What the Reviewers Think: Meze 105 AER

Tom at Apos here. What I love more than anything else is a reasonably-priced banger: the 6XX, the Sundara, the R70x Refine, the Gremlin (shamelessly tooting my own horn here). The list goes on and on. Do we have another on our hands with the Meze 105 AER? A classic isn't born overnight, but the opinions of trusted reviewers go a long way, so let's see what they think.

We’ve compiled reviews from across the web. What you’ll find here are bite-sized TLDR snippets of the full reviews (which you can access with the provided links). We’ll continue updating this page as more reviews come in.

From Gadgetry Tech’s review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on November 22nd, 2024:

"More fun than the HD6XX. It has more energy. It's a wonderful headphone. It's a home run. It's Meze's best headphone for the money."

From Joshua Valour’s review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on November 19th, 2024:

"The least appealing of their open-backs. That doesn't make it a bad headphone, but the 109PRO and Empyrean II are just so much better. If it were my money, I would spring for the 109 PRO."

From Super Reviews’ review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on November 19th, 2024:

"It has a home run build quality at half the price of the 109 PRO. Personally, I think it's better than the 109 PRO with the caveat that it can be fatiguing and sharp. 3/5 stars."

From The Techne’s review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on November 19th, 2024:

"Meze just doesn't fail. If you want a neutral sound, the 105 AER shine."

From Passion for Sound’s review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on November 19th, 2024:

"Affordable, very difficult not to enjoy. Astounding for their price."

From SoundNews’ review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on November 24th, 2024:

"Lighter and more comfortable than the 109 PRO. Easy on the ears, easy to drive, a tremendous value for the price."

From Z Reviews’ review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on December 4th, 2024:

"A no-brainer. Plug it into a tube amp and you're set."

From iiWi’s review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on December 6th, 2024:

"Really nicely tuned. Its deviations from a totally neutral sound make music sound more pleasant."

From Headfonics’ review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on November 27th, 2024:

"8.8/10. As you might expect from Meze Audio, the 105 AER is another beautifully designed set of headphones. However, importantly, it achieves a good balance in its sound signature, setting itself apart from many of its competitors by prioritizing versatility and compatibility with lower-powered devices."

From Headfonia’s review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on November 28th, 2024:

"Meze Audio kept it simple: They utilized the fantastic design language and premium build, made a tuning appealing to most people, created a headphone that is easy to drive, and priced it competitively. There you have it. The 105 AER is a good option for casual listeners needing good and comfortable headphones. There is no need for complex desktop systems; just a DAP or maybe even a smartphone output, and you’re good to go.

"I prefer the performance of the 109 Pro, which is still one of the best below the $1,000 USD budget barrier, but not everyone is willing to invest that much money in headphones. So, for its target audience, I think the 105 AER delivers. Its tuning is perfect for a broader audience, and it’s excellently coherent, with a consistent and smooth performance. From the design to the materials and sound quality, it’s hard to find an apparent weakness in the overall performance."

From Major HIFI’s review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on November 20th, 2024:

"The Meze 105 AER delivers an impressive package for its price, combining sleek design, thoughtful engineering, and an engaging sound signature. While it doesn’t quite reach the scale or refinement of the 109 Pro, it offers a fantastic entry-level experience for those looking to explore high-fidelity audio. From its textured bass to its crisp highs, the 105 AER proves that Meze can maintain its commitment to quality without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or just beginning your journey, these headphones are worth considering."

From Tom’s Guide's review of the Meze 105 AER Open-Back Headphones, first published on December 18th, 2024:

"4.5/5. The latest headphones from Romania’s Meze are a design and sonic treat. Click that 3.5mm headphone connector into your nearest jack, and you’ll be treated with a well rounded, pleasing warm yet detailed and clear sound. Isolation, as you might expect from openbacks, is not great and they’re not one for long-haul flights or train journeys, but they’re a stunner for dedicated indoor listening."