[ThanatosVI]

I meant that AutoEQ balanced sound presets will give you the ideal balanced sound on an unbalanced output of your dac with standard headphones cable that comes with headphones (no need to buy fancy $$$ balanced output dacs and $$$ balanced cables). AutoEQ outperforms them in my opinion

Well AutoEQ changes the signal amplitude with equalization.
Of course the impact on the sound is bigger than changing cables amplifiers or DACs.

Thx for clarification on what you meant.

 

[iFi audio]

Ifi Go Bar.
Great synergy!!

Thanks and we agree

 

[qboogie]

I bought Meze 109 Pro after watching their review by Z Reviews hoping that they will be as comfortable as Meze 99 Classic, but alas their weight is bigger and clamp force stronger, so after an hour or two of listening I have to take them off.
So Meze 109 Pro gets only 4 out of 5 for comfort. Meze 99 Classic is 5 out 5 in terms of comfort, probably the most comfortable headphones on the market, but their sound with AutoEQ balanced preset from Innerfidelity measuarments gets only 3.9 out of 5 for music, so I use them only for watching videos/movies (funny thing that Oratory's AutoEQ profile for Meze 99 is absolutely wrong for my Meze 99, it seems there are two version of Meze 99 on the market with different sound drivers, mine matched Innerfidelity measuarments, yours may match Oratory's).
Now as to Meze 109 Pro sound quality - they are definetly very good with AutoEQ balanced preset from Oratory (way better than balanced output of a dac). However clear unbalanced output of Meze 109 is as bad as Meze 99, so I really don't understand why they are so expensive. Their fair price should be 10-20% on top of Meze 99.
I really hoped that Meze 109 Pro would sound better than my favourite headphones Beyerdynamic DT880 Edition (600 OHM) with AutoEQ balanced preset from legacy Headphones.com measurments.
I was dissapointed, DT880 600ohm sounds a bit better than Meze 109 Pro because their sound scene is wider (with one exception, piano sounds better on Meze 109, however Sennheiser 560s is still my favourite for piano music). Meze 109 Pro clearly beats DT880 600ohm only if you listen to them via balanced output of a dac without using AutoEQ balanced presets.
In terms of comfort Meze 109 Pro is on the same level with Beyerdynamic DT880 (600 OHM), so my advice to people who are looking to get the sound of Meze 109 Pro for 5 times cheaper - just buy Beyerdynamic DT880 (600 OHM) and Sound Blaster X1 dac/amp to drive them and use this AutoEQ balanced preset based on legacy Headphones.com measurments:
GraphicEQ: 20 -0.2; 21 -0.2; 22 -0.2; 23 -0.2; 24 -0.2; 26 -0.2; 27 -0.2; 29 -0.2; 30 -0.2; 32 -0.2; 34 -0.2; 36 -0.2; 38 -0.2; 40 -0.2; 43 -0.2; 45 -0.4; 48 -0.7; 50 -0.8; 53 -1.0; 56 -1.3; 59 -1.7; 63 -2.3; 66 -2.5; 70 -2.8; 74 -2.9; 78 -2.7; 83 -2.2; 87 -2.3; 92 -3.0; 97 -3.6; 103 -4.1; 109 -4.5; 115 -5.1; 121 -5.5; 128 -5.7; 136 -6.0; 143 -6.3; 151 -6.6; 160 -7.0; 169 -7.2; 178 -7.3; 188 -7.3; 199 -7.4; 210 -7.5; 222 -7.5; 235 -7.6; 248 -7.6; 262 -7.5; 277 -7.4; 292 -7.3; 309 -7.2; 326 -7.1; 345 -7.0; 364 -6.9; 385 -6.8; 406 -6.5; 429 -6.5; 453 -6.4; 479 -6.0; 506 -5.6; 534 -5.8; 565 -5.8; 596 -5.8; 630 -5.6; 665 -5.4; 703 -5.3; 743 -4.9; 784 -4.6; 829 -4.6; 875 -5.1; 924 -5.3; 977 -5.5; 1032 -5.2; 1090 -4.7; 1151 -4.7; 1216 -4.6; 1284 -4.3; 1357 -4.4; 1433 -4.4; 1514 -4.4; 1599 -4.5; 1689 -4.6; 1784 -5.1; 1885 -5.4; 1991 -5.4; 2103 -5.3; 2221 -5.1; 2347 -5.2; 2479 -5.6; 2618 -6.3; 2766 -6.8; 2921 -6.8; 3086 -6.5; 3260 -5.8; 3443 -4.9; 3637 -4.2; 3842 -4.0; 4058 -3.8; 4287 -3.6; 4528 -3.7; 4783 -4.1; 5052 -5.2; 5337 -8.2; 5637 -10.6; 5955 -10.7; 6290 -9.5; 6644 -8.0; 7018 -7.8; 7414 -9.2; 7831 -9.9; 8272 -10.0; 8738 -9.6; 9230 -9.1; 9749 -8.7; 10298 -8.6; 10878 -8.8; 11490 -9.0; 12137 -9.3; 12821 -9.6; 13543 -9.9; 14305 -10.3; 15110 -10.7; 15961 -11.1; 16860 -11.6; 17809 -12.1; 18812 -12.7; 19871 -13.3

