Romanian headphone manufacturer Meze Audio has announced “STRADA,” a new closed-back dynamic headphone. While the company has recently focused on open-back planar magnetic models like Empyrean II and Elite, STRADA represents a new direction with its closed-back dynamic driver design.
Product Overview
STRADA was developed around the concept of “musical intimacy.” The company aims to deliver “a harmonious acoustic experience where detail, texture, and dynamics resonate clearly yet naturally.”
Priced at €799 / £799 / US$799, available immediately from authorized dealers worldwide.
Driver Technology
The 50mm dynamic driver in STRADA employs a composite structure combining multiple advanced materials.
- Diaphragm: Carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite dome ensures high-frequency detail reproduction
- Surround: Semi-crystalline polymer with PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) beryllium coating. Precision-cut 45.5° grooves precisely control acoustic characteristics
- Stabilizer: Copper-zinc alloy stabilizer reduces distortion
Acoustic Design
Meze Audio’s design philosophy emphasizes “balance over spectacle.” Specifically, the following acoustic characteristics are achieved:
- Bass: Moderate lift adds weight and punch without excessive bloating
- Midrange: Neutral tuning faithfully reproduces vocal and instrument textures
- Treble: Smooth, extended characteristics reduce listening fatigue during extended sessions
The excellent isolation inherent to closed-back design enables creation of a “private acoustic space.”
Design and Comfort
The exterior maintains the company’s aesthetic with a premium finish.
- Earcups: Solid Macassar ebony (black wood) with distinctive deep brown and golden-brown striped patterns
- Frame: Magnesium frame with deep green metallic paint, hand-applied
- Earpads: Magnetic attachment system allows tool-free replacement
- Headband: Symmetrical cushion structure distributes pressure across the crown
Weight is kept to 330g, maintaining comfort during extended wear.
Serviceability
STRADA features a “fully serviceable design,” with a structure allowing replacement and repair of earpads and other parts. Meze Audio presents this as embodying their brand philosophy of “products to cherish for years, not dispose of.”
According to the company, STRADA’s chassis design builds on the LIRIC series architecture but with dedicated tuning optimized for dynamic driver characteristics.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Driver | 50mm Dynamic |
| Diaphragm | Carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite + beryllium-coated polymer surround |
| Weight | 330g |
| Earcups | Macassar Ebony |
| Frame | Magnesium (deep green metallic paint) |
| Earpads | Magnetic attachment |
Pricing & Availability
| Region | Price |
|---|---|
| Europe | €799 |
| UK | £799 |
| USA | $799 |
Release: Available immediately
References / Sources
- Meze Audio Official: https://mezeaudio.com/
- The Absolute Sound: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/meze-audio-is-introducing-strada-a-new-path-to-musical-intimacy/
- StereoNET: https://stereonet.com/news/a-new-strada-opens-for-meze-audios-closed-back-headphones