Meze 99 Classics review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.
Overall score
What it is: An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score components:
80.0%
Technical Score
20.0%
User score
Technical Score
What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.
When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score components:
52.0%
Sound
20.0%
Features
10.0%
Design
8.0%
Connectivity
6.0%
Battery
4.0%
Calls & Controls
User score
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score components:
70.0%
User reviews
30.0%
Popularity
Score components:
35.0%
Audio latency
25.0%
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
Battery life
Score components:
28.0%
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
Battery life
18.0%
Weight
16.0%
Multipoint support
14.0%
Ambient sound mode
Score components:
28.0%
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
Multipoint support
16.0%
Battery life
14.0%
Companion app
Score components:
28.0%
Weight
24.0%
Water resistance
20.0%
IP rating
16.0%
Battery life
12.0%
Can be used as a headset
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.
#95 in Best Wired Headphones
#404 in Best Over Ear Headphones
#547 in Best Headphones with Mic
What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.
When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score components:
52.0%
Sound
20.0%
Features
10.0%
Design
8.0%
Connectivity
6.0%
Battery
4.0%
Calls & Controls
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score components:
70.0%
User reviews
30.0%
Popularity
What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score components:
60.0%
Overall score
40.0%
Price
Importance: HIGH
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=1%
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=108 dB SPL
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=116 dB
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=300 mW
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=0.5 dB
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Good value: >80 dB
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: HIGH
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=5.0
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=10 m
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <60 ms
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=4
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2020
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >45 hours
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >40 hours
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=2 hours
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=720 mAh
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: HIGH
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Importance: HIGH
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=1%
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Importance: LOW
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
(Reviews last updated: June 2026)
The Meze 99 Classics 2nd Generation upgrades the brand's iconic portable headphones with targeted adjustments to comfort, design, and performance, moving exclusively to gold hardware accents and offering a softer, thicker, and firmer earpad design that eliminates ear fatigue. The updated 40mm dynamic driver features a lower 16-Ohm impedance for easier drivability and introduces a highly versatile package that includes a 3.5mm to USB-C dongle DAC and removable acoustic absorbers to mimic the legacy sound profile. Sonically, the headphones excel with an outstandingly wide, holographic, and deep soundstage that bypasses traditional closed-back limitations, paired with improved instrumental separation and a commanded, vivid vocal delivery in the midrange. The review highlights distinct strengths and weaknesses across the sound spectrum and design ecosystem. On the positive side (pros), the low end delivers a much cleaner, tighter bass response with heightened sub-bass rumble that completely sheds the foggy, bloated muddiness found in the original version. The physical comfort is elevated significantly for long listening sessions, and the technical stereo imaging is excellent. On the negative side (cons), the standard treble response lacks distinct...
The Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Generation headphones refine a decade-old design by shifting from a warm, V-shaped sonic signature to a more balanced, linear, and neutral response. Retaining their signature aesthetic of hand-finished CNC-machined walnut cups and solid zinc hardware, these $349.99 closed-back headphones feature key physical engineering updates. The structural design introduces enlarged ear cups, an optimized baffle architecture to reduce acoustic distortion, and a stronger clamping force that vastly improves passive noise isolation. Additionally, they are highly efficient and easy to drive at 16 ohms, arriving packaged with modernized connectivity options like an upgraded 1.8-meter Kevlar-sheathed OFC cable, a USB-C dongle DAC, and a 6.3 mm adapter to seamlessly integrate with headphone-jack-less mobile devices. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons regarding this generational shift. On the positive side, the headphones deliver enhanced clarity, transparency, a wider soundstage, and superior mechanical and acoustic stability without sacrificing their core musicality. Their lightweight, durable construction makes them exceptionally comfortable for long-term daily wear compared to bulkier studio rivals. Conversely, the primary trade-off is a noticeable loss of the...
The What Hi-Fi? review of the Meze Audio 99 ClassicsGo wired over-ear headphones highlights their exceptional build quality, striking aesthetic, and comfortable design. Retailing at £269 / $309 / AU$500, these headphones feature walnut-veneered earcups and gold or silver metal accents, offering a luxury visual alternative to industrial competitors. The pros of the design include an impressively lightweight and rigid skeletal frame alongside a large padded headband that effectively eliminates pressure points for long listening sessions. On the downside, the review notes a con regarding the durability of the wood lacquer, which showed signs of wear on the bottom edge of the ear cups during testing from being placed on desks. The package provides excellent travel flexibility by including a hardshell case, multiple adapters, and both 1m and 3m double-ended cables.
