Meze Audio LIRIC - The portable isodynamic hybrid array headphone

[Alenotta]

I'd love to know how these compare to VCs. I'm in the market for some closed backs. I like the warmth of the OG Empyrean and the detail of the Elite.

 

[enb141]

I'd love to know how these compare to VCs. I'm in the market for some closed backs. I like the warmth of the OG Empyrean and the detail of the Elite.

Don't know about the details but Licir is more closer to the Elite than the Empyrean, at least from the reviews I've seen.

 

[Tachyon88]

I for one think these look fantastic, but the lack of magnetic pads is super disappointing IMO. Surely there is a solution to keep a seal and a magnetic fixture at the same time...

There is. It's a thin soft gasket between the cup and pad base.

Exactly something like that is what I had in mind, which is why I don't accept the arguments about using glue for seal from any manufacturer. I find it unacceptable for headphones commanding this price point and beyond.

 

[HipHopScribe]

I have perused about three or four reviews, each of which provide a differing description of the sound and the signature balance, and all appearing seemingly simultaneously. As this is a brand new release, is it normal to write full reviews based on such brief listening periods? I might be reading the wrongs things into this but it reads as a rush-on to get reviews out before really discovering the true sound of the headphones over time. Again, maybe this is normal procedure and comparison with existing equipment is all that is required, and I'm all wet.

It's a review embargo. Reviewers get the headphones ahead of time and agree not to release their reviews until a certain date so details don't get out before launch. So it doesn't mean the reviews are rushed, reviewers may have had plenty of time to get their reviews together, they just couldn't release them ahead of launch.

 

[Andykong]

Family Sound Signature

The Liric is the third Isodynamic-based headphones from Meze Audio. Together with the Elite and Empyrean, they slowly grow into one of the most respectable “family” in high-end headphone market.

The Liric not only shared the same isodynamic technologies and design language, you’ll know the Empyrean and Liric are closely related the moment you play your favourite tunes. To thoroughly compare (and enjoy) the Meze Isodynamic family, I borrowed the XiAudio stack and setup a small Meze headphone corner in my sitting room. We all know the Formula S is a strong headphone amplifier because it handled the 1266 comfortably. Surprisingly it is also a very refined amplifier that brings out beautiful texture of instruments.

The Liric is more energetic, a “younger” Empyrean IMHO. This is different from the concept of mini Empyrean because it doesn’t copy everything from Empyrean and scaled it down. Liric, Empyrean and Elite share the same natural presentation but they have developed their own characteristic on tonal balance. I think that’s what family is meant to be: they are not the same but similar enough as a closely related group.

... and I have this interesting chat with an HeadFier: is Liric an Empyrean killer? Can Liric beat Empyrean since Meze accumulated three years’ experience on Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology when they develop Liric?

First of all, my dear friends, Meze is a professional headphone company and they know what they are doing. If the Liric beats Empyrean at 30% discount, someone must have made a big mistake in Meze Audio, so obviously that’s not going to happen.

Liric employs some interesting technologies such as Phase-X™ system to create an immersive spatial sound imaging in a close back environment. The Ear pad Air Flow (EAF) system delivers satisfactory acoustic performance from the relatively small ear cup chamber of portable closed-back headphone. All these new technologies are developed for one reason: to bring the closed-back Liric as close to the open-back Empyrean as possible, and from what I heard in my Meze corner, we are doing very well indeed.

Last but not least, Liric have gone through a series of size and weight reduction to make it as compact as possible for portable applications. That includes 25% reduction in diaphragm size (from 4650 mm2 to 3507 mm2) and naturally the magnet array also become smaller proportionally. Theoretically this will affect density and headroom in our impression, but Meze has narrowed down the different and they are is not really noticeable until we compare it side by side carefully,

Yes. The Liric is not an Empyrean killer, and it is unrealistic to expect Liric can outperform Empyrean on audio performance, given the physics and physical disadvantages mentioned previously. However they are close enough to a lot of users, and Liric has opened up a lot of opportunities to Personal Audio users who appreciate the added benefit of isolation, compactness and portability.

 

[musicday]

Sorry didn't see an answer anywhere, so are the earpads genuine leather or pleather? Thank you.

 

[betula]

Family Sound Signature

The Liric is the third Isodynamic-based headphones from Meze Audio. Together with the Elite and Empyrean, they slowly grow into one of the most respectable “family” in high-end headphone market.

The Liric not only shared the same isodynamic technologies and design language, you’ll know the Empyrean and Liric are closely related the moment you play your favourite tunes. To thoroughly compare (and enjoy) the Meze Isodynamic family, I borrowed the XiAudio stack and setup a small Meze headphone corner in my sitting room. We all know the Formula S is a strong headphone amplifier because it handled the 1266 comfortably. Surprisingly it is also a very refined amplifier that brings out beautiful texture of instruments.



