Meze 99 Classics Discussion + Impressions Thread

[VintageFlanker]

Originally Posted by Melrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I'm never inclined to believe rumors, and even less so when it's coming from a commenter who's so negative - but for the price point I just have to ask.
 
I can take the lesser accessories/heavy branding in exchange for a better price for the audio quality - and I have access to a wood lathe and some nice hardwoods, so I don't mind making some mods on my own.
 
What really attracted me to these was a couple people noting the good soundstage for closed headphones; I'd love a pair of closed backs but don't want to sacrifice soundstage or get that Ear Suffocation I get from the M50x or Beyer COPs.
 
Thanks!

 
Hum... You mentioned cans with supposed good value (M50X and COP). I owned both and listened to the 99 classics and preorder it. I only compare them by memory, not a direct A to B listen. If you're afraid of not find a good value with 99 classics, read this:

They easily compete with my 500$ Shure SRH 1540s. They are less neutral however, more on the warm side. Bass are tighter and faster with 99s. Slightly deeper but a little bit loose on 1540s. Soundstage is quite equal on both, which is very impressive considering the size of 99s earcups.

Against m50X? 50X sounds less warm, more metallic or bright, dynamics and bass are similar levels. soundstage is more extended with 99, deeper, wider, higher.

Againts COP? Well I didn't like these at all, so can't be objective...Bass are MUCH MORE tight, fast and controled with 99s. treble and mids souns much more natural. COP wins a bit regarding the soundstage extension but outperformed on all others regards.

Hope this can help you.
 
Sorry about my english

 

[MezeTeam]

  Hey guys!
 
I've been looking into getting myself a pair of these - the only worry is that I've seen comments from people who say they're rebadged Chinese models that can be had cheaper. I love the 
 
I apologize if this is beating a dead horse; I searched and didn't find anything about this. I have no problem with outsourcing but I don't want to spend $300+ on a pair of headphones that simply look pretty but sound like cans 1/3 the price.
 
I also noticed A LOT of fanboy-esque/troll-level comments about the outsourcing as well, which leads me to doubt it, but given the similarities in styles I'm just wondering what the audio difference is between Esmooth and Meze - if indeed it even still applies to the 99's rather than the former models.
 
Thanks!
 
*mods, if this needs to go in a separate section, apologies in advance.

 
Welcome to Head-Fi @Melrose!
 
@glassmonkey and @Bansaku made it clearer than we could've expected. 
 
But to give you a straight answer, no, the Meze 99 Classics are not OEM. It's a headphone model that has been in the making for more than two years now and we are still working to improve it. It's an original product.
 
As for the retailer near you, we're sorry nobody got back to your email so we'll answer you here. The fact of the matter is that we are are working on making our products available near everybody who is interested. The 99 Classics are already available in France for example. It's a work in process and we'll say more when there will have more concrete information. 
 
It's really nice to read your posts, guys! 
 

 

[MezeTeam]

  Just ordered a pair of Brainwavz velour earpads so will report how the sound is once received

 
Pics or it didn't happen! 

 
 
Let us know what you think of this option, @HungryPanda. 

 

[Melrose]

   
Welcome to Head-Fi @Melrose!
 
@glassmonkey and @Bansaku made it clearer than we could've expected. 
 
But to give you a straight answer, no, the Meze 99 Classics are not OEM. It's a headphone model that has been in the making for more than two years now and we are still working to improve it. It's an original product.
 
As for the retailer near you, we're sorry nobody got back to your email so we'll answer you here. The fact of the matter is that we are are working on making our products available near everybody who is interested. The 99 Classics are already available in France for example. It's a work in process and we'll say more when there will have more concrete information. 
 
It's really nice to read your posts, guys! 
 

Thank you so much for your reply! Heck of a way for me to begin posting on Head-fi, and I apologize. As a newcomer to audiophilia I guess I spook easily and don't understand enough yet.
 