The SoundGuys review of the Meze 99 Classics GoldGo highlights them as visually stunning, exceptionally well-built headphones featuring real-wood walnut construction, gold accents, and a highly comfortable self-adjusting headband. These efficient, passive headphones deliver a fun-leaning, V-shaped sound profile with prominent, powerful bass that is easy to drive, while also boasting a fully serviceable design. Conversely, the review notes significant cons, specifically that the heavy bass-boosted sound signature masks lower-midrange frequencies, reducing overall vocal clarity. Furthermore, as passive, closed-back headphones, they lack active noise cancellation (ANC) and fail to block low-frequency environmental noise, making them less suited for commutes.
The Head-Fi review of the Meze 99 Classics V2Go describes the headphones as a balanced, "jack of all trades" evolution, featuring a real-wood build, comfortable 6-clip ear pads, and a versatile 7mm cable socket. Key advantages include a cleaner, more controlled sound signature with forward mids, alongside practical accessories like a USB-C DAC and optional foam absorbers for adjusting the bass, offering great value for daily, non-fatiguing listening. However, the review highlights that the V2 lacks top-tier technicalities, specifically noting a lack of clinical detail retrieval, resolution, and transparency, which can leave acoustic textures sounding muted. The included acoustic absorbers are noted to over-smooth the sound, while the overall, non-fatiguing profile makes them less suitable for analytical listening or competitive gaming compared to brighter alternatives. Head-Fi.
The Eurogamer review by Reece Bithrey awards high praise to the Meze 99 Classics, emphasizing their remarkable balance of premium craftsmanship, effortless comfort, and rich audio signature. Priced at £269 / $309, these wired, closed-back headphones feature hand-shaped walnut wood earcups and a durable spring steel frame, and they are fully disassembleable for easy repair. Acoustically, they feature a low 32-ohm impedance that makes them incredibly easy to drive from everyday devices like a MacBook or smartphone, though they scale beautifully with a dedicated DAC. The reviewer notes that they deliver a warm, deeply immersive, and natural sound presentation with a surprisingly meaty low-end response, satisfying passive noise isolation, and a decently wide soundstage for a closed-back model. Despite the glowing feedback, the review highlights specific limitations depending on user preferences. On the pros side, the headphones deliver supreme, lightweight comfort via a plush leatherette suspension headband, high repairability, exceptional packaging (including a hard shell case, multiple cables, and a plane adapter), and a fatigue-free treble performance that smooths over harsh, sharp frequencies. Conversely, the primary cons focus on the...
The Audiophile-Heaven review characterizes the Meze 99 Classics as a durable, premium headphone featuring high-quality wood, screw-based construction, and a sturdy carrying case. Proponents praise the natural, non-fatiguing sound signature and the manufacturer's exceptional customer service, making them a reliable daily driver. Conversely, the review notes a lack of an immediate "WOW" factor and finds the sound signature relatively safe rather than ultra-revealing. While competitive, the $300 price point means those seeking extreme technical details may find the presentation somewhat tame.
The Meze 99 Classics review on Head-Fi highlights these headphones for their premium build, featuring walnut wood cups and a comfortable self-adjusting headband, alongside an engaging, musical sound profile with lush mids. They are noted for being easy to drive with standard devices, though the performance is not the most technical, with a slightly loose bass and small ear pads that may cause discomfort or heat buildup.
In his Head-Fi review, mark2410 describes the Meze 99 ClassicsGo as offering a highly dynamic, fast-paced, and spectacular sonic experience featuring a "dazzling" treble range. The headphones are praised for their quick, hard-punchy presentation and excellent comfort, largely attributed to their soft, squishy ear pads. Head-Fi.orgConversely, the review highlights significant listener fatigue, with the intense brilliance causing ear strain after only 30 minutes of use. The reviewer concludes that while technically impressive, the headphones require a substantial burn-in period to mellow out the sharp treble and improve long-term usability. Head-Fi.
The Meze 99 ClassicsGo, as reviewed by Headfonics, feature a natural, musical, and vocal-forward sound signature with a thick, well-controlled mid-bass, making them highly enjoyable for genres like R&B and rock. Strengths include excellent, intimate imaging and a comfortable, fatigue-free presentation, though the soundstage is noticeably compact with limited depth, say Headfonics. Conversely, the headphones are characterized by a slow, relaxed, and colored sound, rendering them unsuitable for analytical, neutral listening. The bass decay is somewhat slow, and the overall performance is optimized for comfort rather than raw accuracy or a wide soundstage, according to the Headfonics review.
