected for an open-back design.

Passive isolation is limited by the open-back design, making the headphones unsuitable for recording or noisy environments despite one reviewer finding outside sounds not too distracting.

Overall recommendation was positive across most reviews, though not unanimous; one reviewer found it not fully competitive on sound alone.

Overall recommendations are mostly positive for critical listening, mixing, and mastering, but fit, bass needs, build expectations, and use case shape the verdict.

One review framed the headphones as relatively portable-friendly for an open-back design.

Premium feel was a clear strength, with reviewers emphasizing luxury materials, refined styling, and ownership experience.

Premium feel is mixed: some reviewers praise the finish and feel, while another says the simple build lacks premium materials.

One review confirmed removable pads as part of the serviceable construction.

Replaceable pads/headband were praised as part of the long-term serviceable design.

Setup simplicity is praised because the wired, app-free design is plug-and-play.

One review found leakage lower than expected for an open-back headphone.

Sound leakage is a consistent downside because the open-back design lets others hear the music.

Most reviewers praised the 105 Silva’s sound as musical, engaging, and refined, though one measurement-focused review found it less competitive acoustically.

Reviewers broadly praise the ATH-R70xa for natural, detailed, clean open-back sound, with only one dissenting review calling it merely fine and not personally compelling.

Soundstage impressions were mixed: several heard expansive or organized staging, while others found the stage narrower, modest, or not especially deep.

Soundstage width is a consistent highlight, with reviewers describing the presentation as wide, spacious, airy, large, and open.

One review praised the front-to-back and left-to-right spatial definition.

Spatial performance is praised for impressive imaging and positional cues, including mixing placement and gaming directionality.

Fit stability was praised in the reviews that addressed it, with no slippage and secure head fit noted.

Stability depends on fit: one reviewer with a smaller head had slippage, while another found the light clamp still secure.

Repairability and sustainability were strong positives, with reviewers emphasizing disassembly, serviceability, and replaceable parts.

Travel friendliness was mixed: reviewers liked the case and some outdoor practicality, but open-back leakage and size limited true portable use.

Travel friendliness is poor because reviewers repeatedly say the open-back design is bad for commuting, public listening, and shared spaces.

Treble drew strong praise for clarity, air, and refinement, while several reviewers warned about spice, sizzle, or timbral issues on brighter recordings.

Treble is generally praised as clear, smooth, detailed, and not harsh, with caveats about slight restraint or peakiness in a few reviews.

USB-C support through the included adapter was positively received for convenience and pleasant out-of-box use.

Value was mostly positive, especially for build, sound, accessories, and price, though competition at $500 was noted.

Value is generally positive for sound quality and flagship-level pricing, though reviewers still note that the headphones are not cheap.

Reviewers repeatedly found the headphones easy to drive and capable of high volume from modest devices.

Volume output is a practical weakness because several reviewers note the 470-ohm load needs a capable amplifier and can be too quiet from weaker sources.

Weight comfort was praised because the headphone feels lighter than expected and distributes weight well.

Weight comfort is the strongest point of agreement: reviewers repeatedly describe the headphones as extremely light and easy to forget during wear.