Headphone maker Meze Audio revealed a new set of high-end headphones while at HIGH END Vienna last week. Born from a years-long collaboration with Rinaro Isodynamics, the ARTA is what Meze is calling a “passion project years in the making,” combining striking design features with a state-of-the-art driver.
“ARTA came into existence from asking the same question over and over: what is there still between the listener and the music? Through our collaboration with Rinaro Isodynamics, we’ve arrived at something that doesn’t quite sound like headphones anymore, but simply music occupying real space,” explains Alex Grigoras, Acoustic Engineer for Meze.
ARTA introduces Meze’s highest-impedance driver to date
Image courtesy of Meze Audio
Behind the Arta’s sculptural looks is a MZ5 HΩ Driver, the single highest-impedance planar magnetic headphone driver Meze has put out to date. According to Meze, this allows the headphones to deliver on exceptional linearity, stability, and signal purity through a high-voltage, low-current operation.
Meze describes the sound signature as being warm-neutral with a soundstage that is meant to expand naturally, mimicking, in the company’s words “an acoustically treated listening room, where instruments occupy real positions within a vivid, three-dimensional stage.”
Enclosing the hardware is a design that leans into a more futuristic, Art Noveau look, sculptural and architectural in appearance, with organic textures like leather and metallic sheens composing the distinctive look.
Why integrators should take note
One noteworthy quality about the ARTA is that, according to Meze, the headphones were built with full serviceability in mind. Every component, from the earpads and headband to the drivers and earcups, can be fully disassembled, serviced, or replaced, making them a solid investment for any avid listener due to their potential longevity.
“Because an artistic headphone made to this standard should never become waste, but rather appreciated with the passing of time,” writes Meze in its announcement.
Pricing and availability
ARTA’s market availability will be announced soon through Meze Audio’s official channels, with a suggested retail price of $6000.
