Meze Audio 105 Silva Over-Ear Headphones

The Meze Audio 105 Silva is an open-back over-ear headphone with a dynamic 50 mm driver and earcups made of genuine walnut wood.

It's the big brother of the 105 AER: same open DNA, but a further-developed driver with a titanium-coated torus and clever accessories straight out of the box. Warm, resolving and with a touch of understatement.

Why the 105 Silva?

At its core sits a dynamic 50 mm driver with a bio-cellulose composite diaphragm and a titanium-coated torus – that keeps resonances small and gives the treble more cleanliness and fine detail. The earcups are made from air-dried walnut wood, each grain pattern unique. Add a spring-steel headband and robust PC-ABS elements. A USB-C adapter with a built-in DAC/amp is included as standard – unpack, plug in, start listening.

What you hear

A warm, rich sound with cleanly drawn treble and an open, wide soundstage. The open-back design gives the music air and separates the instruments clearly. It's easy to drive – from a phone through the included USB-C DAC to a full home system.

Who is the 105 Silva for?

For anyone who enjoys music at home or at the desk and wants a bit more fine detail than the 105 AER offers. Plain talk: "open" means open – sound escapes outward, ambient noise comes in. It's the wrong choice for the tram or an open-plan office; closed models like the 99 Classics or the Strada exist for that. If you're after the last step to high-end, look at the 109 PRO.

Our verdict

The 105 Silva refines the 105 recipe: titanium torus for cleaner treble, walnut wood for the eye and ear, USB-C DAC as standard. A warm, open all-rounder with understatement. Which source suits it best, we'll clarify at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

What the trade press says: «An attractive set of open-back headphones with dynamic bass, good clarity, and sensitivity that allows it to sound clean and engaging with various portable and desktop sources.» – Headfonics, 2025 (Award Score 8.4).

Technical data

• Type: open-back over-ear headphone (Open-Back)
• Driver: dynamic, 50 mm (bio-cellulose composite, titanium-coated torus)
• Frequency range: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
• Impedance: 42 Ω
• Sensitivity: 112 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
• Distortion (THD): < 0.1% at 1 kHz
• Connector: dual 3.5 mm jack, detachable cable
• Cable: 1.8 m, dual-twisted, Kevlar-sheathed, OFC (3.5 mm)
• Materials: walnut-wood earcups, PC-ABS, spring-steel headband
• Weight: 354 g
• Scope of delivery: headphone, 1.8 m OFC cable, cable pouch, 6.3 mm adapter, USB-C adapter with DAC/amp, hard case (EVA)

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference to the 105 AER?

Both are open-back 50 mm dynamic headphones with walnut wood. The 105 Silva uses a driver with a titanium-coated torus for cleaner, more finely drawn treble and comes with a USB-C DAC/amp as standard. The 105 AER is the more affordable, slightly warmer entry point.

Is the 105 Silva open – does it isolate sound from outside?

No. The 105 Silva is open-back: wide, airy soundstage, but no isolation. Sound escapes outward, ambient noise comes in. Ideal for home use, not for the train, office or library.

Do I need a headphone amplifier?

Not strictly no – at 42 Ω and 112 dB it already runs off a smartphone, and the included USB-C DAC/amp helps on devices without a headphone jack. But a good headphone amp or DAC noticeably brings out more dynamics and control.

Why buy the Meze Audio 105 Silva at HD Zürisee?

Because headphones and source need to match. As an experienced team in Wädenswil, we advise you on amplifiers, DACs and alternatives, you can compare models, and we take care of delivery and service. Call us (044 680 22 00), send us a message, or reach us on WhatsApp (076 534 22 00, text only, no calls).

Goes well with

Get more out of the 105 Silva with the right source: Headphone amplifiers · DACs & D/A converters · more headphones · Meze Audio