[Moak]

Correct. A lot of people felt the new pads essentially ruined the lows and low mids. Original pads are not available, but I believe there has been some talk about Meze bringing them back. There is also the Massdrop Meze 99 Noir, which comes with two sets of pads. The 2nd pair is supposed to emulate the originals, though the dimensions are a little different. The Noir is the Classics, with a different look (better imo).

Mmh, than it was a bad idea to buy a new Meze 99 classics?! I could maybe change him back...
It‘s a better idea to buy a old one with older ear pads?!

 

[Mhog55]

Mmh, than it was a bad idea to buy a new Meze 99 classics?! I could maybe change him back...
It‘s a better idea to buy a old one with older ear pads?!

Up to you. Not everyone dislikes the sound with the new pads. You can listen and return, or just cancel your order and wait for the 99 Noir to become available. Finding a pair with old pads isn't easy, but you can post a wanted thread in the classifieds.

 

[Mhog55]

Just finished listening to part of the Styx discography, and holy cow! Mr Roboto and Suite Madame Blue never sounded so amazing. Stunning imagery, so very immersive. I just love how the sound isn't completely in my head with a closed back headphone. Trying to get these bad boys completely burned in. Have a ways to go yet.

 

[BubbaJay]

I'd say I have around 60 hours on mine so far and they sound great. I'm really impressed how they sound with the Vali 2 I got a few weeks ago. I thought they might be to warm for a tube amp but with the Vali they sound great and they have a larger soundstage now which I love. I don't think they'll sound much different after 100 hours which is what they say the burn-in should be but we'll see.

 

[pilgrimbilly]

95 hours on mine, sounding wonderful. Play very nicely with my A&K SR15/balanced. Finally told my wife too.... I was going to keep them for indoor use only because they're too good to go outside, but realise now they're too god not to.

 

[340519]

I just bought a pair. I'm looking forward to spending some time with them.

 

[Moak]

Up to you. Not everyone dislikes the sound with the new pads. You can listen and return, or just cancel your order and wait for the 99 Noir to become available. Finding a pair with old pads isn't easy, but you can post a wanted thread in the classifieds.

I got my first Meze 99 classics and extensively tested and compared with my other headphones. I've never been so disappointed with a headset. He sounds too massive. He is in my opinion too present and powerful. I do not like him at all. He does not come close to my Audio Quest or Grado. I will sell him.
At the same time I ordered the Meze 99 Noir from Massdrop and I'm curious how he sounds.

 

[340519]

Holy smokes the packaging is a pain in the ass. Headphones look great though.

 

[phthora]

They sound great too.

 

[340519]

I definitely like the build quality of the audioquest over the hifiman.
I just threw on my first track to give them a listen. Nice so far...

 

[Mhog55]

Holy smokes the packaging is a pain in the ass. Headphones look great though.

I thoroughly enjoyed the unboxing of these, and generally I don't give a crap. The packaging, case and cans - well thought out quality

 

[BubbaJay]

They're a great pair of headphones.

Like with my other headphones I've been using them with the Vali 2 I bought a few weeks ago but I like the way they sound with my Magni3 more. They weren't to warm sounding like I thought they might have been but the overall clarity and detail is better on the Magni3, I've always been a solid state guy anyways. The Owl sounds good on the Vali 2 but just not as good as with the Magni3.

 

[340519]

I'm using them currently with the jds labs gear in my sig, but I'm looking forward to hearing them with the benchmark dac2 . Should be interesting.

 

[340519]

Reading past posts and seeing that these were once 700 USD, I feel like I just got a great deal for 499 CAD.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

Reading past posts and seeing that these were once 700 USD, I feel like I just got a great deal for 499 CAD.

Hell yeah, dude!