I have to say, my friend from Serbia. that your reviews are something totally different from other reviewer's. theres an honest excitement/joy that alot of people cant forcefully replicate. makes me want to travel there for my next family holiday. 100% respect from Uk...
Might have given these a look but I just got the Dita Project M and I don't see much coming close to those in sound quality and resolution anywhere below $1,000 USD.
Excellent review. Good description of the sound without getting caught up on unnecessary technicalities. I am looking to purchase my first pair of IEMs, and this review has proved helpful. Thank you!
Thanks for the video. The setup does look cool. I’m an over the ears can guy instead of in-ear buds. I Have a pair of Bose NC700 and now Sonos Ace. Rock on!
interesting. i can get these for 120usd but i recently bought nothing ear and i want to wait and see if they can add to my sub 200 iem's collection or not. some reviewers are saying they sound better tonally than a moondrop kato and technicalities are up there with 7hz timeless.
......at this price point..... the usual awful sentence.....I would have love a "at no price" comparison, and with other dac etc.... but I know you can do that.
Hifi devices were never more affordable. Having a comparison between audio devices is a must, imo without comparison a review has little relevance. Just discovered your channel and you do a great job, thanks.
I haven't tested them in any other way but this out of factory, 2 in 1 with their own DAC dongle. If you plan to use Alba with some other DAC that has 4.4mm output - using that out will almost always result in a slightly better sound.
Yes they are DIY. This is my video about them ruclips.net/video/_9uFO_qozDk/видео.htmlsi=2GL6Pbxmb0-ZiwO2 And this is a short of them in action ruclips.net/video/MjZF2rByh7c/видео.htmlsi=WcEsX4d1rkPTLisV
I have ordered an Alba when it was introduced to the market in June 2024. It appears Meze has production issues in Romania. Hence, I was promised the item to be delivered in September. Interestingly, I am promised the mini DAC for free to compensate for the production delay. Eagerly looking forward to the combination Meze Alba IEM + DAC.
@@authenticNL2 , No. They are sold separately by the vendor. May be the cost is also split. The IEM alone costs about $120, which is cheaper than International price of $160.
Excellent review! There are lots of IEMs at even lower price which will give it a run for it's price, for example the simgot ea500lm or the Aful Explorer.
I received my Alba today. The sibilance is unreal. I think something has to be wrong with mine because I had to EQ it from 2K to 16K at -5 to -7.5 just to make them acceptable. And it cut my volume to what feels like -50% or something. I'm returning them to see if another pair works any better.
Also, please double check if the ear tip makes good seal. They're awfully sensitive to that. If it's not good, the bass is lost and midrange dominates, making the sound thin and bright.
@@iiWiReviews I purchased some cheap memory foam tips and that fixed it. They were incredibly harsh. But I guess it's what you said, they just weren't sealing.
Given we get both am IEM and a DAC, that would be around $80 each, I think it's appropriate. It's of course a very subjective thing but I tend to consider anything bellow 100 to be budget friendly.
@@iiWiReviews I'm afraid the bundled dongle DAC may not be worth $80. Its specs do not seem to be given on their product page. Even the DAC chip used is not specified. Its objective worth is unknown and unspecifiable at present. Given that another reviewer says that it doesn't support DSD files and only supports PCM files up to 384kHz, I wonder if it is anything more than a complimentary accessory. Furthermore, to someone who does not intend to use this bundled dongle, its subjective worth can be $0. For such a person, it can be something useless for her/him that only adds to the price tag.
For me personally, both are great, but comfort is heavily dependent on our personal ear shape and it's the most difficult thing to comment objectively. For example, my girlfriend finds small IEMs with very short necks most comfortable, and I often can't make a good fit with those and they keep falling out (like old Sennheiser CX300 for example).
@@iiWiReviews Thanks, I'm asking because my ears get irritated by larger iems or if they're heavy. I've been wearing iems so long I think my ears got sensitive over time. I fear they may be to heavy, I can always wait till they're on Amazon and 'try' them ha ha. I've got meze classics 99 and I like the sound.
Hi, you do not mention whether you got these earphones for free. I think this is very important for listeners to know since it can of course influence your review.
