Introduction
The Alba was Meze's answer to the question of what a first proper IEM should be, and most of its buyers already owned a dongle. The Alba S is what happens when a manufacturer notices that and stops charging for the part you're not using.
Everything that makes the sound is still there. A single 10.8 mm dynamic driver, tuned neutral with a gentle warmth, across 15 Hz to 25 kHz. Zinc-alloy die-cast shells with anodised aluminium accents and a pearl finish, 14 g per side without the cable. A detachable braided silver-plated 2-pin (0.78 mm) cable ending in a gold-plated 3.5 mm jack, so both the cable and the fit are upgrade paths rather than fixed points.
At 32 Ω and 109 dB, they run properly from a phone dongle, and there's nothing here that needs a desktop amplifier to wake up.
Key Features & Benefits
- One driver, doing one job: a 10.8 mm dynamic across 15 Hz to 25 kHz, tuned for balance instead of a boosted V curve.
- Easy to drive: 32 Ω and 109 dB SPL/mW means a phone dongle, a portable player or a desktop DAC all work.
- Metal, not plastic: zinc-alloy die-cast shells with anodised aluminium accents and a pearl finish.
- Detachable 2-pin cable: braided silver-plated with a gold-plated 3.5 mm jack, replaceable and upgradeable.
- Adapterless on purpose: no USB-C DAC in the box, so you pair the source you already trust.
- Four tip sizes: S, M, L and XL silicone, plus a hard eco-leather pouch.
Gallery
Who It's For
- Anyone who already owns a dongle, a portable player or a desktop DAC and doesn't need another one
- First proper IEM buyers who want metal shells and a replaceable cable rather than a sealed plastic pair
- Long listening sessions, where 14 g per side and a neutral tuning matter more than a party trick
Who should look elsewhere:
- Anyone with no way to drive a 3.5 mm jack. The standard Alba includes the USB-C DAC adapter and exists for exactly this.
- Bass-first listeners. This is tuned neutral with a touch of warmth, not boosted.
Quick Specs
- Driver: single 10.8 mm dynamic
- Frequency range: 15 Hz to 25 kHz
- Impedance: 32 Ω. Sensitivity: 109 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
- THD: under 0.1% at 1 kHz
- Weight: 14 g without cable
- Connector: 2-pin 0.78 mm, gold-plated 3.5 mm jack
- Materials: zinc alloy and anodised aluminium
- In the box: IEMs, braided silver-plated cable, hard eco-leather pouch, 4 pairs of tips
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
- Metal shells and a detachable cable at €129
- Neutral tuning with a gentle warmth that stays comfortable for hours
- Easy to drive from anything, including a phone dongle
- Four tip sizes and a hard case included
⚠️ Cons:
- No USB-C DAC adapter in the box, so a source is assumed
- Single dynamic driver, so no multi-driver separation tricks
- 3.5 mm cable only in the box, with no balanced option supplied
Where to Buy
The Meze Audio Alba S is open for pre-order at Soundium at €129, shipping September 2026. We stock gear locally for fast, secure delivery.
- Free pickup shipping on orders over €149
- Free courier shipping on orders over €299
- Secure checkout and interest-free payments
- Support from people who actually know the gear
Pre-order the Meze Audio Alba S from Soundium
Final Thoughts
Unbundling is rarely this clean. The Alba S doesn't cut the driver, the shells or the cable to reach €129, it cuts the one accessory most buyers already have twice. If you own a dongle, this is simply the cheaper way to buy the same earphones.
Still Unsure?
Not sure whether you need the version with the dongle? Reach out to our team and we'll work out what your phone or player needs.