Meze Audio 109 Pro

[qboogie]

At the Munich High End 2023 the 109 Pro was my show highlight.
I told my dealer at the show that I need the Black Walnut Version which was scheduled to be available again in August.

We didn't have any contact since the show ans today I received a surprise shipment


Finally a full Meze flagship collection again

Curious how it performs in comparison to the Pulsar at my own setup

God these black walnut 109s giving me sexy European sports car vibes.

 

[ThanatosVI]

God these black walnut 109s giving me sexy European sports car vibes.

I know right!

 

[ThanatosVI]

holy crap never try to replace the pads on these! this makes the mezes feels alot cheaper allready. worse then beyerdynamics technic! i really struggeled putting them on again and gave up.

As long as Meze doesn't release different Pads for them I don't see a reason to change them

 

[csch92]

just don't even think about it! i feel like the pads are trash once you removed them. was so close trowing the headphones against the wall

 

[ThanatosVI]

just don't even think about it! i feel like the pads are trash once you removed them. was so close trowing the headphones against the wall

You can always send them in
During warranty they probably even Mount the pads free of charge

 

[PopZeus]

how do you guys handle the treble of these? i would really love them but somehow i can't i guess they arent made for my music taste or are just not for me

I EQ'd a ~2 dB shelf from 4k on up. Ymmv, but the treble response, while elevated, is remarkably flat, which means you don't have to futz with trying to target and cancel narrow peaks. If that is not enough, I've found boosting mids can have a similar balancing effect.

Hello all!

The idea of splurging on the Meze 109 Pros has been all consuming these past several days, and I’ve even read through almost single post in this thread. (Quadfather’s decision making process was particularly thrilling and I was genuinely stoked when I finally reached the “I ordered them” post!)

This would be by far the most expensive piece of audio equipment I’ve purchased, and it would be exclusively used for enjoying music.

I would be upgrading from my Oppo PM-3s, which I have had for about seven years now. I’ve been using the PM-3s with an Oppo HA-2, and I would not, at least at the moment, be looking to purchase another DAC/amp.

My question is pretty basic: would this be a nice, noticeable upgrade? I am perhaps looking for something with more depth and detail than my PM-3s, while also being a bit more fun, and comfortable.

I would be running them through the HA-2, and with the stock cable (I know, I know).

Thanks for the help!

Sound sig is almost completely different from the PM-3. Those were very mid-centric with relaxed treble and flat-ish bass, the 109s have a slight bump in the mids but really the mid-bass and treble own the stage. That said, the 109s are more fun, comfortable, and have more staging depth than the PM-3. Detail is a closer race (it's been years since I've heard the PM-3), but what is more noticeable are the differences between the planar driver of the PM-3 and the composite DD of the 109. The 109s are very euphonic, whereas the PM-3 is very clean but a little dry.

 

[Mhog55]

I EQ'd a ~2 dB shelf from 4k on up. Ymmv, but the treble response, while elevated, is remarkably flat, which means you don't have to futz with trying to target and cancel narrow peaks. If that is not enough, I've found boosting mids can have a similar balancing effect.

Sound sig is almost completely different from the PM-3. Those were very mid-centric with relaxed treble and flat-ish bass, the 109s have a slight bump in the mids but really the mid-bass and treble own the stage. That said, the 109s are more fun, comfortable, and have more staging depth than the PM-3. Detail is a closer race (it's been years since I've heard the PM-3), but what is more noticeable are the differences between the planar driver of the PM-3 and the composite DD of the 109. The 109s are very euphonic, whereas the PM-3 is very clean but a little dry.

Nice to know about the - 2 from 4k on up. I'll give it a shot if I find the treble to spicy. You're not hearing any specific spikes up there? Nice and flat?

 

[Mitch34]

I EQ'd a ~2 dB shelf from 4k on up. Ymmv, but the treble response, while elevated, is remarkably flat, which means you don't have to futz with trying to target and cancel narrow peaks. If that is not enough, I've found boosting mids can have a similar balancing effect.

Sound sig is almost completely different from the PM-3. Those were very mid-centric with relaxed treble and flat-ish bass, the 109s have a slight bump in the mids but really the mid-bass and treble own the stage. That said, the 109s are more fun, comfortable, and have more staging depth than the PM-3. Detail is a closer race (it's been years since I've heard the PM-3), but what is more noticeable are the differences between the planar driver of the PM-3 and the composite DD of the 109. The 109s are very euphonic, whereas the PM-3 is very clean but a little dry.

Thanks for this. I did end up ordering the 109 Pros and listened to them last night. Your comparison seems apt, and while I only had time to listen to a few songs, it was a far more exciting experience than when I first tried my Oppo PM-3s. I know the PM-3s are great headphones, but I always found them somewhat boring for my tastes (although EQ obviously helps) and my first impression with the 109s is that I absolutely made the right choice for my ears.

My “wow, holy crap” moment last night was listening to Black Snow by Oneohtrix Point Never. Literally laughed out loud at how good it sounded through the headphones.

 

[ThanatosVI]

They are every bit as good as I remember them to be!

 

[PopZeus]

Nice to know about the - 2 from 4k on up. I'll give it a shot if I find the treble to spicy. You're not hearing any specific spikes up there? Nice and flat?

I'll be honest. I don't have much hearing above 15k, so I'm not the best describer of treble. The best way I can phrase it is-- even though there is a plenty of treble, no specific frequency band seems to dominate. It's refined for being aggressive (to me). Ymmv.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Do you know the feeling, when you want to listen to New headphones but can't because you need to be able to hear the Doorbell

 

[marekm]

but can't because you need to be able to hear the Doorbell

cos, courier with a new pair of headphones should arrive any time now

 

[ThanatosVI]

cos, courier with a new pair of headphones should arrive any time now

Exactly, my Corina which I ordered 4 months ago Was just delivered

 

[Meze99]

Here is a good comparison between Focal Clear OG (faultless sound - warmer side of neutral - with a great background bass room) and Meze 109 (barely audible background bass - colder, sterile side of neutral - upper midrange and treble focused, but more comfortable):

Their price is more or less the same.

 

[csch92]

i should have taken the focals instend, damn!