Audio T Verdict
The Meze 105 SILVA takes the approachable, easy-to-drive concept behind the 105 AER and develops it into something altogether more sophisticated. The walnut earcups might be the first difference you notice, but the changes go considerably deeper than appearance.
At the heart of each earcup is a 50mm dynamic driver specifically tuned for the SILVA. Meze combines a lightweight reinforced cellulose dome with a titanium-coated semicrystalline polymer torus and copper-zinc alloy stabiliser, with each part playing a different role in controlling diaphragm movement and unwanted resonance.
The result is a headphone Meze describes as balancing clarity and richness, with fast transients, detailed but smooth treble, controlled bass and a more expressive midrange presentation. That midband emphasis is particularly deliberate, with Meze's acoustic engineer highlighting vocal presence and the natural reproduction of acoustic stringed instruments as important elements of the SILVA's tuning.
The headline electrical figures remain very approachable: 42-ohm impedance and 112dB SPL/mW sensitivity mean the 105 SILVA does not demand an enormous desktop headphone amplifier simply to work properly. A quality DAC or headphone amplifier can still improve the complete system, but sensible portable sources are very much part of the design brief.
Meze reinforces that point by including a custom 3.5mm-to-USB-C adaptor with its own integrated DAC and headphone amplifier, allowing compatible phones, tablets and computers to drive the SILVA without requiring another separate dongle.
Comfort remains typically Meze. The self-adjusting PU leather support strap spreads the headphone's 354g mass across the head, while deep velour cushions surround the ears and provide a breathable contact surface for longer listening sessions.
Walnut wood, PC-ABS, spring steel and PVD-coated cast zinc-alloy hardware make this feel substantially more considered than a simple plastic headphone, while Meze's serviceable construction means individual components can be dismantled and maintained rather than treating the entire headphone as disposable.
If the 105 AER is the accessible introduction to Meze's current open-back sound, the 105 SILVA feels like the model for someone who wants greater material quality, a more expressive and detailed tuning, a more luxurious aesthetic and useful USB-C connectivity without jumping straight to the 109 PRO.
Meze 105 SILVA Open-Back Dynamic Headphones
The Meze 105 SILVA is a full-size open-back dynamic headphone combining a 50mm driver with walnut earcups, titanium-coated diaphragm technology, self-adjusting ergonomics and a deliberately balanced sound signature intended to combine musical enjoyment with fine detail.
Its visual design draws inspiration from Mid-Century Modern principles, mixing natural walnut with contemporary metals and polymers to create a headphone that feels both familiar and distinctly Meze.
SILVA Means Forest
The name SILVA comes from the Romanian noun for:
Forest.
Meze uses the name to reflect the combination of natural walnut, organic forms and the headphone's intended sense of balance and musical flow.
Open-Back Design
The 105 SILVA is an:
Open-back over-ear headphone.
Rather than enclosing the rear of the driver inside a sealed cup, the radial grille allows the driver to interact more freely with the surrounding air.
Open-back headphones are commonly chosen for:
- Spacious sound presentation
- Natural interaction between driver and surrounding air
- A less enclosed listening sensation
- Strong image separation
- Comfortable home listening in quiet environments
Open Back Means Sound Leakage
The 105 SILVA does not isolate you from the room.
People nearby will hear some of your music and outside sounds will remain audible, so these headphones are best suited to quieter listening environments rather than commuting or shared offices.
50mm Dynamic Driver
Meze developed the 105 SILVA around a:
50mm dynamic driver.
The company tested numerous driver iterations, materials and tuning methods before arriving at the SILVA configuration.
Its aim was to create a headphone that could satisfy both dedicated hi-fi listeners and music lovers wanting an engaging rather than overly clinical presentation.
A Different Driver From the 105 AER
Although the SILVA and AER both use 50mm dynamic driver architecture, their diaphragm implementations should not be treated as identical.
The SILVA introduces its own titanium-coated torus and dedicated acoustic tuning alongside the walnut earcup construction.
W-Shaped Reinforced Cellulose Dome
At the centre of the driver is a:
W-shaped reinforced cellulose composite dome.
Meze's detailed engineering description identifies this as carbon-fibre reinforced cellulose composite, selected to combine low mass, rigidity and durability while reducing resonances that could contribute to harmonic distortion.
Why a W-Shaped Dome?
The geometry helps provide structural control across the centre of the diaphragm while maintaining the low moving mass required for rapid high-frequency response.