The Meze 99 ClassicsGo headphones offer an inviting, warm audio profile that makes music effortless to listen to for hours without causing aural fatigue. Priced at $309.00, this over-ear wired model stands out for its exceptional build quality, featuring natural maple or walnut wood ear cups, metal accents, a self-adjusting elastic protein leather headband, and memory foam ear pads—completely eliminating visible plastics. A notable positive feature is their sustainable construction: no glue is used, meaning every single part can be replaced using standard nuts and bolts if they break. Performance-wise, they deliver remarkable bottom-end bass power and detailed midrange clarity, pushing vocals forward to give songs an intimate, "in-the-room" feeling. However, the reviewer notes several downsides that make them impractical for daily commuting. Specifically, the headphones cannot fold or collapse, lack wireless connectivity, and are relatively expensive to risk taking on public transport. Additionally, the tight seal of the memory foam ear pads provides good passive noise isolation but causes them to get warm quickly, making them poorly suited for outdoor use in hot climates. On a minor structural note,...
Head-Fi reviews for the Meze Audio 99 Classics highlight a rich, musical sound with exceptional comfort, driven by walnut wood cups and a self-adjusting headband, making them easy to drive directly from portable devices. Key pros include this high-quality, durable physical construction, impressive, warm audio performance, and a fully modular, user-serviceable design. On the other hand, critical listeners note that the headphones, while fun, lack the high-level technical resolution and micro-detailing found in more analytical, closed-back competitors. Specific drawbacks include a bass response that can occasionally feel loose and bleed into the mids, alongside an average, relaxed treble that lacks extreme sparkle, plus potential comfort issues for users with larger ears. For more detailed user experiences, read the reviews on Head-Fi.
The Meze 99 Classics, reviewed by ThePhonograph.net, are described as charming, warm, and non-fatiguing over-ear headphones, featuring lively mids, crisp higher-mids, and detailed, sparkling treble. They are highly commended for their excellent passive noise isolation, low leakage, and their capacity to sound brighter and clearer when using EQ to address minor, out-of-the-box lower-midrange congestion. On the downside, without EQ, the lower mids can feel slightly congested. Additionally, while isolation is generally good, the review notes that the headphones still leak sound in silent environments if used at higher volumes. ThePhonograph.
The Meze 99 Classics are dynamic, closed-back headphones handcrafted in Romania that blend luxury aesthetic with high-fidelity performance for €309. Structurally, they stand out for using zero plastic on the exterior, opting instead for natural walnut or maple wood ear cups, a self-adjusting leather headband, and gold or silver zinc alloy accents. This smart metal-bar frame design ensures they remain remarkably lightweight and highly durable. Sound performance is exceptionally well-balanced, linear, and organically warm owing to the wood enclosures, maintaining complete neutrality without any harshness in the treble or over-exuberant bloating in the bass. Despite its high praise, the reviewer highlighted two distinct drawbacks: the ear cups are slightly small, placing them in an awkward middle ground between on-ear and over-ear headphones for users with larger ears. Additionally, they suffer from a noticeable "microphone effect," where friction from the cable rubbing against clothing transmits audible noise directly into the ear cups while walking. On the positive side, the headphones offer spectacular, exclusive visual appeal, robust build quality filled with memory foam, a generous accessory package featuring a hard case and...
The Meze 99 Classics are closed-back, over-ear headphones that deliver an impressively open, airy soundstage and high levels of detail, making them highly reminiscent of a smaller, closed-back version of the Sennheiser HD800. They feature premium walnut wood ear-cups, a durable design, and efficient 40mm transducers with a 32-Ohm impedance, making them exceptionally easy to drive even directly from a smartphone or digital piano. The reviewer praises their exceptional imaging, fast transients with explosive attack, and an engaging, mostly neutral sound signature that excels across genres—particularly classical, acoustic, and instrumental music. While highly praised, the headphones do possess a few drawbacks, most notably a slight mid-bass hump and audible sub-bass distortion on certain tracks that can occasionally detract from overall bass cleanliness. Furthermore, their highly detailed and analytical nature means they will not mask or "sweeten" poorly recorded tracks, making bad recordings sound noticeably unforgiving. Despite these minor flaws, the review highlights the headphones' excellent midrange texture, sparkling treble extension, and outstanding build quality as an incredible achievement for the Romanian-founded company.
