Compare Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones vs Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen

The 105 Silva is widely described as rich, engaging, and highly musical, with strong clarity and cohesion. The main dissent is that its colored upper-range tuning can trail cheaper neutral competitors for listeners focused only on acoustic accuracy.

The prevailing view is that the second generation sounds cleaner, more controlled, and more versatile than the original. A small dissenting group found the balance thin, bright, or unrewarding.

Isolation is minimal, as expected from an open-back headphone, though the rear damping provides a small amount of attenuation. It remains best suited to quiet rooms rather than noisy public spaces.

Passive isolation is one of the strongest points, often beating similarly priced closed-backs and making moderate background noise easy to ignore.

Accurate direction, distance rendering, and strong immersion make the Silva excellent for cinematic and general gaming. Competitive FPS players may prefer a more focused stock tuning or use EQ to reduce distracting ambience.

Neutralized bass, accurate imaging, controller-friendly efficiency, and optional boom-mic support make these versatile for immersive and competitive gaming.

The stage is commonly spacious, layered, and well organized, with convincing depth and placement. It is not universally wide, however, and some listeners found it surprisingly intimate or narrow for an open-back.

Many reviewers heard an unusually spacious closed-back stage with convincing depth and layering. Others found it merely moderate, narrow, or concentrated into left-center-right zones.

Bass is usually praised for speed, texture, punch, and control without muddying the mids. Opinions split on quantity: some hear satisfying bloom and warmth, while others find the sub-bass restrained, dry, or lacking slam.

Bass is tighter, faster, and better controlled than before, with strong texture and punch. Bass-focused listeners may miss the original's heavier weight and deeper slam.

Most reviewers found the overall balance coherent and carefully controlled rather than strictly neutral. Its warm-bright coloration and upper-mid or treble emphasis can sound natural to some listeners and noticeably colored to others.

Tuning moves toward a balanced, near-neutral presentation while retaining some warmth. That broader versatility costs some of the original model's bold coloration.

Leakage is lower than some reviewers expected from an open-back design, likely helped by rear mesh damping. It is still not private enough for shared quiet spaces.

The closed cups keep outward leakage low enough for shared spaces, according to the reviewers who tested it.

The earpads detach cleanly despite their tightly integrated appearance, making routine replacement possible without compromising the refined design.

The six-clip pad system makes removal and swapping quick and repeatable, though proprietary mounting narrows third-party pad choices.

The drivers generally stay controlled, punchy, and dynamic at louder levels. Extremely loud, dense material can become crowded, but normal high-volume listening remains clean.

Most listening stayed clean, but a few reviewers encountered oversaturation or distortion when volume or bass EQ was pushed too far.

The contoured hard or semi-hard case receives universal praise for sturdiness, fit, and useful accessory storage. It provides reassuring protection for travel or home storage.

The protective case is generally viewed as sturdy, practical, and better than average, though the headphones remain bulky to carry.

Soft pads wrap around glasses arms without creating pressure, and the clamp remains comfortable. Reviewers wearing glasses reported no meaningful fit penalty.

The fit worked comfortably with glasses in the accounts that addressed it, without excessive clamping.

Nearly every component can be disassembled, serviced, or replaced with ordinary tools. This modular approach is repeatedly praised as rare and commendable at the price.

Replaceable, screw-fastened parts and a glue-free approach make long-term repairability a standout advantage in a disposable-electronics market.

Easy drive requirements make the headphones portable-friendly from an electronics standpoint, but the large open-back design is not truly mobile. They neither isolate well nor suit commuting despite the protective case.

Low weight, strong isolation, and easy drivability suit portable listening, but the non-folding frame and large case limit bag friendliness.

The soft velour or suede pads are breathable, plush, and comfortable over long sessions. A few larger-eared listeners noted limited internal room, but actual discomfort was uncommon.

The larger, softer pads improve sealing and long-session comfort, but a few users still found the inner space tight or warm.

The package is unusually complete, typically including a fitted case, cable pouch, adapters, and a USB-C DAC dongle. Reviewers saw the thoughtful organization and presentation as part of the premium experience.

