Meze Audio reduces the price of its Alba S in a strategic move by removing the USB-C DAC/amp adapter, focusing on core sound quality for owners with existing compatible devices.
Meze Audio has taken an unusual route with the ALBA S: it has not changed the earphones, only the box they come in. The new wired in-ear monitor keeps the original ALBA’s 10.8mm dynamic driver, 32-ohm impedance, zinc-alloy and anodised-aluminium construction, pearl finish and detachable 3.5mm cable, but drops the bundled USB-C DAC/amp adapter. The result is a lower US price of $129, down from $159.
That makes the ALBA S less a redesign than a targeted simplification. The original ALBA, launched in 2024, was designed as a convenient all-in-one package for phones and tablets without a headphone socket, thanks to its included USB-C adapter with built-in conversion and amplification. As reviewers at SoundGuys and RTINGS noted, that accessory was one of the model’s defining features, giving it broad device compatibility and making it an easy entry point for listeners moving away from wireless earbuds.
Meze’s decision also reflects how many buyers already use their own portable DACs, dongles or music players. For that audience, paying for an adapter they may never use is unnecessary. By leaving the acoustic platform untouched while removing the extra accessory, Meze has preserved the product’s core selling points rather than cutting materials or altering the tuning to reach a lower price.
The ALBA itself has generally been well regarded for its comfort, premium build and balanced sound, with warm bass, clear midrange and expressive treble mentioned in independent reviews. That established reputation gives the ALBA S an advantage in a crowded sub-$200 market, where rivals include the Sennheiser IE 200, Moondrop Aria 2 and Truthear Hexa. Meze is not asking buyers to trust a new driver or an unproven voicing; it is offering a familiar design at a more focused price.
The new model is already listed by World Wide Stereo, suggesting it is available rather than merely announced. Meze’s separate USB-C adapter remains on sale for anyone who still wants the original convenience package. For listeners who already own a suitable source, the ALBA S may be the more sensible buy.
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