I have many reviews that are glowing even though I bought the product myself or it was a loaner, and many reviews that were critical or mild even though they were free samples. So no, it doesn't influence the review at all if you have a backbone and don't sell yourself. That kind of behavior would be very disappointing and easily noticed by my long term viewers.
@@chancemackey7100 This IEM is no Hifi either and I don't like it, but I found this review more interesting than other IEM reviews which I normally ignore.
I have to say, my friend from Serbia. that your reviews are something totally different from other reviewer's. theres an honest excitement/joy that alot of people cant forcefully replicate. makes me want to travel there for my next family holiday. 100% respect from Uk...
1. This DAC works with an iPhone 15. ?
2. The DAC decodes DSD?
Thank You.
Did you try them without the dongle attachment with other dacs or daps?
I haven't. To my knowledge, the only way to buy them is in the set and I considered it as one "all-in-one" product.
Hello, thank you for the review. What do you think of combining the Alba with the ak hc4 or the cayin ru7?
Might have given these a look but I just got the Dita Project M and I don't see much coming close to those in sound quality and resolution anywhere below $1,000 USD.
In Ears don't fit me so I am into flat earbuds now. Very nineties
I ordered a pair yesterday. Looking forward to hearing them. I’m becoming quite a fan of Meze Audio.
Excellent review. Good description of the sound without getting caught up on unnecessary technicalities. I am looking to purchase my first pair of IEMs, and this review has proved helpful. Thank you!
Thanks for the video. The setup does look cool. I’m an over the ears can guy instead of in-ear buds. I Have a pair of Bose NC700 and now Sonos Ace. Rock on!
Maybe we'll hear something soon about the Fiio K11 *R2R* 🤗
interesting. i can get these for 120usd but i recently bought nothing ear and i want to wait and see if they can add to my sub 200 iem's collection or not. some reviewers are saying they sound better tonally than a moondrop kato and technicalities are up there with 7hz timeless.
Is the Alba dac compatible with other non Meze iem's? Cheers
......at this price point..... the usual awful sentence.....I would have love a "at no price" comparison, and with other dac etc.... but I know you can do that.
How are the alba, compared to some wireless items like Sennheiser mtws4 for example? 🤔☺️
Hifi devices were never more affordable. Having a comparison between audio devices is a must, imo without comparison a review has little relevance. Just discovered your channel and you do a great job, thanks.
Comparisons to higher end products would be appreciated. Knowing whether it's worth spending more, etc, is helpful
I already have the Salnotes Zero 2 and Hidizs S3 Pro. I think cheaper combo overall, I love this setup. Hifi in your pocket wherever you go.
Great Review. Did you try the Alba's with the S9?
You succumbed to the Temptation of Diana Krall. I was worried and then I saw Billy Idol and all is good again.
I love that you mentioned you were having a good music day! I thought I was the only one who felt that way.
Hey, Srba. Nice review, as usual. Tell me...did you try to use 4.4 mm cable instead that default 3.5 mm? And if yes, did you hear the difference?
I haven't tested them in any other way but this out of factory, 2 in 1 with their own DAC dongle. If you plan to use Alba with some other DAC that has 4.4mm output - using that out will almost always result in a slightly better sound.
does it leak sound?
What kind of bookshelf speakers in the background? Diy?
Yes they are DIY. This is my video about them ruclips.net/video/_9uFO_qozDk/видео.htmlsi=2GL6Pbxmb0-ZiwO2
And this is a short of them in action ruclips.net/video/MjZF2rByh7c/видео.htmlsi=WcEsX4d1rkPTLisV
How do these compare to ikko oh10? What kind of sound differences are there? Thanks!
Can't say because I haven't heard OH10.
I have ordered an Alba when it was introduced to the market in June 2024. It appears Meze has production issues in Romania. Hence, I was promised the item to be delivered in September. Interestingly, I am promised the mini DAC for free to compensate for the production delay. Eagerly looking forward to the combination Meze Alba IEM + DAC.
🤣
@@soulfulfool ?
@LondonVisitor66 doesn't the DAC come with the Alba's by default?
@@authenticNL2 , No. They are sold separately by the vendor. May be the cost is also split. The IEM alone costs about $120, which is cheaper than International price of $160.
Excellent review! There are lots of IEMs at even lower price which will give it a run for it's price, for example the simgot ea500lm or the Aful Explorer.
the headphones did not impress me at all, they correspond to the level of Chinese ones for 30-40 dollars and the dongle DAC is really crap
I never disconnect cables from IEMs. If I buy this pair of IEMs, I will change to 4.4 termination.
