Meze Audio Alba - This is How a Single Dynamic Should Sound?! - Honest Audiophile Impressions
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- A BIG thank you to Meze Audio for providing the Alba for review, much appreciated. The Meze Audio Alba is the epitome of how a single dynamic IEM should sound in my opinion. The Alba is like the early morning sun shining through your window. How does the Meze Alba compare to the Moondrop Kato and the Meze Advar?
More Information:
mezeaudio.com/pages/alba
Purchase:
apos.audio/products/meze-audi...
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction/Specs/Box/Contents
01:45 USB-C Adapter/Extra 4.4mm Cable
03:05 Design/Build
04:10 Cable
05:20 Comfort/Isolation
07:05 Source Pairings
07:47 Bass
09:15 Mids
10:45 Treble
12:45 Technical Abilities
16:25 vs Moondrop Kato
18:30 vs Meze Advar
20:15 Conclusion
21:08 Leaving
I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I have not done any scientific research, measurements, or in-depth testing of any kind; just my own listening, comparing and internet reading/research. I have limited, real-life experience with recording, mixing and mastering gear. I have been involved since my teenage years with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.
Please take these thoughts, opinions and reasonings as just that, my honest audiophile thoughts, opinions and reasonings.
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Nice review
Not the first one I see of the Alba but it's good to see others talking about it.
Meze really work well on the Alba,and for the price it looks good.
Such a great review! Thank you ☺️
Thanks 🙏
I Only watch the video because he took time to make it, rather than lame and similar reviews. This could have been much interesting if he had included other veriations, but I'm satisfied. It was a great review
Thanks! Great review Dave
Thanks for the gift, much appreciated.
Nice one Dave!Cheers.
Great review as usual ❤
Thank you! 🤗
Thank you for helping me make up my mind. Was hoping you would review it. Hoping you are well.
You're welcome. I'm doing well, enjoying the warm weather.
Thank you Dave! Great review as always. When this iem popped up on reviews and promotions from sellers, I went with the flow ( can't afford the Empyrian) but do like the Meze sound. Still rock my old 99 headphones. As you are reviewing, it is making my decision to have ordered early feel like I did a good thing. Thanks again😅
My pleasure, you're welcome
The review I was looking for.
Glad you enjoy the channel content.
Hi buddy. You going to bite the bullet then? Think I may
@@dalemason5970 The hype seems too strong not to.
@@dalemason5970just pulled the trigger
@@LSDScreen did you order straight from meze?
It seems you and all the other reviewers are quite impressed with the Meze Alba... they will sell like hotcakes!
Is your title a question or an exclamation? ‘This is how..?!’ Rather than ‘is this how..?!’
@davidcoons89 Why don't you watch the video and find out 😉
@@TheHonestAudiophile I did! Thanks for a great video as well btw!
My pleasure, you're welcome
Great video content! If you compare with Moondrop Variations interms of details, resolution and sound stage, which one is better? thanks!
I've not heard the Variations since I reviewed them quite a while ago. Going off memory, the Variations is better detailed and resolution. I don't recall the staging.
Thank you for comparing to Advar. I think more reviews would benefit from going beyond price brackets. Oftentimes those comparisons are more than warranted in this funny hobby of ours.
Between Alba and Advar, which had the most preferable, realistic vocals?
Alba has more note weight and realistic vocals in my opinion.
I really liked the pleasant sunrise analogy. It sounds like the Alba is an exceptionally pleasant IEM to listen to. Thank you for the review. I am curious. Do you think that the Alba might be a direct upgrade path for those who really like the overall tuning of the Kiwi Ears Cadenza? I ask since some people prefer single DD IEMs in order to avoid any BA timbre issues.
Cadenza is more bassy, not as much clarity. The Alba is a big upgrade in my opinion.
As long as the cable for any IEM is built well, I don't care so mush what it looks like or feels like. I prefer a lighter cable so it doesn't pull down on the IEM's while I'm using them. I know the ear hooks design is suppose to take care of it, but the less weight pulling the better. They sound like a set I may have to get when the the budget allows.
The biggest gripe for me is the tangling and twisting, drives me nuts.
I hope you get to hear the Alba.
Thumbnail remind me 90 80s 😂 when CZcams doesn't exist.
Thanks a lot Dave, i'll out the alba in my shortlist, now that i want to make the jump to the $100-$200 tier. Have another recomendation.?
Here is a link to my ranking grade/tier list, please make sure to read the ranking grade tab first as I don't grade like everyone else.
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nRHnsP_4vLg9DlD9kwJ6gQuEQFqhTR0lnrkxXo3AMG8/edit?usp=sharing
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks to care about it.
have a great weekend
My pleasure, you're welcome. Have a great weekend.
Good afternoon Dave.
Hopefully this is a sign of things to come .
A “downmarket “ iem from them ..could a sub 2K Emp’s be on the horizon?
I don’t think they give me something different enough to get a place in my IEM stable.
The S12 ,KATO and the WU’s I think cover this performance 🎭.
A great review..but I’m good ..that being said I think they would make a great addition to someone who’s just stating out in the IEM hobby.
Have a fabulous weekend.
It would be great to have some more budget friendly Meze products for sure.
Have a great weekend.
If you Like it David, I have to try it! :)
Look forward to hearing your impressions after you get it.
