Meze Audio Strada Review: An Affordable Closed-Back Upgrade

Last year, Meze Audio revisited the 99 Classics to make a 2nd version for the 10th anniversary of the original release. Now, they've started 2026 with a new closed-back headphone that is sure to make waves. The Meze Strada is the latest release from the Romanian company, retailing for $799. It has the same look as the Liric II and a dynamic driver that promises balance and precise detail. In this review, we break down all the details and features of the new Strada, from aesthetic design to sound quality. Is this going to be the hottest headphone of the year? Will it outperform the flagship Liric II? 

Meze Audio has never failed to deliver stunning-looking headphones. The Meze Strada follows a line of incredibly sculpted masterpieces, including the 105 Silva, 109 Pro, Elite, and Empyrean II. The Strada has the same shape as the flagship closed-back from the company, the Liric II. The earcups completely cover the ear and rest comfortably on the head, even while wearing glasses. I could definitely see wearing these for hours without fatigue. The Strada's ebony wood earcups are encased in a lightweight magnesium frame, so they don't feel heavy at all during use. The green highlight makes it stand out and have a more earthy aesthetic. 

Meze includes two cables in the packaging: one with a 3.5mm termination and another with a 4.4mm termination. With the included 6.35mm adapter, it is easy to use these headphones with any setup you may have at home. The cables are easily interchangeable, either with other Meze Audio cables or third-party options. I opted to use a Strauss & Wagner upgrade cable to integrate into the Chord Mojo 2, and it was a great synergy of sound. 

The Strada isn't a very hard headphone to drive; you could plug this directly into your computer and be able to get some decent sound from it. However, pairing it with a nicer amplifier definitely helped to elevate the sound and add some more flavor to the sound profile. 

• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Driver Size: 50mm
• Frequency Range: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
• Impedance: 40 Ω
• Sensitivity: 112 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
• Headphone Connectors: 3.5 mm TS jack
• Weight: 332 g or 11.7 oz

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Now we get to the part everyone has been waiting for: the sound analysis. Upon a first listen to the Strada, I was immediately hit with bright treble and forward vocals. Singers were right in front of me, and the instruments filtered around them. The soundstage was wider than I anticipated for a closed-back headphone, and it wrapped around the head pretty well to create an immersive experience. The imaging was also very accurate, so you could easily place things in teh sound field to create the perfect image of your tracks. The earcups provided good passive isolation, so you could be distraction-free during your listening. 

The Strada's overall response has a strong treble and midrange presence, with the low end taking a backseat and not coming through as much. This headphone is loud and doesn't hold back from showing off impressive detail. It has great dynamics that make things feel a bit floaty and very lightweight, especially accounting for the relaxed low end. I can see the Strada being directed towards people who want a detail-first listening experience. This could be for gaming, movies, or just casual music enjoyment. It isn't really a reference headphone, so mixing or mastering engineers may want to look elsewhere. For immersive listening, the Strada is an excellent choice. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

The one fault I'll give to the Strada is the lack of bass response. It isn't very strong and takes a big step back from the sound signature when you look at the response as a whole. Because of this, the Strada can sound a bit thin or as though it lacks a lot of depth. This isn't to say the range disappears completely; it is still present but comes through in treble tonality and texture. The treble is quite sharp and highly detailed, but the subtle bass comes in just enough to keep things grounded. There is good punch and drive in those more upbeat genres that depend on the bass to move them forward. The Strada has a bit of rumble from the sub-bass to make those lower tones come through a bit more, but the bulk of the low end doesn't come through as much. If a strong bass response is what you're after, other headphones may offer a better match to your desired sound signature.  

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

The midrange of the Strada was very impressive. It is one of the most noticeable things in the sound signature when you first listen to the headphones. The timbres and textures of instruments are well-tuned to be recognizable and colorful. Vocal tracks get a direct feature, where they come up to the front and sit right in the center. You can hear how the other instruments fall into place behind the vocals. It adds on to the immersive quality of the sound signature; instruments filter backwards and expand the depth of the sound field as opposed to just to the side. The mid bass is strong and helps lower frequencies get a boost in volume and texture. The midrange on the Strada makes sure you can hear every element of the track with ease, and the way they float in the sound field makes tracks fun to listen to. You definitely can't miss a single detail with the response from this midrange, and the separation allows you to hear them all clearly no matter the genre. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

The Strada had a very forward treble that held the bulk of the sound signature's flavor. This brightly tuned treble opened up the soundstage greatly and made everything sound much lighter. Closed-backs can have a tendency to sound heavier because frequencies are caged in the headphones, but the Strada does an excellent job of combatting that stereotype and opening up the top end to sound much more natural. The brightness that comes from the treble is sharp and punchy, and it doesn't get too harsh to be uncomfortable or piercing. Instead, it brings a sense of precision to the sound signature as a whole and keeps everything tight and controlled. For listeners who value pristine detail and spacious top end, the Strada definitely delivers. 

Choosing between the different Meze models can be daunting, especially with a new contender in the lineup. Looking at the Strada compared to other Meze Audio closed-back headphones, there are some noticeable differences that make it stand out above others. For starters, the Strada is a decent step above the 99 Classics V2. It has a more luxurious aesthetic and the quality of sound is a level up for more focused listening. The wear-style may be different, but both are very comfortable and great for long-listening sessions. The Strada gives you more detail and space than the 99 Classics V2, though you would be sacrificing bass response in the Strada. 

To look at the other end of the spectrum, comparing the Liric II and the Strada is an interesting conversation. You get the same fit and style as the Liric II for more than half the cost in the Strada, and you also choose between a black or green earth aesthetic. In terms of sound quality, you run into the same dilemma of sacrificing bass or compromising on detail. If you're looking for great value, the Strada's sub-1k price point is definitely attractive and may be worth considering. You would definitely get a detailed response that would work in any genre. However, if you prefer something with warmer sound and still has good detail, the Liric II may be a better choice. Its high price point may make the Strada look like a better option. 

The Meze Strada is an excellent addition to the Meze Audio lineup. On top of all of their open-backs, we now have another closed-back in the ring for other listeners. The Strada shows off impressive detail and immersive listening that is perfect for gamers and casual listeners alike. The bass may be lacking and the sound signature may be thinner than you expect, but the comfort and style of the Strada makes up for what you may be lacking. At the end of the day, this headphone is a great value for those looking to upgrade for less than $1000.

You can get the Meze Strada from Audio46.