Tyll Hertsens' Stereophile review highlights the Meze 99 Classics as a "marvelously organic" headphone, boasting a superb, coherent midrange and exceptionally well-balanced, non-harsh treble that delivers an engaging, natural tone. While praised for musicality, the review notes a major con in the low-end performance, which is described as slightly over-emphatic, loosely controlled, and lacking extension into the lowest sub-bass octave, with a minor graininess in the upper register. For the full, detailed review, visit Stereophile. Stereophile.
The Soundphile Review of the Meze 99 ClassicsGo highlights them as a top-of-the-line, modern classic that delivers an exceptional blend of premium build quality, striking visual aesthetics, and immense physical comfort. The reviewer heavily praises their unique construction, which features solid walnut wood earcups that give each pair a distinct grain pattern, alongside a flexible, self-adjusting suspended headband system. This mechanic-only build avoids glue entirely, resulting in highly sturdy headphones that distribute weight so effectively they can easily be worn for three to four hours without causing scalp discomfort. Additionally, the packaging provides great utility, including a hard faux-leather carrying case, a short 1.2 m smartphone cable with a built-in remote/microphone, a long 3 m home audio cable, and multiple premium adapters.
The The Master SwitchGo review highly praises the Meze 99 Classics ($309) as an exquisite, mid-range pair of closed-back headphones that strike an exceptional balance between warm, precision-focused sound and premium aesthetics. Utilizing 40mm dynamic neodymium/mylar drivers with a high sensitivity of 103dB and a low impedance of 32Ω, these headphones are easy to drive from a smartphone while delivering far superior, balanced low-end performance compared to same-priced rivals like the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The reviewer heavily commends the striking visual craftsmanship, highlighting the soft-to-the-touch maple wood earcups, premium leather pads, and a solid metal headband built with minimal screws. Weighing only nine ounces, they offer phenomenal comfort with low clamping pressure, making them easy to wear for hours, and come packed with top-notch accessories including two removable cables, a zippered hard case, and a felt cable pouch. The Master Switch | Audio ReviewsOn the downside, the review identifies a few puzzling engineering decisions, most notably the awkward placement of the in-line microphone, which sits high up on the short cable near the left mini-jack rather than at the logical...
The Meze 99 Classics are Romanian-built, closed-back, over-the-ear headphones featuring 40mm Mylar drivers, Neodymium magnets, and distinct CNC-milled solid walnut earcups. Shunning traditional telescopic adjustments, they use a lightweight, flexible inner metal band that provides a highly comfortable fit. Sonically, the headphones are defined by a massive, full-impact, and meaty bass response that hits with immense power without completely drowning out the upper frequencies. The midrange remains tight, focused, and insightful with an overall dark, warm glow, while vocals and instruments like brass and secondary percussion exhibit remarkable tonal accuracy and precision for their price point. Pros and Cons Pros: Massive bass impact, focused soundstage, excellent tonal accuracy, and deep midrange insight. Cons: Offers a 3.5mm termination option only—lacking a native 6.35mm choice for audiophile setups—and the dominant bass cuts down on the air and extended reverb tails needed for classical and jazz genres.
The Meze 99 Classics V2 is a successful 10-year evolution of the iconic original headphones, shifting away from a heavily warm sound toward a more balanced, modern, and neutral tuning. The updated model features larger earcups that provide excellent wearing comfort, re-engineered 40mm drivers with tighter channel matching, and a wider 7mm input jack that accommodates thicker custom cables. While the default sound signature offers clearer mids, tighter mid-bass punch, and airy highs without sharpness, Meze cleverly includes acoustic dampening pads in the box. Users can slip these in to restore the iconic, darker, and more voluminous warmth of the first-generation model. The review highlights several distinct strengths and weaknesses for this €349 headphone. On the positive side, the pros include an outstanding, balanced sound quality, exceptional long-term wearing comfort, and a flawless premium build using genuine walnut wood and metal without any visible plastic. Additionally, the inclusion of a high-quality braided cable, a robust hard-shell carrying case, and a compact USB-C DAC/AMP adapter adds massive out-of-the-box value for smartphone users. Conversely, the primary cons are the headphone's structural sensitivity...
