[addicted2music]

Got my 99Cs this Xmas and really love them. They're my best pair of closed backs, coming closer than I would have imagined to the satisfaction I get from my beloved HD600. I no longer have to give up much in situations when I can't use my open backs -- it's really great!

BUT I do agree with those who find the low end slightly excessive at times, and I can use some help EQing. My primary source is the FiiO X5ii, which has a 10 band octave EQ with 31, 62, and 125 on the bottom. Which frequency or two would you suggest trimming on the 99Cs to make them a bit more neutral down low? (say, Harman target)

Do you find the treble on the 99C grainy compared to the 600's treble? also, do they sound as smooth as the HD 600?

 

[tungdd]

Do you find the treble on the 99C grainy compared to the 600's treble? also, do they sound as smooth as the HD 600?

IMO 99C is basically good enough at all fronts, and does not have the refinement of HD 600. For a closed back 99C is pretty good as it is and can be used with any kind of music, surely a jack of all trade.

 

[bzippy]

Do you find the treble on the 99C grainy compared to the 600's treble? also, do they sound as smooth as the HD 600?

No not grainy at all to my ear. A bit brighter, no question, but just as clear & clean as the Senns I think. But not too bright at all imo. Just enough to be a nice change of scenery -- sometimes I reach for the 99C just because. But no, they do not have the smoothness of the 600.

But you have to either be into, or indifferent about, their relatively big low end. I sometimes am into it, especially outdoors, where lows tend to get eaten up. And also at very low volumes. I'm only stressung this point (even though you didn't ask) because we're comparing against the 600, and the 99 have significantly more low end. (I personally find the 600 too light on bass most if the time.)

Anyway, I am really glad to have them both. If either were lost or damaged I'd replace them immediately!

 

[bzippy]

I cut the 125 Hz band by -4dB and 62 Hz by -2dB. I wouldn't call it Harman, but it reserves the bass boost for only the lowest octaves.

Yeah that's similar to what I've been experimenting with. I have 3 presets that I keep going back & forth among:
- cut 62 Hz by 2dB
- cut 125 Hz by 2dB
- cut both 62 and 125 by 2 dB

I'm going to add yours as a fourth preset to try. Thanks for your reply.

 

[PopZeus]

Yeah that's similar to what I've been experimenting with. I have 3 presets that I keep going back & forth among:
- cut 62 Hz by 2dB
- cut 125 Hz by 2dB
- cut both 62 and 125 by 2 dB

I'm going to add yours as a fourth preset to try. Thanks for your reply.

No problem! To my ears anyways, that area around 100 Hz can make headphones sound "boomy" when it's aggressively boosted. Sometimes it's great when you have a recording with no real sub-bass, since those can sound really thin with a more Harman-like curve. But with higher quality recordings, taking down the 125 Hz band will clean up the 99 Classics imho. The smaller 62 Hz cut just smooths out the bass from that bigger 125 Hz cut to an untouched sub-bass.

Fwiw, I'd be curious to know what you think of the EQ setting!

 

[addicted2music]

No not grainy at all to my ear. A bit brighter, no question, but just as clear & clean as the Senns I think. But not too bright at all imo. Just enough to be a nice change of scenery -- sometimes I reach for the 99C just because. But no, they do not have the smoothness of the 600.

But you have to either be into, or indifferent about, their relatively big low end. I sometimes am into it, especially outdoors, where lows tend to get eaten up. And also at very low volumes. I'm only stressung this point (even though you didn't ask) because we're comparing against the 600, and the 99 have significantly more low end. (I personally find the 600 too light on bass most if the time.)

Anyway, I am really glad to have them both. If either were lost or damaged I'd replace them immediately!

I am kinda disappointed that they are not as smooth as the HD 6XX. I ordered them for that reason. My pair will be arriving in a few hours.

 

[addicted2music]

I just received my pair. I am listening to them while I type. They sound very dark and kinda v shaped atm. The bass is bloomy, the mids are sucked out, and the treble is almost muted. Do these require break in? I am not impressed.

 

[Tuneslover]

I just received my pair. I am listening to them while I type. They sound very dark and kinda v shaped atm. The bass is bloomy, the mids are sucked out, and the treble is almost muted. Do these require break in? I am not impressed.

Yes they do, I ran mine in for about 50 hours and they settled in and improved significantly. Bass is still there but not as dominant while the mids and hf became more evident and refined.

 

[trevinthefionaapplefan]

I just received my pair. I am listening to them while I type. They sound very dark and kinda v shaped atm. The bass is bloomy, the mids are sucked out, and the treble is almost muted. Do these require break in? I am not impressed.

If you bought them direct from Meze with the new pads, then thats how they sound. Boomy, indistinctive, like youre listening through a wall.

I am kinda disappointed that they are not as smooth as the HD 6XX. I ordered them for that reason. My pair will be arriving in a few hours.

Is anything as smooth as the 6XX/650 though?

 

[addicted2music]

If you bought them direct from Meze with the new pads, then thats how they sound. Boomy, indistinctive, like youre listening through a wall.

My pair has large pads. After break in , will the bass become tighter? it's very loose, boomy and all over the place atm. Even the treble is harsh. I have used them for 6 hours so far. Not much has changed

 

[Lurk650]

What's the point of getting a headphone that sounds like another headphone that you already have

 

[trevinthefionaapplefan]

What's the point of getting a headphone that sounds like another headphone that you already have

Closed vs open is a driving factor, I assume.

Pretty certain all of us would like a closed back that sounds like the 650.

 

[Monsterzero]

Pretty certain all of us would like a closed back that sounds like the 650.

ZMF Atticus is the closest thing Ive heard to a closed back 650. Of course theyre much more expensive than the 99s though.

 

[Lurk650]

Closed vs open is a driving factor, I assume.

Pretty certain all of us would like a closed back that sounds like the 650.

Haven't heard the 650 and based on reviews I don't really care to lol. So not me.

99's are not a smooth relaxed listen. That's not the point of their sound. They are fairly energetic and fun to listen to. The treble is not harsh/bright and it's not rolled off/tamed.

 

[trevinthefionaapplefan]

99's are not a smooth relaxed listen. That's not the point of their sound. They are fairly energetic and fun to listen to. The treble is not harsh/bright and it's not rolled off/tamed.

You're not wrong. I do find the treble harsh with the original pads though.