The case, adapters, acoustic inserts, and USB-C dongle make the package unusually complete and ready for modern sources.

Walnut accents, metal structure, clean assembly, and refined touchpoints make the headphone feel genuinely luxurious. Even critical reviewers agreed the physical experience matches a high-end product.

Materials, finish, and hand feel give these headphones a convincingly premium character well beyond ordinary plastic closed-backs.

The moderate clamp and articulating cups keep the headphone secure through normal head movement. Reviewers noted little slippage while still retaining comfort.

Fit is stable for commuting and desk use, but it is not consistently secure enough for exercise or highly active wear.

High sensitivity lets the 105 Silva play loudly from laptops, phones, dongles, and modest amplifiers. It does not need a powerful desktop stack to reach satisfying levels.

They reach generous—and sometimes uncomfortable—volume from modest sources, so extra amplification is unnecessary for loudness.

Separation is one of the clearest strengths: vocals, instruments, and background textures remain easy to follow even in busy passages. Stereo movement and positioning stay coherent without sounding artificially pulled apart.

Instrument separation is consistently strong, keeping dense arrangements organized and individual parts easy to follow.

Dual 3.5 mm connections make the cable removable and serviceable, but the recessed sockets favor slim barrels. Aftermarket choices are workable, though less universal than on the 105 AER.

Larger dual 3.5 mm sockets improve aftermarket cable compatibility, while the detachable layout supports easier ownership and replacement.

Fine detail is generally strong, especially in vocals, percussion, and layered arrangements. A few reviewers found it less resolving than planar or higher-tier alternatives, and one felt some apparent detail came from treble emphasis.

Detail retrieval is strong for the price and markedly clearer than the first generation, even if it does not reach the most analytical competitors.

The 105 Silva is easy to drive from phones, laptops, and dongles, yet better DACs and amplifiers can improve articulation, bass depth, and stage. Source matching matters, but high power is not required.

They do not require a powerful amplifier, but several reviewers heard added texture, space, or control from higher-quality sources and tube pairings.

Enthusiasm is high overall, with many reviewers calling the Silva a standout, a major step forward, or a headphone they would revisit often. The few mixed reactions come from treble coloration and sound-value concerns.

Most reviewers strongly enjoyed the second generation and considered it a worthwhile modernization. Two sharply negative assessments and a few measured takes keep the consensus from being universal.

Treble brings air, definition, and crisp transient detail without constant harshness. Several reviewers still heard a bright or sizzly upper peak that can expose aggressive recordings and reduce naturalness.

Treble is often called crisp, smooth, and detailed, but this is the most divisive part of the tuning: several reviewers heard excess energy, sibilance, or a 7–8 kHz peak.

The tiny included USB-C dongle is a welcome way to connect modern phones and laptops. Reviewers see it as a convenient starter or backup rather than an audiophile-grade source.

The bundled USB-C DAC is repeatedly praised as transparent, capable, and genuinely useful, adding immediate phone and laptop compatibility.

Vocals and instruments usually come through with excellent presence, texture, and separation. Depending on the recording and source, upper mids can sound forward or sharp, while some lower mids feel slightly recessed.

Midrange is commonly praised for natural vocals, clarity, and separation, though some heard a recessed, hollow, or occasionally shouty region.

The production cable is often praised for sturdy construction, reinforcement, and low tangling. Complaints center on occasional microphonics, springiness, and the lack of a balanced termination.

The longer Kevlar-sheathed cable is a major upgrade in handling, durability, and reduced microphonics, although its thinner upper sections drew some criticism.

Construction is consistently described as outstanding, with precise assembly, premium materials, and unusually refined detailing. The chassis feels robust and cohesive rather than mass-market or disposable.

Build quality is a signature strength: reviewers repeatedly praise the metal-and-walnut construction, solid feel, and confidence-inspiring finish.

Replaceable parts, sturdy materials, and screw-based assembly give the 105 Silva strong long-term ownership prospects. Reviewers expect it to remain serviceable for many years rather than become a throwaway product.

