[DeafOwl]

Hello people! I am a brand new member here, even though I am reading the forum for a quite a lot of time.

I went to the head-fi event in London this year just to check what type of headphones do I like more. There I tried A LOT of headphones which was very fun. Even though I liked a lot of them two of them stuck in my mind, one was the 99 Classsics from Meze and the other one was a ZMF one ( which is way out of my budget so it doesn't matter a lot).

By reading this and other forums/websites I realized that the 99 classics are considered "dark" headphones in the sense that the highs are a bit recessed and also quite bassy. So I was searching online to check what alternatives do I have. These are my conclusions until now:

99 Noir: They are considered pretty bassy with a relaxed signature which is very easy going. Meaning that they can sound good even if the recording is not that great. Not very analytical.

NightOwl: People say that they are very unique in the sound signature. They are supposed to be dark + bassy a bit but more analytical than the 99 Noir.

TH-X00: Praised by sooo many people They are considered bassy and fun with some analytical aspects also.

All of them, in my understanding, don't have very forward vocals but they have more "musicality" and "tonality" which if I want to be honest don't know exactly what they mean

So my question is simple, first of all, am I missing an amazing pair that I didn't include in my list? Am I wrong to any "verdicts" i have until now?

My budget is at max a bit less than 400$ and my equipment is a Tone Board + Atom stack.

I am only searching for closed heaphones

 

[CoryGillmore]

Sony MDR-Z7! Can snag a used one for well under $400. Hell maybe even a new one I haven't checked prices in a while.

 

[PopZeus]

With the “new original” pads, the mids on the 99 Noir/Classics definitely cut through the bass. I’ve never heard the Nightowl, but I have heard the Fostex and while it may be a more technically impressive headphone, the voicing of the mids with the Meze is more forward/superior imho.

 

[Mhog55]

I have owned both the 99 Classics and the NightOwl, amongst many others. The NightOwl is by far the darkest closed back I've ever heard. I don't consider the 99s dark myself.

 

[DeafOwl]

Thanks a lot for the replies guys!

Sony MDR-Z7! Can snag a used one for well under $400. Hell maybe even a new one I haven't checked prices in a while.

I will definitely check them out! It seems that they are available for around 350$ used

With the “new original” pads, the mids on the 99 Noir/Classics definitely cut through the bass. I’ve never heard the Nightowl, but I have heard the Fostex and while it may be a more technically impressive headphone, the voicing of the mids with the Meze is more forward/superior imho.

That's very important actually! I also had the feeling that the mids were very present and nice in the 99's but a lot of reviews said otherwise so I was not sure if I just don't know how to describe the sound correctly. That makes me more confident that what I should concentrate more in the other two (99, NightOwl).

I have owned both the 99 Classics and the NightOwl, amongst many others. The NightOwl is by far the darkest closed back I've ever heard. I don't consider the 99s dark myself.

Hm, that's an interesting position. Can you describe the most apparent differences between the two? Like the first 2-3 differences that you will notice when you use one after the other?

I remember that I really liked the feeling that I am inside the room that the music was playing in the 99's. I don't know if that's soundstage or imaging or something else. It's also interesting for me that both of the headphones that impressed me were with wooden cups.

 

[moriez]

@DeafOwl

I'm with Mhog55: NightOwl/NightHawk are very dark and warm. Overly so in my opinion. Some enjoy it. Less certain about specifying what the TH-X00 is about but would say not too similar for at least the reason it has significantly more treble presence. I also remember the Audioquest headphones to pack a surprisingly hard punch. Unfortunately I can't remember a thing about the Meze.

 

[EmojilessPsykop]

The Vokyl Erupts are rather dark and have impressive imaging if you're into that sorta thing.

 

[buke9]

The TR-X00’s are far from dark or warm even they are definitely in the bright category. The Meze are a bit on the warm side but not too much either I have a early 99 Classic so haven’t heard the newer pads. The ZMF’s I’m guessing was probably the Atticus they are also a bit on the warm side. If you want dark the Audioquest is definitely the warmest I’ve yet heard .

