The 105 SILVA marks a new milestone in the range of open-back headphones from Meze Audio. This model combines Romanian craftsmanship with contemporary acoustic technologies. Its name, SILVA, meaning “forest” in Romanian, refers to the wooded landscapes of Maramures, the brand’s region of origin. It features a 50 mm driver with a titanium-plated PEEK diaphragm and a bio-cellulose dome reinforced with carbon fiber. This headphone is designed to deliver a balanced sound reproduction, with a focus on clarity and precision.
Design Inspired by the Mid-Century Modern Movement
The 105 SILVA adopts the aesthetics of the Mid-Century Modern movement with its solid walnut earcups and high-strength PC-ABS radial grille. This blend of vintage charm and contemporary style reflects Meze Audio’s artisanal approach, a company founded in 2011 by Antonio Meze in Baia Mare. A passionate musician, the founder sought to find in a headphone the same emotional connection as with his Fender Stratocaster.
Each component can be disassembled and replaced individually, turning the headphone into a durable object rather than a disposable product. Weighing 354 grams, the 105 SILVA strikes a balance between sturdiness and comfort.
50mm Dynamic Driver Technology
The 50mm driver incorporates several innovations. The diaphragm uses semi-crystalline PEEK (polyetheretherketone) plated with titanium, a high-performance polymer that maintains its mechanical properties even under heavy use. The central dome combines bio-cellulose and carbon fibers, creating a rigid yet lightweight structure ideal for precise sound reproduction.
A copper-zinc alloy stabilizer reduces unwanted vibrations, while neodymium magnets provide a powerful magnetic flux. This architecture achieves a sensitivity of 112 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz with an impedance of 42 ohms, making the headphones compatible with portable sources and dedicated amplifiers.
Lively and Detailed Sound Signature
The frequency response of 5 Hz to 30 kHz demonstrates the driver’s ability to cover the entire audible spectrum. The stated goal is clear: “fun and detail.” Music remains lively and present without sacrificing micro-details, with a rich and expressive midrange particularly suited to vocals and acoustic string instruments.
The open-back design eliminates the coloration found in closed-back headphones, creating a wide and natural soundstage. The bass remains articulate, the highs natural, avoiding both clinical analysis and excessive coloration. This versatility allows the 105 SILVA to adapt to all musical genres.
Comfort and Connectivity Designed for Everyday Use
The self-adjusting spring steel headband distributes pressure evenly, while the ultra-soft velour earpads ensure comfort during long listening sessions. The ergonomic design and open architecture promote natural ventilation.
The detachable 1.8m OFC copper cable reinforced with Kevlar uses a left/right twisted configuration with a PVC sheath and anthracite aluminum inserts. The included 3.5mm to USB-C adapter features a built-in DAC and amplifier, allowing optimal use with modern smartphones. The jack connectors ensure a robust and easily replaceable connection.
Positioning Within the Meze Range
The 105 SILVA sits between the 105 AER (€399), focused on versatility, and the 109 PRO (€799), aimed at technical neutrality. Benefiting from the lessons of these models, it combines sonic richness and precision in a unique offering. Its more expressive midrange sets it apart, delivering lively vocals and a natural rendering of acoustic instruments.
What the press says
Already quite successful in substance, the Meze 105 Silva stands out above all for its form. With a sumptuous, beautifully engineered design, these Hi‑Fi headphones certainly position themselves as a musical product, a bit more technical than the 105 AER, but they will above all win you over as a beautiful object.
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Déjà assez réussi sur le fond, le Meze 105 Silva se démarque surtout sur la forme. D'un design somptueux et merveilleusement conçu, ce casque Hifi se pose certes comme un produit musical, un peu plus technique que le 105 AER, mais il convaincra avant tout en tant que bel objet.
Diaphragm: semi-crystalline PEEK with titanium plating
Dome: carbon fiber-reinforced bio-cellulose
Impedance: 42 ohms
Frequency response: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
Sensitivity: 112 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
Magnets: neodymium
Construction and Materials
Headphone type: open-back, circumaural
Ear cups: solid walnut with radial PC-ABS grille
Frame: PC-ABS, transducer mounted on ABS
Comfort and Ergonomics
Earpads: ultra-soft velour, comfortable for long listening sessions
Weight: 354 g
Connectivity and Accessories
Detachable cable: Kevlar-reinforced OFC copper (1.8 m), left/right twisted
Built-in DAC/amplifier via included 3.5 mm → USB-C adapter
General Information
Design inspired by Mid-Century Modern
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 105 SILVA require a dedicated amplifier to function properly?
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With an impedance of 42 ohms and a sensitivity of 112 dB SPL/mW, the 105 SILVA can be powered directly by most portable sources, including smartphones and audiophile players. The included USB-C adapter already integrates amplification and digital-to-analog conversion for devices without a headphone output. However, a dedicated amplifier can reveal additional nuances and provide greater dynamic headroom.
