By: Dipin Sehdev
At this year’s HIGH END Munich 2025, Meze Audio is looking to make a statement. Known for fusing timeless aesthetics with uncompromising engineering, the Romanian headphone specialist unveiled two new pieces destined to stoke audiophile desire: the 105 SILVA, an open-back dynamic headphone marrying form and function, and Ultra, a high-purity silver cable that redefines the concept of “premium accessory.”
With each new release, Meze continues to build on its legacy of craftsmanship, sonic balance, and ergonomic finesse. The new products not only carry that reputation forward but push it into bold new territory—further blending design philosophy with acoustic innovation. Here’s a detailed breakdown of everything we know so far, including early impressions, specifications, and availability details.
A New Open-Back Contender: Meze Audio 105 SILVA
Meze’s latest headphone, the 105 SILVA, serves as the spiritual successor to the warm, easygoing 105 AER while borrowing technical prowess from the more analytical 109 PRO. But unlike either of its siblings, the SILVA makes a bigger design and material statement, using natural walnut wood, a high-strength polymer frame, and one of the most technically refined dynamic driver assemblies the brand has built to date.
Design: Where Mid-Century Modern Meets Acoustic Science
Visually, the 105 SILVA is a product only Meze could design. The earcups, precision-carved from walnut, give off unmistakable vintage charm—calling to mind mid-century furniture or classic stereo gear from a bygone era. But don’t let the aesthetics fool you. This headphone isn’t nostalgic—it’s progressive.
The frame is reinforced with PC-ABS polymer for lightweight rigidity. Combined with a spring steel headband and deep-cushioned earcups, the 105 SILVA promises long-session comfort without compromising structural integrity. Like all Meze headphones, it follows a strict design-for-longevity ethos: every component is fully serviceable and replaceable.
Driver Architecture: The Sonic Engine Under the Hood
At the heart of the SILVA is a new 50mm dynamic driver built with a cellulose composite dome and a titanium-coated semicrystalline polymer surround. This blend of natural and engineered materials allows Meze to fine-tune the balance between speed, control, and warmth.
Key internal components include:
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Titanium-coated torus: Adds stiffness to maintain structure during fast transients.
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Cellulose dome: Organic material that delivers natural tonality and reduces unwanted resonances.
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Copper-zinc stabilizer: Maintains diaphragm balance and reduces distortion.
Meze has designed this driver for fast impulse response and articulate bass performance without introducing harshness in the upper mids or treble. It’s meant to convey the nuance of strings, vocals, and acoustic instruments with clarity and emotional depth.
Tuning Philosophy: Technicality with Soul
Meze has long favored a tuning approach that walks the line between studio neutrality and musicality. The 105 SILVA fits neatly into that philosophy. Think of it as a more refined, mid-forward evolution of the 105 AER, optimized for vocal realism and instrument separation.
The SILVA’s sound signature is expected to:
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Deliver smooth, extended mids, ideal for jazz, folk, classical, and singer-songwriter genres.
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Provide wide staging and excellent imaging, thanks to its open-back design.
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Maintain low distortion even at high volumes, courtesy of the rigid driver materials.
If Meze’s track record is anything to go by, the 105 SILVA will be a headphone that invites long, fatigue-free listening—an audiophile’s dream for marathon sessions.
Meze Audio Ultra Cable: An Overkill Accessory Done Right
If the 105 SILVA is the performance car, then the Ultra cable is the titanium exhaust system—unnecessary for most, but irresistible for enthusiasts.
Developed to match the performance of Meze’s flagship Elite and Empyrean II headphones, the Ultra cable uses ultra-pure silver, precision braiding, and luxury connectors to maximize signal transmission and minimize signal loss. Even if your ears can’t pick out the difference, your gear rack (and Instagram feed) will thank you.
Cable Design and Engineering
Meze is marketing the Ultra cable as a high-fidelity, no-compromise solution for signal purity. It features:
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99.99999% pure silver conductors (7N purity), known for the highest electrical conductivity of any metal.
