I tested these affordable IEMs and they’re the ultimate entry-level option for audiophiles – here’s why

Meze Audio Alba review

In Romanian, the word ‘Alba’ translates to ‘first light’. Instantly, this makes me think of new beginnings; of fresh experiences. And so, in come the Meze Audio Alba – an affordable pair of in-ear monitors aiming to be the first light for entry-level audiophiles, everywhere.

And I’m not going to beat around the bush here, Meze Audio absolutely nailed it with this model. These IEMs have a list price of $159 / £139 / AU$239, meaning they’re easily on the budget side of things. But very little about these in-ears feels or sounds budget to me.

First of all, these deliver fantastic sound quality – the most important quality needed to compete with the best wired earbuds^[2] around. If you’re new to the world of audiophile sound, you’ll be wowed with awesome attention to detail right across the frequency range, as well as clear, surprisingly expansive audio output.

Meze itself describes the Alba as having “a neutral sound profile with an added touch of warmth” – and that’s a largely accurate description in my view. Mids never sound recessed, treble is expressive, and bass is impressively weighty given these IEMs’ small size. I certainly sensed that slight preference towards low-frequency sounds when listening to Overflow by Kolter, where the meaty, spacey bass hit with serious impact.

When tuning into Where Do We Go From Here by Jamiroquai, lead vocals were pleasingly clear in the overall mix, while rhythm guitar was effortlessly separated and afforded plenty of room to breathe. Groovy bass and percussion was also excellently defined, helping the track’s funk-infused character to flow, without compromise.

You’ll get a dynamic, detailed listen from the Alba too. I tried playing Rains again by Solji, and every breath came through clearly, while delicate vocals remained controlled and emotive throughout.

In fact, my only slight issue with these IEMs sonically speaking, is that higher-pitched treble sounds can get a little harsh at higher volumes. For instance, I listened to Straight From The Underground by Riordan, and snappy percussion sounded a little edgy as I ventured into the upper echelons of loudness. Again, though, these offer a great listen overall.

Beyond sound, these IEMs continue to plate up serious quality. They’re made up of zinc alloy and anodized aluminium parts, and the outer casing is intended to represent the appearance of a pearl. In hand, the Alba feel far more luxurious than their price would suggest. As much as I love the Sennheiser IE 200^[4], their plastic casing doesn’t come close to the Alba’s more durable, flashy design.

In addition, the braided cable is elegant and even felt nice to run through my fingers. It is a little prone to tangling, especially after taking out of the satisfyingly compact carry case (included in the box). And if you want a volume controller for on-the-go use, you’re out of luck here – you’ll need to consider a third-party option.

Back to the good stuff: there are a couple of connectivity options here. You can either use the standard 3.5mm connector, or make use of the included custom-made USB-C adapter. This has a built-in DAC and AMP, ensuring you can access hi-res audio on the go, even with your smartphone. It also has an LED light that shines if you’re connected up properly – nice touch! It’s worth noting, though, that there’s no 4.4mm adapter in the box.

I was also very pleased with the comfort and fit of the Meze Audio Alba. I typically use the Sony WH-1000XM6^[5] to listen to my music, as I can often find in-ear options to feel a little tiresome after an hour or two. But not these. They fit snugly for me, and are lightweight enough to feel non-invasive. There are a range of different-sized eartips in the box, too, so you can find the perfect seal.

Of course, you don’t get the benefits of active noise cancellation with wired IEMs – something you’d expect from the best wireless earbuds^[6]. But that firm seal was all I needed to unearth the full benefits of the Alba’s passive noise isolation abilities. Even when listening at middling volumes, chatter around the office and passing by vehicles were dulled significantly, helping me to remain immersed in my music.

So, all in all, I think it’s clear. The Meze Audio Alba are a brilliant option for anyone looking to enter the audiophile world, with a low price, stunning looks, and detailed sound. They’ll help you see your favorite songs in a new light. And for that alone, they’re well deserving of my recommendation.

Meze Audio Alba review: price and release date

• $159 / £139 / AU$239
• Launched in June 2024

The Meze Audio Alba are a highly affordable pair of IEMs, coming in with a list price of $159 / £139 / AU$239. Interestingly, they appear to be regularly priced a little higher than this in both the UK and Australia, but only by a small margin. They were released in June 2024, and are available in a single colorway.

Meze Audio Alba review: specs

Should I buy the Meze Audio Alba?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Meze Audio Alba: also consider

How I tested the Meze Audio Alba

• Tested for two weeks
• Used in the office and while out and about
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Meze Audio Alba in-ear monitors across the course of two weeks, after a thorough run-in. I predominantly used their 3.5mm connectivity option, while hooked up to my laptop – but I also tried the USB-C dongle with my phone when listening on the go.

Most of the time, I used the Alba while playing tracks via Tidal^[7], in order to access higher-res music files. On Tidal, I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist^[8], which features tracks from a wide range of genres. However, I also played a number of tracks from my own personal library, including some go-to tunes I use for testing audio gear^[9].

Where appropriate, I compared the Meze Audio Alba side-by-side with the Sennheiser IE 200 on aspects such as sound quality, design, and features.

More generally, I’ve tested tons of products here at TechRadar, where I largely focus on the audio-visual segment. I’ve reviewed everything from all-action party speakers, such as the LG xboom Stage 301^[10], through to premium IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 600^[11]. As a result, I have a strong understanding of what is required for audio gear to stand out in a highly competitive market, and what makes a product great, rather than good.

• First reviewed: September 2025
• Read more about how we test^[12]

References

1. ^{^} Find out more about how we test. (www.techradar.com)
2. ^{^} best wired earbuds (www.techradar.com)
3. ^{^} Meze Audio Alba (White) at Amazon for $159 (target.georiot.com)
4. ^{^} Sennheiser IE 200 (www.techradar.com)
5. ^{^} Sony WH-1000XM6 (www.techradar.com)
6. ^{^} best wireless earbuds (www.techradar.com)
7. ^{^} Tidal (www.techradar.com)
8. ^{^} TechRadar testing playlist (www.techradar.com)
9. ^{^} go-to tunes I use for testing audio gear (www.techradar.com)
10. ^{^} LG xboom Stage 301 (www.techradar.com)
11. ^{^} Sennheiser IE 600 (www.techradar.com)
12. ^{^} how we test (www.techradar.com)