In this article, I review the Meze 105 AER. Inspired by biometric bio-architecture and Nature’s balancing act, 105 AER features a 50mm dynamic driver with a carbon fibre-reinforced cellulose composite diaphragm. It’s priced at 399 USD.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Meze Audio for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
Meze 105 AER
Specifications
Driver Type: Dynamic
Input Connector: dual 3.5 mm TS Jack
Driver Size: 50 mm
Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.1% at 1 kHz
Frequency Range: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
Ear Cups: PC-ABS
Impedance: 42 Ω
Weight: 336 g (11.8 oz)
Sensitivity: 112 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
Inside the Box
- Meze 105 AER headphones
- Detachable cable
- Zipper carrying case
- 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
Design
From the moment you lay eyes on it, the Meze 105 AER makes a strong visual statement. With its open-back earcups resembling the intricate pattern of sliced lotus root, it strikes a balance between industrial elegance and organic geometry. The lightweight, skeletal frame continues Meze’s familiar design language, combining minimalist aesthetics with a focus on long-term comfort. Every curve and cutout feels intentional, and while the materials are understated, the overall execution exudes a sense of refinement.
Following Meze’s philosophy of creating headphones with a longer product lifespan, the 105 AER can be fully disassembled and serviced with replaceable parts. This is great for product longevity and can help save costs over time.
The 105 AER are Meze’s lightest open-back headphones, weighing in at 336 g. Combined with the soft self-adjusting headband, light clamping force and plush earpads, it makes for comfortable headphones that you can wear for hours on end.
Included with the 105 AER is a single-ended OFC cable with a braided nylon sleeve. It’s rather short, making it good for portability but not as good for the desktop. Thankfully, the 105 AER’s standard 3.5mm sockets mean it’s easy to find a replacement cable if desired.
Sound
The Meze 105 AER delivers a warm-neutral tuning with a clear focus on midrange richness and natural tonality. It’s not trying to impress with artificial detail or boosted low end—instead, it presents music in a fluid, easygoing way that makes long listening sessions a breeze. There’s an organic coherence to the sound that feels deliberate and thoughtful. It’s the kind of presentation that prioritises tone and musicality over dissecting the mix, and while it may not appeal to fans of hyper-clinical tuning, it’s undeniably inviting.
Bass
Bass is tight and disciplined, leaning more towards midbass punch than subbass rumble. There’s a gentle roll-off down low, but it rarely feels lacking unless you’re chasing visceral impact. The real strength lies in its control and texture—the 105 AER does an excellent job of separating low-frequency elements without turning them into mush. Bass hits cleanly with a slightly rounded leading edge, giving it a natural weight without excess hardness. It’s not trying to shake your skull, but it lays a solid, well-resolved foundation that supports the rest of the tuning nicely.
Midrange
This is where the 105 AER earns its keep. The mids are full-bodied, with a smooth tonality that lends itself especially well to vocals and acoustic instruments. There’s a sense of weight and saturation that makes notes feel “whole,” while still staying close to neutral in tone.
Vocals are front and centre, presented with an intimacy that feels almost tailored, yet never shouty or artificial. Details come through with grace rather than force—you’re not being bombarded with information, but everything you need is there, blended seamlessly into the music.
Treble
The treble follows Meze’s familiar philosophy: smooth, slightly rolled off, and free from sharp edges. It’s a relaxed top end that keeps fatigue in check, even during long sessions, but still offers enough presence to avoid sounding dull.
Extension is decent, but the treble sits slightly behind the mids in the overall mix. There’s a touch of softness to transient edges, which trades analytical bite for a more rounded, natural feel. It’s not the most resolving or airy treble, but it suits the tuning and keeps the sound grounded and comfortable.
Soundstage & Technicalities
Soundstage is wide with a good sense of left-to-right spread. Imaging places instruments with a natural sense of space rather than artificial precision. There’s no exaggerated separation, but the layering is clean and convincing.
It doesn’t try to impress with technical fireworks—this is a headphone that excels at delivering an emotionally engaging performance rather than showing off. That said, it holds up well with moderately complex passages, staying composed without sounding flat or compressed.
Comparisons
Meze 99 Classics
Introduced in 2015, the 99 Classics were the first model the company developed entirely in-house—and the one that truly put Meze on the audiophile map. The 99 Classics are warm, mellow and unapologetically coloured. They lean into the low end with a smooth, rounded bass that gives music a full-bodied character, while the mids are rich and slightly forward. Treble is soft and rolled off, avoiding any harshness. It’s a relaxed, cosy tuning that flatters most genres but doesn’t offer as much in the way of technical prowess or detail retrieval.
The 105 AER, on the other hand, feels like Meze growing up. It carries over that familiar warmth and rich midrange, but does so with more refinement and control. The bass is tighter and more disciplined, with better texture and layering. There’s greater air and openness thanks to the semi-open design, and the treble is better extended, offering more detail. In short, the 99 Classics are all about laid-back musicality, while the 105 AER takes that DNA and elevates it with a more mature, spacious and technically capable presentation.
Sennheiser HD650
The HD650 has long been the benchmark for smooth, natural tuning. Its laid-back presentation, gentle treble roll-off, and warm, rich midrange make it a favourite for long sessions and vocal-centric music. The bass is soft and a little rounded, with more presence than punch, and while the imaging is accurate, the soundstage is relatively intimate. It’s a forgiving headphone that prioritises musicality first and foremost.
The 105 AER, by contrast, offers a more modern take on warm tuning. It shares the HD650’s midrange richness but adds extra clarity, a wider and more open stage, and better resolution across the board. The bass has more grip and separation, and the treble extends further without becoming harsh. Where the HD650 feels cosy and nostalgic, the 105 AER brings a more spacious and articulate sound, while still retaining a smooth and easygoing character.
Verdict
The Meze 105 AER is an outstanding headphone that gets just about everything right. From the premium build and comfort to the rich, articulate sound, it offers a lot of performance for the price. It’s the kind of tuning that feels instantly inviting yet continues to reveal its depth the longer you listen.
At this price point, there’s very little to complain about. If I had to nitpick, the stock cable could be better—but that’s easy enough to replace. Overall, the 105 AER is a clear winner—one of the most complete and enjoyable headphones I’ve heard in its class—and a natural choice for our Recommended award.
