Beautiful on the Outside, High-Voltage on the Inside!

PROS: Excellent sub-bass extension and low-frequency authority | Spacious presentation for a closed-back design | Strong perceived detail retrieval and textural contrast | Precise imaging and instrument separation | Lightning-fast transient response and snappy leading edges | Outstanding comfort for long listening sessions | Premium build quality and aesthetics | Fully modular and easily user-serviceable chassis components | Easy to drive from portable and desktop sources alike.

CONS: Vocal presentation leans toward the lighter side, missing some lower-end chest warmth due to the specific upper-mid tuning | Energetic treble peaks at 4kHz and 13.5kHz can introduce extra brightness, which might tire treble-sensitive listeners over time | The high-contrast tuning favors technical clarity and crisp illumination over a strictly traditional, organic timbre | The sharp 150Hz tuck creates a distinct separation between the bass and midrange rather than a seamless, continuous blend | Its highly transparent nature makes it somewhat picky with gear, benefiting from a warmer source chain to balance the top end.

Introduction.

The Strada occupies an interesting position within Meze’s current lineup. On one hand, it carries enough familiar visual DNA to immediately identify it as a Meze product. On the other, it arrives with a tuning philosophy that feels distinctly different from what many enthusiasts might expect from the company.

At a glance, it’s easy to assume the Strada is intended to be a closed-back counterpart to the immensely popular 109 Pro (review here). The reality is somewhat more complicated. While both headphones share a dynamic driver foundation and a common emphasis on musical engagement over strict studio neutrality, the Strada ultimately pursues its own path. Rather than recreating the open, naturally spacious character of the 109 Pro within a sealed enclosure, Meze has opted for a more contemporary tuning built around elevated sub-bass, strong perceived detail retrieval, and an unusually airy presentation for a closed-back design. That approach yields a headphone that immediately grabs your attention. The Strada sounds energetic, vivid, and technically capable from the first few tracks. However, as is often the case with more ambitious tunings, long-term listening reveals a few compromises that make it a far more nuanced proposition than its premium aesthetics might initially suggest.

The result is a headphone that I found easier to admire than universally recommend. It excels in several areas that matter greatly to modern listeners, yet its tonal balance remains selective enough that prospective buyers should pay close attention to whether its strengths align with their own preferences.

Official Website – Meze Audio Strada ($799)

Technical Specifications.

• Driver Configuration: 50 mm dynamic transducer utilizing an adapted flagship-tier architecture optimized for high efficiency.
• Diaphragm Design: Carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite W-shaped dome paired with a PVD beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer torus.
• Frequency Response: 5Hz-30 kHz.
• Impedance: 40 ohms, ensuring the headphone is exceptionally easy to drive from portable sources and dongles.
• Sensitivity: 111 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz, requiring minimal voltage to reach optimal listening levels.
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): Less than 0.1% at 1 kHz, maintaining clean signal fidelity even at higher volumes.
• Acoustic Enclosure: Premium Macassar Ebony wood earcups designed to optimize internal acoustics.
• Chassis Engineering: High-rigidity Magnesium and Zinc alloy framework that maximizes structural durability while minimizing mass.
• Input Interface: Dual 3.5 mm TS mono jacks, offering a reliable connection and wide aftermarket cable compatibility.
• Physical Weight: A featherweight 330 grams (11.64 ounces) excluding cables, setting a high standard for long-term comfort in the closed-back category.

Everything Included in the Box.

• Meze Audio Strada Headphone.
• Premium contoured EVA hardshell zippered carrying case.
• Balanced Audio Cable: A 1.8-meter dual mono 3.5 mm to 4.4 mm TRRRS balanced cable, wrapped in a dual-twisted, microfonic-resistant Matte Black Kevlar fabric jacket.
• Single-Ended Audio Cable: A 1.8-meter dual mono 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm TRS single-ended cable with a matching Kevlar weave.
• Cable Storage Pouch: A soft PU leather accessory bag designed to neatly separate and shield your loose cables inside the main hardshell case.
• 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) adapter.
• User Documentation: An official warranty card and owner’s manual detailing the modular, fully serviceable design of the headphone’s individual components.

Build Architecture & Serviceability.

Look, beyond the luxury aesthetics, where Meze genuinely earns my respect is their absolute refusal to treat high-end audio like disposable consumer electronics. The Strada is explicitly engineered around a blueprint of endless serviceability – meaning every single physical component, from the magnesium headband arc right down to the internal driver assemblies, can be fully disassembled and replaced independently. If a part wears out or takes a hit after years of heavy use, you aren’t looking at an expensive paperweight; you’re looking at a straightforward, modular fix.

