Meze 105 SILVA vs. 105 AER: Comparing Intro Audiophile Headphones

Meze Audio has built a strong reputation for delivering stylish, comfortable, and highly musical headphones at both premium and accessible price points. For entry-level and intermediate audiophiles, the 105 AER quickly became a standout with its inviting tuning and classic open-back staging. Now, the newly released 105 SILVA seeks to elevate that experience with upgraded design, improved resolution, and a slightly higher price tag. But how do these two open-back models actually compare when it comes to build, features, and—most importantly—sound? Let’s break down the key differences and similarities between the Meze 105 SILVA and 105 AER.

What’s in the Box

 

Both headphones come with practical accessories, though the SILVA includes a few extra touches. Inside the box, the 105 SILVA offers a hard EVA pouch, a 6.3mm adapter, a USB-C to 3.5mm converter for modern smartphone compatibility, and a 1.8m Kevlar duo OFC twisted cable with premium anthracite aluminum shells. The 105 AER, meanwhile, includes a similar EVA case, a gold-plated 6.3mm jack, and a mono 3.5mm cable with an inline mic—making it a bit more mobile-friendly.

Aesthetics and Functionality

Visually, the 105 AER and 105 SILVA take distinct design approaches. The AER sports a matte black polycarbonate-ABS frame with Art Deco influences, giving it a sleek, understated profile. In contrast, the SILVA embraces a mid-century modern aesthetic with warm walnut wood ear cups that highlight its premium feel and naturalistic tone.

Functionality remains consistent between both models: both are low-impedance, easy-to-drive headphones with identical self-adjusting headbands and velour pads for long-wear comfort. However, the SILVA adds more value for digital users with its USB-C adapter, a small but thoughtful feature for plug-and-play use with newer smartphones and laptops.

Technical Specifications

Listening Impressions

Soundstage

Both the Meze 105 SILVA and 105 AER offer impressively wide soundstages, but the SILVA edges ahead with its added sense of verticality and spatial depth. The imaging feels more layered and immersive, allowing instruments and ambient effects to occupy distinct positions not just left to right, but also front to back and top to bottom. This three-dimensional staging gives the SILVA a cinematic quality that makes orchestral, ambient, and even complex rock arrangements feel more lifelike and enveloping.

By comparison, the AER delivers a flatter but still expansive horizontal stage. Imaging is clean and articulate, providing an engaging stereo field that feels upfront and intimate. It excels with vocal-driven music, offering a close-in listening experience that places the listener right at the center of the mix. While it lacks the same sense of layered depth as the SILVA, it remains impressive for its price point and offers a very natural introduction to open-back presentation.

Low Frequencies

The SILVA brings out a slightly deeper and more extended sub-bass response, adding a bit more rumble and fullness to genres like electronic, hip-hop, or cinematic scores. Despite this low-end boost, the SILVA maintains excellent control and clarity, keeping bass tight and non-invasive. It acts as a solid foundation that enhances the listening experience without muddying the midrange or dominating the sound.

The AER also leans warm in its bass presentation but carries a more neutral profile overall. Its low end is full-bodied and defined, giving tracks a sense of weight and richness that enhances musicality. While it doesn’t reach quite as deep as the SILVA in the sub-bass region, it delivers satisfying impact with great balance—especially impressive for an entry-level open-back headphone.

Midrange Frequencies

In the SILVA, the midrange is where much of the headphone’s detail and texture shine. Vocals sound remarkably lifelike, with a level of separation and air between instruments that gives mixes depth and realism. You can easily pick out layered harmonies or subtle instrumental inflections, making the midrange ideal for jazz, acoustic, and vocal-forward genres.

The AER holds its own with a clean, articulate midrange that emphasizes balance and cohesion. It doesn’t quite match the SILVA’s depth or micro-detail retrieval, but it still handles vocal clarity and instrument presence with skill. The AER keeps things smooth and inviting, offering a musical and forgiving midrange that’s easy to enjoy for long listening sessions without fatigue.

High Frequencies

Treble on the SILVA is slightly recessed but still delivers impressive clarity and detail. It provides a spacious sense of headroom, allowing high-frequency elements like cymbals, string harmonics, and electronic effects to ring out naturally without sounding harsh. There’s a subtle sparkle and air at the top end that complements its warm signature without tipping into brightness.

The AER leans brighter in its treble tuning, offering a crisper, more immediate presence in the upper frequencies. This adds a lively edge to recordings, giving tracks energy and definition without becoming fatiguing. The highs are slightly more forward than those on the SILVA, making them more noticeable in the mix—ideal for those who prefer a bit more shimmer and bite in their sound.

Summary

Both the Meze 105 SILVA and 105 AER offer outstanding value in the sub-$500 open-back headphone market. They share the same driver and tuning philosophy, emphasizing musicality, warmth, and immersion. However, the SILVA refines the formula with elevated build quality, improved layering in the mids, and a larger, more dimensional soundstage. It also adds convenience features like a USB-C adapter and premium materials, making it a smart choice for audiophiles ready to take the next step. Meanwhile, the AER remains a strong contender for those entering the world of high-fidelity listening without breaking the bank.

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