[krenzler]

Thanks for the review. I'm curious about that wooden stand - is it one that you can actually buy?

 

[ThanatosVI]

Thanks for the review. I'm curious about that wooden stand - is it one that you can actually buy?

That is a Grumpy Goose headphone stand
https://www.oneillscreationworkshop.com/grumpy-goose-headphone-stands

 

[krenzler]

Thanks.

 

[krenzler]

Would love to see a comparison review with the Neumann NDH 30 if possible.

 

[pk4425]

Different I would say.
The Elex is a touch drier and leaner while they have different sound signatures but can't help more right now because it's been a long since I used the Elex.
Maybe I can do a brief comparison in the next couple of days.

I would love to read that comparison. The Elex and the 109 Pro are the two "semi-affordable" headphones that I'm dying to hear. CanJam NYC, here I come!

 

[headstef]

Would love to see a comparison review with the Neumann NDH 30 if possible.

I think it is not likely that such a review will appear here...
However, one should not expect everything from reviews, sometimes personal investigation is necessary. If you manage to find the NDH 30 somewhere available for comparative listening, use your time for comparisons directly with TOTL reference headphones, there is almost no need at all to compare it with models priced less than € 1000. I don't think you 'll ever regret the time invested!

 

[Animagus]

any comparisons vs the Focal Elex? Are they close or is one noticeably better?

You can read the comparison with Elex in my Meze 109 Pro review here - https://twister6.com/2023/01/08/meze-audio-109-pro/

 

[krenzler]

I think it is not likely that such a review will appear here...

I agree. And on youtube certain brands send their new stuff on a merry-go-round to all the known reviewers which means you will see 5-10 reviews within a few months while others (like Neumann) does not. Probably because they are more rooted in the pro world and not as depended on us "audiophiles".

 

[Tada]

Still my favorite headphones for vocals.

After purchasing the 109 Pro last month, I auditioned them against these headphones.


The Arya V2 is my favorite for it's immersive soundstage and flawless technicalities. Only (minor) weakness I'd say is dynamics. However, I have the HE1000 Stealth coming in this weekend and I'm hoping that will be end game for me, though I will not be surprised if I prefer the Arya's. Either way, one of the Hifiman's will be sold in a few weeks.

The Radiance is a keeper, just for it's near-ANC level of sound isolation. I could plug this into my Xperia and walk around the house without bothering anyone. I guess it would be great for travel too. I've tried most Focal headphones (including Utopia and Stellia) and to me, the Radiance is Focal's best tuned headphone. I love it for it's rich full bass and smooth warm presentation. It's fun and laid-back without a hint of fatigue (unlike the Clear's which I will touch on later)

The 109 Pro slots right in between the two as a complimentary set. While not being the most technical, it's fun and musical. Very dynamic with bass quality that rivals any Focal headphone. It has slightly forward mids with lush vocals and instruments with natural timbre. Treble is sparkly but not sibilant to my ears. Somehow the sound signature comes across as intimate and airy at the same time, which is quite unique. Perhaps this is due to the warm low/mids and bright highs. Last but not least, the 109 Pro is probably the most comfortable headphone ever created. I cannot stress how great it feels on my head.

The D9200 sounds the best, but fits the worst. Honestly the sound is reference level and a relative bargain if you can get past the stock ear pads. They have small openings, finicky as hell because they rotate easily, and also get hot quickly (all subjective, of course) The only way around this issue is to get Dekoni pads which sounds worse, or modify Stax pads which I was reluctant to do.

I never really warmed up to the Clear OGs. They slam good but also quite shouty in the upper-mids. I've found that this combo of punchy + shouty can become fatiguing after 30 minutes of listening. Also, especially when compared to fun headphones like the Radiance and 109 Pro, the tuning of the Clear OG sounds analytical and frankly, a bit boring. I always felt the Clear OG is more of a studio monitor type of headphone (ie DT1990pro) than a musical one, and this comparison confirmed my feelings.

So I've decided to keep the Arya V2, 109 Pro and Radiance. The 109 Pro has knocked off the D9200 and Clear OG off my stable.

So after listening to my HEK Stealth for 2 weeks now and concluding that they are far superior technically to anything I've heard before, the 109 Pro still remains my favorite for vocals. Female vocals sound too damn good on these cans!

 

[alota]

Still my favorite headphones for vocals.

So after listening to my HEK Stealth for 2 weeks now and concluding that they are far superior technically to anything I've heard before, the 109 Pro still remains my favorite for vocals. Female vocals sound too damn good on these cans!

You had previous version of hek? The stealth magnet improves the performance?

 

[Tada]

This is my first pair of HEK's. Reports claim that the Stealth magnets make them sound very similar to the HEKSE. Though the HEKSE is an improvement technically to the V2, there are folks that still prefer the sound signature of the V2.

 

[alota]

This is my first pair of HEK's. Reports claim that the Stealth magnets make them sound very similar to the HEKSE. Though the HEKSE is an improvement technically to the V2, there are folks that still prefer the sound signature of the V2.

Thanks. Someone still prefers v1

 

[Beagle]

Meze 109 Pro - Impressive!
I have my thoughts of the 109 Pro on video format via my YT Channel, but I wanted to also write out my full thoughts. These are very popular right now and they should be! So here we go:
Intro
The 109 Pro retails at $799 (US) and comes in at a very competitive price with other sub-1k headphones. It is an open back, dynamic driver, headphone that is made of Walnut Wood on the cups.

