Meze Audio has just unveiled its latest open-back headphones, the 105 Silva, at this year’s High End Munich show—and they bring a blend of familiar elements and fresh ideas. If you’ve followed Meze’s headphone lineup over the years, you’ll notice that the Silva feels like a natural evolution. It borrows a bit of warmth from the 105 AER, adds in the technical finesse of the 109 Pro, and wraps it all in a new design that stands out without trying too hard.
So, what’s new with the Silva? Quite a bit, actually—starting with the drivers.
The 105 Silva is built around a 50mm dynamic driver that features a cellulose composite dome and a titanium-coated surround. There’s also a semi-crystalline polymer torus in the mix, plus a copper-zinc stabilizer to help stiffen the membrane. All of this technical stuff boils down to one key idea: Meze wants this headphone to respond quickly to music—think fast transients, clean details, and a bass that feels tight and textured rather than bloated.
In terms of tuning, the Silva seems to lean toward a clear and expressive midrange, especially good for vocals and string instruments. It’s not meant to be overly analytical, but it also doesn’t go overboard on bass or sparkle. The result should be a listening experience that’s revealing but still enjoyable over long sessions.
The technical specs back that up: the frequency response goes from 5 Hz to 30 kHz, with a sensitivity of 112 dB at 1 mW and a 42-ohm impedance. In simpler terms, it should be fairly easy to drive with most gear, whether you're plugged into a desktop amp or a portable player.
Design-wise, Meze has gone with a “Mid-Century Modern” vibe for the Silva—and it works. The walnut earcups bring a nice touch of natural woodgrain, while the reinforced polymer frame keeps things lightweight and durable. It’s not just about looks, either. The self-adjusting spring steel headband—borrowed from the 105 AER—means comfort is still a priority.
The deep ear cushions and even weight distribution should help make the Silva a solid option for all-day listening. And just like other Meze headphones, the Silva is fully serviceable. If a part wears out, you can replace it. That’s a big plus for anyone who plans to hang onto their gear for the long haul.
The 105 Silva is the third model in Meze’s 100-series, following the 109 Pro and 105 AER. Each has taken a slightly different approach: the 109 Pro offered technical clarity and an airy sound, while the AER focused more on warmth and ease of use. The Silva, meanwhile, seems to aim for a sweet spot—more detail than the AER, more musicality than the 109 Pro, and a design that feels a bit more expressive.
Rather than replacing the older models, Silva sits alongside them, offering another flavor in the Meze sound palette. It’s the kind of move that makes sense for listeners who care about matching their gear to their music preferences—or who just like having more options when upgrading.
105 Silva Technical Specifications:
Alongside the headphones, Meze also introduced a new accessory: the Ultra Cable. And yes, it’s about as over-the-top as the name suggests. The Ultra is made from 99.9% pure silver and uses a unique 16-to-8 wire braid with no soldering involved.
Meze says this setup helps reduce resistance and improve signal transmission, which could mean better sound, especially for high-end setups. Whether or not you’ll hear a big difference may depend on your system and ears, but there’s no denying it looks like a serious piece of kit.
The cable includes 40 tiny conductors (each just 0.08mm in diameter), and you can get it in pretty much every connector format you might need—3.5mm, 4.4mm, 6.3mm, and 4-pin XLR. It’s also available in multiple lengths, so whether your gear is right next to you or across the room, you should be covered.
While it’s designed with Meze’s flagship models like the Empyrean II in mind, the Ultra Cable is compatible with any headphones that support mini-XLR connectors.
Ultra Cable Technical Specifications:
If you’re in Munich for the show, you can check out the 105 Silva and Ultra Cable in person at Meze’s booth (Hall 1, Atrium 7, Booth B02). For everyone else, you’ll have to wait a bit longer—Meze hasn’t announced pricing or release dates yet, but both products are expected to launch later in 2025.