I use the following Meze 109 Pro AutoEQ balanced profile from Oratory:
GraphicEQ: 20 -0.5; 21 -0.6; 22 -0.8; 23 -1.0; 24 -1.1; 26 -1.5; 27 -1.7; 29 -2.0; 30 -2.1; 32 -2.2; 34 -2.4; 36 -2.5; 38 -2.7; 40 -2.7; 43 -2.7; 45 -2.8; 48 -2.9; 50 -2.9; 53 -3.0; 56 -3.4; 59 -3.7; 63 -4.3; 66 -4.7; 70 -5.0; 74 -5.2; 78 -5.5; 83 -5.8; 87 -6.0; 92 -6.3; 97 -6.5; 103 -6.8; 109 -7.0; 115 -7.3; 121 -7.5; 128 -7.7; 136 -7.9; 143 -8.0; 151 -8.1; 160 -8.2; 169 -8.2; 178 -8.4; 188 -8.5; 199 -8.6; 210 -8.6; 222 -8.5; 235 -8.3; 248 -8.1; 262 -7.9; 277 -7.8; 292 -7.6; 309 -7.5; 326 -7.3; 345 -7.1; 364 -7.0; 385 -6.9; 406 -6.8; 429 -6.7; 453 -6.7; 479 -6.6; 506 -6.5; 534 -6.4; 565 -6.2; 596 -6.2; 630 -6.3; 665 -6.4; 703 -6.5; 743 -6.5; 784 -6.6; 829 -6.5; 875 -6.4; 924 -6.3; 977 -6.0; 1032 -5.7; 1090 -5.3; 1151 -4.8; 1216 -4.4; 1284 -3.9; 1357 -3.3; 1433 -2.9; 1514 -2.6; 1599 -2.3; 1689 -2.0; 1784 -1.6; 1885 -1.0; 1991 -0.3; 2103 -0.2; 2221 -0.8; 2347 -1.8; 2479 -2.8; 2618 -3.9; 2766 -4.8; 2921 -5.4; 3086 -5.2; 3260 -4.7; 3443 -4.8; 3637 -5.9; 3842 -6.5; 4058 -5.5; 4287 -4.6; 4528 -4.0; 4783 -3.8; 5052 -4.6; 5337 -5.9; 5637 -6.5; 5955 -5.6; 6290 -4.7; 6644 -5.8; 7018 -6.3; 7414 -5.5; 7831 -5.2; 8272 -5.4; 8738 -5.7; 9230 -6.2; 9749 -6.6; 10298 -6.8; 10878 -7.2; 11490 -7.5; 12137 -7.9; 12821 -8.4; 13543 -8.9; 14305 -9.4; 15110 -10.0; 15961 -10.6; 16860 -11.2; 17809 -11.9; 18812 -12.6; 19871 -13.4

