Meze Audio - ALBA IEM Review

Companies like Campfire Audio, 64 Audio, Shozy have a new competitor to watch out for. Granted, this company has already dabbled in this area of audio, but Meze Audio has released their second model of in-ear monitors: ALBA. In-ear monitors are an industry standard for musicians across the board, and Meze Audio is hoping to add this new model to the list. Coming in at a budget-friendly price $149.99, let’s get into the details of this particular pair of monitors. 

What Comes In The Box

• ALBA monitors with white pearl color finish
• 2 pin (0.78mm) connectors with 3.5mm jack termination
• 2 pin (0.78mm) connectors with 4.4mm jack termination
• White Eco-leather zip pouch
• x4 Pairs of Ear Tips (XS, S, M, L)
• USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

Aesthetics and Functionality

ALBA comes in as the second design of IEMs that Meze Audio has made, following ADVAR. The ALBA  is made from zinc alloy and anodized aluminum part and sports a pearl white finish. In the box, you get two different cables, each with a 2 pin termination to connect to the monitors themselves on one side, while the other is a 3.5mm jack and a 4.4mm jack. The monitors are easy to connect to color coordinated ends, and there are 4 sizes of ear tips that you can use for optimal comfort. This is a step down from the 5 provided with ADVAR, but you are still getting a lot of options. There is also a white eco-leather case that zips closed, as well as a USB-C to headphone jack (M to F) adapter. The entire setup to get the headphones in and starting to listen takes very little time. 

The ALBA is definitely a pair of monitors that says class. Its all white design makes it look fit for royalty, with its shining silver logo that reflects with the light. The monitors fit comfortably in the ears, and I know by the way they fit that they will stay there for hours upon hours of use. I could definitely see these being worn by performing musicians, as the lightweight feel and secure fit make these seem like a reliable pair for such an occasion. Not only that, but the design makes for a neutral and subtle accessory that would aid any performer. If not performing, causal listening with these is comfortable and relaxing.

Tech Specs

• Driver: 10.8mm Dynamic
• Frequency Range: 15 Hz - 25k Hz
• Impedance: 32Ω at 1k Hz
• SPL: 109 dB SPL/V @ 1k Hz
• Distortion: <0.1% @ 1k Hz

Listening Review

Soundstage

The soundstage on these IEMs is fairly wide. Once you plug yourself in, you are immediately taken into your own space where you can enjoy your own audio. The noise isolation kicks in immediately, which is to be expected of an IEM. You get a nice stereo image, and you can clearly lay out where all the instruments are in the field and where the layers are in a more complex track. The frequency range is just outside the normal range for human hearing, giving them just a bit more space to let the audio feel more natural as it comes from the monitor. The sound isolation is always a nice bonus in my opinion; you get to enjoy your own tracks without the worry of sound bleeding into the room around you. 

Low Frequencies

The low end is very up front and in-your-face, and it doesn’t leave anything unsaid. When a bass drops, you drop right along with it! The lows carry a lot of weight, making every low instrument hit hard and heavy. When I was listening to Mitski’s “This Is A Life”, all the low synths were really accentuated and had a full body. Even in more classical pieces, there was a lot of space for the percussion and low strings to exist and move freely rather than being crammed with nowhere to ring out. 

Mid-Range Frequencies

The stereo field was clear as day in this range, with appealing sound quality and distinct letter. It is sometimes hard to get a clear image of all the elements happening in a song, but with the clever noise isolation, I was able to hear everything smoothly. I listened to many songs while wearing the ALBA, mostly because it was easy to get lost in such quality sound. “Bahlam Maak” by Najat Al Saghira is a song I fell in love with all over again. The higher mids made the vocals shine through, and the lower range let the percussion have its space. No part stepped over another and everything had a clear balance.

High Frequencies

The high end frequencies had stunning clarity, and there wasn’t a track I listened to that I didn’t enjoy how they were featured. They were crisp and clean, and helped relieve some of the powerful low end that came out in a lot of modern songs. Higher-set vocals, say Sabrina Carpenter’s, are clear and the sibilance is not overwhelming. Her song “Espresso” shows this balance, and the accentuated highs. A lot of genres are given ample room to breathe and showcase their wide frequency range.

Summary

In conclusion, Meze Audio has again delivered a quality product. The ALBA IEMs are comfortable, stylish, and deliver quality sound without breaking the bank too much. Musicians of all kinds and music listeners will be able to use these with ease and fall in love with their favorite tracks. This is a pair I could see myself wearing for a while, and I can definitely see it being used for workplace focus or purely entertainment. Either way, no matter how they are used, the price cannot be beat and they should be on everyone’s list!

The Meze ALBA is available at Audio46.