Meze specifically associates the dome with:
- High-frequency detail
- Clarity
- Definition
- Reduced unwanted resonance
A Note on Meze's Terminology
Meze's 105 SILVA product summary refers to a bio-cellulose composite dome, while its detailed engineering page describes the dome as carbon-fibre reinforced cellulose composite.
The wording above follows Meze's more detailed driver-design description rather than attempting to invent a technical reconciliation between the two manufacturer descriptions.
Titanium-Coated Torus
Surrounding the central dome is a torus made from:
Titanium-coated semicrystalline polymer.
This is one of the principal engineering differences between the 105 SILVA and 105 AER.
Why Add Titanium?
Meze applies the titanium coating through:
Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD.
The coating reinforces the membrane while keeping the moving assembly lightweight.
Meze uses the treatment to optimise:
- Stiffness
- Driver speed
- Transient response
- Tonal balance
- Bass texture
45.5-Degree Torus Grooves
The torus incorporates grooves positioned at:
45.5 degrees.
Meze uses these precisely positioned grooves to reinforce the torus and control resonances within the moving membrane.
Copper-Zinc Alloy Stabiliser
A:
Copper-zinc alloy stabiliser
surrounds the membrane.
Its role is to improve vibration absorption and further reduce unwanted distortion.
Three-Part Driver Approach
The principal moving assembly therefore combines:
- W-shaped reinforced cellulose composite dome
- Titanium-coated semicrystalline polymer torus
- Copper-zinc alloy stabiliser
Each performs a different mechanical role within the 50mm dynamic driver.
5Hz to 30kHz Frequency Range
Meze specifies:
5Hz–30kHz.
This is the manufacturer's complete published frequency-range specification for the 105 SILVA.
Less Than 0.1% Total Harmonic Distortion
Meze specifies:
THD below 0.1% at 1kHz.
Total harmonic distortion describes additional harmonic content generated by the transducer rather than contained within the original electrical signal.
42-Ohm Impedance
Nominal impedance is:
42 ohms.
This relatively moderate figure allows the 105 SILVA to work with a broad selection of suitable portable and home headphone outputs.
112dB SPL/mW Sensitivity
Meze specifies:
112dB SPL/mW at 1kHz.
Combined with the 42-ohm impedance, this makes the SILVA relatively straightforward to drive compared with many less sensitive specialist hi-fi headphones.
Do You Need a Dedicated Headphone Amplifier?
Not necessarily.
The 105 SILVA can work from suitable outputs built into:
- Portable digital audio players
- DACs
- Integrated amplifiers
- Network streamers
- Computers
- Compatible phones and tablets using an appropriate DAC adaptor
- Dedicated headphone amplifiers
A better DAC or headphone amplifier can still improve the quality of the complete system, but the SILVA is not designed around unusually demanding amplifier requirements.
Custom USB-C DAC and Headphone Amplifier Included
Meze includes a custom:
3.5mm to USB-C adaptor with integrated DAC and headphone amplifier.
This allows compatible USB-C phones, tablets and computers to provide a direct digital connection to the supplied analogue headphone cable.
Useful for Modern Phones
Many current mobile devices no longer include a conventional headphone socket.
The supplied USB-C adaptor means a separate third-party dongle is not necessarily required.
No Published DAC Resolution to Invent
Meze describes the supplied USB-C adaptor as incorporating a DAC and headphone amplifier and supporting high-resolution playback.
Meze does not publish detailed DAC chip, maximum sample-rate, bit-depth, output-power or impedance specifications on the 105 SILVA product page, so these figures should not be guessed or added from third-party sources.
Clear, Rich and Engaging Tuning
Meze describes the SILVA as balancing:
Musicality and refinement.
The intended presentation combines clarity with richness rather than prioritising one at the expense of the other.
Fast Transients
Meze describes transient response as:
Fast and articulate.
The lightweight reinforced dome and titanium-coated torus form an important part of that behaviour.
Smooth Extended Treble
The SILVA's treble is deliberately tuned to reveal detail without becoming unnecessarily aggressive.
Meze characterises the upper frequencies as smooth and revealing.
Tight and Controlled Bass
Rather than simply increasing low-frequency quantity, Meze describes the SILVA's bass as:
Tight and well controlled.
The aim is to retain useful weight and texture without overwhelming the rest of the frequency range.
A More Expressive Midrange
This is one of the most important distinctions in the SILVA tuning.
Meze's acoustic engineer specifically identifies a more expressive midrange presentation intended to improve:
- Vocal presence
- Natural acoustic-string reproduction
- Musical engagement
Learning From the 105 AER and 109 PRO
Meze describes the SILVA as drawing on experience gained from both the 105 AER and 109 PRO.