In the Box
You get a nice leather zippered case containing the 109 Pro as well as a leather pouch with accessories. The accessories are: 3m cable that is dual 3.5mm to 3.5mm connection. Then a shorter cable that is also 3.5mm to 3.5mm connection. Lastly, you do get a 6.3 SE adapter. Nothing stellar about the cables and since I have plenty of cables of this type, I used my own.
Build/Comfort
These are made of Walnut Wood on the cups. There is a vegan leather headband held up by a manganese steel suspension system. Even though it is 375g, it is very light weight. The pads are a velour material and are very plush and just cushion to the ears.
Comfort wise these are the most comfortable headphones I have worn to date. The pads just cushion to the head like a pillow. The suspension system means you will get an exact fit and it also seals very well. One thing I did not note in my video is just how articulate they were in engineering the 50mm drivers of this headphone. It is angled at a way in which gives you that enveloped sound that I will discuss further down. Bravo to Meze here!

Power
These are 40ohm drivers with a sensitivity of 112db spl per 1mw. Super easy to drive!! This means you can suffice on simply a phone and they will take to pretty much any power of amp just fine. Sadly (but also very good) I did not notice much of a difference at all between something like the iFi Uno and my ADI2DAC for sound!
Also, I should note that I did listen to these balanced via XLR. To me, it did not make a difference to call either a preference.

Sound
What can I say here except...so so so good! I've ran these headphones through the gambit of many different tracks and I am happy to say they handle every genre I throw at them very well. This is to say that the balance of the FR is done so well here, that they are truly an all-rounder and I can see anyone calling this their endgame.
Bass? Yes. Good Midrange? Yes. Treble that can sparkle? Yes. Imaging and Stage? Yes.
I think you see my point here.
Male and female vocalists both sounded great on this headphone. Midrange focused tracks such as Break by Santana ft Ally Brooke was a pleasant and engaging listen. Her voice breaks through when it must and the guitar sounds just like it should. It's a compliment to both artists in this track and something fun to listen on the 109 Pro.
I threw on a new KORN song called Worst is on its Way (HEALTH Remix) and wow! The bass is incredible at the beginning and you almost feel like you are wearing a closed back for the performance. This track does get muddy due to how it was mastered, but still, excellent bass representation.
For stage I listened to some live performances and got that definite sense of the arena or area it took place in.
The same can be said for gaming. I played Red Dead Redemption 2 with these on and I didn't want to stop playing! It's a very expansive and wide open game and sounds that way too on the right headphone (such as the 109 Pro).

Are there any drawbacks?
Sure. Anyone who is looking for something very specific may not get it out of the 109 Pro. If you need a very detailed and analytical headphone, you aren't really going to get it on this. I compare to something like an Aeon Noire or MM-500 for instance, and feel they take the crown above the 109 Pro here. I'm sure it is also due to the whole Planar vs Dynamic debate. I am a bit biased as a Dynamic Driver preferred listener, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a good planar. After all, I own the Aeon Noire and love them for what they are!
Also I have read reports of some calling the 109 Pro a bit too sparkly at times in the treble. Personally I don't feel this way, but my tolerance for that is a bit different. That's not to say I enjoy that type of sound (I don't) I just personally don't feel that way about the 109 Pro.
Lastly would be power. Now this is actually a positive, not a drawback. However, if you are someone who has some high end expensive amps/dacs and expect to get some euphoric sound nobody else will out of the 109...I think I'd have to challenge that. They sound so good on budget to high end equipment. I have the iFi Uno (review will drop here soon) and I love that device with the 109 Pro!! I mean that package is under $900 and you could be set with endgame sound. Not saying you should do that, just an example.

Fast Comparison
I may do a comparison video/impression here soon as I didn't do a lot of this during my listening. I did compare these to the 99 Classics, mostly to show the size difference of the two. Sound wise it doesn't make much sense to compare since the 99 Classics are so bass heavy compared to....about anything. The Aeon Noire make an interesting comparison simply because the price point is so close. So I may dive further into that. The other comparison I referenced was to my Focal Radiance (though it's a closed back and also about $400 more in price). That comparison is interesting because I think both are great all rounders albeit the open vs closed consideration.



So yes, I absolutely love the 109 Pro and I will not be parting ways with these at all! They have found a place in my collection and easily into my top 3. I'll link my video review below for anyone who would like to drop in and watch.
Cheers!!

Very nice review. I find it interesting that the 109 is often described as not detailed/analytical, yet just as many times it is described as bright and sparkly. So I still haven’t a clue as to what it really sounds like (in these current days of no longer being able to go to a local shop and demo, unless you happen to live in your country’s biggest city).

 

[Vonbuddy]

I do notice the longer I play these the better the details get. I am using Questyle 12 and it drives the 109s well. These are generally easy headphones to drive. I think the more analytical the dac/amp the better the details. I have not tried tube amp on them yet.

 

[alota]

I do notice the longer I play these the better the details get. I am using Questyle 12 and it drives the 109s well. These are generally easy headphones to drive. I think the more analytical the dac/amp the better the details. I have not tried tube amp on them yet.

I agree about details. With my system i have no complaints