Impressions: My brother, mix-master DJ extraordinaire!
I had originally intended to lend off the tour's review pair to my older brother due to the fact that before he became a chef he used to be a DJ/MC/mixmaster, and despite changing professions he still retained his gear and mixes in his downtime. Unfortunately he could not commit the time to demo them for a week (he will get his chance), however our text conversation about the 99 Classics was interesting and humorous. It went something like this:
Me: " So, I have a pair of headphones you night be interested in trying out for a week. "
Brother: " Oh yeah, whatchya got!? "
Me: " Something called the 99 Classics. I doubt you have heard of them but... "
Brother: " Are those the wood ones with the metal frames!! "
Me: " Uh, yeah, they are. You have heard of them? "
Brother: " Oh hell ya! In my circle they have been getting quite the attention! A couple of buddies who were touring in Europe actually tried them in England and Germany, they even talked to the guys at the Meze booth who were super nice! You have a pair?! "
Me: " Damn, that's awesome!! Ya, I have two actually. I won one and have a tour pair. "
Brother: " You have TWO!! How'd ya win them? "
Me: " ... don't you see my FaceBook posts? Geesh....long story, but Wookiee and headphones. "
Brother: " Ha ha, will have to check it out. But you have TWO Mezes? They trust you with their headphones that are how much? "
Me: " $310 US. Ya they trust me, because my community rep is on the line. "
Brother: " What if you lend them to me, and say some thugs jump me out side of an ally and steal them? "
Me: " I don't think that will fly... "
Brother: " What if they get lost in shipping?! Eh? "
Me: " You wanna borrow them or not? "
Brother: " I would love to. Like I said, they have been all the talk lately, and you know how I love wood monitors, but I can't devote my time this week. Sorry bud. "
Me: " No prob, I know of others that would love to demo them for a week. "
Brother: " Damn! Why now? "
Me: " It's ok, I still have MY pair! I will lend them to ya when you have the time. "
Brother: " That would be awesome! Damn, I still can't believe you own a pair! Hold on, checking FaceBook... "
Me: " Great... "
A few minutes passed...
Brother: " OMG David! You are such a dork!! "
Me: " 1989, surfer's mullet, pink tank-top and parachute shorts with Converse. " followed by me posting the pict.
Brother: " I was cool back then! "
Me: " No, IT was cool, you were not!
"
Brother: " At least I never had mom give a matching perm (with my younger brother)! "
Me: " You win... "
So a few months had passed and it was now late summer, family BBQ time! I figured that since the family was getting together it would be the perfect opportunity surprise my brother and bring the 99 Classics for him to try for a while, and surprised he was! He had forgotten that I was going to lend them to him, but he immediately knew what was in my hands as I approached him. His first reaction after he removed them from the case and held them was " Wow, these look amazing! A lot better that the pictures! " and proceeded to excitedly take out his smartphone. He turns to his wife and says " Will be right back, just checking out these beauts'! " and walkaway from the party to a secluded spot under an apple tree. I yelled to him " Watch for apples!!! " and he gave the pfffttt hand motion.
Several songs later he walks back over, takes off the 99 Classics handing them to his wife and says " You HAVE to check these out! " and looks at me and says " Wow, David, those are amazing! They put my $300-$400 Pioneers and Technichs to shame! I am hearing things in my mixes I didn't know were there! " I smiled " And man are those comfortable! They fit better and adjust easier than my old AKGs! "
" Yes, their comfort is pretty amazing, and I love the self adjusting band! " I replied.
" The band is wide too, and soft! " he said " I just LOVE that bass! It is powerful and fast, and doesn't bleed into the mids! And I love the quality the wood adds to the bass! Everything else is just so clear! Like I said man, there are things I heard for the first time even compared to my studio monitors which also have a wood enclosure. When do you need these back? "
" Next family get-together. No rush... " Famous last words, so to speak. I was missing the Mezes' the moment I got home.
For the next 1 1/2 months an empty spot sat bare on my cupboard where the 99 Classics hung, but I knew at least they would be greatly appreciated, and besides, gave me a chance to actually use my other headphones for a change. When then headphones were returned, unfortunately my brother was not able to make it to the event, but according to my sister-in-law he wore the sh!t out of the 99 Classics! I laughed, and eventually talked to my brother about his impressions a few weeks later.
" So, how were the Mezes'? " I asked.
" Oh man, thanks for the weeks of eargasms! I did NOT want to give them back. I bet you were missing them, knowing you and your headphones. "
" Yes, yes I was to be honest. So, let me hear your impressions and verdict. "
" Amazing bro! I mixed with them and played a lot of games. Phenomenal sound! I was really impressed! " he replied.
" How would you describe the sound, now that you have had some intimate one-on-one time. "
" Smooth! I wore them for hours and I did not find the sound fatiguing or them getting too warm. That bass is addicting, so detailed! Everything is detailed! The midrange and highs are very balanced with no peaks. Good soundstage and instrument separation! Like I said man, I was hearing new things with every song I played. And gaming with them is amazing! Love how they sound with Fallout 4! "
I was happy my brother enjoyed his time with the 99 Classics, and appreciated his high praise. They are a fantastic headphone! I had to laugh though. When I got home and threw them on for the first time in what seemed like eternity, I noticed the ear pads were a lot more broken in! Wow!
Next up (tomorrow): Christmas Eve!