 

[Mhog55]

Nightowl - 99 Classics
I consider the 99s warm compared to the darkness of the NightOwl.
99s are forward, musical and highly engaging. The only issue is that with the pads being used now, the bass can be a bit too much. I'd go with the Noir, and use the small pads.
The NightOwl is distant sounding in contrast to the forwardness of the 99s. Much darker, but still engaging, though in a different way. They sound a little disconnected in comparison if that makes sense.
Mids on the 99s are some of the best I've heard. Really makes you want to get up and move around. Mids are meaty and organic. Vocals sit back further with the NightOwl. Guitar work is phenomenal with the 99s.
Treble rolls off sooner with the 99s. The NightOwl has more extension, but is not harsh.
Bass on the NightOwl is really good. Tactile and punchy. Bass on the 99s can come across more boomy, but it's still quite good with the smaller pads. Snare and kick drums sound a bit thin with the NightOwl. More attention grabbing with the 99s.
Put it this way. The 99s are full bodied, more up front, but extremely addictive - like let's party. Yet it's highly musical and organic at the same time. Nightowl is more like let's chill before bedtime, kick back, and take it all in.
The NightOwl has a bigger Soundstage, more out of your head experience. That mixed with the distant sound didn't jive with me for what I listen to - rock and metal. As for instrument separation, I wouldn't really give either the upper hand, but both are pretty impressive. No pin point accuracy here.

 

[DeafOwl]

@DeafOwl

I'm with Mhog55: NightOwl/NightHawk are very dark and warm. Overly so in my opinion. Some enjoy it. Less certain about specifying what the TH-X00 is about but would say not too similar for at least the reason it has significantly more treble presence. I also remember the Audioquest headphones to pack a surprisingly hard punch. Unfortunately I can't remember a thing about the Meze.

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated

The Vokyl Erupts are rather dark and have impressive imaging if you're into that sorta thing.

I never heard of them, I will have a look ,

The TR-X00’s are far from dark or warm even they are definitely in the bright category. The Meze are a bit on the warm side but not too much either I have a early 99 Classic so haven’t heard the newer pads. The ZMF’s I’m guessing was probably the Atticus they are also a bit on the warm side. If you want dark the Audioquest is definitely the warmest I’ve yet heard .

So another reason completely remove the TR-X00 from my list I think. I don't think that I will enjoy a bright signature, at least not yet The Atticus indeed look like them so most probably yes. I don't know if I need to be a bit scared about the "darkness" of the NO Thanks for sharing!

Nightowl - 99 Classics
I consider the 99s warm compared to the darkness of the NightOwl.
99s are forward, musical and highly engaging. The only issue is that with the pads being used now, the bass can be a bit too much. I'd go with the Noir, and use the small pads.
The NightOwl is distant sounding in contrast to the forwardness of the 99s. Much darker, but still engaging, though in a different way. They sound a little disconnected in comparison if that makes sense.
Mids on the 99s are some of the best I've heard. Really makes you want to get up and move around. Mids are meaty and organic. Vocals sit back further with the NightOwl. Guitar work is phenomenal with the 99s.
Treble rolls off sooner with the 99s. The NightOwl has more extension, but is not harsh.
Bass on the NightOwl is really good. Tactile and punchy. Bass on the 99s can come across more boomy, but it's still quite good with the smaller pads. Snare and kick drums sound a bit thin with the NightOwl. More attention grabbing with the 99s.
Put it this way. The 99s are full bodied, more up front, but extremely addictive - like let's party. Yet it's highly musical and organic at the same time. Nightowl is more like let's chill before bedtime, kick back, and take it all in.
The NightOwl has a bigger Soundstage, more out of your head experience. That mixed with the distant sound didn't jive with me for what I listen to - rock and metal. As for instrument separation, I wouldn't really give either the upper hand, but both are pretty impressive. No pin point accuracy here.

Thanks so much for sharing! From what you are describing it seems pretty obvious that I need to go for the 99's for now. Your description of the 99's seems to be very close to what I think but I don't know how to express that so well. I think that we have a clear winner for now Afterwards If I want to experiment more I can try something more analytical or something!

 

[340519]

I have owned both the 99 Classics and the NightOwl, amongst many others. The NightOwl is by far the darkest closed back I've ever heard. I don't consider the 99s dark myself.

I own them both and I would never say they are dark, brut they do sound great. The 99s have killer bass btw.

 

[Whazzzup]

gosh meze no, frankly maybe night owl but....

 

[Mhog55]

I own them both and I would never say they are dark, brut they do sound great. The 99s have killer bass btw.

I'd be curious to hear which headphones you do find dark, if not the NightOwl.

 

[Whazzzup]

Not meze 99

 

[Mhog55]

gosh meze no, frankly maybe night owl but....

But what? Do you have any suggestions??