The Meze 99 Classics are visually and sonically nice for brand spanking new audiophiles searching for an improve to their listening. Meze Audio has simply launched an up to date model of this headphone, referred to as the 99 Classics 2nd Gen.. What makes this new headphone so completely different from the final? Is it definitely worth the improve? Try all that 2nd Gen has to supply at $349.
Meze retains issues easy in relation to equipment. They ensure that it’s simple to begin listening instantly on any machine. Within the 99 Classics 2nd Gen package deal, you get the next:
- Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen headphones
- Case: Laborious EVA carrying pouch
- Included adapters:
- 3.5 mm to six.3 mm gold-plated jack
- 3.5 mm to USB-C dongle DAC
- 1.8 m dual-twisted, Kevlar-wrapped OFC cable
- 1 pair of Acoustic Absorbers
The 99 Classics 2nd Gen does not present any indicators of a visible change or improve. The walnut earcups and metallic body are similar to these of the primary model, choosing gold particulars as an alternative of silver. The over-ear match is actually the identical, with a self-adjusting headband to ensure you get the perfect placement when sporting. The earpads are smooth and cozy to put on for lengthy durations, and the light-weight design makes sporting non-fatiguing for lengthy durations.
One added function of the 2nd Gen is the acoustic absorbers that include the headphone. This new accent acts as a dampener for larger frequencies to provide your headphones a hotter sound profile. Meze consists of directions on methods to use these with the 2nd Gen headphones, so you’ll change forwards and backwards seamlessly.
When it comes to driving, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen shouldn’t be tough to drive. Like the unique, you possibly can simply plug and play on any machine. The included USB-C adapter lets you connect with your telephone or laptop proper out of the field, eliminating the necessity for extra purchases. Nonetheless, pairing this with a pleasant amplifier is an efficient option to increase the profile and add deeper character.
SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING
Listening to the 99 Classics 2nd Gen was enjoyable and straightforward to do. The signature leaned in direction of a extra impartial profile than the unique, showcasing an excellently balanced profile that was good for a variety of devices. Rock, pop, jazz, acoustic, and orchestral tracks had been nice to hearken to by means of these headphones, and the signature sound remained balanced and pure all through playback. I appreciated the vast soundstage, wider than I might anticipate from closed-back headphones. There was first rate depth and top to make the dynamics more practical, and the listening expertise was extra immersive.
Whenever you add within the acoustic absorbers, there’s a small however notable sonic change to the 2nd Gen. The bass will get somewhat extra heat, and the high-end turns into barely recessed, recreating the V-shaped signature that you simply’d discover within the first technology of the 99 Classics. The 2nd Gen with the acoustic absorbers lets you return to the sound you may be lacking, but in addition provides you the choice to improve to one thing with a bit extra heat.
BASS FREQUENCIES
The bass within the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen is harking back to the unique. It’s punchy and extremely detailed, nonetheless conserving that deep character that you simply like to listen to out of the low finish. Meze has at all times been nice at producing highly effective bass that’s simply as relaxed as it’s driving. In these calmer genres like R&B, jazz, or indie, the 2nd Gen’s bass has physique which you can really feel simply as a lot as hear. It does not compromise on element or texture, so that you’re by no means listening to a washed-out bass response. Even with the acoustic absorbers added to the 2nd Gen, the bass stays detailed and exact with an added sense of depth.
MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES
The midrange within the 2nd Gen has glorious element that’s nice for any style of music. It’s textured and colourful, honoring the pure timbres of devices so every little thing sounds pure and distinct. There’s a good quantity of separation within the 2nd Gen’s midrange as properly, as you get to listen to these particular person components in their very own areas with out a number of bleed into each other. There may be nonetheless sense of cohesion and togetherness that retains frequencies in movement from one to the subsequent. I do not suppose I’d classify the 2nd Gen as a reference headphone, but it surely does do an ideal job of getting a pure sound of its devices. You possibly can hear the width come out on this vary by the way in which these melodic devices unfold out in depth and within the stereo picture.
TREBLE FREQUENCIES
The 99 Classics 2nd Gen has a improbable treble, one which I immediately fell in love with. It wasn’t harsh or overly sharp, however nonetheless had glorious readability throughout the board. It stayed barely within the again to make the midrange the primary function of the signature. The highest frequencies give the complete signature sense of area. It does not really feel compressed or awkwardly lower off, and as an alternative has a easy roll-off for these ultra-highs. Even should you select to make use of the acoustic absorbers, you possibly can nonetheless get an efficient treble response that’s excessive intimately. It dampens it barely, however nonetheless has good readability, so you do not lose any high-end element in your tracks.
Meze Audio advertises 10 variations from the previous 99 Classics to the brand new, representing the ten years because the unique’s launch. At face worth, the 2 headphones look practically similar: a walnut wooden exterior and leather-based earpads held up by a caged-in suspended headband. Of their equipment, you will begin to see a number of the refined variations. The 2nd Gen comes with a USB-C adapter and new acoustic absorbers, permitting you to extend the signature’s heat.
You may discover probably the most variations between the first and 2nd Gen of their sound signatures. The 2nd Gen has a barely wider and deeper soundstage, with improved separation between devices. The first Gen has a subtler treble response, which is nearly equal to that of the 2nd Gen with the acoustic absorber hooked up. Plenty of the sonic variations fade if you introduce the acoustic absorber to the 2nd Gen. It’s an attention-grabbing compromise of nonetheless getting the sound you’re aware of whereas additionally getting one thing new with the 2nd Gen.
The Meze 99 Basic 2nd Gen is proof that one thing good can at all times be higher. The identical walnut wooden design homes a large soundstage with element, heat, and precision. Meze has actually constructed upon a basic, each actually and figuratively, to provide individuals a listening expertise they will not need to miss out on. For individuals searching for a midrange closed-back headphone that’s extra enjoyable than analytical, the 2nd Gen has confirmed to be an ideal choice to examine all of your bins.
The 99 Classics 2nd Gen is offered as we speak at Audio46.
