OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Meze Audio Elite Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£3,520Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):yes

Meze Audio Elite Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Meze Audio Elite
6.2/10

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components

80%

6.2

Technical score

20%

?

User score

▼Worse than 51% of headphones
4.6

Value for money

Value for money
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

1.0

Price

▼Worse than 98%
6.2

Technical score

Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 63% of models
Score components

52%

7.5

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

5.5

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.0

Calls & Controls

▲Better than 63%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • meze-audio-elite
meze-audio-elite
Where to buy
    N/A~ £3,520
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Meze Audio Elite

Technical score
Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 63% of models
Score components:

52%

7.5

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

5.5

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.0

Calls & Controls

6.2
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Meze Audio Elite has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components:

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

1.0

Price

4.6
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
yes
This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation. 72.6% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
hybrid
Driver size
102 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 102 mm, larger driver size than 99.1% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
3 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 3 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 99.4% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
yes
This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode. 75.2% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Meze
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
430 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 430 g, heavier than 96.2% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Meze Audio Elite vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 62 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (102 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    102 mm vs 40 mm
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 15 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (3 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    3 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 92,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (112,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    112,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.25 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.05 % vs 0.3 %
  • 20 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (80 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    80 mm vs 60 mm
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • 20 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (80 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    80 mm vs 60 mm
  • 1.3 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.5 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 62 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (102 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    102 mm vs 40 mm
  • 15 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (3 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    3 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 92,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (112,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    112,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.25 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.05 % vs 0.3 %
  • 20 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (130 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    130 dB vs 110 dB
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 97.2% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (430 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    430 g vs 218 g
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 39.11x more expensive
    Meze Audio Elite is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£3,520 vs £90).
    £3,520 vs £90
  • 57.2% worse value for money
    Meze Audio Elite has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (4.62 vs 7.3).
    4.62 vs 7.27
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 39.11x more expensive
    Meze Audio Elite is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£3,520 vs £90).
    £3,520 vs £90
  • 57.2% worse value for money
    Meze Audio Elite has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (4.62 vs 7.3).
    4.62 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Meze Audio Elite is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 97.2% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (430 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    430 g vs 218 g
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 1 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

10
ConvinceMeAudio
✓ explicit
16/07/2024
Long-form re-review · amp and pad pairing tests
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite is worth it: beautiful, comfortable, and it improves a great deal with better amplification.
8.0
Offcast
≈ estimated
09/10/2023
Long-term review · a year of use before selling
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite is recommended for buyers who want endgame headphones for relaxed listening, though the reviewer stopped using them.
9.5
Porta.Fi
≈ estimated
23/08/2023
Hands-on review · design, sound, sources and comparison
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite is one of the finest headphones made, though its price is very high.
9.5
Soundnews
≈ estimated
22/06/2023
Hands-on review · sound, comfort and measurements
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite is near the top for build, comfort and sound, and earns the highest award for a high-end daily headphone.
7.0
Sine Craft Audio
≈ estimated
27/10/2022
Hands-on review · months of listening and amp pairing
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite is comfortable and easy to drive, but not the biting, intense flagship many buyers expect.
9.5
HiFi Turtle
≈ estimated
12/01/2022
Hands-on review · sound, bass and comfort
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite sounds excellent and is comfortable, and the reviewer would readily recommend it to headphone lovers.
9.5
Z Reviews
≈ estimated
06/12/2021
Long-term review · listening tests and build details
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite is nearly flawless, a top-tier headphone the reviewer would happily have paid for.
9.0
cheapaudioman
≈ estimated
01/12/2021
Hands-on review · listening tests across genres
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite sounds musical and engaging, but its price is hard to justify.
9.5
Passion for Sound
≈ estimated
09/11/2021
Long-term review · comparison with flagship headphones
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite comes very close to perfection and is highly recommended for all genres, ahead of rivals.
5.0
Reviews By WaveTheory
≈ estimated
18/09/2021
Hands-on review · pad comparison and EQ tests
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite has well-balanced tuning and a strong build, but a veil holds back the sound.
9.5
headfi
≈ estimated
07/09/2021
Hands-on review · build, measurements and sound
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite is a more accomplished flagship than its sibling, with reference-level sound and strong measurements.
9.0
HelloVSTV
≈ estimated
13/03/2024
First impressions · unboxing and listening test
Verdict
Meze Audio Elite is an impressive open-back pair with natural, studio-like sound that the reviewer is happy with.
More graded video reviews (2)
creator’s own scoreestimated by us

