Meze Headphones roundup
Meze Headphones: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The Meze range covers three budgets, two driver technologies and two acoustic designs. Understanding which combination suits your listening situation narrows the choice to one or two models quickly.
Buying meze headphones is not complicated once you understand how the range is structured. The brand offers dynamic and planar-magnetic drivers, open-back and closed-back designs, and price points ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds. The right model depends entirely on how and where you listen.
Start with Driver Type
Meze headphones divide into two driver technologies: dynamic and planar-magnetic. Dynamic drivers — used in the 99 Classics, 109 PRO and 105 AER — are easier to power, generally lighter and available at lower price points. Planar-magnetic drivers — used in the Empyrean II, Elite, LIRIC and The Poet — offer fast transient response and low distortion, but are heavier, larger and more expensive to manufacture.
If you are new to the brand, start with a dynamic model. You will not need a dedicated amplifier, the sound will suit a wider range of music styles and the price is more accessible. Move to planar if you want the highest technical performance and are prepared to match source equipment appropriately.
Open-Back versus Closed-Back
Open-back meze headphones suit home listening in a quiet room. They leak sound both ways, which eliminates them from offices, commuting and any shared space. Closed-back models — primarily the 99 Classics and LIRIC — provide real isolation and are appropriate for portable and everyday use.
The LIRIC is unusual: a closed-back planar-magnetic design, offering planar performance without the sound leakage of an open-back model. It is the right choice if you want the planar tier's technical qualities but need more isolation than the Empyrean II or Elite provide.
Matching to Your Source
The 99 Classics at 32 ohms and reasonable sensitivity will drive adequately from a phone. The 109 PRO and 105 AER are similar. The Empyrean II at 32 ohms is not unusually difficult, but it benefits from a clean dedicated amplifier for best results at higher listening levels. Do not assume any planar model is automatically demanding — check the sensitivity figure alongside impedance before purchasing an amplifier.
What to Prioritise at Each Budget
Under £500: the 99 Classics is the clear recommendation. Distinctive closed-back design, easy to drive, replaceable parts and a sound signature that suits a wide range of genres. Between £500 and £1,000: the 105 AER and 109 PRO are strong open-back choices for home listening. Above £1,000: the Empyrean II or Elite for those who want a reference planar-magnetic experience, or the LIRIC for closed-back planar performance.
Replacement Parts and Longevity
One genuinely distinctive feature of meze headphones is serviceability. Pads, cables and structural parts can be replaced on most models. This makes long-term ownership more straightforward than with competitors who treat accessories as proprietary. Factor repairability into your buying decision, particularly at the higher end of the range where a pad replacement costs significantly less than a new headphone.
Where to Buy
Meze Audio sells through authorised dealers globally and directly through its own website. Buying from an authorised source matters for warranty purposes and for access to genuine replacement parts. For a full breakdown of the product range, the overview guide explains every model family in detail.
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