The Qobuz review of the Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen highlights these closed-back headphones as a matured, well-balanced evolution of the original, offering a more linear, transparent sound signature alongside improved comfort via walnut ear cups and updated earpads. The 16-ohm design is highly practical, featuring enhanced cable inputs and an included USB-C DAC, making it exceptionally easy to drive with mobile devices. QobuzWhile offering better overall sonic balance, the review notes the reduction in heavy sub-bass may disappoint original "bass-heads," and the smoothed-out treble sacrifices absolute micro-detail for a non-fatiguing, spacious listening experience. Optional acoustic filters are included to restore warmth, though they risk obscuring some fine details.
The Meze 99 Classics is a closed-back over-ear headphone praised as an exceptional, individual masterpiece of craftsmanship and a true universal genius for music lovers. Designed in Romania, it features premium natural materials like walnut wood earcups and aluminum accents assembled completely without glue, ensuring all parts are easily replaceable. With a low impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity of 103dB, it plays efficiently at satisfying volumes even on standard smartphones. After a necessary two-day burn-in period to resolve initial bass fuzziness, the headphones deliver a slightly warm, naturally organic, and highly engaging sound signature. It excels across genres—from rock and metal to classical music—offering balanced mids, vibrant highs, excellent instrument separation, and an impressively wide soundstage for a closed-back design. The headphone boasts numerous strengths, including first-class sound quality, outstanding wearing comfort with plush memory foam pads, premium build materials, and a generous accessory package that features a high-quality hard case. However, it does have a notable drawback: it is highly sensitive to structure-borne noise (microphonics), meaning footsteps and cable movements transfer audible thuds to the earcups while...
The Meze 99 Classics is a closed-back over-ear headphone praised for its timeless, flawless design and exceptionally premium build featuring maple or walnut wood, metal, and protein leather. Weighing only 275 grams, it incorporates a highly functional, self-adjusting headband that provides great stability and noise isolation without causing excessive pressure. Sonically, the headphones deliver a dynamic, punchy sound signature that excels with live recordings, guitars, and piano due to their natural tonal rendering. They are also highly versatile and mobile-friendly, featuring a high efficiency rating that allows them to be powered easily by smartphones, while still scaling up in detail when connected to a dedicated amplifier. However, the reviewer notes several downsides, starting with a slightly prominent bass emphasis around 130Hz that requires a 48-hour burn-in period to properly blend into the mid and high frequencies. This bass-heavy nature makes them less ideal for fast, energetic genres like heavy metal or metalcore. Additionally, due to their closed design, the soundstage feels intimate and lacks the expansive spatial separation found in open-back alternatives. Finally, despite recent padding updates, the ear cups...
The Meze 99 Classics is an elegantly designed, closed-back over-ear headphone that blends premium aesthetics with high-performance mobile capability. Developed in Romania and manufactured in China, these 260-gram headphones feature distinct real walnut wood ear cups and a large, helmet-inspired self-adjusting headband. Equipped with 40mm transducers, a 32-ohm impedance, and a 103 dB efficiency rating, they are fully optimised for portable use with smartphones and mobile Hi-Fi systems. The package provides excellent out-of-the-box value by including a protective hard case, a 3-metre home cable, and a 1.2-metre mobile cable with an integrated microphone and 1-button remote control. In terms of performance, the review highlights several major advantages and a few notable drawbacks. On the positive side (pros), the headphones deliver an exceptionally well-balanced, non-fatiguing sound characterized by deep, punchy bass that remains isolated in the lowest frequencies without muddying the vocal midrange. They provide excellent rhythmic precision, clear detail retrieval across the frequency band, and a finely resolved treble that completely avoids sharpness. Furthermore, they are lightweight and offer a very comfortable clamping pressure. On the negative side (cons), the...
The Fairaudio review of the Meze 99 ClassicsGo closed-back, over-ear headphones paints them as a highly musical blend of unique aesthetics and functional modularity. Reviewer Fritz Schwertfeger highlights the distinct, "baroque yet futuristic" look crafted from CNC-milled real wood, stainless steel, and brass, making each unit visually unique. On the performance side, the headphones feature a 40mm Mylar driver with a strong Neodymium magnet. They offer a sound signature characterized by a warmer, darker timber that blends smoothly with textured, colorful mids and an agile, clean treble.