The Liric is more energetic, a “younger” Empyrean IMHO. This is different from the concept of mini Empyrean because it doesn’t copy everything from Empyrean and scaled it down. Liric, Empyrean and Elite share the same natural presentation but they have developed their own characteristic on tonal balance. I think that’s what family is meant to be: they are not the same but similar enough as a closely related group.

... and I have this interesting chat with an HeadFier: is Liric an Empyrean killer? Can Liric beat Empyrean since Meze accumulated three years’ experience on Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology when they develop Liric?

First of all, my dear friends, Meze is a professional headphone company and they know what they are doing. If the Liric beats Empyrean at 30% discount, someone must have made a big mistake in Meze Audio, so obviously that’s not going to happen.

Liric employs some interesting technologies such as Phase-X™ system to create an immersive spatial sound imaging in a close back environment. The Ear pad Air Flow (EAF) system delivers satisfactory acoustic performance from the relatively small ear cup chamber of portable closed-back headphone. All these new technologies are developed for one reason: to bring the closed-back Liric as close to the open-back Empyrean as possible, and from what I heard in my Meze corner, we are doing very well indeed.



Last but not least, Liric have gone through a series of size and weight reduction to make it as compact as possible for portable applications. That includes 25% reduction in diaphragm size (from 4650 mm2 to 3507 mm2) and naturally the magnet array also become smaller proportionally. Theoretically this will affect density and headroom in our impression, but Meze has narrowed down the different and they are is not really noticeable until we compare it side by side carefully,

Yes. The Liric is not an Empyrean killer, and it is unrealistic to expect Liric can outperform Empyrean on audio performance, given the physics and physical disadvantages mentioned previously. However they are close enough to a lot of users, and Liric has opened up a lot of opportunities to Personal Audio users who appreciate the added benefit of isolation, compactness and portability.

Excellent and important post, thanks.

 

[Terriero]

I'd love to know how these compare to VCs. I'm in the market for some closed backs. I like the warmth of the OG Empyrean and the detail of the Elite.

@Nostoi is going to compare them very soon

 

[adrianm]

I did. I heard LIRIC at Capital Audiofest and bought it there because it's a nice alternative to VC. Bonus that it's easy to drive portably--I have enjoyed taking Arya on the go to ruin people who haven't heard good audio, and now I think LIRIC can do that a bit better because of the isolation. They also may be a good option for travel when space isn't such a premium to limit me to IEMs.

Anyway, VC on tubes (I own Pendant) is where it's at for me for closed back listening. However, for genres with lots of energy, LIRIC delivers a very active, punchy sound. I have heard plenty of claims that Empyrean is "the best" can for electronic music, so that's what I auditioned at CAF, and I found the experience compelling enough to make a purchase (shipping says they arrive today, so I'll have more impressions later).

I still prefer VC for most genres--especially anything where ZMF's rich vocal presentation makes the mix. However, LIRIC is a nice alternative for high energy material that I like for programming. I envision LIRIC becoming my everyday closed can and using VC more sparingly, but particularly after work hours when I can engage with music more completely.

I also own Stellia, which was my all around favorite can for a good while, until I got VC. Stellia has intimate staging and top-notch detail, and is also a good portable can; in many ways it might be some of the stiffest competition for LIRIC. However, LIRIC is considerably cheaper and has a nice big stage vs the flashier design and extreme detail resolution of Stellia (oh, and replaceable pads, lol).

I have heard Stealth twice now--once at CANJAM SoCal on Ampsandsound Nautilus, and once at CAF on a GSX Mk2, I believe. Both times I found it good, but not as musically engaging as I'd like--it just wasn't $4k worth of excitement. Like, I get emotional about my VCs, and about Susvara, and I expect that by the time the price tag hits $4k on a pair of headphones that something really special ought to be going on. That hasn't happened with Stealth.

In sheer sound quality, LIRIC was "close enough" to Stealth in technicalities that they were kind of a wash, though I actually found LIRIC more engaging musically (for the limited music styles I tried). Physical build quality on Stealth was more impressive--the machining is excellent and the headphone is put together really well. The suspension system is great and extremely comfortable. LIRIC isn't exactly "less comfortable," but there is a moderately strong clamping force (offset by extremely comfortable, thicc pads), so LIRIC doesn't quite disappear, but I think it still offers all day comfort.

