- Meze Audio Just Released Astru, Dynamic Driver Only IEM with Unique Technology
- …and remember, the MacBook Neo’s 3.5mm headphone jack is front and center.
- But at $899/£819 (around AU$1,550) they’re more expensive than the new MacBook
If, like me, you watched TechRadar’s coverage of the launch of the Apple MacBook Neo the other day and actually pointed at your screen and muttered “Uh… oh!” (like the Leonardo DiCaprio Rick Dalton meme pointing out) as you watched its 3.5mm headphone jack slide gracefully from the back of the left edge to the front, where it should always be, you are my people.
And if you don’t have a rig yet, you might be looking for some decent IEMs to plug into that port, because this wired renaissance isn’t going anywhere.
While I’d normally refer you to some of the best wired headphones (or, indeed, a pair of the best wired headphones) to make the most of Apple’s sensible relocation of the once all-but-banished port, Meze’s newest ones are worth a look; just look at our glowing reviews of the Meze Audio Alba, Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen or Meze Audio 105 Silva for starters.
Meze Audio Astru: the details you need to know
At the core of Astru (which is Romanian for ‘Star’) is a 10mm multi-layer composite dynamic driver diaphragm, the dome of which features “over 80 ultra-thin layers of gold, applied during a 48-hour physical vacuum DC magnetron sputtering process”, then bonded to a layer of titanium.
Each headstock, Meze Audio says, is CNC machined from a single block of pure titanium and then undergoes a multi-stage electroplating process to achieve that smooth satin finish.
The cable features CNC anodized aluminum hardware plus a gold-plated 4.4mm balanced termination, but don’t worry! A 4.4mm to 3.5mm adapter, five eartip sizes (XS-XL), and two carrying solutions (a protective bag and a soft PU leather envelope) make the Astru equally suitable for your laptop or a more serious hi-fi listening system.
Meze Audio promises to redefine what a single dynamic driver IEM can achieve here and given the company’s track record, I’d be inclined to believe the claims.
The Astru IEMs launch today (March 6) and will be available to purchase from March 20, with a suggested retail price of $899 / £819 / €899 (around AU$1,550). In fact, the new MacBook Neo is significantly cheaper. But that doesn’t mean he’s not interested. Far from it, actually…
The best headphone DACs for every budget
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