Meze 99 Classic headphone review - expatinjapan



Meze 99 Classic with Centrance hifi-skyn

 Meze 99 Classic review
(Silver walnut version)
-expatinjapan



The MEZE 99 Classics have been getting a lot of air time on the internet and various review sites and forums. Even the most hardened of reviewers have agreed that the Meze 99 Classic is a headphone for the ages, one to add to the revolving roster of headphones that they would use and listen to on a regular basis.


Unboxing and build


The Meze come in an appropriate sized box and comes with a solid traveling case.


The Meze 99 Classic comes with a short cable with a built in microphone and also a long cable. 
One for on the move with your choice of portable dap (four foot long) and a longer cable (Ten foot long) for relaxing at home.
Also included is an 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter for your home system and an adapter for when traveling by airplane.




The nice hard cover case protects the Meze 99 Classic whilst on the move.
Its hard to see in this photo but there is also a soft round case for the cables.








The Meze 99 Classics fit me so well I did not even notice that the headband can be adjusted.
It does so by itself automatically. super design.







Stats

Transducer size: 40mm
Frequency response: 15Hz - 25KHz
Sensitivity: 103dB at 1KHz, 1mW
Impedance: 32Ohm
Rated input power: 30mW
Maximum input power: 50mW
Detachable Kevlar OFC cable
Plug: 3.5mm gold plated
Weight: 260 gr (9.2 ounces) without cables
Ear-cups: walnut wood




Exquisite build and solid well thought out design makes the Meze 99 Classic a headphone for the ages.
Each cable is marked with R and L, you can plug into either jack which makes set up easy and stress free.







Fully serviceable! The 99 Classic.


Nice reinforced Y cable split.

Fit

I find the fit to be very comfortable, they cover over my ears: circum-aural. This would not be the case for people with larger ears or ears that stick out I guess. But for me they slip right in there like a bug in a rug.

I think as usual with most headphones fit and comfortable is dependent on individual head and ear size.

Meze 99 Classic with Centrance Hifi-m8

Value
At around US$300 the Meze 99 Classic comes in at the sub mid fi price tier.
But don`t let the price of the Meze 99 Classic fool you, they could easily up the price and still be within an acceptable asking price.

Well designed, simply beautiful.
Decent well sourced materials
Solid and functional build.
Replaceable parts.
Excellent sound.

Whats not to like?



Meze 99 Classic with the Opus#1 dap



Sound

First impressions were positive. The Meze 99 Classic comes across silky smooth and resolving with fabulous instrument placing and separation.

As usually I got a considerable number of hours on the 99 Classics before I started the review.
I tried them with the Opus#1 dap, Shozy Alien Gold, Centrance Hifi skyn and the Hifi-M8.


Vocals: Neither too forward nor recessed the vocals on the Meze 99 Classic hit the sweet spot for me.
Bass: A slight slow decay is present, but overall is fast enough to please with most music.
Mids: As with most woodies the mids play an important part in the overall presentation, not overly warm as such, more on the liquid side of things rather than a deep lushness. fairly neutral and dynamic with a quick decay.
Treble: It is clear and offers the detail one expects, it veers away from being extended to the point of harshness or sibilance and is pleasing to the ears. It reaches far enough for a good balance with the bass and the mids, each not over stepping their individual bounds.

Instrument separation: Good separation, not crisp as such with a slight smudging at times. Overall very good.
Sound stage: A decent soundstage that feels larger than my head, good instrument placement.



So many reviews have already been written on the Meze 99 Classic that the interested consumer now has many to read through to help them in choosing whether the 99 Classic is for them. They all seem to agree that it is a decent product.

If you are after a great sounding, well priced headphone with beautiful design then the Meze 99 Classic could be for you.



Overall
The Meze 99 Classic is a headphone I have enjoyed reviewing, comfortable to wear and pleasurable to listen to. It makes my task as a audio review hobbyist that much better when I am really happy to spend time with the product.

I find the fit to be very comfortable, they cover over my ears: circum-aural. This would not be the case for people with larger ears or ears that stick out I guess. But for me they slip right in there like a bug in a rug.

The sound is very relaxing, silky smooth with a softness to it and that ever present gorgeousness that I love so much when it comes to lush wooden headphones.

The pads seem to be made of pleather, I would like to see Meze change them to leather.

The Meze 99 Classic come in a maple or walnut wood, Head pie reviewed the walnut version.

The sound is quite balanced overall. The vocals just above the music and not too far forward, the bass is fast but with a slow decay at times, mids are prominent and fast but not over bearing nor muddy, the treble is clear without harshness or sibilance.

It is an easy to drive headphone and is powered adequately out of a smart phone. My ipod touch 6G was at 55% volume.

Using a dedicated Dap will yield the best results. I prefer a brighter source with the Walnut version.

The sound is a universal one. One I expect would appeal to most listeners as it treads the middle ground, no real emphasis on vocals, bass, mids nor treble but providing a suitable and enjoyable mix between them all whilst retaining that certain woodie signature.





Thank you again to Meze for sending Head pie the Meze 99 Classic headphones for review
-expatinjapan




3 Comments

  1. I havent any word to appreciate this post.....Really i am impressed from this post....the person who create this post it was a great human..thanks for shared this with us.
    surround sound headsets

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks. I am happy you enjoyed the review :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I must get one now at jaben stc senayan, jakarta, thank you for your review.

    ReplyDelete

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