Hopefully you can get your hands on the Dita Project M. I have them about a week and they punch wayyyy above their price. Best IEM's I have ever heard.
Thanks for the suggestion
I'm thinking to decide between Dita M & Alba.. But Dita M is thrice as expensive..
I think the word to sum up the Alba is “natural”
How are these for trance, rock/metal, pop, electronica, classical ect... ? I listen to a wide range of genres. I like detailed, wide, punchy and a little warm sound. It must be enganging and musical. Not Fatigue. And of course comfortable. The most comfort iems ive had, is the beyerdynamic xelento. A good iem. But to pricey
They are good for those genres.
Hey Dave! I am on a hunt for an affordable (under $200 would be best, but i could stretch to $300) pair of cans for competitive gaming. I am going to be in a noisy environment with a roommate, so I would like the headphones to isolate noise well, but also offer a great soundstage with good imaging to hear footsteps and identify them directionally. I am going to be coming from the Phillips SHP9500s, and I love them but they are open and don’t block any sound whatsoever. Your input would be really valuable to me, thanks in advance and keep the good reviews up!
Keep in mind I don't game much anymore and I play sports ans racing games for the most part. To be honest, I mostly use IEM for gaming. The over ear closed back headphone I do use sometimes for gaming is the Rode NTH-100.
Well, another review that just adds to my confusion. Too any differing opinions, especially about the treble.
Everyone hears different. The treble is special in my opinion. Thanks for watching.
Well this is a subjective hobby, so it's only natural that you will get many different takes on the subject. Helps to keep this in mind and never taking another's view on something an IEM / headphone as hard truth.
Can you compare it to the Tanchjim origin? Which one is the most resolving, natural and has the best timbre, tonal qualities?
Sorry haven't heard the Tanchjim Origin, hope to get one at some point for review.
Hi Dave.. Considering that you have also done a review on Etymotic ER2XR before, how would Alba compare to ER2XR in terms of detail retrieval, tonality, instrument separation.. Which one would you pick?
Alba has better bass extension, impact and control. The mids aren't as forward as the ER2XR. Treble is more extended and airy. The soundstage is wider, deeper and better layered. The ER2XR is more mid forward focused and not as balanced. The Alba has a slight advantage with detail retrieval and resolution. Tone and timbre is similar.
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks Dave. Did you happen to try Dita Project M iems?
I e not had the opportunity to hear DITA Project M
Hey honest audiophile
Kotoriaudio is releasing their new vampire iem and I was wondering if you will be reviewing them soon or not
Yes, a Vampire review is in the planning.
Excellent review .. useful one at that. Thanks. [ Just wondering why you pronounced it as Elba & not as Alba as it should be :) ]
I'm sorry my accent "mispronounced" the name slightly. I'm not Romanian.
Glad you found the video helpful.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Cool .. appreciate it.
10:45 - 16:25 Did you get that opinion using the Alba with an existing Meze USB DAC or with some other portable DAC?
Be that as it may, I enjoyed your opinion, as always 💕
I mention my thoughts about the Meze dongle in the beginning of the video. All opinions mentioned are how it sounds based on my experience with all my source gear.
@@TheHonestAudiophile
The conclusion based on your answer is that such experience and opinion cannot be gained using Alba with the attached Meze USB Dac
Thanks for answering
Yes, in my humble, honest opinion, the Meze dongle holds the Alba back a little bit. It isn't a bad sounding dongle but the Alba performs better on more quality dongles and desktop gear.
@@TheHonestAudiophile
Your presentation of Alba's ability to provide sound is excellent, of course with the appropriate DAC according to personal taste
👍🏼
Can you compare it with Artti T10 please ?
Although both have different drivers both are near same price at my place
Sorry haven't heard the Arti T10
Hi dave.. please suggest me iem $80 & $100.. I am so confuse, your suggestion will help me a lot.. Thanks
Here is a link to my ranking grade, please read the ranking grade tab first as I don't grade like all the other channels.
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nRHnsP_4vLg9DlD9kwJ6gQuEQFqhTR0lnrkxXo3AMG8/edit?usp=sharing
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks 👍
@KashanArtist my pleasure, you're welcome
♥
What kind of connector have the iem? Standard, 078 or 0.75mm?
0.78mm connection
No one else is saying this has good detail resolution, could you give an example of music where you heard this compared to another iem please
Music link in description and on my website.
Can you compare alba to rai solo? Which one is better?
I've not heard Rai Solo in 3 years or more. Sorry I don't recall enough to give comparison.
How would you compare this to the cklvx?
My CKLVX D41 is out on loan to another reviewer so I can't do a direct comparison. Going off memory, the D41 very similar to the Alba but isn't quite as detailed and resolving.
I don't need to watch the review to know that'll be great.
Thank you for the review, David!
SHABBAT SHALOM! 🕎
HAPPY SABBATH! ✡️
alba means white actually
@Thehonestaudiophile you keep calling it E lba! Its A lba...just saying bud..🙌
Sorry I don't speak Romanian so.....Thanks for watching and commenting.
Yeah, a bit jarring. I was wondering maybe its Napoleons iem?
uh huh huh...you said dongle...
Why would you ever wear an IEM for 4-6h 😫. Sounds like a nightmare.
Wear them while I am working or just around the house doing various stuff. I have music on all the time.