The intention was to combine qualities such as:
- Richness
- Genre versatility
- Clarity
- Detail
However, Meze is explicit that SILVA is not simply a blend of the two existing headphones. Its more expressive midrange gives it a distinct character of its own.
Walnut Wood Earcups
The SILVA incorporates:
Walnut wood and PC-ABS earcup construction.
The natural walnut forms part of the visible cup surrounding Meze's radial open-back grille.
Every Walnut Piece Is Naturally Individual
Because walnut is a natural material, small variations in colour and grain should be expected from one pair to another.
Meze specifically notes that slight visual variations can occur as part of the individual craftsmanship of the product.
Mid-Century Modern Inspiration
The visual design draws from:
Mid-Century Modern.
Meze combines clean functional forms with natural and modern materials, using the radial grille and walnut earcups to give the SILVA a recognisably vintage influence without making it feel overtly retro.
Radial Open-Back Grille
The metal grille forms part of the visual identity of the SILVA as well as providing the open acoustic path required by the headphone design.
Its radial geometry integrates visually with the surrounding walnut wood.
Spring-Steel Outer Headband
The main structural headband uses:
Spring steel.
This provides the flexible outer frame linking the two earcups.
PVD-Coated Cast Zinc-Alloy Hardware
Key structural connections are made from:
Cast zinc alloy with PVD coating.
The metal hardware provides rigidity at important mechanical junctions while retaining the sculptural appearance expected from a Meze design.
Self-Adjusting PU Leather Headband
The padded inner headband uses:
Soft PU leather.
Rather than requiring conventional click adjustments, it adapts automatically to the wearer's head.
Even Weight Distribution
The self-adjusting strap spreads the headphone's mass across the top of the head rather than concentrating pressure in one small area.
This forms a central part of Meze's ergonomic approach.
Deep Velour Earpads
The 105 SILVA uses:
Deep velour ear cushions.
Velour is softer and more breathable than conventional synthetic leather, helping reduce heat and perspiration during long listening sessions.
354g Weight
Meze specifies headphone weight at:
354g / 12.48oz.
This is slightly heavier than the 105 AER, reflecting the SILVA's use of walnut within the earcup construction.
Dual 3.5mm TS Earcup Inputs
Each earcup provides an individual:
3.5mm TS input.
The supplied detachable cable splits into separate left and right connections at the headphone end.
Fully Detachable Cable
The cable can be removed completely from the headphones.
This makes storage, replacement and long-term servicing easier than with a permanently captive cable.
1.8m Dual-Twisted OFC Cable
The supplied analogue cable is:
1.8 metres long.
Meze describes the construction as OFC with a dual-twisted, Kevlar-wrapped main run.
Kevlar-Wrapped Main Cable
The main cable section uses Kevlar reinforcement to improve durability while maintaining flexibility.
The individual left and right sections use soft PVC coating.
Anthracite Aluminium Cable Housings
Meze finishes the cable connectors with:
Anthracite aluminium housings.
The cable is designed to remain flexible and resist tangling during normal use.
3.5mm Source Connection
The supplied analogue cable terminates in a conventional:
3.5mm stereo headphone jack.
This allows direct connection to suitable portable sources, DACs and headphone amplifiers.
6.3mm Gold-Plated Adaptor Included
A:
6.3mm gold-plated jack adaptor
is supplied for use with the full-size headphone sockets commonly found on hi-fi amplifiers, DACs and dedicated headphone amplifiers.
Hard EVA Carrying Pouch
The 105 SILVA is supplied with a:
Hard EVA carrying pouch.
This provides useful protection when storing or transporting the headphones.
Separate Cable Pouch
A dedicated cable pouch is also included for the analogue lead and adaptors.
No Bluetooth
The 105 SILVA is fundamentally a passive analogue headphone.
It does not contain:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- A rechargeable headphone battery
- Active noise cancellation
- Integrated wireless electronics
USB-C Does Not Make SILVA a Wireless Headphone
The supplied USB-C adaptor provides a wired digital connection through its integrated DAC and headphone amplifier.
It does not add Bluetooth or other wireless transmission.
No Active Noise Cancellation
The open-back acoustic design is effectively the opposite of a noise-isolating ANC headphone.
The SILVA is intended for environments where allowing sound to move freely through the earcups is a benefit rather than a disadvantage.
Built for Long-Term Serviceability
Meze designed the 105 SILVA to be:
Dismantled and serviced repeatedly if required.
The philosophy is that a longer useful product life reduces the need to discard the complete headphone when individual components eventually wear.
