Meze Strada

The Meze Strada costs $799 but delivers sound quality in the 20th percentile of our database. The build is solid at the 76th percentile, but that's the only bright spot. With a 2.6/5 customer rating and a mic score near the bottom, this is a headphone that looks better than it sounds.

Let's talk about that 20th percentile sound score. In our database, that puts the Strada in the bottom fifth of all headphones we've tested. The manufacturer claims a balanced tuning with tight bass and neutral mids, but the numbers suggest something isn't translating. The treble energy they mention might be the culprit, since one reviewer specifically called it too sharp. The dynamic driver is doing the work here, but it's not delivering results that justify the price tag.

The mic situation is even worse. A 15th percentile score means the NC mic is near the bottom of the barrel. If you're planning to take calls with these, don't. The connectivity score of 40th percentile is also mediocre, which makes sense for a wired-only headphone in a world where wireless is the default. The 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced connections are nice touches, but they don't move the needle much.

Stacked against the Sony ULT WEAR, the Strada loses on nearly every metric. The Sony brings wireless connectivity, better ANC, and likely better sound for less money. The Technics EAH-A800 is another wireless option that outclasses the Strada in features. Even the budget-friendly JBL Tune 670NC and TOZO HT3 offer wireless and ANC at a fraction of the price. The Sennheiser HDB 630 is the closest wired competitor, and Sennheiser's reputation for sound quality makes it a safer bet. The Strada's only real advantage is its build quality and the aesthetic appeal of those ebony earcups. But aesthetics don't make up for a 20th percentile sound score.

At $799 USD, the Strada is asking for serious money. For context, you could grab the Sony ULT WEAR or the Technics EAH-A800, both of which are wireless with ANC, and still have cash left over. The Strada is wired-only with mediocre sound scores. The build quality is nice, sure, but you're paying a premium for wood earcups and replaceable parts, not for audio performance. The EUR pricing ranges from 749 to 799, which is consistent, but the value proposition doesn't improve with currency conversion. This is a tough sell when the core function, making music sound good, is where it struggles most.

The Meze Strada lands in a weird spot. You're paying $799 for a wired, closed-back dynamic headphone, and our database puts its sound quality in the 20th percentile. That's not a typo. For that kind of money, you'd expect to be near the top of the charts, not hanging out with budget cans. The build quality is a different story, sitting at the 76th percentile, which means the physical craftsmanship is genuinely solid. But a pretty chassis doesn't fix a sound signature that our data says is underwhelming.

The customer rating tells a similar tale. A 2.6 out of 5 from three reviews is rough, though the written feedback is a bit more nuanced. One owner praised the bass and imaging but found the treble sharp. Another called them some of the worst sounding headphones they've ever used, citing thin sound and a weird soundstage. When you're charging near-flagship money, that kind of split reaction is a red flag.

If you care about sound quality per dollar, skip the Strada. The 20th percentile sound score is a dealbreaker at this price. Anyone who needs a good mic for calls should also look elsewhere, given the 15th percentile mic performance. And if you want wireless connectivity or effective ANC, the Strada's wired-only design and 32nd percentile ANC score make it a poor fit. This is a headphone for people who prioritize aesthetics and build over actual audio performance, and even then, there are better options.

The Meze Strada is a beautiful object that fails at its primary job. The build quality is genuinely impressive, with replaceable parts and premium materials, but the sound performance is simply not there. Our data puts it in the bottom fifth for audio quality, and the customer reviews, while limited, echo that concern. At $799, there are far better options available, many of which cost less and offer more features. Unless you're buying these purely as a display piece, we can't recommend them.