In a world increasingly dominated by wireless audio, the Meze 99 Classics stand out as a testament to the enduring allure of wired headphones. This pair of over-ear headphones, meticulously crafted with a focus on design and sound quality, promises a premium audio experience that transcends the convenience of Bluetooth. With its striking aesthetics, a blend of metal and wood, and plush padding, the Meze 99 Classics are not just headphones; they are a statement of refined taste. But does their sonic performance match their luxurious appearance? This review dives into the depths of the Meze 99 Classics, exploring its design, features, and most importantly, its sound quality.
The Meze 99 Classics: A Visual Masterpiece
Founded in 2011, Meze Audio has quickly established itself as a leading name in the high-end audio space. The Meze 99 Classics, their first foray into the mainstream market, are a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship. From the moment you lay eyes on them, you are greeted with an aura of elegance.
The Meze 99 Classics are a visual feast, featuring a harmonious blend of materials that exudes both sophistication and durability. The wood casings housing the drivers add a touch of natural warmth and elegance, while the metal frame with gold accents adds a touch of luxury. The plush padding surrounding the earcups and headband offers unparalleled comfort, ensuring a luxurious listening experience for extended periods.
Unparalleled Comfort and Versatility
One of the standout features of the Meze 99 Classics is their versatility. Unlike traditional headphones where the sides are interconnected, the Meze 99 Classics boast independent operation. Each side features a 2.5mm input socket, allowing for complete flexibility in terms of placement. You can wear them on either ear without compromising the fit or sound, making them ideal for a variety of users.
Unpacking the Meze 99 Classics:
The Meze 99 Classics comes packaged with a plethora of accessories, ensuring an unparalleled audio experience right out of the box. Included in the package are:
- A hard carry case: Guaranteeing safe transport and protection for your precious headphones
- 1.2m cable with in-line microphone: For phone calls and voice commands
- 3m cable without microphone: For immersive music listening
- 6.3mm adapter: To connect to a wider range of audio devices
- Airline adapter: For enjoying music on long flights
- Small pouch for extra cables: Keeping everything organized and accessible
Sound Quality: A Symphony of Warmth and Detail
The Meze 99 Classics are powered by 40mm dynamic drivers, offering a frequency response range of 15-25,000Hz. Their 32 ohms impedance makes them incredibly easy to drive, even by smartphones and laptops. While the integrated microphone can be used for making calls, these headphones are primarily designed for an immersive music listening experience.
For this review, I used the Meze 99 Classics with my MacBook Air and a Shanling UA2 digital-analogue converter, ensuring high-resolution audio playback. I curated a playlist encompassing various genres and bitrates, ranging from 16-bit/ 44.1kHz to 24-bit/ 96kHz.
A Genre-Defying Listening Experience
Across the diverse range of music I listened to, the Meze 99 Classics delivered a consistently clean and detailed listening experience.
Subways by The Avalanches showcased the headphones’ ability to handle complex sample-based tracks with aplomb. The headphones effortlessly reproduced the intricate layers of the track, offering a natural and engaging sonic signature. Even at moderate volume levels, the listening experience was immersive and cohesive.
Kamasi Washington’s Truth, a sprawling jazz masterpiece, allowed the Meze 99 Classics to truly shine. The headphones delivered unprecedented levels of detail and cohesiveness, highlighting the nuances in the complex instrumentation and vocals. The warm and inviting sonic signature beautifully complemented the soothing nature of the track.
A Focus on Warmth and Coherence
The Meze 99 Classics demonstrate a clear predilection for warmth and coherence over sheer detail. While the headphones can capture and reproduce intricate details, they prioritize a pleasing and enjoyable listening experience. This means that high-paced tracks might lose some of their intricacies in favour of maintaining a sense of warmth and flow. However, this approach results in a consistently calm and composed sound, offering a sense of intimacy and engagement that is often lacking in more analytical headphones.
A Note on Microphone Performance
While the included microphone cable allows you to take phone calls, I would recommend using the Meze 99 Classics strictly for music listening. They are an audiophile-grade headset that excels in its core function, and a dedicated wireless headset is often a better option for phone calls.
Final Verdict: A Luxurious and Engaging Audio Experience
The Meze 99 Classics are a testament to the enduring quality of wired headphones in an increasingly wireless world. These headphones are a triumph of design and engineering, offering a luxurious listening experience that is both visually appealing and sonically satisfying. While the warm and inviting sonic signature might not fully appeal to those seeking meticulous detail, it delivers a richly engaging listening experience that is both enjoyable and satisfying.
The Meze 99 Classics are a testament to the enduring appeal of wired headphones in a world increasingly dominated by wireless technology. With their unparalleled comfort, luxurious design, and carefully crafted sound, they offer a beautifully curated audio experience that is both sophisticated and engaging.
