Meze Audio Liric 2
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The Liric 2 is the second generation of Meze Audio’s popular, closed back planar magnetic headphone. A new version of an old time favorite that incorporates a slightly different tuning and various other cosmetic enhancements based on extensive user feedback. The good news is that despite the new features, the Liric 2 still retails for $2000 without a further price bump over the Liric.
Technical stuff
Just like the original model, the Liric 2 features the MZ4 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver that is purposefully scaled down and tuned to deliver a similar audio experience with its larger counterparts found in the Empyrean II and Elite. Combined with the closed-back design, it helps preserve the original clarity and emotion of the music through enhanced sound and minimized external noise. Each driver is entirely hand-assembled and tested in Rinaro’s industrial facility in Ukraine.
The Liric 2 also incorporates the unique Pressure Equalisation System which has been upgraded to achieve a smoother transition from the bass frequency region into the low midrange. This innovative system allows for optimal ear-cup chamber pressure and better airflow control for a more natural and fatigue free listening experience.
A newly added element is the Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask, a precision-crafted metal component that strategically covers select openings in the driver frame, to effectively attenuate high-frequency peaks above 7kHz for a less fatiguing listening experience.
You can read more about the Liric 2 and its innovative Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver by clicking here.
Non Audio stuff
The Liric 2 is made from a combination of premium materials like wood, metal and leather. The headband frame is made from magnesium and gets attached to the ear-cups with the aid of copper-plated aluminum adjusting rods. The headband itself is padded at the inner part that touches the head and covered with a genuine leather band at the exterior.
The design language is preserved from the original model but now the leather outer surface of the ear-cups has been replaced with Macassar ebony, a hardwood known for its dense, deep, rich brown coloration punctuated by intricate golden-brown stripes. Subjectively speaking, I much prefer the brown woody appearance over the dark black of the original model.
The Liric 2 is one of the best made and most luxurious looking earphones in the market, far surpassing most of the competition in terms of appearance and assembly quality. The headphone is fully serviceable and all parts are available for replacement in case of accidental damage.
The most significant non-audio enhancement over the Liric are the redesigned ear-pads that now get magnetically attached just like in the Empyrean II and the Elite. This brand new design offers a user-friendly method of replacing the ear-pads and opens the possibility of fine tuning with different pad designs that may come in the near future.
The Liric 2 is a little heavier than its predecessor, now weighing 427g, but the weight gets evenly distributed at the head in such a way that you won't feel it. The ear-pads are roomy and deep enough to accommodate the whole ear without touching the driver. The Liric 2 is a comfortable headphone that you can wear for hours and despite its closed nature, the ear-pads won't make your ears sweat a lot.
The clamping force is medium to low so the Liric 2 is not recommended for outdoor use and intense movement of the head because it will fall. Additionally, passive noise isolation is mostly average, the Liric 2 is not the most isolating closed back headphone and while it can successfully block mild noise, it is not that effective in loud environments. In order to achieve the best fit you have to press the ear-cups against your head to create a suction effect and let some air come out from the ventilation holes.
Stock cables
The Liric has been criticized for its stock cables that were of average quality for a $2K headphone and didn't include a balanced option. Meze Audio has fixed that by replacing the 1.5m short cable with a 1.3m long, high quality braided Furukawa PCUHD copper cable with a 4.4mm plug. This is a premium and very well made cable that retails for $269. The second one is still the generic, 3m soft TPE cable with a 3.5mm jack.
Accessories
The Liric 2 is generously accessorized as the package includes the two cables, a PU Leather cable pouch, 6.3mm & airplane jack adapters and a high quality, hard EVA carrying case with velvet lining.
Drivability
The Meze Audio Liric 2 has an impedance of 61Ω with 100dB SPL/mW of sensitivity so it is quite easy to drive from high quality portable sources like the FiiO M15S or the iBasso DX320. However, it scales incredibly so make sure to use the best of your gear and it also responds well to some extra power so try to experiment with desktop amplifiers.
Audio stuff
Comparison notes with the original Liric are embedded in the text.
The Liric 2 further improves over the tuning of the original model as it now sounds more balanced from the low-end all the way up to the highest frequencies. The general audio profile is that of natural-warm sounding headphone which has satisfying tonal precision despite the slightly emphasized bass and treble.
The low-end follows a smoothly downsloping curve where the bass is slightly more prominent than the mid-bass. The overall perception is that of slightly boosted bass with good sub-bass extension that doesn't overpower and the general bass emphasis is not that much to severely affect tonal accuracy. Not a reference tuning per se but still well executed with plenty of enjoyable bass and at the same time not much coloration that could mess up the tonality.
Technicalities are much improved over the previous version and are really impressive for a closed back headphone. The bass is reproduced without any audible cup reflections, sense of hollowness or any kind of masking. It is fast, tight and controlled enough with excellent clarity and layering. A well defined and textured bass that might be slightly lacking in body weight and mass but excels in description and layering without sounding dry. The bass is punchy and impactful while the dynamic behavior further improves with the use of a high quality amplifier.
