Meze 105 AER Headphones – INSANELY Powerful, and STUPID Comfortable! Under $400
United States of Analog | December 11, 2025
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This is a review of the Meze Audio 105 AER open-back headphones priced under $400. The host Bob is testing them with various audio equipment including a mini-disc player setup, discussing headphone comfort, sound quality, and general headphone philosophy.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- Meze Audio 105 AER headphones – Open-back, lightweight, black color, featuring honeycomb design and memory foam ear cups. Host has been testing for 2-3 months. Described as very comfortable with clean, clear, bassy but not boomy sound
- Sony broadcast mini-disc machine – Vintage equipment the host owns
- Portable MD player – Still works great, used for testing
- J2 DAC from JustShellyLabs – Part of desktop testing setup
- Schiit Audio Heresy headphone amp – [00:01:25] Described as “one of my favorite little headphone amps”
- Verum One headphones – [00:02:50] Mentioned as competition
- Sennheiser mid-level headphones – Listed as competition
- Audio Technica headphones – Listed as competition
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:01:52] Headphone performance is “extremely subjective” and varies by individual head/ear shape
- [00:02:32] Doesn’t like listening to vinyl on headphones because it reveals pops, clicks, and stylus noise too clearly
- [00:03:02] Comfort is “half of the battle with headphones” – sound quality means nothing if you can’t wear them long-term
- [00:03:25] Prefers “realistic bass” over “club like bass”
- [00:03:49] Has enjoyed the Meze headphones for months and finds them extremely comfortable
What are the host’s strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- [00:02:22] Emphasizes the importance of auditioning headphones yourself before buying since fit and sound preference are so personal
Any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- [00:00:54] “I was thinking the other day and that’s always dangerous”
- [00:03:52] About the Meze headphones: “They almost disappear” and “you almost don’t feel them”
3-Paragraph Summary
Host Bob opens the video in “audio mad scientist mode,” introducing a review of the Meze Audio 105 AER headphones. He’s set up an eclectic testing system combining vintage mini-disc players with modern components like a JustShellyLabs J2 DAC and Schiit Audio Heresy headphone amp. The setup reflects his philosophy that the hobby should be fun and experimental, mixing old and new gear to create interesting listening experiences.
Bob provides substantial context about headphones in general, emphasizing that headphone preferences are extremely subjective due to individual differences in head shape, ear size, and sound preferences. He shares his personal stance against using headphones for vinyl listening, as the intimate presentation makes surface noise and tracking sounds too prominent. He stresses that comfort is equally important as sound quality, since even the best-sounding headphones are useless if they can’t be worn for extended periods.
Regarding the Meze 105 AER specifically, Bob positions them as competitors to mid-level offerings from Sennheiser, Audio Technica, and the Verum One. After several months of testing, he praises their exceptional comfort, describing them as nearly disappearing when worn thanks to their lightweight design, memory foam ear cups, and organic honeycomb construction. He characterizes their sound as clean, clear, and well-balanced with realistic rather than exaggerated bass response, wrapped in an attractive stealthy black aesthetic that blends modern and vintage design elements.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- [00:04:57] Meze 105 AER headphones (lightweight open-back)
- [00:07:31] Sennheiser HD 650s (mentioned for comparison)
- [00:06:26] Beats headphones (referenced for bass comparison)
- [00:04:12] Mini discs (briefly mentioned)
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- [00:05:27] The suspension headband is “very comfortable”
- [00:06:13] The headphones “virtually disappear on your head”
- [00:06:43] They are “not muddy at all”
- [00:07:02] “Pretty damn good” but not the fastest sounding headphones he’s heard
- [00:07:08] Mids described as “classic meze smooth organic”
- [00:07:17] Nothing made him want to “rip these off my head and throw them in a corner”
- [00:07:36] His Sennheiser 650s “never quite resonated with me” – found them “too polite”
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?
- [00:06:22] Bass signature: won’t get “thumping club bass” but provides tight, solid bass with excitement for rock and jazz
- [00:06:50] Bass detail: can feel “vibrations of the bass strings” and get low bass detail
- [00:06:57] Drums: “kick drums and snares are gonna be snappy”
- [00:07:10] Vocals are “nicely forward” and “never shouty”
- [00:06:07] Open-back design makes sound seem “airier”
Any comparisons to other gear mentioned?