The kopfhoerer.de review praises the Meze Audio 99 ClassicsGo as an elegantly designed, closed-back over-ear headphone that delivers a distinctly warm sound profile with rich, full-bodied bass. Built with premium, hand-finished walnut wood ear cups and a lightweight spring steel headband, the headphones weigh just 265 grams and offer exceptional comfort due to a self-adjusting vegan leather headband and memory foam ear pads. Technically, they feature 40mm dynamic drivers spanning a 15 Hz to 25 kHz frequency range, and with a low measured impedance of 17 Ohms, they are highly efficient and easy to drive directly from smartphones or laptops without needing a dedicated amplifier. The reviewer notes that the package is generous, including a magnetic-latch storage box, a hard-shell carrying case, two fabric-coated detachable cables (115 cm with a remote and 290 cm), a 6.35mm adapter, and an airplane adapter. On the downside, the review highlights that the spring steel headband tends to resonate audibly, transmitting distracting vibrations and ringing sounds into the audio track when you touch either the headband or the wooden ear cups. Acoustically, while the...
The ON-mag review of the Meze 99 ClassicsGo profiles a wired, semi-portable circum-aural (over-ear) closed-back headphone originating from a young Romanian audio brand. Priced at an official €310, the model stands out primarily due to its distinct construction featuring solid wood ear cup shells. Weighing in at a relatively lightweight 275 grams, the headphone is designed as a passive, non-noise-cancelling device intended for listeners who prioritize unique aesthetic craftsmanship along with traditional cable connectivity. A synthesis of the testing data reveals clear advantages and drawbacks for this unique headset. On the pros side, the headphones feature a luxurious, handcrafted design highlighted by meticulously polished walnut wood ear cups. They offer great structural durability with a self-adjusting headband that provides exceptional comfort for long listening sessions, alongside a warm, smooth sound profile characterized by deeply satisfying bass and rich mid-range clarity. Conversely, the cons include the total lack of active noise cancellation (ANC) and the absence of wireless functionality, which limits their convenience for modern commuters. Additionally, the sound signature leans heavily on its colored warmth, meaning it lacks the energetic...
The review compilation from Les Numériques highlights several major tech releases, focusing prominently on the Microsoft Xbox One S, Dyson 360 Eye, and Meze 99 Classics. The Meze 99 Classics emerges as the standout product of the week, earning a perfect 5-star rating for its exceptional audio performance and beautiful walnut-and-gold design coming out of Romania. In contrast, the highly anticipated Dyson 360 Eye robot vacuum and the Microsoft Xbox One S (evaluated specifically as an Ultra HD Blu-ray player) both received a mediocre 3 out of 5 stars. Other featured items in the top 10 include the Apple MacBook 12-inch, the rugged Cat Phones S60, and the Samsung Gear 360 camera, most of which also settled for standard 3-star evaluations due to varying performance limitations. Each core product demonstrates clear advantages balanced by noticeable design or performance drawbacks. The Meze 99 Classics shines with its premium walnut wood aesthetics and stellar high-fidelity sound quality, making it a massive success, though its corded design inherently limits portable convenience. For the Dyson 360 Eye, pros include a highly efficient multicyclonic filtration...
The Meze 99 Classics is a distinctively styled, closed-back wired headphone that bridges the gap between portable and high-fidelity audio. It rejects plastic in favor of premium materials, featuring solid walnut ear cups, a steel headband, and high-quality leatherette ear pads. Weighing a relatively light 260 grams, it utilizes an elastic, self-adjusting headband that delivers long-term comfort, though some users might find the ear cups slightly shallow. The headphone comes with a robust accessory package, including a short cable with an inline microphone, a 3-meter home cable, a rigid carrying case, and various adapters. However, its rigid, non-folding design and Y-shaped dual-entry cable system make it slightly bulkier for on-the-go use. Sonorally, the 99 Classics offers a warm, bass-heavy signature that delivers clean, powerful impact without distortion, outperforming typical Bluetooth options in detail and layer separation. A notable recession in the upper mids (2 to 6 kHz) prevents listener fatigue but makes the headphone less ideal for female vocals and analytical studio monitoring. Key pros include its exceptional build quality, high level of audio detail, impressive power, and high comfort...
The ON-mag review awards the Meze 99 Classics 2nd GenGo a perfect 5/5 rating, praising it as a highly successful upgrade that fixes most flaws of the 2016 original while maintaining its signature luxury identity. Priced at €350, the 2nd Generation model retains the iconic natural walnut wood earcups and double metal headband, but introduces deeper earcups, larger and thicker memory foam cushions, wider 7mm jack housings for third-party cables, and dedicated bass ports. These physical refinements translate into exceptional long-term wearing comfort and an appreciable level of passive noise isolation, making it an incredibly well-built, semi-portable hi-fi headphone. In terms of audio performance, the reviewer highlights a shift toward a much more balanced, precise, and transparent sound signature that handles diverse musical genres with natural presence. Pros include tight, impactful, and non-boomy bass, a beautifully rendered and sublime midrange—particularly for vocals—and detailed, smooth highs that avoid any harsh or piercing sibilance. The single notable con identified in the review is its centered and narrow stereo imaging; because of its closed-back architecture, it cannot deliver the sweeping, expansive soundstage found...
