I’m here to share some Meze with you – no, not some delicious small plates – something even better. Instead, I’m talking about the Meze Audio Alba – a pair of affordable yet excellent-sounding in-ear monitors (IEMs) that I’d highly recommend to anyone getting into the audiophile space.
If you want to get the best out of higher resolution audio files – especially in the wake of Spotify adding a new lossless quality option for Premium users – a good pair of IEMs can be totally game-changing. A set like the Alba, say, can lift out details you may never have heard in your favorite tracks, taking your immersion and appreciation of music to new heights.
High performance, low cost
What are these ‘IEMs’?
In-ear monitors, commonly known as IEMs, are wired earbuds which have traditionally been used by musicians, audio engineers and broadcasters. They’re an ideal choice for singers who want to hear themselves clearly on stage, for example, thanks to their typically high-fidelity audio output, effective passive noise isolation, and secure fit.
IEMs are instantly recognizable thanks to their round-the-ear hook style cable and small drivers. Usually, they lean into a more neutral frequency response, something that musicians and audiophiles alike will often appreciate. If you’ve got an appreciation for the finer details, a high-quality model can be great for personal listening too – you don’t have to be a producer or performer!
Something that I always put upfront and center of my reviews is sound-per-pound (or dollar etc.) value. When I review a high-end pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones, I’m anticipating a revealing, impactful, and well-balanced listen. If I’m reviewing some of the best budget earbuds, I might not have such high expectations – but if I can sense clear vocals, solid low-end weight, and controller treble, that will likely do me just fine.
And so, when it comes to bang for your buck, the Meze Audio Alba absolutely nail it. They’re already on the budget end of things for IEMs, with a list price of $159 / £139 / AU$239. But don’t be fooled – they won’t cheap out when it comes to sound quality.
In my review of the Alba, I praised their “awesome attention to detail right across the frequency range”, impressively weighty bass, and energetic treble output.
Even as I write this, I’m using the Alba, and listening to Callie by Joyce Cooling, I’m struck by how responsive and defined the high-pitched, snappy claps sound throughout the intro. Expressive guitar in the mid-range never sounded obscured in the mix or muddied with the track’s seriously smooth bass – which itself came through with controlled, yet attention-grabbing impact.
In my initial testing, I was especially pleased with how the Alba handled instrument separation and detail. For instance, in Jamiroquai’s Where Do We Go From Here, the choppy rhythm guitar was effortlessly carved out and given tons of breathing space, even alongside layered vocals. The curtain was also pulled back on more subtle elements, like light percussion in the right channel. And all of this remained true, even at top volumes.
All in all, the Meze Audio Alba are capable of showing your favorite songs in a new light – and they won’t break the bank either. They also come with a custom-made USB-C adapter that has an inbuilt DAC and AMP, enabling you to listen to hi-res audio from your smartphone. So, if you’re a beginner in the audiophile world, it doesn’t get a whole lot more convenient than this!
A marvel in design
Something else I wanted to flag is the sheer beauty of the Meze Audio Alba – something that instantly made it hard for me to believe their low price tag.
They’re constructed of zinc alloy and anodized aluminium components, while the outer casing is representative of a pearl – it’s sparkling and white. Even to the touch, the Alba feel more premium than a lot of rivals in this price range – even the stellar Sennheiser IE 200 use basic plastic casing.
In addition, you get an elegant, braided wire, which has subjected me to exceptionally limited cable noise. There’s also a range of eartips included in the box, so you can find the perfect in-ear fit for you. The standard size worked just fine for me, meaning I’ve always got a neat seal and plenty of protection from pesky external noises.
Sure, there’s even more premium looking – and indeed sounding – models to discover in this exciting section of the market. One set that comes to mind is the Sennheiser IE 600, which are made of ZR01 amorphous zirconium – the same type of metal used for the drilling head of NASA’s Mars Rover. Oh, and they sound even better than the Alba, with full-bodied, meticulously detailed, and masterfully tuned audio.
Then again, a model like the IE 600 is something you may want to explore later in your audiophile journey. They have a list price of $799 / £699 / AU$1,199 after all, so it’s probably best to start with a more affordable alternative. And when you combine the Alba’s attention to detail – both sonically and physically – I think they’re the ideal pick.
But what are your thoughts? If you’re venturing into audiophile-grade sound, will you be checking out the Alba? Or maybe you want to share the IEMs that got you into high-fidelity listening? Regardless, I’d love to hear from you, so make sure to get chatting in the comments!
