(January 21, 2026) Closed back headphones are supposed to be the practical choice. They keep your music in and the world out, making it easier to listen whenever and wherever without turning the space around you into a public concert. The problem is that kind of “practicality” often comes with a penalty. The sound can feel boxed in, vocals can lose air, and the entire presentation can shrink. Meze Audio says its new STRADA is built to dodge those compromises, delivering isolation while still aiming for a natural spatial rendering that makes you forget you’re wearing closed backs at all.
Meze's positioning STRADA as a new benchmark in closed back dynamic headphones, refreshingly grounded by what most listeners actually care about. The company describes a tuning approach that leans toward balanced, controlled sound, with a slight bass lift for punch and body without bloating or masking detail, a neutral midrange designed to keep vocals and instruments honest, and smooth treble that stays detailed without drifting into fatigue. We're talking full-on clarity and texture paired with enough warmth to keep listening engaging.
While the headphone draws visual inspiration from Meze’s LIRIC chassis, the company says the structure has been reworked and optimized specifically for its driver array, with a strong emphasis on lightweight comfort and a natural, adaptable fit. Craftsmanship, which has become a signature part of Meze’s identity, appears to be abundant. The ear cups are crafted from Macassar ebony, a dense hardwood with natural variation that gives each headphone a slightly different visual character. The frame is magnesium, finished with a multi-layer coating and a deep green color that expresses a subtle metallic shimmer. And comfort is addressed through a padded headband with cushions arranged in a symmetrical cross pattern, designed to distribute pressure evenly and reduce heat buildup during extended listening sessions.
Of course, STRADA wouldn't carry the Meze name if longevity weren't part of the design philosophy. The headphones were built to be fully serviceable, using premium materials and modular construction to keep them up and running for decades. Part of that comes in the form of magnetically mounted ear pads, promising simple, snap-free pad swaps down the road.
Performance-wise, STRADA houses a 2" dynamic driver first introduced in the 109 PRO, but newly tuned for closed back performance. The diaphragm uses a carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite intended to deliver a fast transient response with low distortion. Surrounding that is a semicrystalline polymer torus coated with beryllium using Physical Vapor Deposition, a design Meze says improves stiffness and control. The driver assembly also incorporates precision-cut 45.5-degree grooves and a copper-zinc alloy stabilizer ring designed to absorb micro-vibrations and reduce unwanted resonances.
Owners can expect audio playback ranging from 5 Hz to 30 kHz. Impedance is listed at 40 ohms, sensitivity at 111 dB SPL per milliwatt at 1 kHz, and total harmonic distortion rests under 0.1 percent at 1 kHz. Connection is handled through dual 3.5 mm TS inputs.
Meze's STRADA headphones will be available starting today, January 21, through mezeaudio.com, mezeaudio.eu, and selected retailers worldwide. It carries a suggested retail price of $799.
Related Reading:
- NEWS: Px8 S2: Bowers & Wilkins’ New Flagship Wireless Headphones Bring Premium Sound and Design
- REVIEW: Px7 S3 Wireless Headphones Reviewed: Bowers & Wilkins' Best Over-Ears Yet?
- REVIEW: Bass Through Your Bones: H2O Audio's TRI 2 PRO Waterproof Open Ear Headphones Review
- NEWS: Meze Audio Primed to Launch New 105 SILVA Headphones and Ultra Silver Cable at HIGH END Munich
Last edited:
