Meze Audio 105 SILVA

The modern-meets-vintage Meze—beautiful, comfy, and now sharper tuned

I love Meze’s naming scheme, and the name “Silva” means “forest” in Romanian, and it’s a beautifully fitting choice for these headphones. The gorgeous walnut wood finish isn’t just aesthetically pleasing—it physically embodies this forest-inspired character, with grain patterns that echo the organic beauty of woodland textures. But does this forest metaphor extend to the tuning as well? Is the 105 SILVA’s sound signature more like wandering through a dark, mysterious forest with deep, rich tones, or stepping into a bright, open clearing with sparkling detail and clarity? Let’s find out in this review.

The 105 SILVA is Meze’s newest entry in their 100-series, positioned between the more affordable 105 AER and the beloved 109 PRO. In the hand and on the head, it might be the most stunning of the trio, marrying walnut wood with Meze’s flowing lines in a way that feels timeless. Comfort? Classic Meze: auto-adjusting headband, soft pads, and an even clamp that disappears when you put them on.

Having first experienced the Silva at Munich High End and then subsequently at the Canjam in London, I was impressed immediately by its elegance and clarity. But it can be hard in a noisy environment to truly judge an open back headphone, so I have been listening to it for more than a month now and really getting to know and appreciate its sound profile. The good news is the 105 SILVA targets a livelier, more incisive presentation than the 105 AER, edging closer to the 109 PRO’s technical bite while keeping things fun.

The question is whether its tuning and performance match its exceptional look and feel, lets find out but first lets get into the unboxing and build quality.

Unboxing and Build Quality

• Presentation is premium with consistent typography and a tasteful, modern palette.
• Inside: a well-made hard EVA case houses the headphones, cable, and adapters.
• The radial grille interweaves with walnut earcups; PC-ABS polymers keep weight sensible.
• Machining and finishing are immaculate—wood grain is smooth, seams are tight, no tool marks.

More angles and close-ups:

Included accessories (as supplied):

• 1.8 m dual-twisted Kevlar-wrapped OFC cable (dual 3.5 mm cup connectors to 3.5 mm)
• 3.5 mm to USB-C adapter with integrated DAC/AMP
• 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter
• Cable bag
• EVA hard case
• Documentation/leaflets

Fit and Comfort

The comfort is remarkable with the same amazing industrial design from both the 109 Pro and the 105 AER. Meze’s self-adjusting headband continues to be a highlight—just put them on, and they set themselves. Clamp is secure without hotspots, and the suede/velour pads are soft and breathable. At 354 g, they’re light enough for long sessions. The only minor difference I found was that your ears might touch the flat driver on the 105 SILVA, whereas the cleverly angled driver in the 109 Pro means that won’t happen. Isolation is limited (open-back), yet leakage is less than expected thanks to rear mesh damping.

• Weight distribution: even, no pressure points over hours
• Pads: plush suede/velour, easy seal around ears
• Headband: auto-adjusting strap eliminates fiddling and makes case storage simple

Features and Performance

• 50 mm dynamic driver with bio‑cellulose composite dome and titanium‑coated torus
• Copper‑zinc stabilizer ring around the membrane
• Open‑back, circumaural design
• Rated 42 Ω, 112 dB SPL (1 kHz/1 mW) — easy to drive, but scales with power
• Detachable flat cable, two‑sided entry; 1.8 m length
• In-box USB‑C dongle is handy; more powerful sources add bass authority and ease

Sound Impressions

Just as a forest reveals its treasures to the patient explorer, the SILVA reveals its sonic qualities over time.

Bass

The 105 SILVA delivers quick, punchy bass with subtly present sub‑lows. It stays controlled at higher volumes and doesn’t smear into the mids. With desktop amplification, cellos and double bass gain welcome resonance and texture, and bass guitars remain articulate on fast passages. EDM, house, and R&B benefit from the responsive, rhythmic low end.

Track notes:

• Massive Attack – Angel: firm sub extension, clean slam, no mid‑bass bloat.
• Daft Punk – Giorgio by Moroder: complex bass lines stay separated as the mix builds.

Midrange

Lower mids sit a touch back compared to bass/treble, especially around ~600–800 Hz on modest sources. Vocals remain clear due to an energy lift around ~6 kHz that outlines transients without boxiness. Pairing with warmer, mid‑rich sources (e.g., Shanling M8T) fills body and overtones, pushing the mids toward neutral‑natural. With stronger amplification, vocal density and presence improve.

Track notes:

• Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why: breath and texture come through cleanly without glare.
• Fleetwood Mac – Dreams: guitars retain bite while vocals avoid shout.