The mid-range is mostly neutral and balanced with an upper mid-range emphasis that is less prominent and audible than it was in the original model. The Liric 2 excels in timbre realism and has the means to reproduce the music with its full harmonic intensity and the most complex overtones. Instruments and voices sound lifelike and tonally correct without any significant shifts worth mentioning. The mid-range is coherent and rather balanced, except maybe higher-female voices and certain instrumental overtones that may sound more prominent. A tiny amount of sibilance can be still audible, depending on the recording, but is well controlled and got nothing to do with the intensity that had in the original model. Summing up, the midrange of the Liric 2 is exceptionally musical and engaging, the textures are lush and warm but not dark, the sound profile is mostly natural and the music is flowing like spring water.
The treble is emphasized, maybe more than in the previous model but somehow it doesn't sound particularly bright and definitely not harsh. Strangely enough, I find the original to sound sharper, more piercing and metallic than the second generation. It might have to do with the Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask and its effect. The Liric 2 has plenty of energy and luminosity to show, it offers flagship detail retrieval and deep insight plus it sounds more resolving and refined, considerably less coarse and grainy than the Liric. The textures are of higher quality also, not too thin or dry, and the timbre is mostly natural and quite realistic except some artificiality that is mostly audible in the upper treble frequencies.
The soundstage is exceptionally spacious and airy for a closed back headphone. It might not be that wide or extended but you never get the feeling of listening to something closed. The Liric 2 doesn't sound congested or cramped, there is always plenty of space around the performers, even in the most populated symphonic works, and the presentation is aided by good layering and great positioning accuracy. The soundstage is holographic, slightly surpassing the previous model in this aspect. The Liric 2 is a closed back headphone that doesn't sound like a closed one.
Conclusion
The Liric 2 is a superior sounding closed back headphone that carries the Meze Audio house sound and lets you enjoy it without distraction from your surroundings. Much improved both sonically and aesthetically over the previous model, the Meze Audio Liric 2 is a sonically seductive, super comfortable, luxurious looking and exceptionally well made headphone that deserves the attention of anyone looking for a flagship, closed back headphone with planar magnetic drivers.
The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. The price of the Liric 2 is $2000 and you can buy it from the Meze Audio online store.
Technical stuff
Just like the original model, the Liric 2 features the MZ4 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver that is purposefully scaled down and tuned to deliver a similar audio experience with its larger counterparts found in the Empyrean II and Elite. Combined with the closed-back design, it helps preserve the original clarity and emotion of the music through enhanced sound and minimized external noise. Each driver is entirely hand-assembled and tested in Rinaro’s industrial facility in Ukraine.
The Liric 2 also incorporates the unique Pressure Equalisation System which has been upgraded to achieve a smoother transition from the bass frequency region into the low midrange. This innovative system allows for optimal ear-cup chamber pressure and better airflow control for a more natural and fatigue free listening experience.
A newly added element is the Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask, a precision-crafted metal component that strategically covers select openings in the driver frame, to effectively attenuate high-frequency peaks above 7kHz for a less fatiguing listening experience.
You can read more about the Liric 2 and its innovative Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver by clicking here.
Non Audio stuff
The Liric 2 is made from a combination of premium materials like wood, metal and leather. The headband frame is made from magnesium and gets attached to the ear-cups with the aid of copper-plated aluminum adjusting rods. The headband itself is padded at the inner part that touches the head and covered with a genuine leather band at the exterior.
The design language is preserved from the original model but now the leather outer surface of the ear-cups has been replaced with Macassar ebony, a hardwood known for its dense, deep, rich brown coloration punctuated by intricate golden-brown stripes. Subjectively speaking, I much prefer the brown woody appearance over the dark black of the original model.
The Liric 2 is one of the best made and most luxurious looking earphones in the market, far surpassing most of the competition in terms of appearance and assembly quality. The headphone is fully serviceable and all parts are available for replacement in case of accidental damage.
The most significant non-audio enhancement over the Liric are the redesigned ear-pads that now get magnetically attached just like in the Empyrean II and the Elite. This brand new design offers a user-friendly method of replacing the ear-pads and opens the possibility of fine tuning with different pad designs that may come in the near future.
The Liric 2 is a little heavier than its predecessor, now weighing 427g, but the weight gets evenly distributed at the head in such a way that you won't feel it. The ear-pads are roomy and deep enough to accommodate the whole ear without touching the driver. The Liric 2 is a comfortable headphone that you can wear for hours and despite its closed nature, the ear-pads won't make your ears sweat a lot.
The clamping force is medium to low so the Liric 2 is not recommended for outdoor use and intense movement of the head because it will fall. Additionally, passive noise isolation is mostly average, the Liric 2 is not the most isolating closed back headphone and while it can successfully block mild noise, it is not that effective in loud environments. In order to achieve the best fit you have to press the ear-cups against your head to create a suction effect and let some air come out from the ventilation holes.
