Meze Audio Astru
Overview
In Romanian, “Astru” means “star.” This new in-ear monitor takes the lead in Meze Audio’s IEM range, above the Alba and the Advar. The Romanian brand, founded in 2011 by industrial designer Antonio Meze, relies here on a single 10 mm dynamic driver whose diaphragm receives particularly elaborate treatment, housed in a chassis made entirely of solid titanium.
Composite diaphragm: gold, titanium, and PEEK
The technical core of the Astru lies in its 10 mm dynamic driver with a multilayer composite diaphragm coated with metal. The dome receives 80 ultra-thin layers of gold, deposited over 48 hours by physical vacuum DC magnetron sputtering. This coating is bonded to a titanium layer, the whole being mounted on a PEEK (polyether ether ketone) base. This combination aims for a balance between rigidity, response speed, and resonance control.
With the Astru, Meze Audio claims performance comparable to multi-driver IEMs: layered sound, precise placement of sources in the stereo field, while preserving the tonal density and natural warmth typical of single dynamic drivers. The frequency response extends from 5 Hz to 35 kHz, with total harmonic distortion below 0.1% at 1 kHz. The sensitivity of 111 dB SPL/mW at 32 Ω makes the Astru compatible with a smartphone or digital audio player as well as with a dedicated headphone amplifier.
Titanium construction and satin finish
Each shell is CNC machined from a single block of pure titanium in one piece, then subjected to a multi-step electroplating process. Meze specifies up to seven days of work per matched pair to achieve the final satin finish. At 13.4 grams (without cable), the Astru remains lightweight despite the use of solid titanium.
The chassis geometry builds on the ergonomic foundations of the Alba and the Advar, with further refinements for comfort during long listening sessions. The protective grille at the sound outlet is made of electroplated nickel, which provides both protection against earwax and resistance to corrosion. The 2-Pin (0.78 mm) connectors allow cable replacement.
Balanced cable and comprehensive accessories
The supplied cable is a dual-strand balanced model, each strand containing 161 conductors of silver-plated LC-OFC (Linear Crystal Oxygen-Free Copper). The plugs and splitters are made from CNC-machined anodized aluminum, and the termination is a gold-plated 4.4 mm balanced jack. The SoftFlex PVC sheath makes storage easier and improves everyday flexibility. This design targets low resistance, good signal purity, and enhanced durability.
For connectivity, Meze includes a 4.4 mm female to 3.5 mm male adapter. The liquid silicone ear tips are supplied in five sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL) to fit different ear canal shapes. Two carrying solutions come with the Astru: a hard case and a soft PU faux leather pouch.
Sound tuning by Vlad Toca
The tonal tuning of the Astru is the work of Vlad Toca, product manager at Meze Audio and responsible for the development of the Alba. His work on the Astru aims for a balance between musicality, technical precision, and long-term listening comfort, based on extensive measurements and critical listening sessions.
Everyday use
The 32 Ω impedance and high sensitivity allow the Astru to be driven from virtually any source: laptop headphone output, smartphone (with adapter or external DAC), audiophile DAP, or desktop hi-fi system.
The 1.2 m cable is well suited to mobile use but may feel short for a workstation where the source is under the desk. The 2-Pin connector allows replacement with a longer cable or other terminations if needed.
What the press says
Les écouteurs Meze Astru réussissent l'essentiel. Ils offrent un son cohérent et naturel, avec une excellente maîtrise des aigus, des basses profondes et une restitution plus raffinée que les précédents modèles intra-auriculaires de Meze. Ce sont sans conteste les écouteurs intra-auriculaires les plus convaincants de la marque à ce jour et une nette amélioration par rapport à des modèles comme les Advar, notamment en termes de résolution et d'équilibre général. Il n'est pas parfait. L'ensemble des accessoires est décevant pour le prix : la qualité du boîtier laisse à désirer et il manque des fonctionnalités supplémentaires comme un convertisseur numérique-analogique (DAC) inclus, contrairement à certains concurrents. De plus, si le rendu sonore est agréable et musical, il n'est pas conçu pour les amateurs de basses puissantes ni pour les audiophiles recherchant une neutralité absolue ou une précision vocale maximale.
Documentation
Technical specifications
Transducer
- Type: dynamic
- Diameter: 10 mm
- Diaphragm technology: multilayer composite diaphragm with metallic coating
- PEEK base with gold and titanium plating
Acoustic performance
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 35 kHz
- Impedance: 32 Ω
- Sensitivity: 111 dB SPL / mW at 1 kHz
- Total harmonic distortion: < 0.1% at 1 kHz
Construction and design
- Chassis: solid titanium CNC machined
- Finish: satin with multilayer electroplating
- Acoustic protection: nickel electroplated wax guard grille
- Ergonomic design: shell optimized for comfortable wear during extended listening sessions
- Headphone connector: 2-Pin
- Weight: 13.4 g (without cable)
Cable
- Type: detachable balanced cable
- Conductors: silver-plated LC-OFC copper
- Dual-strand structure, 161 conductors per strand
- Insulation: SoftFlex PVC sheath
- Earphone connectors: 2-Pin (0.78 mm)
- Termination: 4.4 mm balanced gold-plated jack
- Length: 1.2 m
Included accessories
- 5 pairs of silicone tips: XS, S, M, L, XL
- 4.4 mm to 3.5 mm adapter
- Rigid carrying pouch
- Soft PU leather case
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of driver does the Astru use?
The Astru uses a single 10 mm dynamic driver. Unlike multi-driver IEMs that split frequencies between several drivers, the Astru assigns the entire spectrum (5 Hz to 35 kHz) to its gold-titanium-PEEK composite diaphragm.
Is the cable replaceable?
Yes. The Astru uses 2-Pin (0.78 mm) connectors, a common standard in the IEM world. Replacement or higher-grade cables are available from Meze and other specialized manufacturers.
Can I use the Astru with a smartphone that has no jack output?
Yes, but you will need an external USB-C adapter or DAC. The supplied adapter converts the 4.4 mm jack to 3.5 mm, not to USB-C. Meze’s Alba includes such a USB-C adapter, but the Astru does not.
Is the 4.4 mm termination compatible with all devices?
No. The 4.4 mm balanced jack (also called Pentaconn) is found on some high-end audiophile players and headphone amplifiers, but not on smartphones or most computers. The included adapter to 3.5 mm solves this for standard sources.
How do I maintain the ear tips and the grille?
The liquid silicone tips can be removed and cleaned with lukewarm water. The electroplated nickel grille can be gently cleaned with a dry brush to remove earwax residue. Avoid any liquid near the driver openings.
What is the difference compared with the Advar model?
The Advar uses a stainless steel and ceramic chassis with a 10.2 mm driver. The Astru switches to solid titanium, a gold-plated diaphragm, and a stock silver-plated balanced cable. The frequency response also extends lower (5 Hz versus 10 Hz for the Advar).
Does the Astru require a headphone amplifier?
Not necessarily. With 32 Ω impedance and 111 dB sensitivity, the Astru works fine with the headphone output of a DAP or a laptop. A dedicated amplifier can, however, improve control and dynamics, particularly with less powerful sources.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: M-AST
- GTIN / EAN: 698596029019
