A Beloved Headphone Brand Is Making Wired Hi-Fi Even More Affordable
The Romanian hi-fi maker just introduced a more affordable version of its entry-level wired earbuds.
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Meze Audio is a Romanian hi-fi company best known for its high-end and beautifully designed headphones, many of which cost several thousand bucks.
That's why it was a big deal in 2024 when the brand introduced its most affordable set of in-ear monitors, the Alba , which cost just $159. They were designed for new hi-fi fans who wanted to take a first step into high-end wired audio.
Each Alba earbud features a 10.8mm dynamic driver with a frequency range of 15-25kHz; according to the company, it delivers a neutral sound profile "with an added touch of warmth." - Credit: Meze Audio
Fast forward to the present, and the Alba still costs $159 and remains the most affordable in-ear monitor the company makes. (For context, the only other IEMs Meze makes are the Astru , which it just introduced this spring and cost $899.)
The Alba S has a gold-plated 3.5mm jack. It doesn't ship with the USB-C adapter (shown above). - Credit: Meze Audio
Ditch the adapter, save $30
The Alba are unique because Meze ships them with a custom 3.5mm-to-USB-C adapter with its own built-in DAC, so you can plug it directly into your iPhone, Android, or desktop and elevate the listening experience. (It's known that smartphones and computers don't have the best built-in DACs.)
However, as spotted by eCoustics , Meze has started selling the Alba without this USB-C adapter, which drops the price from $159 to $129. So if you already have an adapter and an external DAC, it's a way to get Meze's most entry-level wired earbuds for even less.
Meze is calling these adaptor-less models the Alba S. They are available on the company's website now.
The Alba S ships with the same detachable, braided SPC cables as the standard Alba models. - Credit: Meze Audio
Meze Audio Alba S
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$129 at Meze Audio (% off)
About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol's editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.
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