Technical Performance
The sound stage is very strong with the Advar, especially in terms of width. For depth, there are better IEMs with better layering but they’re usually priced much higher. So the sound stage is one of the strongest parts of the Advar without a doubt in my book.
Separation-wise things are very good, but not spectacular. You sometimes miss the separation ability of the multi-driver IEMs, but that doesn’t take anything away from the performance of the Advar. Because with just one driver, you get excellent stereo imaging and positioning with very good sharpness and focus. And since it plays very spacious and airy, I think it can even be used for mastering and mixing, since it’s a true sounding monitor without too much colouration.
The Advar is good on details and also very good in terms of overall resolution and transparency. When you combine the great micro detail ability, realistic timbre, good PRaT and coherent performance altogether, you get one of the best options in the market among the single dynamic driver IEMs.
Driving
It seems easy to drive on paper, but I think that’s not completely true. The Advar needs a bit more power than I expected, and it scales well with better/cleaner power with better equipment/sources, so be aware of that.
Comparisons
The Rai Penta has a more impressive design and build quality, and it might be the best build quality I’ve ever seen in an IEM. It has a better overall packaging as well. Sound-wise I think the Advar has more to offer based on price. There’s a $400 difference, and to me, the Advar sounds cleaner with more space and air. The Rai Penta is a warm neutral IEM with a mid-bass focus and emphasis, with a warm and musical midrange.
However, I think Advar is a bit more transparent, and it has a better extended treble region. The Rai Penta has more depth and layering with more defined mids, compared to the smooth and tiny bit diffused mids of the Advar. Both are very good IEMs, but I think the Advar offers a more unique experience with its greatly tuned single dynamic driver.
The RSV is sometimes too safe in terms of tuning with certain genres, and it doesn’t have the bass control of the Advar, at least not on the same particular level. The RSV’s bass is heavier with more impact but it’s slower and it doesn’t have the air of the Advar. It’s still very good though, especially in terms of BA bass.
The RSV has very refined mids with more warmth. It sounds fuller and more intense in this area, whilst the Advar retains its spacious and slightly laid back, smooth nature. However, the RSV doesn’t have the same sense of space and air as the Advar. Treble is simply better with the Meze offering, with better transparency, detail and articulation as well as extension.
The IE900 also has great build quality, design and packaging, though Meze Audio’s presentation is more authentic, artistic and has more flair. The Sennheiser has that certain coldness and industrial approach. One thing I don’t like about the IE900 is the fit with its very short nozzles. In my case, the Meze offers a better fit.
The sound is a bit sterile and neutral, sometimes even cold in the IE900 when you compare it to the Advar. The IE900 sounds cleaner with more clarity and sharpness. It’s even more spacious and airy than the Advar too. And yet, I don’t think you can get that musical timbre of the Advar with the IE900, as I mentioned, it’s a bit cold and sterile, and that is especially the case in the mid-range of the IE900. Its treble is just a bit more aggressive as well with the same sterile approach, whilst the Advar smoothes the treble out, in a good way.
Technically the IE900 is quite strong but to me, the Advar brings more enjoyment to the table. It’s like comparing an electrostatic headphone to a dynamic one. The IE900 has higher technical level, whilst the Advar has the tonality advantage.
Conclusion
I’m impressed by the new Meze Audio Advar. Meze created a winner in many aspects here. The musical, high-end stereo system type of sonic experience separates Advar from its competitors. Whatever you throw at it, it pulls it off with excellent technical performance, a definitive and resolving nature with a smooth and balanced sound. It’s just flowing, silky, and natural.
So once again, Meze Audio gets a recommended badge from us in the Best Universal IEMs category. I think it has a better value than the Rai Penta too. So if you ever lookout for a coherent, life-like, resolving and smooth IEM under $1000, don’t forget to include the Meze Audio Advar in your watchlist.
Page 1: Information, Packaging, Design, Build, Fit
Page 2: Sound Quality
Scott Leslie
Can you compare the Advar to the Sennheiser IE600?
Lieven
The units are on different continents, sorry
Darren Barwick
Advar are my first IEMs, first headphones actually. Have always listened to home systems. Recent life change doesn’t allow me to listen to the home system like I used to. After lots of research and reviews I chose the Advar. Your review was the one I kept coming back to. The comparison to what just happened to be all my finalist was what sold me on them. I couldn’t be happier. Paired with an iFi Gryphon I am now able to listen to my music whenever I like. Honestly surprise at how much I enjoy them. Did not think it would compare to the feel of my my mid range audiophile home setup, but it does, even exceeds it in some ways. So thank you and all the other writers here at Headfonia for helping me along in my new audio quest.
Lieven
Thank you, Darren. Enjoy the Advar!
Andrea
Bought one yesterday on the spot at Canjam London. Had no intention to buy another IEM since I acquired recently an IE600 and listed the Advar by fluke, just killing time in line to listen the Lyric. Well, God bless CANJAM, I have never heard such good mids even in a headphone… And the bass is just perfect, never boomy but solid and enveloping. After listening to these the Lyric failed to impress, great comfort but too much bass for the acoustic music I listen. These compare well to the Elite. The IE600 are being packed and returned to Sennheiser: if you like the sub_bassy Monarch 2 you will like them probably just as much, but they do not have the warmth of the Advar.