They’ve also brought their seamless magnetic ear pad mounting system over to this platform. Instead of forcing you to wrestle with a frustrating plastic lip, a finicky leather track, or an eventual glue failure like traditional closed-backs, the pads snap cleanly into place with perfect alignment. This doesn’t just transform cleaning or swapping worn pads into a frictionless, five-second job; it ensures a repeatable, completely airtight acoustic seal every single time. In a market where many mid-tier headphones are built to a strict planned-obsolescence standard, Meze’s commitment to a fully serviceable, modular chassis is a massive victory for long-term utility.

Packaging & Accessories.

Presentation remains one of Meze’s strongest suits. The Strada arrives with a premium hard-shell carrying case that provides excellent protection while maintaining a relatively compact footprint. The included cables, both 4.4mm and 3.5mm, are lightweight, flexible, and refreshingly free from excessive memory or microphonics. Meze continues to employ standard dual 3.5mm connectors on the earcups, which simplifies aftermarket cable compatibility and long-term ownership.

The overall package feels appropriately premium without resorting to unnecessary extravagance. Everything included serves a practical purpose, reinforcing the impression that the Strada was designed as a long-term ownership product rather than a luxury item built purely for visual appeal.

Design & Build Quality.

Few manufacturers consistently execute industrial design as well as Meze. The Strada immediately feels like a premium product the moment it leaves its case. The combination of metal, leather, and wood creates a sophisticated aesthetic that manages to feel modern while still retaining the warmth and craftsmanship that have become synonymous with the brand.

The Macassar ebony earcups are particularly attractive. Their natural grain pattern gives each headphone a slightly unique appearance while avoiding the excessive ornamentation that sometimes accompanies wood-accented designs.

Build quality throughout is excellent. The yokes feel robust, the suspension system operates smoothly, and the adjustment mechanism inspires confidence during daily use. More importantly, Meze continues to embrace a serviceable construction philosophy, allowing components to be replaced when necessary rather than forcing owners to replace the entire headphone. In a market increasingly dominated by disposable electronics, that approach deserves recognition.

Comfort & Isolation.

Comfort is one area where the Strada delivers almost exactly what I expect from a modern Meze headphone. The suspension headband distributes weight effectively, while the ear pads provide ample space for most ear shapes without creating excessive pressure. Clamp force is one of the most comfortable out there – it strikes an excellent balance between stability and comfort, avoiding the vice-like grip that often plagues closed-back designs.

During longer listening sessions, the Strada remains remarkably unobtrusive. Hotspots are minimal, pressure buildup is well controlled, and the overall ergonomics encourage extended use. Isolation is good without being class-leading. It is more than sufficient for office environments, travel, or general home listening, though it does not create the near-isolation-chamber effect offered by some studio-focused alternatives. The upside is that the Strada feels noticeably less claustrophobic than many competing closed-back headphones.

Sound Analysis.

Meze has opted for a distinctly modern, technical U-shaped presentation in the Strada. A healthy sub-bass shelf establishes a powerful low-frequency foundation before executing a clean tuck in the upper-bass transition zone, stabilizing through a linear lower-midrange, and rising sharply into the presence and treble regions. The result is a tuning that prioritizes clarity, separation, perceived detail retrieval and spaciousness over outright warmth or tonal density.

The most defining aspects of the Strada’s frequency response are its elevated sub-bass, a precise drop centered around 140Hz–150Hz, a relaxed 2kHz–3kHz zone followed by a sharp 4kHz presence emphasis, and substantial upper-treble energy peaking well beyond 10kHz. Together, these structural choices shape the headphone’s sonic character. The pulled-back upper-bass transition contributes to its spacious, open presentation, while the elevated upper mids and treble create a heightened sense of articulation, texture, and air.

In practice, this gives the Strada an immediately impressive, vivid character. It sounds open, detailed, and surprisingly expansive for a closed-back design. At the same time, those aggressive tuning decisions occasionally introduce compromises in tonal cohesion and timbral realism. There are moments where individual frequency bands stand out more prominently than the overall structural balance, particularly with denser recordings where the bass, mids, and treble do not always integrate as seamlessly as the strongest reference performers in the category.

Fortunately, the Strada generally remains on the enjoyable side of that equation. While it is certainly not a traditional target-neutral or reference-oriented closed-back, it succeeds in delivering a distinctive and engaging listening experience that will highly appeal to audiophiles who value excitement, edge-to-edge clarity, and technical presentation over strict tonal accuracy.

