Meze Audio has lengthy been established as a number one identify within the realm of high-end headphones, persistently delivering merchandise that steadiness progressive design with audiophile-grade efficiency. As anticipation builds for CanJam NYC 2025, Meze unveils its newest creation: the Meze POET. Positioned at a premium worth level of $2,000, the POET goals to supply a refined listening expertise with a deal with precision and element, serving as each an evolution of Meze’s established sound signature and a daring exploration into new sonic territory.
Unboxing and Equipment
The Meze POET is offered with a set of premium equipment designed to enrich its stature and make sure that customers have an entire out-of-the-box expertise. Included within the bundle are:
- POET Headphones
- PC-ABS headphone exhausting case
- 2.5m braided Furukawa PCUHD copper cable
- Twin 3.5mm mono TS jacks to six.3mm termination
- PU leather-based cable pouch
The inclusion of a high-purity copper cable displays Meze’s consideration to each construct high quality and sign integrity. The exhausting case presents sturdy safety, appropriate for each house storage and journey, whereas the leather-based cable pouch provides an additional contact of sophistication to the general presentation. These equipment underscore Meze’s dedication to delivering an entire premium expertise past the headphones themselves.
Design and Consolation
The POET’s design language aligns with Meze Audio’s signature aesthetic, sharing structural similarities with flagship fashions such because the Empyrean II, Elite, and Liric II. The open-back ear cups are distinguished by intricate exterior plating that reveals a stage of workmanship usually related to closed-back designs. This visible element underscores Meze’s dedication to merging artwork with performance, and it’s clear that the POET is meant to make an announcement each sonically and visually.
Consolation is a trademark of the POET. The circumaural match is safe with out extreme clamping power, selling prolonged listening classes with out fatigue. The adjustable suspension headband additional contributes to a balanced distribution of weight throughout the pinnacle, enhancing the general ergonomic expertise. The earpads, constituted of high-quality reminiscence foam and lined in comfortable supplies, conform comfortably to the listener’s head whereas making a dependable acoustic seal.
Customers will discover that the POET is appropriate for each informal, long-form listening classes and important, studio-level analysis. The light-weight 350g design prevents pressure, even throughout extended utilization, which is a notable achievement given the headphone’s sturdy development.
The inventory cable offered is a high-purity Furukawa PCUHD copper cable with a 6.35mm termination, optimizing the connection for studio-grade and high-fidelity setups. Meze’s modular strategy ensures compatibility with their vary of improve cables, providing customers the flexibleness to tailor the connection to their most well-liked audio chain. Balanced terminations and customized cable choices are available for individuals who want to discover alternate configurations.
Technical Specs
- Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6
- Open-Again
- Circumaural Ear Coupling
- Frequency Vary: 4 Hz – 96 kHz
- Impedance: 55 Ω
- Sensitivity: 101 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
- Most SPL: >130 dB SPL
- THD: <0.05%
- Weight: 350g (with out earpads)
Amplification and Pairing
With an impedance of 55 Ω and a sensitivity score of 101 dB, the POET is a comparatively environment friendly planar magnetic headphone, able to integrating seamlessly with a wide range of supply tools. It demonstrates versatility throughout transportable and desktop amplification setups. Throughout testing, the POET paired successfully with units such because the Chord MOJO 2, FiiO BTR17, Hifiman EF500, and Astell & Kern SP3000M. The headphone’s effectivity permits it to carry out admirably on transportable units whereas scaling with higher-powered desktop programs.
Whereas transportable options just like the MOJO 2 supply a wonderful listening expertise with the POET, the headphone reveals extra layers of element and spatial definition when paired with extra sturdy desktop amplifiers. The Hifiman EF500, for example, introduced out a noticeable improve in soundstage dimensionality and low-frequency texture, underscoring the POET’s capability to scale with improved energy supply and DAC high quality.
Sound Efficiency
Soundstage and Imaging
The POET’s soundstage reveals a extra intimate presentation in comparison with conventional open-back designs. The spatial copy leans in the direction of a closed-back attribute, leading to a narrower area. Nonetheless, that is counterbalanced by exact imaging and notable depth. Vertical layering is especially well-executed, contributing to an immersive listening setting.
Whereas some listeners might want a extra expansive stereo picture, the POET’s strategy to imaging excels in conveying positional accuracy. Instrument placement is finely etched inside the sound area, and the headphone’s depth permits for a practical sense of front-to-back separation. This high quality proves advantageous for advanced orchestral works and stay recordings, the place spatial cues play a significant position within the listening expertise.
Low Frequencies
The bass response is managed and reserved in comparison with different Meze choices. Sub-bass extension is current, however the emphasis is on texture and accuracy slightly than affect. This restraint within the low finish permits for better deal with midrange articulation, catering to listeners who prioritize steadiness over bass dominance.
Basslines and percussive components are rendered with precision, avoiding the frequent pitfall of extreme bloom. The low-frequency supply is especially well-suited to acoustic genres and jazz, the place the POET precisely conveys the nuances of upright bass and kick drums with out masking different components within the combine.
Midrange Frequencies
The midrange is ahead and reveals a level of richness and element that aligns with Meze Audio’s famend tuning philosophy. Instrument separation is commendable, although not class-leading for this worth bracket. Textural nuances are well-represented, providing a pure timbral high quality that enhances the listening expertise.
Vocal copy is a standout, with each female and male voices carrying a lifelike presence. Guitars, strings, and pianos preserve their harmonic complexity, permitting listeners to understand the finer particulars in each studio recordings and stay performances.
Excessive Frequencies
The treble response marks a departure from Meze’s historically heat signature. The POET delivers a sharper, extra pronounced high-frequency presentation. This elevated treble imparts elevated readability and articulation, revealing microdetails with precision. Whereas the higher vary might initially really feel aggressive to some listeners, acclimatization reveals its position in enhancing the headphone’s total transparency.
Excessive hats, cymbals, and string overtones are offered with crisp definition, avoiding extreme sibilance whereas making certain that high-frequency content material retains a pure sparkle. This treble tuning lends the POET an analytical character, making it a wonderful alternative for listeners in search of to uncover each aspect of their music.
Conclusion
The Meze POET is a noteworthy addition to the model’s lineup, providing a sound signature that diverges from its predecessors. Its balanced tonality, with an emphasis on readability and precision, caters to discerning listeners in search of an analytical but participating auditory expertise. The narrower soundstage and reserved low finish might not align with each choice, however the POET’s meticulous imaging and detailed excessive frequencies solidify its place as a aggressive choice within the $2,000 section.
The Meze Audio POET is obtainable now at Audio46.