According to the Qobuz review, the Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen offers a more balanced, neutral sound with tighter bass and better soundstage compared to its predecessor. While the updated tuning loses some of the original's energetic "fun" factor, it improves clarity and includes modular foam inserts to allow for a warmer, bass-forward sound signature. The 2nd Gen retains the premium walnut construction and adds fully serviceable parts, improved 6-point ear pads, and a 16-ohm impedance that makes it easy to drive via the included USB-C dongle. However, the headphones are slightly heavier at 290g, and the memory foam pads may cause heat buildup during long listening sessions.
The Meze 99 Classics Gen 2 is a closed-back, circumaural headphone that updates a 10-year-old audio icon with key physical and acoustic adjustments. Priced under €350, it maintains the distinct aesthetic of its predecessor, featuring real walnut wood ear cups and a self-adjusting headband that evenly distributes its 260g weight. Structurally, this second generation offers ten distinct upgrades. Notable changes include a flatter, more balanced, and neutral sound profile compared to the original's V-shaped tuning, increased internal cup space, clip-on vegan leather earpads, and a bass port integrated directly into the 3.5mm jack. It features an ultra-low impedance of 16 ohms, making it highly efficient and easy to drive using a mobile device alongside the included USB-C DAC/amplifier dongle. Key Pros and Cons The Pros: The review highlights exceptional physical comfort across extended 8-hour sessions, high-quality material finishes, and an excellent passive isolation design suitable for loud workspaces. Additionally, users benefit from an expansive soundstage, high sustainability due to its 100% modular, repairable construction, and the clever inclusion of custom acoustic foam inserts to recreate the original Gen 1 sound...
Meze 99 Classics The Meze Audio 99 Classics, launched in 2015 by Romanian designer Antonio Meze, stands out as a unique premium audio option priced at around €300. The reviewer praises the comprehensive and high-quality nylon cable packaging, which includes a hard carrying case, two detachable cables (a 3-meter cord and a 1.2-meter version with a remote and mic), an airline adapter, and a 6.3mm jack adapter. Designed with high-quality sustainable craftsmanship, the chassis uses real wood—meaning no two units are identical—and avoids the use of any glue, instead utilizing a precision assembly made entirely of screws to allow for easy long-term user repairs. Weighing a comfortable 260 grams, the self-adjusting dual-headband system and isolating leather ear cushions facilitate long listening sessions without discomfort.
The Meze 99 ClassicsGo are highly praised for their standout walnut wood ear cups, premium build quality, and fully sustainable construction designed without the use of glue, allowing every single part to be easily disassembled and repaired with a simple screwdriver. Weighing only 260 grams, the headphones feature an exceptionally comfortable design with an automatic self-adjusting headband and memory foam ear pads that offer solid passive noise isolation. Acoustically, they feature a 40mm dynamic driver, a 15Hz–25KHz frequency response, and an impedance of 32 ohms, meaning they are incredibly easy to drive from any everyday smartphone, laptop, or gaming console, though adding an external DAC pushes their audio quality even higher. The reviewer specifically highlights their excellent "imaging" capabilities during casual video game testing in titles like Valorant, where they effectively positioned multi-directional sound cues without needing external software. Despite their high-tier aesthetic and clean, spacious sound signature that mimics a live concert environment, the reviewer notes a few definitive downsides to consider. First, at roughly $300, they require a significant financial investment that may not be suitable for budget-conscious...
The Meze 99 Classics V1 review praises the headphones as a long-standing, "all-terrain" legendary product that provides an exceptionally musical and fun listening experience for an entry-level audiophile price. The reviewer notes several prominent pros, highlighted by the premium build quality featuring authentic walnut wood ear cups, metal components, leather accents, and an entirely screw-assembled frame that avoids cheap glues and ensures high serviceability. Additionally, they offer outstanding, lightweight comfort via a self-adjusting leather headband and are highly power-efficient, making them fully enjoyable even when powered directly by lower-end smartphones. Sonically, they deliver a powerful, warm, and highly entertaining bass response that excels with electronic music, pop, and hip-hop, while maintaining a surprisingly decent soundstage and respectable image separation for a closed-back design.