Stock cables
The Liric has been criticized for its stock cables that were of average quality for a $2K headphone and didn't include a balanced option. Meze Audio has fixed that by replacing the 1.5m short cable with a 1.3m long, high quality braided Furukawa PCUHD copper cable with a 4.4mm plug. This is a premium and very well made cable that retails for $269. The second one is still the generic, 3m soft TPE cable with a 3.5mm jack.
Accessories
The Liric 2 is generously accessorized as the package includes the two cables, a PU Leather cable pouch, 6.3mm & airplane jack adapters and a high quality, hard EVA carrying case with velvet lining.
Drivability
The Meze Audio Liric 2 has an impedance of 61Ω with 100dB SPL/mW of sensitivity so it is quite easy to drive from high quality portable sources like the FiiO M15S or the iBasso DX320. However, it scales incredibly so make sure to use the best of your gear and it also responds well to some extra power so try to experiment with desktop amplifiers.
Audio stuff
Comparison notes with the original Liric are embedded in the text.
The Liric 2 further improves over the tuning of the original model as it now sounds more balanced from the low-end all the way up to the highest frequencies. The general audio profile is that of natural-warm sounding headphone which has satisfying tonal precision despite the slightly emphasized bass and treble.
The low-end follows a smoothly downsloping curve where the bass is slightly more prominent than the mid-bass. The overall perception is that of slightly boosted bass with good sub-bass extension that doesn't overpower and the general bass emphasis is not that much to severely affect tonal accuracy. Not a reference tuning per se but still well executed with plenty of enjoyable bass and at the same time not much coloration that could mess up the tonality.
Technicalities are much improved over the previous version and are really impressive for a closed back headphone. The bass is reproduced without any audible cup reflections, sense of hollowness or any kind of masking. It is fast, tight and controlled enough with excellent clarity and layering. A well defined and textured bass that might be slightly lacking in body weight and mass but excels in description and layering without sounding dry. The bass is punchy and impactful while the dynamic behavior further improves with the use of a high quality amplifier.
The mid-range is mostly neutral and balanced with an upper mid-range emphasis that is less prominent and audible than it was in the original model. The Liric 2 excels in timbre realism and has the means to reproduce the music with its full harmonic intensity and the most complex overtones. Instruments and voices sound lifelike and tonally correct without any significant shifts worth mentioning. The mid-range is coherent and rather balanced, except maybe higher-female voices and certain instrumental overtones that may sound more prominent. A tiny amount of sibilance can be still audible, depending on the recording, but is well controlled and got nothing to do with the intensity that had in the original model. Summing up, the midrange of the Liric 2 is exceptionally musical and engaging, the textures are lush and warm but not dark, the sound profile is mostly natural and the music is flowing like spring water.
The treble is emphasized, maybe more than in the previous model but somehow it doesn't sound particularly bright and definitely not harsh. Strangely enough, I find the original to sound sharper, more piercing and metallic than the second generation. It might have to do with the Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask and its effect. The Liric 2 has plenty of energy and luminosity to show, it offers flagship detail retrieval and deep insight plus it sounds more resolving and refined, considerably less coarse and grainy than the Liric. The textures are of higher quality also, not too thin or dry, and the timbre is mostly natural and quite realistic except some artificiality that is mostly audible in the upper treble frequencies.
The soundstage is exceptionally spacious and airy for a closed back headphone. It might not be that wide or extended but you never get the feeling of listening to something closed. The Liric 2 doesn't sound congested or cramped, there is always plenty of space around the performers, even in the most populated symphonic works, and the presentation is aided by good layering and great positioning accuracy. The soundstage is holographic, slightly surpassing the previous model in this aspect. The Liric 2 is a closed back headphone that doesn't sound like a closed one.
Conclusion
The Liric 2 is a superior sounding closed back headphone that carries the Meze Audio house sound and lets you enjoy it without distraction from your surroundings. Much improved both sonically and aesthetically over the previous model, the Meze Audio Liric 2 is a sonically seductive, super comfortable, luxurious looking and exceptionally well made headphone that deserves the attention of anyone looking for a flagship, closed back headphone with planar magnetic drivers.
The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. The price of the Liric 2 is $2000 and you can buy it from the Meze Audio online store.
Ichos
Thank you. The main difference is that the Liric is warmer, with a little more bass quantity but also not as neutral as the HE1000. Technicalities are better on the Hifiman but the Liric is more impactful and visceral. The Liric is also less bright and while it has a good soundstage for closed back, it can't match the HE. The Liric is more fun but still good for critical listening and the HE is a reference tuning but not that bad for a little casual listening.
Ichos
Btw, you have great sources
audiojerry
Thanks for responding. I think I will give it a try. Maybe there will be a Black Friday speical.