--

Anyway, that's a quick rundown of how I see LIRIC competing with other closed back options. The price makes LIRIC extremely competitive vs other closed backs, and portability might be another huge advantage if that's important (counterargument: MEST MkII customs are cheaper, smaller, more portable, and arguably better all-rounders if IEMs are an option).

Thanks a lot for sharing. I haven't had a chance to hear VC (too heavy anyway and not a fan of the look) and i'd mostly likely share your impressions on Stealth. The Stellia bit i always argue with people about, since i find the Z1R much better in all regards, except maybe tuning, which is up to preference. Soundstage and imaging however i find clearly above Stellia in my current setup.
I'm not sure if you've heard them or agree, but i am hoping the Liric can surpass them (for me) since i also value musicality over Stealth's flat tuning. Can't wait to borrow a pair.

 

[Makiah S]

Thanks a ton for your impressions and it's awesome to see Liric on real life shots other than those posh made by Meze. And yes, iDSD Diablo's Normal mode seems to be a spot on choice considering their specs. How much Liric's sound characteristic differs from Empyrean btw.?

I felt like it maintained a lot of the naturalness within the mid-range both units but the bass was significantly leaner than both, which is more to my taste as I prefer a nice linear unboosted low end. I will admit though I do like the little bit of added body that Elite has within the mid-range but both of them share a nice top end sparkle and openness

Empy is a different tuning as it's much denser much heavier, to say that Liric is a leaner more energetic Elite is a good summary it's not quite as open nor is it quite as detailed however it is much easier to carry from point A to point b and the isolation make it much more suitable for portable and out of the home situations.

I have perused about three or four reviews, each of which provide a differing description of the sound and the signature balance, and all appearing seemingly simultaneously. As this is a brand new release, is it normal to write full reviews based on such brief listening periods? I might be reading the wrongs things into this but it reads as a rush-on to get reviews out before really discovering the true sound of the headphones over time. Again, maybe this is normal procedure and comparison with existing equipment is all that is required, and I'm all wet.

yep there's an embargo so people have had them for an extended period of time and are just now releasing the reviews since it's been permitted.

 

[Terriero]

Yes. The Liric is not an Empyrean killer, and it is unrealistic to expect Liric can outperform Empyrean on audio performance, given the physics and physical disadvantages mentioned previously. However they are close enough to a lot of users, and Liric has opened up a lot of opportunities to Personal Audio users who appreciate the added benefit of isolation, compactness and portability.

Thanks for your insight impressions about these headphones. I add to your last paragraph: the users, like me, that look for closed back headphones instead of open ones for convenience at home.

 

[adrianm]

Thanks for your insight impressions about these headphones. I add to your last paragraph: the users, like me, that look for closed back headphones instead of open ones for convenience at home.

My "portable " setup is Dave + Z1R (might be Liric soon) since I've been working out of 2 noisy homes and realized i can just throw Dave in the car instead of buying a Hugo2/Dap that will disappoint me. Honestly a bit disappointed in Dave without the rest of the chain as well. Snobbish, i know, but it is what it is.
So there's also this audiophile niche market

 

[ufospls2]

Order = Placed

looking forward to hear Mezes take on a closed back planar magnetic headphone : )

 

[SpeleoFool]

I'm not sure if you've heard them or agree, but i am hoping the Liric can surpass them (for me) since i also value musicality over Stealth's flat tuning.

I haven't heard the Z1R, so can't comment or compare. But my LIRIC came in, and I have been listening for a couple hours on my desk chain (currently AD!-2 -> A90).

I have heard some tracks where vocals sounded a little distant, but that's the exception, and it's not annoying. Likewise, some passages where treble sounds a little sharp, but that's track dependent and A90 isn't helping.

I just threw LIRIC on Pendant (Lo Z tap), and this is great. I have been wanting to listen on tubes since I first heard LIRIC at CAF, but all they had at the show were SS chains. One track on V280 and a couple on Pendant are making great first impressions about tubes and warmer amps.

 

[Makiah S]

I haven't heard the Z1R, so can't comment or compare. But my LIRIC came in, and I have been listening for a couple hours on my desk chain (currently AD!-2 -> A90).

I have heard some tracks where vocals sounded a little distant, but that's the exception, and it's not annoying. Likewise, some passages where treble sounds a little sharp, but that's track dependent and A90 isn't helping.

I just threw LIRIC on Pendant (Lo Z tap), and this is great. I have been wanting to listen on tubes since I first heard LIRIC at CAF, but all they had at the show were SS chains. One track on V280 and a couple on Pendant are making great first impressions about tubes and warmer amps.

Yea the RAAL amp would have been a nice option tho we didn't have the balanced cable for Liric haha