Here is Meze 99 AutoEQ balanced profile from Innerfidelity that matches my Meze 99 Classic:
GraphicEQ: 20 -0.2; 21 -0.2; 22 -0.2; 23 -0.2; 24 -0.2; 26 -0.2; 27 -0.2; 29 -0.6; 30 -1.0; 32 -1.7; 34 -2.1; 36 -2.5; 38 -2.8; 40 -3.1; 43 -3.4; 45 -3.6; 48 -3.9; 50 -4.0; 53 -4.2; 56 -4.4; 59 -4.4; 63 -4.7; 66 -4.9; 70 -5.1; 74 -5.4; 78 -5.5; 83 -5.5; 87 -5.5; 92 -5.7; 97 -5.9; 103 -5.8; 109 -5.7; 115 -5.7; 121 -5.8; 128 -6.3; 136 -6.8; 143 -7.1; 151 -7.2; 160 -7.2; 169 -7.1; 178 -7.3; 188 -7.4; 199 -7.6; 210 -7.7; 222 -7.6; 235 -7.5; 248 -7.4; 262 -7.3; 277 -7.1; 292 -7.1; 309 -7.0; 326 -7.1; 345 -7.2; 364 -7.4; 385 -7.6; 406 -7.8; 429 -7.9; 453 -8.1; 479 -8.3; 506 -8.6; 534 -8.8; 565 -8.9; 596 -9.0; 630 -9.0; 665 -9.0; 703 -9.0; 743 -9.1; 784 -9.2; 829 -9.2; 875 -9.1; 924 -8.9; 977 -8.7; 1032 -8.5; 1090 -8.3; 1151 -8.6; 1216 -8.6; 1284 -8.4; 1357 -8.1; 1433 -7.9; 1514 -7.7; 1599 -7.4; 1689 -7.1; 1784 -6.9; 1885 -6.6; 1991 -6.3; 2103 -6.1; 2221 -6.2; 2347 -6.4; 2479 -6.5; 2618 -6.4; 2766 -6.3; 2921 -5.8; 3086 -5.2; 3260 -4.0; 3443 -2.9; 3637 -2.3; 3842 -1.3; 4058 -2.1; 4287 -3.6; 4528 -4.4; 4783 -4.5; 5052 -3.5; 5337 -3.0; 5637 -2.9; 5955 -2.0; 6290 -1.1; 6644 -1.3; 7018 -2.6; 7414 -3.3; 7831 -3.3; 8272 -2.9; 8738 -2.6; 9230 -2.2; 9749 -1.7; 10298 -1.4; 10878 -1.4; 11490 -1.4; 12137 -1.5; 12821 -1.5; 13543 -1.6; 14305 -1.7; 15110 -1.9; 15961 -2.0; 16860 -2.2; 17809 -2.4; 18812 -2.6; 19871 -2.9

On Windows PC you have to install Equalizer APO to be able to use AutoEQ profiles (just copy and paste the matching AutoEQ profile to c:\Program Files\EqualizerAPO\config\config.txt

N.B. Don't use AutoEQ balance profiles with balanced cables and/or balanced dac output, it will not improve the sound quality, only make it worse.
Sorry if I was too harsh about Meze 109, it is just because I think they are really overpriced.

Username checks out

 

[Meze99]

$60 Ifi Go Link is enough for Meze 109, it has balanced output. In fact any portable modern DAC with balanced output will do since Meze 109 are only 40 ohm.

 

[csch92]

i am curious if i should try the k7 with balanced port and get a balanced adapter from hart audio. but i really thing the mezes just sound great enough from my k5 ess

 

[iFi audio]

$60 Ifi Go Link is enough for Meze 109

That's true, this combo will work.

since Meze 109 are only 40 ohm.

Their sensitivity (112dB, very high such cans!) is even more important

 

[Quadfather]

I have Meze 109 Pro/Liric copper PCUHD copper upgrade cables in classifieds if anyone is looking for one. I don't need two sets.

 

[Quadfather]

Well, I sold one of my two Meze PCUHD copper upgrade cables. I will just stick with my brown and black LQI Cables, balanced cables. I am going to dump the second Meze cable.

