amazon Meze Audio Rai Solo reviews
Meze Audio used to be known as a headphone brand with passionate products, luxurious design, with a comfortable price range. In 2019, Meze Audio debuted a passionate version of Meze Empyrean. With breakthrough technology and sound quality, the headphone immediately topped the list of the best headphones in the world and leveled up the brand name of Meze Audio.
In 2020, Meze continues to bring music lovers around the world a new version of midrange headphones Meze RAI Solo. This is the first headphone ever to use UPM technology to utilize the movement of the traditional dynamic speaker.
DESIGN AND FINISHING
Meze RAI Solo is supposed to be the first in the RAI series but for some particular reasons, RAI Penta was debuted earlier. Therefore, it should not be a surprise to see Meze RAI solo bears some resemblances to its older brother.
With the aim of finding the most comfortable housing design, the housing shape of Meze RAI solo is the result of 5 years of researching and experimenting with Meze Audio.
Actually, the housing part of Meze RAI solo has a much different look and stands out among its peers in the same price range, even more unique and eye-catching compared to the Meze RAI Penta.
The whole housing part is made from stainless steel, a material with high density, and such toughness that could not be seen from normal steel. Meze has also experimented with aluminum but this material does not meet the requirements of the brand’s sound and product quality.
The details on the housing part is apparently paid close attention to. The logo is engraved on the surface of the faceplate. The sound system of the headphones is made separated from the housing part with different colors in order to identify the left-right direction. The joints between different parts are closely attached so as to create a sturdy look.
Meze RAI Solo uses the common MMCX connector. You can easily upgrade or replace it with a third-party device when it comes to this type of MMCX.
According to NSX, the conducting wire uses silver-plated bronze material with a high level of purity to improve sound quality. The wire gives out smoothing feeling, but steady. However, the earhook on the connector is made from metal underwire. I will list this as one of the cons of Meze’s products. It would be better if the wire brings a softer touch, and more comfortable feelings.
TECHNOLOGY AND STATISTICS
The choice of stainless steel does not solely serve the purpose of appearance, but also because of its sturdiness, and thus is rarely affected by the surrounding shockwave. Thanks to that, the sound created by the driver could keep its integrity.
UPM technology is the emphasis in the configuration of Meze RAI Solo. UPM is short for Unied Pistonic Motion.
This technology helps rule out any extra conducting wires from the voice coil to outside the circuit board. This allows the speaker layer when active would reach its most balance state and maximize the movement of the sound, making it more precise. Along with it, the durability of the driver is also enhanced.
Driver: 9.2mm UPM dynamic driver
Speaker layer thickness: 9µm
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 105±3dB at 1mW/1kHz
Frequency: 18Hz – 22kHz
Distortion: <1% at 1mW/1kHz
EXPERIENCE AND SOUND QUALITY
Meze RAI Solo brings a uniquely comfortable feeling when choosing the right eartips. Despite the steel material, its weight is not that recognizable during use. Personally, I’d recommend using the eartips from Spinfit or Final to have the best fit and experience.
Meze RAI Solo has relatively high sensitivity and low impedance, therefore, it would be easy to be connected to any speaker. Of course, the speaker itself would really play a part in determining the sound quality.
Sound Quality
The overall sound quality of Meze RAI solo is quite balance, rich in all areas including bass, mid, and treble. UPM technology has really worked out this time.
Bass
I have listened to both Meze Empyrean and Meze RAI Penta so when considering RAI Solo, I truly expected a bass with deep subpart. However, it’s opposite to my imagination. It does not mean that its bass is of poor quality. It does its jobs: you will feel every bass to the extent that you will not feel the buzzing caused by any extra sound. With a high pace, everything is balanced, just that it does not reach my expectation.
There’s one important notice about the first time using Meze RAI Solo, because of choosing the wrong size eartips, the bass seems shallow. Not until did I change into size M and Spinfit eartips did the sound get better. Thus, remember to choose the right eartips to have the best experience.
Mid
This part of Meze RAI Solo confuses me. The low-mid is apparently missing something when it comes to the unfulfilled vocal. This plays a role in making the mid part lags behind the bass and treble. On the other hand, Meze RAI Solo does have some bright points in its mid sound. Pure vocal, decent upper-mid make the voice seems emotional, especially in high pitch range.
Instruments are reconstructed in detail and do not overwhelm.
Treble
Compared to the former version of Meze, RAI Solo seems to have the best treble, in my opinion. It isn’t as bright as Campfire Andromeda, its Treble is up there and satisfies the requirements of all genres. The space between the treble is good enough so that it does not tire out users’ ears. The sibilant notes are well controlled, without any harsh sounds.
CONCLUSION:
After 5 years of experimenting and researching, Meze RAI Solo has finally reached music lovers. I could feel the seriousness behind Meze Audio’s products and RAI Solo deserve its praise.
This is a well-designed headphone, completed without any downside and great sound quality that fits the majority of music listeners.
where can you get a Meze Audio Rai Solo online
Meze Rai Solo Unified Pistonic Motion Technology: Buy it now