Why Serviceability Matters
Components such as:
- Earpads
- Cables
- Headband components
- Structural hardware
can experience wear over years of regular use.
A headphone designed around replaceable parts can therefore remain useful for substantially longer than a permanently sealed design.
105 SILVA or 105 AER?
105 AER
- Open-back dynamic headphone
- 50mm driver
- 5Hz–30kHz
- 42-ohm impedance
- 112dB SPL/mW sensitivity
- Below 0.1% THD at 1kHz
- PEEK torus
- PC-ABS earcups
- 336g
- Velour earpads
- Self-adjusting headband
- Dual 3.5mm TS inputs
105 SILVA
- Open-back dynamic headphone
- 50mm driver
- 5Hz–30kHz
- 42-ohm impedance
- 112dB SPL/mW sensitivity
- Below 0.1% THD at 1kHz
- Titanium-coated torus
- Walnut and PC-ABS earcups
- 354g
- Velour earpads
- Self-adjusting headband
- Dual 3.5mm TS inputs
- USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier adaptor included
The headline electrical specifications are remarkably similar, but the two headphones should not be regarded as different finishes of the same product.
The SILVA uses different diaphragm treatment, walnut earcup construction and distinct acoustic tuning, including the more expressive midrange presentation specifically described by Meze.
Compare the Meze 105 AER at Audio T.
105 SILVA or 109 PRO?
The 109 PRO remains the next major step within Meze's open-back dynamic headphone range.
The SILVA draws on lessons learnt during development of both the 105 AER and 109 PRO, while maintaining its own driver implementation and midrange character.
Compare the Meze 109 PRO at Audio T.
Audio T Manchester Listens to the 105 SILVA
Audio T Manchester spent time listening to the 105 SILVA and found its combination of comfort, natural presentation and musical engagement particularly convincing.
The store highlighted its low-frequency impact, natural midrange, smooth treble and three-dimensional sense of space, while also praising the auto-adjusting headband and breathable velour earpads during extended listening.
Read: Chromey Gets Cosy with the Meze 105 Silva Headphones
Open Back or Closed Back?
Open Back
- Sound can pass through the rear grille
- Minimal isolation from surrounding noise
- Noticeable sound leakage
- Often preferred for spacious home listening
- Best suited to quieter environments
Closed Back
- Rear of driver is enclosed
- Usually provides greater passive isolation
- Less sound escapes into the room
- Often better suited to shared spaces
- Different acoustic loading around the driver
Who Are the Meze 105 SILVA For?
Well Suited To
- Dedicated home headphone listening
- Listeners wanting an open and spacious presentation
- Customers who value vocal and midrange presence
- Acoustic, jazz, classical and vocal music
- Listeners wanting controlled bass rather than exaggerated bass
- Long listening sessions
- Customers who value natural walnut construction
- Portable DAC and headphone amplifier systems
- USB-C phones, tablets and computers
- Listeners wanting easily serviceable headphones
- Customers moving beyond the 105 AER
Check Before Buying
- Open-back design leaks sound
- Provides little isolation from surrounding noise
- Wired rather than Bluetooth
- No active noise cancellation
- Natural walnut means visual grain can vary
- 354g weight
- USB-C adaptor specifications beyond Meze's published information should not be assumed
- Primarily designed for quieter listening environments
Key Features
- Meze 105 SILVA
- Open-back over-ear headphones
- 50mm dynamic driver
- W-shaped reinforced cellulose dome
- Carbon-fibre reinforced cellulose detailed driver construction
- Titanium-coated torus
- Semicrystalline polymer torus
- PVD titanium coating
- 45.5-degree torus grooves
- Copper-zinc alloy stabiliser
- 5Hz–30kHz frequency range
- Below 0.1% THD at 1kHz
- 42-ohm impedance
- 112dB SPL/mW sensitivity at 1kHz
- Walnut wood earcups
- PC-ABS earcup construction
- Radial open-back grille
- Mid-Century Modern inspired design
- Cast zinc-alloy hardware
- PVD-coated hardware
- Spring-steel outer headband
- Self-adjusting PU leather support strap
- Deep velour earpads
- 354g weight
- Dual 3.5mm TS headphone inputs
- Detachable cable
- 1.8m OFC cable
- Dual-twisted cable construction
- Kevlar-wrapped main cable run
- Soft PVC-coated left and right wires
- Anthracite aluminium cable housings
- 3.5mm source connector
- 6.3mm gold-plated adaptor included
- 3.5mm-to-USB-C DAC and amplifier adaptor included
- Cable pouch included
- Hard EVA carrying pouch included
- Serviceable modular construction
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Meze 105 SILVA open or closed back?