 

[Auricon]

Have a safe and celebratory musical Fourth my friends!

 

[csch92]

i think i learned that i might be treble sensetive or something. cause with heavy metal the 109 pro seem verry harsh to me and i prefer my HD 660s 2 if i want to have a relaxed listening time. that makes me so sad, cause the 109 are so damn good looking and comfortable i give them credit for that. but i also love the 660s 2 since they are so lightweight and somewhat good looking and to my head also verry comfortable

so i have a feeling i should stop at the 660s 2 and just be happy with these. i dont wanna waste any more money on expensive cans and be disapointed

 

[Shane D]

i think i learned that i might be treble sensetive or something. cause with heavy metal the 109 pro seem verry harsh to me and i prefer my HD 660s 2 if i want to have a relaxed listening time. that makes me so sad, cause the 109 are so damn good looking and comfortable i give them credit for that. but i also love the 660s 2 since they are so lightweight and somewhat good looking and to my head also verry comfortable

so i have a feeling i should stop at the 660s 2 and just be happy with these. i dont wanna waste any more money on expensive cans and be disapointed

Probably not a bad idea. Once you get close to $1,000.00, you are looking at a Very nice headphone. To get substantially higher quality it will cost a Lot of money. I have bought several sets of headphones in the last few months. None have wow'd me or made it into my top 3 or 4.

I think that to get a substantial bump in quality and listening pleasure I would have to move up to Empyreans, Elites, Susvara's/HE1000 models, Utopia's, ZMF's, etc. And I am just not going to.

I must either stop buying or just get used to being underwhelmed by Good headphones that are just not Great headphones. I bought another set today and now have twelve, but the upper ranking (my favourites) never changes and hasn't in a few years.

On the upside, I do LOVE variety and I certainly have that.

 

[csch92]

right now i am sitting on a pair of sundaras, 660s 2 and the mezes. so i really need to stop. the sundaras are my second favorites since they are brighter but not that harsh as the mezes are. i am thinking if i wanna spent more than 1k i should think of some nice speakers. ore as you said i need ot do the same massive jump but i think i am not willing to do so.

and quality wise i think the 660s 2 seem to be build like a tank so i bet they will even last me a decade or longer

 

[Shane D]

right now i am sitting on a pair of sundaras, 660s 2 and the mezes. so i really need to stop. the sundaras are my second favorites since they are brighter but not that harsh as the mezes are. i am thinking if i wanna spent more than 1k i should think of some nice speakers. ore as you said i need ot do the same massive jump but i think i am not willing to do so.

I had the Sundara's quite a while back. I thought that they did everything well and nothing badly. But also nothing was great.

I have gone through a ton of Senn's, but am really liking the S2's right now.

Have you ever considered the OG Focal Clear's? These are my do-everything favourites.

 

[csch92]

i have tought about them yeah and they do look amazing. but right now i am am too scared to buy more cans

the 660s 2 just does everything good enough for me, like - no distortion, no harshnes, inviting sound and verry clear vocals. but i can tell i am quite often look at hifi store and think, MAN i want these! but nah i am too scared. maybe a good think for my wallet. my first hifi headpones where actually the DT1770 pro which served me for like 5 years before i tought about an upgrade.

 

[pk4425]

i have tought about them yeah and they do look amazing. but right now i am am too scared to buy more cans

the 660s 2 just does everything good enough for me, like - no distortion, no harshnes, inviting sound and verry clear vocals. but i can tell i am quite often look at hifi store and think, MAN i want these! but nah i am too scared. maybe a good think for my wallet. my first hifi headpones where actually the DT1770 pro which served me for like 5 years before i tought about an upgrade.

Sit tight and enjoy if you're happy with your current setup.

"Upgrade-itis" is a real disease. I used to churn (sell then buy) cans from my stable about every two months from 2020 to about mid-2022. But I'm quite content with my current lineup of LCD-X 2021, HD 6XX and Grado 325x, so my money clip is locked shut ... for now.