Let’s dig in deeper…

Bass – The bass response is arguably one of the Strada’s strongest assets. There is excellent sub-bass extension on offer, allowing electronic music, modern pop, cinematic scores and contemporary rock recordings to benefit from a satisfying sense of depth, visceral rumble and physical authority. The low-end reaches deep with convincing power, yet avoids becoming bloated or overwhelming. What stands out most is that the low-end emphasis is focused primarily on the sub-bass and deeper bass regions rather than relying on mid-bass punch or upper-bass padding. The elevated shelf extending through the lowest octaves provides substantial impact, while the clean, intentional scoop centered around 150Hz prevents that low-frequency energy from bleeding into the midrange.

This creates a low-end presentation that feels exceptionally clean, controlled, and highly articulate. Bass texture is beautifully rendered; individual bass notes remain effortless to distinguish, and complex low-frequency passages retain their composure even during busy arrangements. Kick drums deliver a satisfyingly tight punch, while synthesized bass lines exhibit strong layering and definition. The trade-off is that the bass can occasionally feel somewhat independent from the rest of the frequency spectrum. Because the upper-bass transition zone is pulled back so abruptly relative to the sub-bass emphasis, certain acoustic tracks can sound slightly segmented rather than completely continuous. Ultimately, the Strada prioritizes speed, impact, and absolute clarity over warmth and organic fullness.

Midrange – The midrange is where the Strada begins to reveal more of its unique, selective personality. Rather than presenting vocals and instruments with overt warmth or body, the tuning leans heavily toward transparency, separation and transient articulation. This contributes significantly to its spacious character and prevents the presentation from becoming overly dense or congested. Much of this open character stems from that intentional upper-bass transition tuck. Interestingly, the actual lower-midrange (from 250Hz up to 1kHz) remains remarkably flat and linear, ensuring core instrument fundamentals aren’t completely lost. However, by pulling back the 150Hz transition zone, Meze creates additional breathing room around individual elements within the mix, artificially enhancing the perceived openness and spatial separation.

Vocals are generally clean and highly intelligible, though their presentation is unconventional. Because the pinna gain is somewhat delayed—staying relatively relaxed and scooped through 2kHz to 3kHz before violently peaking at 4kHz—vocals can occasionally lack a degree of core fundamental throatiness and chest resonance. Male vocals remain clear and focused but can lean a bit light. Conversely, female vocals benefit from this open, articulate nature, sounding highly expressive and micro-detailed. However, the stark contrast between the relaxed 3kHz scaling and the sudden 4kHz peak can occasionally give upper-mid harmonics a slightly spotlighted, fragmented character depending on the track.

Similarly, acoustic instruments such as guitars, pianos, and strings exhibit stellar definition and separation, but sometimes sacrifice harmonic richness in exchange. Depending on the recording, this can either brilliantly enhance mixing clarity or leave certain acoustic instruments sounding slightly thinner than expected.

Treble – Treble is undoubtedly a defining characteristic of the Strada’s identity. There is a considerable amount of energy present throughout the upper frequencies, contributing heavily to the headphone’s sense of openness, transient air and perceived detail retrieval. Subtle textures emerge effortlessly, ambient cues are easy to isolate, and the overall presentation possesses an undeniable sense of clarity. The top-end presentation is shaped primarily by that prominent rise peaking at 4kHz, combined with a massive, narrow resonance peak shooting up around 13.5kHz. The former enhances leading-edge articulation, attack definition and vocal presence, while the latter contributes significantly to the headphone’s sense of top-end sparkle, air and perceived resolution. This tuning works particularly well with high-quality, dynamic masters. Cymbals exhibit excellent presence, reverberation trails remain exceptionally easy to follow, and micro-details throughout dense recordings become far more apparent than they might on warmer or darker alternatives.

The obvious caveat is that the treble can draw attention to itself. Certain recordings, particularly brighter modern masters or compressed pop tracks, can exhibit a sharper edge than preferred. Vocal overtones, cymbal strikes and upper harmonics sometimes become pushed forward, introducing moments of glare or minor sibilance that may prove fatiguing during longer listening sessions. It is a headphone that rewards careful source pairing and high-quality files. For listeners who appreciate a lively, vivid and highly revealing top-end signature, this added energy will be viewed as a major part of the headphone’s technical appeal.

Technical Performance.

From a technical perspective, the Strada performs exceptionally well for a closed-back dynamic-driver headphone, punching high in spatial execution.

