If you want better Connectivity options
Choose Meze Audio Strada. It scores 4.8 vs 2.7 for Connectivity options, with a 4.4 overall score.
Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones Review
Bottom Line
Choose the 105 Silva for beautiful, repairable construction, superb comfort, easy driveability, and an engaging spacious sound. Skip it if you need isolation, balanced connectivity, heavy sub-bass, or consistently smooth treble.
Best for
Best for home listeners who value premium craftsmanship, all-day comfort, easy driveability, repairability, and a lively natural presentation with excellent separation.
Not for
Not ideal for commuters, shared quiet spaces, bass-heads seeking deep slam, strict-neutrality listeners, or treble-sensitive buyers who do not want to use EQ.
Verdict
The Meze Audio 105 Silva earns unusually broad praise for its walnut-accented design, precise construction, self-adjusting comfort, replaceable parts, and easy pairing with modest sources. Most reviewers also admire its controlled, textured bass, vivid mids, strong separation, and engaging imaging. The tuning is not universally safe: sub-bass can feel restrained, upper mids or treble may sound sharp or sizzly, and the stage ranges from expansive to surprisingly intimate depending on the listener and recording. Its open-back design also limits isolation and travel use, while recessed cable sockets and the lack of a balanced stock cable frustrate some buyers. Even so, the full ownership package—case, USB-C DAC, repairability, craftsmanship, and long-session comfort—makes it a compelling $499 headphone for musical enjoyment rather than strict neutrality.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
47 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.033 (70%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.412 (26%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.42 (4%)
Pros highlights
-
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.
-
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 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Cons highlights
-
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.
-
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.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Over-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in Carry case quality, Included accessories, Replaceable pads/headband, near average in Overall recommendation, Treble clarity, below average in Connectivity options, Noise isolation (passive), Travel friendliness.
Comparison summary
47 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher34 (72%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts10 (21%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower3 (6%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connectivity options | 2.7 | 4.4 | -1.7 |
| Carry case quality | 5.0 | 3.5 | +1.5 |
| Included accessories | 4.9 | 3.6 | +1.3 |
| Replaceable pads/headband | 5.0 | 3.5 | +1.5 |
| Sustainability and repairability | 5.0 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
| Premium feel | 5.0 | 3.9 | +1.1 |
| Durability over time | 5.0 | 3.8 | +1.2 |
| Replaceable earpads | 5.0 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Detachable cable convenience
Choose Final Audio DX3000CL. It scores 4.8 vs 3.7 for Detachable cable convenience, with a 4.3 overall score.
If you want better Overall satisfaction
Choose Sendy Audio Apollo Pro. It scores 5.0 vs 4.6 for Overall satisfaction, with a 4.4 overall score.
If you want better Soundstage width
Choose Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000. It scores 4.6 vs 4.2 for Soundstage width, with a 4.3 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
109 Pro
- More expensive: performance and value The Silva delivers most of the 109 Pro's performance at a substantially lower price.
- Similar: soundstage and imaging The Silva approaches the 109 Pro's three-dimensional staging and imaging.
- Better: overall sound quality The Silva is less refined than the 109 Pro but occupies a lower price tier.
105 AER
- Compared: bass balance The Silva trades some of the AER's warmth for tighter, cleaner bass.
- Worse: treble extension The Silva has more extended, brilliant treble than the 105 AER.
AR5000
- Better: competitive gaming The AR5000 is the stronger stock choice for competitive FPS cues, while the Silva is more immersive.
FAQ
What does the Meze 105 Silva sound like?
It has an engaging, slightly colored presentation with controlled bass, vivid mids, airy treble, and strong separation. It favors musical involvement over strict neutrality.
Is the Meze 105 Silva comfortable for long sessions?
Yes. The self-adjusting headband, plush velour pads, and effective weight distribution earned near-universal praise, though very large ears or small heads may need to check fit.
Does it need a powerful headphone amplifier?
No. It reaches ample volume from phones, laptops, and dongles, but better DACs and amplifiers can improve articulation, bass depth, and staging.
Is the bass strong enough for bass-heavy music?
Bass is usually described as punchy, textured, and controlled, but sub-bass weight is not a consensus strength. Listeners seeking heavy rumble or maximum slam may find it restrained.
Is it good for gaming?
Yes, especially for immersive gaming, thanks to precise direction, distance rendering, and clear separation. Competitive FPS players may prefer EQ or a more narrowly focused stock tuning.
Can it be used for commuting or shared spaces?
It is not ideal. The open-back design provides little isolation and leaks sound, even though leakage is somewhat lower than expected and the case is travel-ready.
What comes in the box?
The package commonly includes a fitted protective case, detachable cable, adapter pouch, 6.35 mm adapter, and a USB-C DAC dongle for phones and laptops.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.8
Article Reviews
techradar.com
- Review score
- 4.7
Top Over-Ear Headphones to Consider
#1
This product
Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones
Choose the 105 Silva for beautiful, repairable construction, superb comfort, easy driveability, and an engaging spacious sound. Skip it if you need isolation, balanced connectivity, heavy sub-bass, or consistently smooth...
Pros: Design and Aesthetics, Overall recommendation
Cons: Noise isolation (passive), Connectivity options
Choose it if your workday revolves around calls and you want exceptional mic isolation, huge battery life, all-day comfort, and a slim travel-friendly design. Skip it if music fidelity, class-leading...
Pros: Battery, Charging
Cons: Value for money, Codec support
Choose the Aventho 100 for standout battery life, portable retro styling, strong ANC, and flexible wired/wireless use. Skip it if you dislike on-ear pressure or want a wide, consistently neutral...
Pros: Battery, Design and Aesthetics
Cons: Clamping force comfort, Soundstage width
Best for exceptional battery life, useful ANC, flexible EQ, and strong budget value. Skip it if refined, detailed sound or polished controls matter more than price.
Pros: Value for money, Sound quality
Cons: Button control usability, App