Compare Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones vs Meze Audio Strada

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

The Strada has a broad, conspicuous silhouette rather than a discreet profile. Its oversized cups and generous padding are especially noticeable on smaller heads.

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

The freely rotating cups aid positioning, but one listener found them too loose and awkward to align quickly with one hand.

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

The light chassis travels better than its size suggests, but the nonfolding frame and large case take up considerable bag space.

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

Passive isolation is unusually strong for an audiophile headphone and works well in offices, homes, and travel. Performance depends on achieving a complete pad seal.

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

The sliding mechanism often feels smooth, quiet, and refined, but adjustment range is inconsistent across head sizes. Small heads can remain too loose, while some users want detents or more friction.

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

Dual 3.5mm earcup inputs, 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm cables, and an adapter make the wired setup flexible across portable and desktop gear.

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

Light weight, strong isolation, and a protective case suit travel well. Its broad nonfolding shape, bulky case, and long cable keep it from being truly compact.

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

Standard dual 3.5mm cup connections make cable replacement and third-party upgrades simple, secure, and widely compatible.

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

The fit is secure for many users and suitable for walking, but cup angle and head size can make seal and positioning fussy for others.

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

Standard analog connections let the Strada work easily across computers, home audio gear, consoles, and handheld gaming devices.

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

The two braided cables are generally considered well made and useful, especially with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations. A few listeners report shape memory, microphonics, or a finish that feels modest for the price.

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

The materials and modular construction inspire confidence that the Strada is built for long ownership rather than short replacement cycles.

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

The tonal balance is the most disputed part of the Strada. Some hear natural neutrality or gentle warmth, while others describe a U- or W-shaped response with lean lower mids and emphasized upper treble.

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

Treble opinions are sharply divided. Many hear airy detail, smooth extension, and fatigue-free sparkle, while others report 4–7kHz peaks, glare, or long-session fatigue.

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

Dynamic headroom and low distortion preserve clarity at elevated levels, although treble-sensitive material can become more aggressive as volume rises.

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

The closed cups keep music contained well at normal listening levels, making the Strada suitable around coworkers or family without broadcasting every track.

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

Most consider $799 compelling for the flagship-like chassis, accessories, serviceability, and spacious sound. Buyers who dislike the tuning may see less value, especially when cheaper or more neutral alternatives exist.

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

Macassar ebony and metallic green give the Strada a distinctive, luxurious identity. The craftsmanship is widely admired, but the bold colorway is unmistakably polarizing.

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

The sound is widely praised for spaciousness, detail, musicality, and closed-back openness. The central tradeoff is tonal: some hear smooth balance, while others find the upper range too energetic and the lower mids too lean.

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.

Vocals and instruments are often praised for clarity, articulation, and natural timbre. Dissenting listeners hear a recessed lower midrange, thin male vocals, or an occasionally shouty upper-mid emphasis.

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

An unusually airy, wide stage is one of the clearest strengths for a closed-back headphone. Its exact depth and scale remain recording-dependent, and a few listeners hear a more intimate presentation.

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

The broader modular design allows major wear components to be replaced rather than forcing disposal of the entire headphone.

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

Clamp is usually secure and gently judged, holding the seal without creating a vise-like squeeze. A few heads may find it firmer or less adaptable than expected.

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

The large, soft magnetic pads support comfort and sealing well. Their synthetic-leather surface can become warm for some listeners during extended use.

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

Layering and separation are clear strengths, giving instruments distinct space even in busy arrangements. A few listeners hear less depth or coherence when the treble dominates.

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

Two useful cables, adapters, a protective case, and a cable pouch form a complete, high-quality package with little obviously missing.

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

The Strada creates convincing depth, width, and placement for a closed-back design. Imaging is usually engaging and realistic, though a minority finds it diffuse, shallow, or less precise than top technical rivals.

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

The broad, ventilated headband spreads pressure evenly and helps prevent hot spots, making its relatively light padding work better than expected.

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

Screwed, modular construction, magnetic pads, and replaceable parts make repairability a standout advantage. The Strada is designed to be maintained instead of discarded.

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

Low weight, soft memory-foam pads, and well-distributed pressure make long sessions a major strength. The key exception is fit: smaller heads may struggle even at the minimum adjustment.

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

Flagship-derived materials, hand finishing, wood cups, and precise hardware make the Strada look and feel more expensive than its price. Its unusually light frame can briefly seem less substantial until handled closely.

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

The roughly 300–330g build feels notably light for its size and materials, reducing neck and head fatigue during extended listening.

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 impressions vary with seal, source, and taste. Many hear deep, controlled sub-bass with satisfying punch, while others want more upper-bass weight, speed, or consistency.

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

High sensitivity provides ample loudness from portable sources, with enough headroom for demanding recordings without needing a large desktop amplifier.

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

The magnesium frame, ebony cups, precise assembly, and premium finish draw near-universal praise. Only isolated adjustment, creaking, or cable-connector quirks interrupt an otherwise exceptional construction story.

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

The Strada earns broad recommendation for its craftsmanship, comfort, isolation, and spacious presentation. It is not a universal pick: treble-sensitive listeners and people with smaller heads should audition before buying.

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

The rigid case protects the headphones well and feels appropriately premium, although its generous size is less convenient for light travel.

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

Magnetic pads detach and reinstall quickly without tools, simplifying cleaning, replacement, and long-term upkeep.

The standard 3.5mm connection is straightforward and plug-and-play with compatible computers and portable devices.

The Strada is easy to drive, yet many listeners hear tighter bass, smoother treble, and greater refinement from better-matched amplification. Source synergy matters more than raw power alone.

Its musical performance and adaptability earned a High Nines award from one publication.

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.

Measured and perceived channel balance is consistently excellent, with only minor unit-level deviations reported.

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

Movement noise is generally low, though isolated units produced mild creaking or rattling when the cups rotated.

EQ can tame upper-treble energy, add lower-mid body, or improve bass balance. For the most treble-sensitive listener, correction may require narrower and more deliberate filters rather than one broad adjustment.

Wide staging, strong positional cues, isolation, and impactful low frequencies make the Strada highly effective for games and films. Competitive players may still prefer sharper imaging or a less treble-forward presentation.

Soft pads maintain comfort and a useful seal with thin-framed glasses, avoiding the pinching some closed-backs create.

The joints and moving hardware feel precise, solid, and engineered for long-term use rather than looseness or flex.

Most listeners find the Strada engaging, refined, and easy to live with, while a smaller group is frustrated by tonal thinness or treble peaks. Satisfaction depends heavily on fit and sound preference.

The passive wired design is refreshingly simple: connect the appropriate cable and start listening without apps, pairing, or configuration.

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

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

Ventilated headband padding and Alcantara-lined pads limit heat better than many closed-backs. Synthetic contact surfaces can still grow warm in long or hot sessions.

With a wired Xbox setup, the Strada delivers immersive directional cues and impactful game audio that one listener described as a game changer.