Soundstage: Its greatest achievement is arguably its presentation of space. The soundstage extends well beyond what is typical for a closed-back design, creating a convincing sense of width and openness that allows instruments room to breathe. While it does not fully replicate the grand scale of an open-back, it consistently sounds larger and less confined than many direct competitors in its class.

Imaging & Separation: Imaging is equally sharp. Instruments occupy clearly defined, pinpoint positions within the stage, making it easy to track individual elements within complex arrangements. Layering and separation are strong, aided directly by the clean upper-bass tuck and the energetic treble presentation.

Detail Retrieval: Small nuances within recordings are readily apparent, and the driver demonstrates strong fundamental resolving ability. While some of this enhanced perception of detail is undoubtedly spotlighted by the elevated 4kHz and 13.5kHz treble response, the transducer itself has the speed to back up the presentation.

Coherence: Where the Strada is slightly less convincing is in overall structural coherence. Because of the dramatic physical geometry of the frequency response – the sharp 150Hz drop and the steep 4kHz peak – there are moments where the bass, mids and treble feel somewhat compartmentalized rather than seamlessly integrated. This doesn’t stop the headphone from sounding incredibly fun and impressive, but it does occasionally affect the absolute timbral realism and natural flow found in strict reference monitors.

Pairing & Source Matching.

The Strada is relatively easy to drive and performs competently from portable devices. That said, source synergy matters. Neutral-to-warm source chains generally complement the headphone’s tonal balance more effectively than aggressively analytical setups. Additional warmth can help offset the leaner midrange, while smoother amplification may reduce some of the fatigue associated with the elevated treble response. Pairing the Strada with already bright electronics risks exaggerating its most controversial characteristics.

Comparisons.

Meze Strada vs Meze 109 Pro.

The Meze 109 Pro (review here) represents Meze’s open-back dynamic philosophy, and the contrast with the Strada is stark. Where the 109 Pro opts for an organic, mildly W-shaped presentation with rich lower-midrange body, the Strada introduces a technical U-shaped alternative. The 109 Pro fills out vocal fundamentals with a seamless mid-bass transition, while the Strada aggressively scoops the 150Hz zone to isolate its physical sub-bass shelf. In the upper registers, the 109 Pro is energetic but retains a coherent, non-fatiguing flow. The Strada pushes a far more clinical and hyper-articulated top-end via its 4kHz and 13.5kHz peaks. Staging on the 109 Pro is naturally more holographic due to its open architecture, but the Strada delivers sharper transient speed and more isolated left-to-right instrument separation.

Meze Strada vs Meze 105 Silva.

The Meze 105 Silva (review here) is an open-back model utilizing a dual-focus sound signature that leans toward a warmer, more traditional balance. While the 105 Silva has tight, agile bass, it completely lacks the deep, visceral sub-bass extension and physical rumble that the Strada’s driver exerts. Midrange fundamentals on the 105 Silva are flat, linear, and organically rendered, avoiding the Strada’s delayed pinna gain and sudden 4kHz spike. Treble on the 105 Silva features a gentle top-end roll-off to control harshness, whereas the Strada pushes aggressive upper-treble energy well past 10kHz for absolute air and resolution. The Strada serves as a highly specialized, technical powerhouse, while the 105 Silva acts as a safe, musical all-rounder with an open-back field of view.

Meze Strada vs Meze Liric II.

The Meze Liric II (reviewed here) is Meze’s premier closed-back planar, and it targets a far more mature, structurally complete balance than the Strada. Utilizing Rinaro’s isodynamic driver, the Liric II bridges the bass-to-midrange transition with seamless warmth, rich textural density, and cohesive timbral realism. The Strada, by comparison, feels explicitly compartmentalized due to its sharp 150Hz tuck. While the Liric II delivers fast, incisive treble that counterbalances its low-end reach, it avoids the forward 4kHz glare potential found on the Strada. However, the Strada pulls off a surprising feat for a dynamic driver: its perceived soundstage width and edge-to-edge airiness feel more expansive and unconfined than the more intimate, physically grounded presentation of the Liric II.

Meze Strada vs Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire.

The Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire is a closed-back planar that adheres closely to a smooth, Harman-style target profile. The Noire delivers a boosted sub-bass response, but its slope into the lower mids is a gradual, clean recession rather than the Strada’s dramatic 150Hz drop. Tonal cohesion is a clear victory for the Noire; its midrange avoids the Strada’s uneven 3kHz dip and sudden 4kHz spike, offering a safer vocal presentation. However, from a dynamic standpoint, the Strada runs circles around the Noire. The Aeon 2 Noire can sound overlay smoothed and overly damped, lacking macro-dynamic slam. The Strada presents transients with a far more vivid, punchy, and tactile leading-edge attack.