Treble

Airy and textured with a sweetened top that reins in sibilance. Upper strings and guitar harmonics are well resolved; cymbal transients are crisp yet not razor‑edged. There’s planarlike transient snap, but the overall presentation stays dynamic‑driver natural. In noisy environments, treble presence helps preserve clarity without harshness, though extremely hot recordings may benefit from a couple dB shelf or foam inserts.

Track notes:

• Bill Evans – Waltz for Debby: ride cymbal grain and decay are easy to track.
• Radiohead – Everything In Its Right Place: upper harmonics remain clean, not glassy.

Soundstage & Imaging

Stage is moderately wide with good depth layering. A slightly relaxed mid zone pushes vocals a step back, opening room for backing instruments. Separation remains strong thanks to upper‑mid articulation. Higher‑quality decoding tightens bass imaging and enhances stage depth; underpowered chains can sound a tad “digital” in upper mids.

Comparisons

Meze Audio 105 AER

• Design: both share the same frame; SILVA’s walnut and radial grille look more upscale.
• Drive/Ease: similarly easy to drive on paper; both scale with power.
• Tuning: SILVA is crisper with more upper‑mid/treble sparkle and firmer transients; AER is smoother/mellower with closer mids and a more relaxed overall presentation.
• Takeaway: in quiet rooms the AER is inviting and natural; in noisier or on‑the‑go listening, SILVA’s contrast and clarity win.

Meze Audio 109 Pro ($799)

• Design: both feature walnut wood, but the 109 Pro has a more premium build with copper-zinc alloy details and an intricate spider-design earcup.
• Comfort: 109 Pro has angled drivers that provide slightly better ergonomics, though the SILVA’s comfort is still excellent.
• Driver Technology: 109 Pro uses a more advanced dual-composite diaphragm with Beryllium-coated polymer dome and cellulose-carbon fiber composite membrane.
• Tuning: 109 Pro has a more lively, dynamic presentation with richer midbass and more refined treble extension.
• Value: SILVA offers 80-90% of the 109 Pro’s performance at approximately 60% of the price; the 109 Pro still justifies its higher price for those seeking maximum refinement.
• Takeaway: 109 Pro remains the flagship for those who want the ultimate in build and sound, but the SILVA might be preferred for listeners who want a slightly more neutral tuning with excellent clarity.

Specifications and Measurements

Specifications

In the Box:

• 105 SILVA headphones
• Cable
• Cable bag
• EVA case
• Adapter: 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm
• 3.5 mm to USB‑C

Measurements

Frequency response and THD measured on my rig; raw data and methodology will be documented in my headphones measurement database. In brief, expect a mildly V‑shaped balance vs. 105 AER, with added upper‑mid/treble energy and slightly deeper bass reach on strong amplification.

• Frequency Response vs targets and peers:

• Frequency Response vs other Meze headphones:

• Frequency Response vs other headphones:

• Frequency Response vs Aune AR5000:

• Distortion (THD) at normal listening levels:

• Distortion percentage at normal listening levels:

• Distortion at louder listening levels:

EQ suggestion (starting point):

• -2 to -3 dB peak filter centered around 5.5–6 kHz (Q ~1.2)
• Optional: +1.5 dB low shelf @ 90 Hz for extra sub bass

Rating Explanation

I have given the 105 SILVA a 5/5 rating, at $499, the 105 SILVA looks and feels twice the price and delivers energetic, detailed sound with excellent comfort. I found its profile is between the 105 AER and the 109 PRO, and some treble EQ can easily bring it up to the same level as the 109 PRO.

• Who is it for?
  • Listeners who value comfort, design, and a lively, detailed sound
  • Fans of EDM, house, instrumentals who want crisp transients without harshness
  • Portable users who still want desktop scaling
• Trade‑offs:
  • Slight upper‑mid/treble emphasis may need mild EQ for sensitive listeners
  • Earpad cup jack diameter may limit some aftermarket cable options
  • Larger ears might touch the driver as its is flat compared to angled 109 Pro driver

Conclusion

The Meze Audio 105 SILVA is a thoughtful evolution within the 100‑series: it balances sophisticated modern design with organic walnut warmth, creating a rich sonic ecosystem where clarity and transient definition flourish alongside natural timbre.

While the 109 Pro still justifies its higher price with its more lively tuning and slightly better comfort, the SILVA might be the preferred choice for those seeking a neutral-bright signature with excellent clarity.

So, apologies for the forest metaphors but if you want c bass, crisp transients that sparkle like sunlight through leaves, and class-leading comfort at this price point, the 105 SILVA should be high on your demo list. Add a gentle treble tweak to your preference, and you have a headphone that promises a natural, organic experience wrapped in premium materials and finish that invites you to lose yourself in its sonic woodland, where each element finds its perfect place in the musical canopy.