Can $399 Meze 105 AER Audiophile Headphones make your playlist sound brand new?

Romanian audio wizards Meze have done it again. Their latest creation, the 105 AER open-back headphones, manages that rare balancing act of looking like industrial art while delivering sound that makes your favorite tracks feel brand new. Having spent years establishing themselves as the audiophile’s secret weapon with models like the Empyrean and 109 Pro, Meze’s more accessible $399 offering proves they understand something fundamental: great sound doesn’t need to come wrapped in mortgage-payment pricing.

The 105 AER sits in that sweet spot where serious audio enthusiasts and casual listeners converge. These aren’t your average commuter cans (open-back designs rarely are), but rather stay-at-home companions designed for those moments when you want to disappear into your music collection. Meze has crafted these with the clear intention of delivering an experience rather than just a product, and it shows in every aspect from unboxing to extended listening sessions.

Designer: Meze Audio

Let’s talk design, because these things are gorgeous. The name “AER” itself comes from the Romanian word for “air,” perfectly capturing the essence of these open-back headphones. This linguistic nod to Meze’s Romanian heritage isn’t just clever branding; it genuinely reflects what these headphones are all about: openness, spaciousness, and transparency in both physical form and sonic character. The 105 AERs feature a distinctive webbed pattern on their polymer earcups that gives them an almost architectural quality. Unlike their pricier sibling, the 109 Pro with its walnut wood cups, the 105 AER goes for an all-black aesthetic that feels simultaneously understated and premium.

The velour earpads aren’t just there for comfort (though they excel at that during marathon listening sessions); they’re part of a carefully considered approach to how these headphones interact with your ears both physically and sonically. The entire assembly weighs in at a neck-friendly level that makes you forget you’re wearing them after a few minutes.

Connectivity comes via a detachable Kevlar-reinforced OFC cable that terminates in a standard 3.5mm connector, with a 6.3mm adapter included for those with more serious amplification setups. This single-cable approach keeps things simple compared to the multiple cable options that come with Meze’s flagship models. The package includes a hard EVA carrying case that protects your investment without taking up half your backpack. These practical considerations reflect Meze’s understanding that even “serious” audio gear needs to integrate into real-world usage scenarios.

The 105 AERs deliver what many reviewers have described as a “fun tuning” with emphasized bass that never drowns out the mids. This isn’t the clinical flatness some audiophile brands pursue; instead, Meze has opted for a more engaging presentation that makes everything from jazz to electronic music sound lively and immersive. The midrange reproduction is particularly noteworthy, with vocals and acoustic instruments presented with a natural timbre that avoids the artificial coloration cheaper headphones often introduce. Treble response is crisp and detailed without becoming fatiguing during longer sessions, striking that delicate balance between revealing detail and remaining pleasant to listen to.

While many manufacturers chase either ultra-analytical sound or bass-heavy consumer profiles, Meze has carved out their own space with a presentation that prioritizes musical enjoyment over technical showboating. The open-back design creates a soundstage that extends beyond the physical confines of the headphones, giving music room to breathe in a way that closed-back models simply cannot match. This spatial quality makes them particularly well-suited for genres like classical, jazz, and well-recorded rock where instrument placement and room acoustics are integral to the experience.

The 105 AER is priced at $399, positioning it as an accessible option for those seeking audiophile-grade sound without the premium price tag of higher-end models. Compared to Meze’s 109 Pro, the 105 AER offers a brighter treble and a more energetic sound signature, making it an excellent choice for listeners who prefer a lively and engaging audio experience. While the 109 Pro might offer richer bass and a more luxurious design, the 105 AER holds its own with its clear mids and non-fatiguing treble.

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