Meze Strada vs Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X.

The Aeon Closed X (review here) offers a smooth, dark-leaning Harman presentation that is heavily damped and highly forgiving of poor recordings. Side-by-side, the Strada completely outclasses the Closed X in pure technical performance. The Strada exhibits vastly superior transient speed, edge-to-edge resolution, and pinpoint imaging precision. While the Aeon Closed X provides a completely fatigue-free, safe listening experience with thick lower-midrange warmth, it sounds claustrophobic and blunted compared to the Strada’s highly transparent, airy, and spatially wide presentation.

Meze Strada vs Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII.

The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII is a professional, closed-back dynamic monitoring tool built for high signal fidelity. While the MKII significantly improves midrange transparency over its predecessor, its low-end architecture centers around a heavy, aggressive mid-bass slam rather than the Strada’s pure sub-bass focus. The DT 1770 Pro MKII features clear, linear mids and an airy, detailed treble response that avoids the severe 4kHz resonance peak of the Strada. For critical engineering and tracking, the Berdynamic provides a more robust and tonally accurate reference line. The Strada, conversely, sacrifices that strict studio linearity for a more expansive, stylized, and high-contrast audiophile presentation.

Meze Strada vs Audeze LCD-XC (2021).

The Audeze LCD-XC 2021 (review here) is a massive, highly analytical closed-back planar tracking monitor. Ergonomically, the Strada’s featherweight comfort completely outperforms the crushing 677g weight of the LCD-XC. Sonically, the LCD-XC targets strict reference neutrality through the low-end, extending flat to 20Hz without the dramatic sub-bass shelf seen on the Strada. The LCD-XC features a minor dip at 450Hz but delivers a proper, textbook upper-midrange ear gain peaking naturally at 3kHz, making its vocal timbre significantly more realistic than the Strada’s delayed 4kHz peak. While both headphones feature energetic treble anomalies—the LCD-XC with its prominent 6kHz peak and hot upper-treble air—the LCD-XC remains a master class in microscopic detail retrieval and separation. The Strada is more vivid and engaging, while the LCD-XC is a cold, clinical lens for evaluating a mix.

Conclusion.

The Meze Strada is an intriguing addition to Meze’s growing portfolio because it actively departs from the sonic trajectories many enthusiasts might expect. Rather than attempting to replicate the organic, mildly W-shaped presentation of the 109 Pro or the more refined, mature balance of the LIRIC II, the Strada charts a distinctly technical path. It is a signature built around an authoritative sub-bass shelf, a clean upper-bass transition tuck, a delayed pinna gain, a sharp 4kHz presence peak and highly energetic upper-treble extension.

There is undoubtedly a lot to admire here. From an ergonomic and aesthetic standpoint, Meze continues to set industry standards; the industrial design is exceptional, comfort is top-tier for its category, and the premium craftsmanship reinforces the brand’s reputation for an elite ownership experience. The transducer delivers deep, physically authoritative sub-bass extension, remarkably sharp imaging, and a grand sense of spatial expansion that routinely breaks the claustrophobic mold typical of closed-back designs. Its technical ability to resolve micro-nuances and pull apart complex layers is genuinely impressive.

At the same time, the Strada’s technical tuning naturally introduces certain stylistic trade-offs. The same stark design choices that grant it such vivid clarity and expansive staging – namely the sharp 150Hz tuck and the prominent 4kHz presence peak – affect its absolute tonal coherence. Rather than delivering a completely continuous flow across the spectrum, the presentation can occasionally feel slightly compartmentalized, highlighting individual frequency bands as isolated technical showcases. The resulting timbral character consciously leans away from organic warmth, resulting in a hyper-articulated profile where the energetic upper-mid and top-end response demands mindful source pairing and high-quality recordings to keep brightness in check. Audiophiles seeking a strictly target-neutral reference monitor or a lush, full-bodied vocal presentation will find it an unconventional flavor, but it remains a masterfully executed take on a highly specialized signature.

Ultimately, the Strada succeeds because it confidently embraces a highly specific, unapologetic identity. It trades tonal density and absolute timbral realism for exceptional contrast, edge-to-edge clarity, and an open-back-esque sense of space. For listeners who favor an energetic, vivid, and highly revealing sonic profile wrapped inside an exquisitely crafted and comfortable chassis, the Strada delivers a compelling, distinctive experience. It doesn’t follow the crowd towards safe, homogenized tuning targets, and in today’s market, that willingness to carve out a unique sonic signature is precisely what makes it stand out.