I received my Alba today. The sibilance is unreal. I think something has to be wrong with mine because I had to EQ it from 2K to 16K at -5 to -7.5 just to make them acceptable. And it cut my volume to what feels like -50% or something. I'm returning them to see if another pair works any better.
Let them play for half a day and then try them again.
@KXP70 okay I'll try that. Thanks.
Also, please double check if the ear tip makes good seal. They're awfully sensitive to that. If it's not good, the bass is lost and midrange dominates, making the sound thin and bright.
@@iiWiReviews I purchased some cheap memory foam tips and that fixed it. They were incredibly harsh. But I guess it's what you said, they just weren't sealing.
What kind of connector have the iem? Standard, 078 or 0.75mm?
I don't know man, with the Supermix 4 at similar price and multiple drivers in not sure I would pick this one
What EQ software would you recommend?
What's the nozzle size on the Alba?
Since when $159 1DD is budget?
Given we get both am IEM and a DAC, that would be around $80 each, I think it's appropriate. It's of course a very subjective thing but I tend to consider anything bellow 100 to be budget friendly.
@@iiWiReviews I'm not gonna say I fully agree, especially looking at current IEM market and prices, but let's say I understand your logic here.
@@iiWiReviews I'm afraid the bundled dongle DAC may not be worth $80. Its specs do not seem to be given on their product page. Even the DAC chip used is not specified. Its objective worth is unknown and unspecifiable at present.
Given that another reviewer says that it doesn't support DSD files and only supports PCM files up to 384kHz, I wonder if it is anything more than a complimentary accessory.
Furthermore, to someone who does not intend to use this bundled dongle, its subjective worth can be $0. For such a person, it can be something useless for her/him that only adds to the price tag.
it doesn't affect price. One of the best iems sennheiser ie600 cost like 600 doll
For once, I have music for you: Album- Tori Band: Nicolas Parent Trio
I agree with your choice. It's a fantastic album I've listened a lot lately. 🙂
@@iiWiReviewsahh…you already have discovered…I thought that the sound quality and music was right up your alley. I LOVE IT, TOO!
affordable *checks the price, $160 yeaaah
Just don't forget its basically a set of two products, a DAC and an IEM.
you're getting a dac in there too bud
How is the weight and comfort?
For me personally, both are great, but comfort is heavily dependent on our personal ear shape and it's the most difficult thing to comment objectively. For example, my girlfriend finds small IEMs with very short necks most comfortable, and I often can't make a good fit with those and they keep falling out (like old Sennheiser CX300 for example).
@@iiWiReviews
Thanks, I'm asking because my ears get irritated by larger iems or if they're heavy. I've been wearing iems so long I think my ears got sensitive over time. I fear they may be to heavy, I can always wait till they're on Amazon and 'try' them ha ha. I've got meze classics 99 and I like the sound.
Bravo, Srbo.
Gledam ih već dva dana, stigao mi je i mail do Meze Audio. Bolje da su mi poslali jedne na probu.
Meni se čini da su za te pare odlične.
not worth the price
Have you even tried it?
@@akash5180 That's Akoustyx LLC's account -- they make iEMs too, maybe a bitter competitor?
Not enough drivers lol
as is with all Meze products
Hi, you do not mention whether you got these earphones for free. I think this is very important for listeners to know since it can of course influence your review.
I have many reviews that are glowing even though I bought the product myself or it was a loaner, and many reviews that were critical or mild even though they were free samples. So no, it doesn't influence the review at all if you have a backbone and don't sell yourself. That kind of behavior would be very disappointing and easily noticed by my long term viewers.
@@iiWiReviewsgood answer. An honest man doesn't have to tell everyone he's honest.
Normally I don't like IEM reviews because I do not consider IEMs as Hifi. But this one is an exception because it is a complete solution.
That makes no sense lmao IEMs aren't hifi but this iem is hifi because it comes with a cheap dongle?
@@chancemackey7100 This IEM is no Hifi either and I don't like it, but I found this review more interesting than other IEM reviews which I normally ignore.
For close to the same cash, you could get the helm bolt bundle: DAC and Amp, THX.