WIRED

Headphone ports might be practically extinct on smartphones these days, but stereo cables will always have a place in every true audiophile's heart

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MEZE AUDIO ALBA

Meze is no stranger to wired Mheadphones that demand four-figure sums, but at just €159 the Alba in-ears are chump change in comparison.

On paper it doesn't seem any corners have been cut: the glossy zinc alloy buds are more distinctive than some costing much more; and while there's only a single dynamic driver inside each one, that alone isn't an indicator of sound quality.

You also get a comprehensive set of accessories included, most notably a slim USB-C DAC that connects to the end of the cable and lets you plug into devices that don't have a 3.5mm socket.