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40 conductors per cable, each 0.08mm in diameter, braided into a 16-to-8 configuration that avoids soldering at the Y-splitter.
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PVC dielectric insulation to ensure flexibility and resistance to interference.
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Cast zinc alloy Y-splitter and connectors, with a premium PVD coating for durability and aesthetics.
The braided geometry of the cable is more than eye candy—it’s specifically chosen to reduce electromagnetic interference and enhance flexibility. Meze’s decision to eliminate soldering at the split junction further reduces potential weak points or degradation over time.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Ultra cable is available in a wide array of connector options:
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Headphone end: Dual 4-pin mini-XLR (standard for Empyrean and Elite models)
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Source end: Choose from 3.5mm, 4.4mm balanced, 6.3mm (¼-inch), or 4-pin XLR for desktop amps
Lengths range from 1.2 to 3 meters, giving users enough flexibility for home or studio setups.
While Meze hasn’t yet released detailed measurements like resistance or capacitance values, the pedigree of materials suggests that this cable is as much about sonic clarity as it is about craftsmanship.
Ergonomics and Build: Wear It, Don’t Worship It
The 105 SILVA builds on the ergonomic lessons of its predecessors. Meze is one of the few manufacturers that emphasizes long-term comfort as much as sonic performance. That commitment is clear here:
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The self-adjusting headband adapts to head shape without pressure hotspots.
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The deep ear pads, likely memory foam wrapped in plush textile or vegan leather, cradle the ears with minimal clamp force.
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The low weight—just 354 grams—makes it lighter than many planar magnetic headphones in its class.
Despite the premium materials, nothing about the build feels precious or fragile. Like all Meze designs, the 105 SILVA is made to be worn daily and last for decades—not locked in a glass case.
Specs at a Glance
Meze Audio 105 SILVA – Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Driver Type | 50 mm Dynamic driver |
| Dome Material | Cellulose composite |
| Surround | Titanium-coated semicrystalline polymer |
| Stabilizer | Copper-zinc |
| Impedance | 42 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL at 1 kHz, 1 mW |
| Frequency Range | 5 Hz – 30 kHz |
| Weight | 354 grams |
| Ear Cups | Walnut wood + PC-ABS polymer |
| Headband | Self-adjusting spring steel |
| Design Features | Modular, fully serviceable for long-term durability |
Meze Audio Ultra Cable – Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Conductors | 99.99999% pure silver (7N purity) |
| Configuration | 40 x 0.08 mm conductors, 16-to-8 wire braid |
| Headphone-End Connectors | Dual 4-pin mini-XLR |
| Source-End Connectors | 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm, 6.3 mm, 4-pin XLR |
| Dielectric | PVC |
| Y-Splitter and Shells | Cast zinc alloy with PVD coating |
| Soldering | Jensen 5% silver (only where necessary) |
| Available Lengths | 1.2 m / 1.5 m / 2 m / 2.5 m / 3 m |
Pricing and Availability
Unfortunately, Meze is keeping tight-lipped about launch dates and pricing—for now.
Both products are expected to ship in Q3 or Q4 2025, with more specific details to follow in the months after HIGH END Munich.
Final Thoughts: Meze’s Sonic Sculptures Are Evolving
If Meze Audio’s last decade has been about proving that luxury and audio fidelity can coexist, then the 105 SILVA is the brand’s next chapter—a future-forward design rooted in natural materials, precise engineering, and expressive sound.
And while the Ultra cable may not be an essential upgrade for most listeners, it represents a philosophical extension of the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship. For those who want every detail of their system to be deliberate and elegant, it’s a compelling (and shiny) proposition.
From its debut in Baia Mare to the international stages of Munich, Meze Audio has consistently refused to compromise. The 105 SILVA and Ultra cable reinforce that principle—not just by sounding great, but by looking and feeling like the future of personal audio. We look forward to the reviews and CE Critic Score.
The 105 SILVA headphones and Ultra cable were showcased at MOC Event Center, Hall 1, Atrium 7, Booth B02 at HIGH END Munich 2025. Official product pages, pricing, and preorder windows will be announced closer to the commercial launch later this year.