- [00:07:31] Compared to Sennheiser HD 650s – found the Sennheisers “too polite” and they “never quite resonated” with him
- [00:06:26] Contrasted with Beats headphones regarding bass response
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- [00:04:34] “I appear on camera and get 10,000 views” – commenting on viewership differences between face-to-camera vs. product-only videos
- [00:06:13] “These virtually disappear on your head”
- [00:07:17] “There was nothing that I heard in my experiments that… wanted me to just rip these off my head and throw them in a corner”
Summary
In this portion of the review, the host provides detailed observations about the Meze 105 AER’s comfort and design, noting their Romanian heritage and violin-making background. He emphasizes the exceptional comfort of the suspension headband system, drawing from his professional experience wearing headphones five hours daily for radio broadcasting. The lightweight, open-back design creates what he describes as an “airy” sound that makes the headphones virtually disappear during use.
The host conducts extensive listening tests, focusing particularly on the bass response and midrange characteristics. He notes that while these won’t provide the exaggerated bass of consumer headphones like Beats, they offer the tight, detailed low-end that audiophiles prefer, with excellent texture and snap in drums. The midrange follows Meze’s signature smooth, organic sound with forward but never harsh vocals, making them particularly suitable for singer-songwriter material and guitar-based music.
A key comparison emerges with his Sennheiser HD 650s, which he finds too polite and unresonating compared to the Meze’s more engaging presentation. Throughout his testing, he found nothing objectionable about the sound signature, suggesting these headphones offer a well-balanced, fatigue-free listening experience that aligns well with audiophile preferences for natural, detailed sound reproduction.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
Gear, Products, and Brands Discussed
- [00:09:14] Meze 105 AER headphones ($399)
- [00:09:44] Meze hard shell carrying case (included)
- [00:08:41] Phone dongles and entry-level headphone amps (as power options)
Host’s Final Verdict or Conclusion
- [00:09:33] Characterized the headphones in two words: “powerful and comfortable”
- [00:10:02] “$399 bucks pretty good price for a great set of cans if you ask me”
- [00:10:20] Host states he’s going to “hang on to mine” (keeping the headphones)
Final Recommendations
- [00:10:14] Strong advice to “look for opportunities where you can audition these to make sure because we’re all different and headphones are very subjective”
- [00:09:09] Recommends for “people that want all-day comfort clearly, but still want that excitement”
Final Tips, Caveats, or Advice
- [00:08:48] Power requirements: “Just about anything from your phone to a decent price appropriate headphone amp are gonna power these adequately”
- [00:09:49] All components are “customer replaceable” – drivers, cables, headband can be serviced by Meze
- [00:10:15] Emphasized the subjective nature of headphones and importance of personal audition
Memorable Closing Quotes or Strong Final Opinions
- [00:07:52] “These invite you to listen”
- [00:08:18] “It’s trouble you can trust”
- [00:08:32] “You’re listening to the music. You’re in a room with the musicians not studying them in a lab”
- [00:10:50] Self-aware closing: “Why am I yelling? I always do that when I put headphones on”
Summary
In this final portion, the host delivers his ultimate assessment of the Meze 105 AER headphones, emphasizing their inviting sound signature that encourages long listening sessions. He describes the treble as clean, revealing, and airy without being fatiguing, comparing it to “trouble you can trust” and noting the wide soundstage creates an immersive experience where listeners feel like they’re “in a room with the musicians.” The host positions these as headphones focused on musical immersion rather than analytical listening.
The technical discussion covers power requirements, noting these headphones are easy to drive with anything from phones to entry-level amps, making them suitable for “sanely priced” systems. He highlights the practical benefits including the included hard shell case, detachable cables, and Meze’s customer-replaceable component policy for long-term serviceability. The host identifies the target audience as those wanting all-day comfort while maintaining musical excitement.
His final verdict is overwhelmingly positive, summarizing the $399 headphones as “powerful and comfortable” and stating it’s “a pretty good price for a great set of cans.” However, he emphasizes the subjective nature of headphone preferences and strongly recommends auditioning before purchase. The video concludes on a personal note with the host keeping his review pair and making a self-deprecating joke about talking loudly while wearing headphones.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
