Elite Headphones by Antonio Meze is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Mphoto ya Golide ya A' Design Award in Mapangidwe a Zipangizo za Mawu ndi Phokoso Competition Category.

GolideZipangizo za Mawu· 2022

Elite Headphones

by Antonio Meze

Client: Meze Audio

Mphoto ya Golide ya A' Design Award Winner in Zipangizo za Mawu Category

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Verified Award Winner
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Colors

The Design

About Elite Headphones

Elite delivers accurate, authentic sound for music lovers, embodied into a lightweight, highly comfortable chassis. On closer look, the frame reveals a complex geometrical imprint accentuated through the silver finish of the CNC aluminum frame. A deep black grill with intricate carvings and a carbon fiber headband with real leather headrest were added, turning Elite into a futuristic take on personal audio design.

The Recognition

About the Mphoto ya Golide ya A' Design Award

Elite Headphones ndi mmodzi mwa opambana a Mphoto ya Golide ya A' Design Award, kuzindikirika kolemekezeka kwambiri komwe kumaperekedwa kwa mapangidwe a pamwamba, odabwitsa ndi odziwika. Opambana a Golide ndi zolengedwa zatsopano kwambiri, zoona patali ndi zonyezimira zomwe zimaonetsa luntha, nzeru ndi luso la opanga awo. Elite Headphones akuyembekezeka kukhala chopangidwa chotamandidwa kwambiri, chokhazikitsa zochitika ndi chachikulu chomwe chimabweretsa phindu losawonekapo kale. Mapangidwe opambana Mphoto ya Golide ya A' Design Award awa ndi ntchito yodabwitsa, yolemekezeka yomwe imapindulitsa kwambiri ndi kukulitsa malire a luso, sayansi, kapangidwe ndi ukadaulo. Elite Headphones amabweretsa zilakolako zamphamvu, kudzutsa chidwi, kulimbikitsa luso lolenga ndi kutikopa.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Elite is one of the most advanced planar magnetic headphones, delivering an authentic listening experience embodied into a unique frame that provides utmost comfort.

Elite features:
High-precision CNC sculpted chassis
Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver
Lightweight materials
Patent-pending pressure distribution wings
Anatomical ovate earcups

Designed for life. Elite is made to surpass all short-living trends and industry changes, bringing long-lasting value to the customer.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width: 255 mm
Height: 230 mm
Depth: 89 mm
Tags: headphones, aluminum, CNC, industrial, product design, audio, technology, electronics
Production Technology: Elite features a CNC aluminum chassis, milled from a single piece of aluminum. The process of shaping a single frame takes about 20 hours. The ovoid shape of the earcup was designed to fit the ear more closely, for increased wearing comfort. A carbon fiber headband with a real leather headrest were added to the frame, for an ultra-light feel and maximum durability. The patent-pending suspension wings distribute the weight evenly, providing a comfortable listening experience.

From the replaceable earpads to the high-performance materials used, every part on the headphone chassis is available to be easily disassembled and serviced.
Design Challenge: With Elite, the goal was to create a high-end product meant for those who know what they want and expect to be treated accordingly. The biggest challenge for the designer and the engineering team was to find the perfect balance between technology, design, materials and ergonomics. Finding the right material for each component took a lot of experimentation, as did getting a precise and durable assembly that allows each part of the headphone to be easily disassembled and serviced.
Research: Meze aimed for perfection in every component, so producing Elite just the way the designer intended and without any compromises was a real challenge. An in-depth research process into material sciences was conducted, which opened the door for new technological advances, in terms of sound and comfort. It took 3 years of developing and testing new technologies, different combinations of materials and various sound tuning options, in order to achieve this final result.
Inspiration: At Meze Audio, products are created from pure passion for great aesthetics, good craftsmanship and breakthrough engineering. It is the love for art and design and not a business mindset that drives innovation. With Elite, our goal was to make a headphone without any compromises.

With few exceptions, audio gear is rarely considered a work of art, and design often comes second to performance. Born out of love of sound and artistry, we believe Elite breaks that barrier.
Project Duration: Meze Audio started working on Elite in 2018, and it took 3 years of research and development in order to create a powerful, lifelike and immersive experience with a multisensory character.
Operation Flow: The unique design of the frame is definitely the first thing that stands out, but then you are completely captured by how lightweight and comfortable they actually are, thanks to the patent pending suspension wings. When paired with your favorite audio device, Elite delivers a natural sound transparency and a wide, articulate soundstage, which creates an immersive listening experience that compliments most music genres.
Patents: Meze Audio
Image Credits: Meze Audio