   
Hum... You mentioned cans with supposed good value (M50X and COP). I owned both and listened to the 99 classics and preorder it. I only compare them by memory, not a direct A to B listen. If you're afraid of not find a good value with 99 classics, read this:

They easily compete with my 500$ Shure SRH 1540s. They are less neutral however, more on the warm side. Bass are tighter and faster with 99s. Slightly deeper but a little bit loose on 1540s. Soundstage is quite equal on both, which is very impressive considering the size of 99s earcups.

Against m50X? 50X sounds less warm, more metallic or bright, dynamics and bass are similar levels. soundstage is more extended with 99, deeper, wider, higher.

Againts COP? Well I didn't like these at all, so can't be objective...Bass are MUCH MORE tight, fast and controled with 99s. treble and mids souns much more natural. COP wins a bit regarding the soundstage extension but outperformed on all others regards.

Hope this can help you.
 
Sorry about my english
 

Thank you for the comparison; I realize the M50 or the COP isn't going to be in the same league, but you realize I'm coming from an area where EVERYONE thinks Beats are the best in the world, in which case, the COP and the M50 blow them away. I've sampled Beats, even before I got into better headphones, and I didn't like them.
 
Your English is fine.

 

[YtseJamer]

  Got email from Meze, silver verions are ready to ship.  Almost there.

 
Did you get your tracking number ?  Not yet on my side.

 

[Khragon]

Nope not yet for me either. Responded right away to the address checking email.

 

[YtseJamer]

Alright, hopefully early next week.

 

[VintageFlanker]

  Thank you for the comparison; I realize the M50 or the COP isn't going to be in the same league, but you realize I'm coming from an area where EVERYONE thinks Beats are the best in the world, in which case, the COP and the M50 blow them away. I've sampled Beats, even before I got into better headphones, and I didn't like them.
 
Your English is fine.

 
The area you're talking about still something so current, badly. Where are you from?

 

[VintageFlanker]

  Alright, hopefully early next week.

Caaaaaaaaaaan't wait mine...Thing is I preorder it from a french dealer (they already had Gold version in stock), so It could take few days more.

 

[Melrose]

   
The area you're talking about still something so current, badly. Where are you from?

Rochester, NY is my general area.

 

[antz123]

Guys could i ask if anyone owned  Oppo PM3  ,Meze 99 and SRH1540 ?
 
after reading about Meze feedback from most of you wanted to understand how you would compare the sound between these 3?

 

[jinxy245]

Guys could i ask if anyone owned  Oppo PM3  ,Meze 99 and SRH1540 ?


 


after reading about Meze feedback from most of you wanted to understand how you would compare the sound between these 3?

 


As much as I love reading reviews, I guess to decipher info for myself, I really have a hard time writing them. I think it's EXTREMELY difficult to convey something as complex as sound (not just sound, but how it represents something as detailed as music) into language. It is a challenging process to extrapolate info from reviews...the best bet (by a long shot) is always to demo so you can hear it for yourself. IDK where you're from, but obviously a demo isn't always possible. For the Shure, you can often find them to demo in big box music stores (Sam Ash, Guitar Center, Sweetwater etc.). The hardest to find (as of now ) is obviously the Meze, which you've either already heard, or will soon if you're on the list here. The Oppo can be tough to find, but there is a lending tour that I believe is still active here on Head-Fi...it'd be worth an audition I think.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/760203/oppo-pm-3-portable-planar-magnetic-headphones-loaner-program

It's really a matter of taste, which is why Tyll has them both on his wall of fame. I find the Oppo to be more neutral, better sub-bass and mids, slightly rolled off treble. The Meze is more fun & engaging to my ears...mid bass emphasis, clear mids and a bit more sparkle in the treble than the Oppo. I haven't heard the Shure long enough (a couple of quick demos) to weigh in on it's sound...I do remember enjoying it though.

good luck!

 

[HungryPanda]

Just replaced the stock earpads with the Brainwavz velour ones and although comfortable they muddied the lower frequencies too much so I have changed back to the original ones and they sound so much better

 

[Bansaku]

  Just replaced the stock earpads with the Brainwavz velour ones and although comfortable they muddied the lower frequencies too much so I have changed back to the original ones and they sound so much better

How is the fit? Can you take some pictures?
 

 

[HungryPanda]

They fitted well as I have changed back I don't want to do it all over again