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

H
headfonia.com
01/09/2021
Summary of the review
Meze Audio ELITE Review - Headfonia
headmania.org
05/01/2022
Listening impressions · Planar flagship
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a well-built, very comfortable flagship with weighty, wide-stage sound that gains a lot from a clean, powerful amp.
hifiandmusicsource.com
24/01/2022
Hands-on review · Flagship planar
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a comfortable, revealing flagship with a rich, balanced sound that suits audiophiles, though it needs a premium headphone amplifier to show its full detail.
D
darko.audio
19/08/2022
Summary of the review
“The Meze Elite is one of the very best headphones in the world”
T
theabsolutesound.com
31/01/2023
Summary of the review
Meze Elite Headphones - The Absolute Sound
audiorabbithole.com
02/04/2023
Extended listening · Flagship planar
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a warm, smooth, very comfortable flagship that suits most genres and is easy to drive, though it lacks the detail of more revealing rivals.
musictech.com
11/03/2024
Review · Premium wired planar
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a planar headphone with outstanding musicality that shows every detail in a mix, though its price puts it out of reach for many.
twister6.com
11/11/2023
EQ calibration · Rival comparisons
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a refined, comfortable headphone that improves on the Empyrean's technical performance and responds well to EQ, though it needs a powerful source.
ecoustics.com
26/07/2022
Hands-on review · Audeze LCD-5 comparison
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a planar flagship that improves on the Empyrean with more comfort and cleaner bass, though it is not for bass heads.
musicalhead.de
18/09/2021
Months-long test · Isodynamic over-ears
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a more dynamic, brighter-sounding successor to the Empyrean, with a strong midrange and a slightly restrained bass that suits clarity-focused listeners.
kopfbox.de
09/12/2024
Flagship test · Over-ear headphones
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a fully repairable flagship that feels comfortable and comes with two pad sets, so you can tune its sound to your taste.
on-mag.fr
26/12/2021
Lab test · Planar open-back
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is an airy, detailed planar flagship that forgives weak recordings, but it needs a top-quality source and is heavy at 430 g without cables.
vumetre.com
30/01/2025
Source-pairing test · Planar flagship
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a planar flagship with a large, speaker-like stage and deep bass, but it needs an excellent source and a high-end DAC to sound its best.
H
hifilivemagazine.com
02/08/2023
Summary of the review
MEZE AUDIO ELITE - Live HiFi
(Translated)Show original
D
digitalvideoht.it
09/11/2022
Summary of the review
Meze Elite | Digital Video HT
(Translated)Show original
hifi.nl
20/10/2021
Hands-on review · Open-back flagship
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a roomy, comfortable flagship with fast, deep bass and three-dimensional sound, though it is not the best at micro-detail.
hifi.be
20/10/2021
Hands-on review · High-end flagship
Verdict
The Meze Audio Elite is a very comfortable, well-finished flagship with fast, controlled, deep bass and a three-dimensional stage, though it sits in a higher price class.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Meze Audio Elite

  • Incomparable comfort and lightweight design, suitable for extended listening sessions without fatigue
  • Exceptional build quality and craftsmanship using premium materials like CNC-machined aluminum and carbon fiber
  • Highly efficient and easy to drive, performing well even with portable DACs or smartphones
  • Vast, holographic soundstage with excellent instrument separation and layering
  • Smooth, musical, and non-fatiguing sound signature that works well across diverse genres
  • User-tunable sound through an innovative magnetic earpad system and multiple included pad options
  • Fully serviceable and repair-oriented structure designed for long-term longevity

What customers don't like about Meze Audio Elite

  • Extremely high flagship-level pricing ($4,000) that puts it out of reach for many
  • Lacks the ultimate micro-detail and analytical transparency found in some top-tier competitors
  • Bass is controlled and refined but lacks the heavy 'slam' or impact preferred by some bass enthusiasts
  • Physically large and bulky open-back design that offers no noise isolation
  • Initial 'burn-in' period may be required for the sound to reach its full potential according to some users
  • Stock cables are considered basic and prone to tangling, with some reviewers recommending an immediate upgrade

Verdict

The Meze Audio Elite is a flagship open-back planar magnetic headphone featuring the advanced Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array [MZ3SE] driver and an ultra-thin 0.11g Rinaro Parus diaphragm. It boasts a wide frequency response of 3 Hz to 112,000 Hz, a low impedance of 32 Ω, and a high sensitivity of 101 dB (1 mW / 1 kHz), making it remarkably easy to drive from almost any source. Key characteristics include a lightweight 430g build with a carbon fiber headband, a dual-coil system for precise acoustic targeting, and a natural, balanced sound signature with superior detail retrieval. Main pros include exceptional long-term comfort due to its pressure-distribution wings and world-class build quality; however, cons include a high premium price point and a stock cable that some users find basic or prone to microphonics.

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