Meze Strada headphone review

Like most Meze Audio releases, the STRADA headphones look stunning and feel well-sculpted right out of the box. But you know what struck me most when I auditioned these wired closed-backs? How much I grew to love their sonic performance the more I listened to them, over the course of several weeks.

Flagship-level build quality with warm, intricate sound

These headphones sport a build that closely resembles the Romanian company's top-shelf closed-back planar magnetic headphones, the LIRIC II. They use the familiar Macassar ebony ear cups and sturdy magnesium frame, along with a gorgeous green finish that's painted by hand.

And underneath, you'll find dynamic drivers that deliver a delightfully lush sound that still manages to be nimble and textured versus thick and syrupy.

Large headphones with Meze's comfortable, no-fuss fit

Meze uses a headband design inspired by their own 99 Classics V2, with the geometry slightly adjusted for the bigger, more oval-shaped earcups. Those winning ergonomics have scored both generations of 99 Classics the title of Crutchfield's "most comfortable" headphones after extensive in-house testing.

Here on the STRADA, they don't use the exact same spring suspension system, but the headband slides evenly into place. The headphones feel a little heavier, but the padding is thicker and the fit was still "one and done" for me. They needed no adjustment once I secured them on my head.

Fast-attack drivers built from high-grade materials

For the closed-back chassis, Meze retooled and re-tuned the 50mm dynamic drivers from the open-back 109 Pro headphones. Each diaphragm is a dual-membrane composite, with an inner material made of carbon fiber and cellulose that's covered by a beryllium-based film. All of these materials are rigid and lightweight, so they can move quickly and fluidly.

The soundstage is still what I would call intimate or immediate, but it's larger than you get from most closed-back headphones. And there is quite a bit of depth and airiness within.

Listening impressions

I primarily drove these headphones with my older Audio-Technica tube amp and used an iFi Audio DAC/preamp. Qobuz is my high-res music service of choice, streaming from my laptop.

The bass deserves a lot of credit here. The low end is more controlled than "classic" Meze — but still packs plenty of punch. This helps set the tone for an overall sound that strikes the right balance of detail and warmth. Percussion has bite, vocals sound natural and well-placed, and the highs have distinct presence without harshness.

Precise imaging with texture and depth

That said, it wasn't a sound that reached out and grabbed me the first time I listened. Perhaps that's precisely because Meze doesn't beat you over the head with detail. Still, the more I listened, the more I appreciated the depth, separation, and sense of space.

I was really taken when watching video of John Fogerty's Tiny Desk performance of “A Hundred and Ten in the Shade.” While I saw the band packed tightly together in the close quarters, sonically they were spread out distinctly. I could pick out each instrument to focus on — like son Shane Fogerty's killer slide guitar — while riding the overall groove. Likewise, John's bluesy, classically coarse tenor sat centered and rose above the backing band and vocals. Yet, his voice still felt in harmony with them.

Well-blended vocals and overall presentation

This is an important part of any mix or audio reproduction that is often best illustrated with hip hop. If the vocals are too recessed, the beat can overpower them. In turn, too-forward vocals can give you that dreaded out-of-sync, "rapping over a backtrack" effect.

Through the STRADA headphones, the vocals and production on Nas & DJ Premier album Light-Years (streaming 24-bit/44kHz on Qobuz) blended just right. And once again, the tight, emphatic bass and percussion set a sturdy foundation for Preemo's soaring horn samples and Nas' relaxed, intricate flow.

Head-to-head comparisons with other closed-back wired audiophile headphones

Here are some quick notes on how the Meze STRADA headphones compare to other closed-backs in this price range and class.

STRADA vs. Dan Clark Audio NoireX

These are two very well-built headphones with slightly different design philosophies. Both are easy on the eyes in their own way. But while Meze goes for their artisan look, the DCA NoireX exudes a more sleek-industrial vibe with its nickel-titanium headband and piano black Gorilla Glass earcup finish.

The NoireX headphones actually weigh a little more but feel lighter on the head. But part of that is their light-touch, relaxed fit that didn’t stay in place as well for me as the STRADA. (We learned in our comfort testing that security and stability mattered more than any other factor, particularly with oversized headphones like these.)

Sonically, the NoireX is tuned for a more neutral, linear frequency response to the STRADA’s warmer presentation. Those who value accuracy and precision most will prefer the NoireX, but you won’t feel quite the impact in areas like the low-end. While the bass in the NoireX is tight and tuneful, it lacks the thump of the STRADA. In turn, you’ll find more detail in the highs and upper mids.

STRADA vs Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII

These are two different types of headphones built for two different purposes. That’s clear from their appearances. Beyerdynamic primarily creates professional headphones with music creation in mind.

So, the DT 1770 Pro MKII sports a more functional, durable design that can survive life in the studio. And the sound is voiced for bright, brilliant treble so that mixers and producers can focus on higher-frequency detail. It just so happens that some audiophiles enjoy that extra sizzle to transients and overall high-end brilliance, too.

But it’s a stark contrast from the lush, laid-back sound of the STRADA — even though Beyer tends to also accentuate the sub-bass. I found the treble much less intense on the STRADA.

STRADA vs LIRIC II

Speaking of treble, the higher-frequency area is probably where Meze deviates most between their top-tier closed-back headphones. I’ll start with the higher-end LIRIC II. As noted, this Meze flagship uses planar-magnetic drivers — and I find they offer more top-end shimmer and faster transients.

Vocals in the upper range tend to come off more textured, too. And while the bass may not hit as hard in certain areas, the punch feels even more controlled through the LIRIC II.

All that said, I feel like you get a ton of value from the STRADA headphones. As in well over 90% of what makes the LIRIC II special — along with some perks, like the lighter build and (to my eyes) more pleasant emerald finish. Not bad for less than half the price!

Product highlights

• closed-back design offers noise isolation and extended bass response
• dynamic drivers made of high-grade materials like beryllium and carbon fiber
• airy, detailed sound with well-controlled bass punch
• large earcup housings made from Macassar ebony wood
• dense hardwood used in guitar making (known for strong projection, top-end clarity, and powerful bass)
• headband suspension system evenly distributes weight
• detachable magnetic ear pads
• well-cushioned, soft-touch pads are thicker than most
• two 5.9-foot detachable cables with braided Kevlar covering (1/4” unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced)
• a separate headphone amplifier or dedicated portable music player is required to properly power these headphones
• machined, assembled, and hand-painted at Meze's headquarters in Romania

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