Short answer: the Meze 105 Aer. Both are rated 3.9/5 for sound quality (#139 and #136 of 481 over-ear headphones), and the Meze 105 Aer costs $299 against $339 for the Aune AR5000 MK2, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The case for the Aune AR5000 MK2: Hobbyist measurements give it a Harman preference score of 80.3 with only 2.0 dB of deviation from target, so the overall balance is close to what most listeners prefer. Watch for: The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, so it is a home headphone rather than one for commutes or shared offices.
What the Meze 105 Aer does well: The open back tuning is warm, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2 dB above target and the low mids about 1.6 dB above, so voices and instruments sound full and relaxed. The tradeoff: An 8 dB dip near 8.8 kHz and treble about 2.6 dB below target take the shimmer off cymbals and sibilance, so the top end can sound dull and veiled.
Buy the Meze 105 Aer. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $40 less than the Aune AR5000 MK2.
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Hobbyist measurements give it a Harman preference score of 80.3 with only 2.0 dB of deviation from target, so the overall balance is close to what most listeners prefer.
Amazon $339.00 eBay
The open back tuning is warm, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2 dB above target and the low mids about 1.6 dB above, so voices and instruments sound full and relaxed.
Amazon $299.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Aune AR5000 MK2 | Meze 105 Aer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $339.00 | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #136 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #139 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.02 dB standard deviation | 2.15 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.51 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL at 1kHz/1Vrms | - |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 43.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Aune AR5000 MK2 from aden, elrics, kr0mka and sai; the Meze 105 Aer from aden, audioamigo, daemonxar, gadgetrytech, kuulokenurkka, sai, superreview and suporsalad, all via squig.link.
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