They are open-back over-ear headphones.
What size driver do they use?
Meze specifies a 50mm dynamic driver.
What is the frequency range?
5Hz to 30kHz.
What is the impedance?
42 ohms.
What is the sensitivity?
112dB SPL/mW at 1kHz.
What is the total harmonic distortion?
Meze specifies less than 0.1% at 1kHz.
What is the driver dome made from?
Meze's detailed driver description identifies a carbon-fibre reinforced cellulose composite W-shaped dome. The shorter product summary also uses the description bio-cellulose composite.
Why do Meze's descriptions use two terms for the dome?
The manufacturer's product summary and detailed engineering page use different wording. We have retained that distinction rather than substituting a third-party interpretation.
What is the torus made from?
Meze describes it as titanium-coated semicrystalline polymer.
How is the titanium applied?
By Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD.
What angle are the torus grooves?
45.5 degrees.
What is the stabiliser made from?
Copper-zinc alloy.
What are the earcups made from?
Meze specifies walnut wood and PC-ABS.
Is the walnut real wood?
Yes. Meze specifies walnut wood as part of the earcup construction.
Will every pair look identical?
No. Natural variations in wood grain and appearance are normal, and Meze specifically notes that slight visual variations may occur.
How much do the headphones weigh?
354g or 12.48oz.
Are they difficult to drive?
The combination of 42-ohm impedance and 112dB SPL/mW sensitivity makes them relatively straightforward to partner with suitable portable and home headphone outputs.
Do I need a separate headphone amplifier?
Not necessarily. A quality headphone amplifier can still improve the complete system, but the 105 SILVA is not unusually difficult to drive.
Is a USB-C adaptor included?
Yes. Meze supplies a custom 3.5mm-to-USB-C adaptor with an integrated DAC and headphone amplifier.
What sample rate does the USB-C adaptor support?
Meze describes it as maintaining high-resolution playback but does not publish a detailed maximum sample-rate or bit-depth specification on the 105 SILVA product page.
What DAC chip is used in the USB-C adaptor?
Meze does not specify the DAC chipset on the product page, so we would not guess.
Does USB-C mean the headphones are digital?
The headphones themselves remain analogue. The supplied USB-C adaptor contains the digital-to-analogue conversion and headphone amplification.
Do the 105 SILVA have Bluetooth?
No.
Do they have active noise cancellation?
No.
Do open-back headphones leak sound?
Yes. Sound leakage and low isolation are inherent characteristics of an open-back design.
Are the earpads velour?
Yes. Meze uses deep soft velour cushions.
Is the headband adjustable?
The PU leather support strap adjusts automatically to the wearer rather than using a conventional ratcheting adjustment.
What is the outer headband made from?
Spring steel.
What is the metal hardware made from?
Cast zinc alloy with PVD coating.
Are the cables detachable?
Yes. Each earcup has an individual 3.5mm TS input.
What cable is supplied?
A 1.8m OFC cable with a dual-twisted, Kevlar-wrapped main run and 3.5mm source connection.
Is a 6.3mm adaptor supplied?
Yes. Meze supplies a gold-plated 6.3mm jack adaptor.
Is a carrying case included?
Yes. A hard EVA carrying pouch and separate cable pouch are included.
Can the headphones be repaired?
Meze specifically designs the 105 SILVA so it can be dismantled and serviced repeatedly if required.
Is the 105 SILVA just a wooden 105 AER?
No. Although the two share some headline specifications, SILVA adds walnut earcups, titanium-coated diaphragm technology, different overall weight, a USB-C DAC adaptor and its own acoustic tuning.
What is the main tuning difference from the 105 AER?
Meze specifically describes SILVA as adding a more expressive midrange presentation with greater vocal presence and more natural reproduction of acoustic stringed instruments.
Can I hear the 105 SILVA before buying?
Where demonstration stock is available, contact your local Audio T store to arrange a listen.
Related Meze Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Headphone demonstrations where available
- Open-back versus closed-back advice
- 105 SILVA versus 105 AER comparisons
- 105 SILVA versus 109 PRO guidance
- Headphone and amplifier matching
- DAC and headphone amplifier advice
- USB-C source compatibility guidance
- Desktop and portable headphone-system advice
- Fit and comfort demonstrations
- Replacement cable and component guidance
- Meze serviceability advice
- Part-exchange options
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store for advice on the Meze 105 SILVA, arranging a demonstration or matching the headphones with a suitable DAC, headphone amplifier or music source.