What is the main difference between the 105 SILVA and the 105 AER?
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The 105 SILVA uses a titanium-plated PEEK diaphragm with a bio-cellulose dome reinforced with carbon fibers, while the 105 AER employs more conventional materials. This difference results in a more defined midrange and faster transients on the SILVA, while retaining Meze Audio’s signature warm approach.
Is the open-back design problematic in noisy environments?
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Like any open-back headphone, the 105 SILVA offers no passive isolation. Ambient noise remains audible, and your music will be perceptible to those around you. This design is best suited for home listening in a quiet environment, where the open acoustics provide benefits in terms of soundstage and naturalness.
How does the Mid-Century Modern design influence acoustic performance?
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Beyond aesthetics, the solid walnut earcups provide specific acoustic properties. Wood offers natural internal damping that reduces unwanted resonances compared to synthetic materials. The density and structure of walnut contribute to the warm sound signature while preserving definition.
User reviews
Patrick
Absolute comfort even after several hours in a row. The first hours of listening were only moderately convincing, weak sound at 50%, probably because I'm used to in-ear monitors, lacking punch... And then as the hours go by, the pleasure comes. From 30 hours on, you're reassured, 50% won over. Next step: the Meze Audio premium copper PCUHD cable, 4.4 mm jack. I can't wait for it to be back in stock. With the FIIO M21, that makes a great team for a reasonable price, especially at Home Solutions.
Comment from March 31, 2026 — Experience from March 20, 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Confort absolu même après plusieurs heures enchainer. Premières heures d'écoute moyennement convaincues, son faible à 50%, l'habitude des intra surement, manque de punch... Et puis au fils des heures le plaisir vient. A partir de 30 heures on est rassuré à 50 conquis.
Prochaine étape le câble Meze Audio Câble premium copper PCUHD jack 4,4mm.
J'ai hâte qu'il soit en stock. Avec le FIIO M21, cela fait une belle équipe pour un prix raisonnable surtout chez Home Solutions.
Raffaele
Precise and punctual package delivery. Being away from home, I connected the headphones to a PC as a test. A discouraging result, with a dark and lifeless sound. However, I decided to let the headphones play all night anyway to break them in. Upon returning home, I connected the Meze 105 to my system with an SACD as the sound source: WOW effect. The headphones deliver a crystal-clear, pure sound with present but uncolored bass. My impression after countless listens across various musical genres is that these headphones are very analytical and free of coloration, with the result that they allow extremely enjoyable listening in the case of excellent-quality recordings, while they do not forgive poor recordings. The bass is there but it does not "thump," so if you want a "boom boom" listening experience, they are not suitable. I find that they perform at their best with jazz, but I also had fun with electronic music via Qobuz in Hi-Res. The design and weight are pleasing to the eye and comfortable for prolonged listening sessions. Their ease of driving allows for excellent listening even via iPad using the supplied USB-C adapter. I am happy with the purchase and also with the price offered by Homecinesolutions.
Comment from March 31, 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (Italian)
Consegna del pacco precisa e puntuale. Essendo lontano da casa, ho collegato per prova la cuffia ad un PC. Risultato sconfortante con sonorità cupa e priva di brio. Ho deciso però di far suonare la cuffia tutta la notte per farle fare comunque rodaggio. Al ritorno a casa ho collegato la Meze 105 al mio impianto con un SACD come fonte sonora: effetto WOW. La cuffia restituisce un suono cristallino, puro con bassi presenti ma non colorati. La mia impressione dopo innumerevoli ascolti di vari generi musicali é che questa cuffia sia molto analitica e priva di colorazioni con il risultato che consente ascolti piacevolissimi in caso di incisioni di ottima qualità mentre non perdona le incisioni scadenti. I bassi ci sono ma non "pompano" per cui se si desidera un ascolto "bum bum" non va bene. Trovo che dia il meglio di sé con il jazz ma mi sono divertito anche con musica elettronica tramite Qobuz in HiRes. L'architettura ed il peso appagano la vista ed il confort per sessioni di ascolto prolungate. La facilità di pilotaggio consente ottimi ascolti anche tramite iPad utilizzando l'adattatore USBc in dotazione. Sono contento dell'acquisto ed anche del prezzo proposto da Homecinesolutions.
Jean-Louis
Superb headphones with an elegant design and perfectly balanced sound. Ideal for jazz, classical, and acoustic music. Female vocals are sensual and warm. So a great purchase, especially with the Meze premium PCUH 4.4mm jack cable.
Comment from January 18, 2026 — Experience from October 23, 2025
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Superbe casque avec un design élégant, et un son parfaitement équilibré. Idéal pour le jazz, la musique classique et acoustique. Les voix féminines sont charnelles et chaudes. Donc un bel achat surtout avec le cable Meze premium PCUH jack 4,4mm.
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