Reviewers trust the simple metal-and-wood construction for long ownership, drawing confidence from the original model's durability and the new model's serviceability.

Comfort is a standout strength, with plush pads, effective weight distribution, and a self-adjusting suspension strap. Most reviewers could wear it for hours, though very large ears or unusually small heads may encounter fit issues.

Most reviewers found them comfortable for hours, helped by the suspension strap and soft pads. A minority noted heat, ear contact, or fit quirks.

The walnut-trimmed, mid-century-inspired design is the strongest consensus point. Reviewers repeatedly called it elegant, distinctive, modern-vintage, and among the best-looking headphones in its class.

The walnut cups and gold-accented frame are widely described as distinctive and beautiful, though their conspicuous styling will not suit every setting.

Clamp is generally secure and evenly distributed without painful pressure. It can feel a little firm at first, yet the soft pads and bendable spring-steel frame keep it manageable.

Clamp is generally secure without becoming oppressive, and the spring-steel frame allows some adjustment; experiences vary with head shape.

Although the 105 Silva is not exceptionally light on paper, the suspension design spreads its weight effectively. Reviewers repeatedly said it feels lighter on the head than the number suggests.

Despite using wood and metal, the headphones remain light enough for extended wear, with reviewers finding the added second-generation weight largely inconsequential.

The standard 3.5 mm analog connection is secure and broadly compatible with conventional wired sources. Opinions about the narrow recessed cup sockets are covered separately under cable convenience.

One reviewer ranked the 105 Silva among the highlights of a major high-end audio show, despite competition from far more expensive flagships.

The bundled USB-C DAC/amp is a convenient way to use phones and laptops immediately. It is viewed as a useful starter or backup solution rather than a replacement for a high-quality dedicated source.

Tighter left-right driver matching is credited with more stable stereo reproduction and more reliable imaging.

The wired 3.5 mm and USB-C paths cover common sources, but the stock package lacks balanced 4.4 mm or XLR connectivity. Reviewers repeatedly wished for a balanced cable option.

The cups articulate enough to conform securely around the ears and maintain a good seal. Movement is slightly more resistant than on the 109 Pro but remains effective in use.

At 16 ohms and high sensitivity, these headphones are exceptionally easy to drive from phones, controllers, dongles, laptops, and portable players.

The self-adjusting suspension headband slides into place automatically and distributes pressure across the top of the head. Most found it effortless, though one reviewer warned that smaller heads may not get an ideal fit.

The broad suspended strap spreads pressure comfortably across the crown instead of creating a single hotspot. Its cushioning and geometry contribute heavily to the easy long-session fit.

Improved driver matching supports precise, stable placement, and imaging is frequently singled out as one of the headphone's technical strengths.

The easy-to-drive wired design works with computers, phones, dongles, and desktop audio gear. The included adapters reduce the need for platform-specific equipment.

Most reviewers recommend the 105 Silva for listeners who value comfort, craftsmanship, natural timbre, and an engaging rather than clinical sound. Reservations focus on treble sensitivity, bass preferences, and stronger pure-sound competitors.

The pads and suspension headband can be removed and replaced rather than forcing a full headphone replacement. Owners can refresh the main wear components as they age.

The secure fit, detachable cable, USB-C adapter, and excellent case help with transport. Its open-back leakage and poor isolation still make it a home, hotel, or quiet-office headphone rather than a commuter model.

The included USB-C adapter makes phone and laptop listening straightforward despite the wired design. Reviewers appreciated having modern digital connectivity in the box.

Dynamics and transient control are lively and convincing, though a few reviews wanted more explicit shifts or stronger low-end impact.

The combination of warmth, layering, imaging, and open-back space creates an intimate yet enveloping presentation. Music and environmental game audio can feel especially involving and three-dimensional.

Most reviewers see strong value in the combination of sound, comfort, accessories, repairability, and premium construction. A minority argue that cheaper headphones can outperform it acoustically if design and ownership quality are ignored.

The sealed vegan-leather pads can retain heat and breathe less freely, particularly in warm climates or during active use.