Since your post I have updated two things on my 99s:
The stock cable > rhodium plated 2.5mm cable from Meze
The stock earpads > random aliexpress earpads: one "velour" and the one provided through the link of
@SrTexugo
This will be a brief review. I feel it is important to share because the Meze 99 has been metamorphosed from these two changes. It is a resurrection. And it will, hopefully, serve other people that may have been only so-so satisfied with the 99.
I received the cable and the pads at different moment (about 1 month apart), thus it is possible to provide feedback on each change individually
It is paired with an iBasso dx120 (no EQ), and my laptop (dell xps 2020 15" if that gives any detail). For comparison I usually use my iBasso IT03 (linum superbax 2.5mm cable) and ha HD25-1 II that now has been hoarded by my partner. Arguably if you have an amp (portable or not), this may not relate at all with your experience.
My initial thought on the Meze 99 (bought in March 2020) were that, beyond their beautiful design, the sound was good, but just good. Something was missing, and often the sound felt a bit claustrophobic to me, especially on my dx120. On my laptop it felt a lot better already but still not something was not quite right. The lack of space was a big part of it. Thus I would often go back to my IT03s. I still used the Meze quite a lot, but I ended not using the Meze so much for music but rather other type of entertainment.
So why is the Meze 99 back from the dead? (according to me)
First, the cable changed the sound profile quite a bit. It felt clearer, a bit more open although marginally. The pairing of the 99s with the DX120 was always quite weak using the stock 3.5mm. A sort of veil, as if lacking driving power, which it was not. The Meze never really punched properly with the stock cable, and I would go back to my iems for that pairing.
This veil was not present when used on my laptop (with a typical 3.5mm). The 99s sound pretty good on it, but still something was not there.
As intended, the DX120 shines with the 2.5mm output, and the Meze really got resurrected with the 2.5mm cable.
Was it worth the 130€ or so (from Meze)? Yes, now the headphones lead a better life on the DX120, and my preference between the 99 and the IT03s has been blurred a lot more. The sound, which used to favour the IT03, for my choice of pairing, has been equalized. I would pick on other preferences (comfort, mobility, etc.)
Second, the pads. I received the first pair on the 16th of Feb (yesterday). So this is a fresh comparison.
This is where the
magic really happened.
I bought some random black velour pads that explicitly said "not cheap" on aliexpress. For 11€ that's actually quite cheap but really I felt I was going for a absolute gamble buying these. Only one very average review.
So with a title like this, that average review, and that price, I assuredly thought it was a risky gamble (and not environmentally friendly either). I mean how good can something be if it is advertised as "not cheap"
Now these new pads have three characteristics that differentiate them from the stock Meze:
- They are deeper
- The surrounding pads is thicker, meaning the ear has less space to move around when the headphones are on (see right picture)
- They are "velour". I think, maybe, at least it feels like it.
not cheap! not cheap!
Below pictures for comparison with stock (off); apologies for the rotten potato quality
But how did the new pads change the Meze?
Well it is an absolute game changer. I think the Meze are now what I was hoping for them to be when I bought them. It was paired with the iBasso DX120. Main music styles is metal, with bits and pieces of classical music and jazz bands, and anything that's orchestral enough. I am not a basshead, and my music is usually quite fast paced (relatively high bpm).
What a change! truly incredible!
Suddenly the music feels open, the veil is absolutely gone. It feels spacious and the details are merged with the
fun of the Meze in an absolute banger. It feels like the Meze has somehow ascended thanks to these pads.
What is the cause of the change? I think it is the extra depth, and this despite the narrower ear opening. It is possible the fabric+ material change the sound too, definitely. But since I don't know what it is made of, I can't tell what does what.
The Meze are absolutely killing it with the DX120, it's punchy, it's open. The bass are not overwhelming at all (they feel a tiny bit more in the background than with stock pads), but they feel good, sharped, and mastered. Some details I could only perceive are now clearly present.
I spent a couple hours yesterday sitting on my couch going through my music with quite some excitement, eager to listen to all my favourite songs through these cans with their new parure. It was an amazing time.
My 99 has never sounded so good. It is that simple.
But that's not all! The stock pad always felt very warm to me (I do have lot of hair though). And sometimes, if not placed properly, my ears would touch the speakers, it would get uncomfortable after a while short. It would be easy to fix by just adjusting their position though. But now it is really not needed anymore.
These issues are gone, magic.
The comfort of the Meze 99 has drastically improved, mainly through the depth of the pads. No more heating, no more touching ears.
I also wear glasses, and the pressure feels lower now, yet it was not a problem before. I do have a fairly small head.
So, I'd really invite people to get a pair of deeper earpads. They improve a lot the Classics, both from a sound and quality of life perspective.
A few alternative pads have been shared already on this thread, from very expensive to very cheap. So everything is possible. Feel free to dm me if you are interested in the
NOT CHEAP EARPADS of this brief feedback. They are actually cheap, price wise. But the quality definitely feels very decent. Looking forward to testing the second pair as well!
Cheers!
![IMG_20210217_092458[1].jpg](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/11429370.jpg "IMG_20210217_092458[1].jpg")
![IMG_20210217_092608[1].jpg](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/11429372.jpg "IMG_20210217_092608[1].jpg")