The Meze 99 Classics are Romanian-made, closed-back HiFi headphones designed with a strong focus on longevity and repairability. Featuring 40mm drivers, a 32-ohm impedance, and a lightweight 260g build, they do not require an external DAC to operate efficiently. Key pros highlighted in the review include their exceptional, premium construction quality, which utilises CNC-milled wood and metal with absolutely no glued parts, ensuring everything can be easily repaired with screws. They also offer high levels of comfort for long listening sessions due to their self-adjusting headband and memory foam PU leather ear cups, while delivering a smooth, relatively neutral V-shaped sound profile with good instrument separation. On the downside, the reviewer notes that the premium wooden ear cups are delicate and prone to marking or scratching quite easily. The included braided cables are also prone to retaining kinks, making them difficult to straighten out initially after being stored in their pouch. In terms of pure audio performance, the high frequencies can sometimes feel recessed or pushed "to the background" due to the closed-back design. Ultimately, while the review concludes that...
The Meze 99 Classics are handmade, circumaural dynamic headphones featuring 40mm drivers and a highly sustainable, plastic-free construction of walnut wood, zinc, and spring steel. A major highlight is their user-friendly, fully repairable design where every single component—from the headband and earcups to the cables and jacks—can be easily replaced. The package is highly generous, including a semi-rigid travel case, an airplane adapter, a 6.3mm adapter, a 3-meter standard cable, and a 1.2-meter mobile-friendly cable equipped with an inline microphone and remote button. They deliver exceptional comfort and sealing via memory foam earpads and a self-adjusting, flexible leather headband that naturally molds to the user's head size without manual sliders. In terms of performance, the headphones offer a remarkably natural and neutral sound signature characterized by clear, highly legible mid-range frequencies and pure detail retrieval. However, they lack hard-hitting, powerful bass and exhibit noticeably dampened treble on uncorrected amplifiers, making them poorly suited for heavy, energetic genres like heavy metal. They only achieve adequate dynamic power when paired with a strong headphone amplifier, such as the iFi Zen Dac V2....
The Meze Audio 99 Classics closed-back headphones deliver a warm, balanced audio signature that excels at giving poorly recorded tracks a rhythmic, dynamic "boogie" factor without overly exposing their flaws. The reviewer notes several prominent strengths, including its spectacular real-wood CNC-machined aesthetics, an automated headband that provides a perfect "Goldilocks" comfort level, and a modular design where every part is easily user-replaceable. Sonic advantages include a deeper, more transparent bass response and a wider soundstage compared to other options like the Sony WH-1000XM2 or B&O H6, resulting in a versatile headphone that sounds beautiful across a variety of source gear and musical genres. However, the 99 Classics do present a few notable drawbacks. From a sonic perspective, they lack the absolute high-end detail and expansive openness found in the B&O H6. Care must also be taken with component matching; pairing them with a bass-heavy DAC like the Schiit Modius can overload the low frequencies, making the sound a bit too excessive. Additionally, the reviewer highlights minor functional compromises, including a noticeable audio degradation when using the short cable's integrated volume...
The Meze 99 Classics are circumaural closed-back headphones featuring 40 mm dynamic Mylar drivers with neodymium magnets, retail priced at €309.00. Hand-built in Romania by designer Antonio Meze, the construction boasts walnut wood ear cups, memory foam ear pads wrapped in leatherette, and a manganese-steel alloy headband. A key design highlight is that they are entirely repairable and sustainably built without any glue or solder, utilizing only screws for assembly. They have an impedance of 32 ohms and a high sensitivity of 103 dB, making them incredibly easy to drive directly from everyday mobile devices like smartphones. The packaging includes a rigid carrying case, a 1.2-metre cable with an inline microphone, a 3-metre home audio cable, a 6.35 mm jack adapter, and an aeroplane adapter. Sonically, the reviewer praises the headphones for their exceptional musicality, featuring a wide, spacious headstage that mimics an open-back design, clear mid-range vocals, clean high frequencies, and deep, well-articulated bass performance. Key pros include their outstanding structural build, long-lasting comfort during extended listening sessions, easy serviceability, and high noise isolation both from and to the...
The Meze 99 Classics are closed-back, circum-aural headphones featuring real wood earcups, 40mm dynamic drivers, and memory foam earpads wrapped in leatherette. Designed by Antonio Meze in Romania, these headphones stand out for their self-adjusting headband, lightweight design, and glueless construction assembled entirely with screws. They are highly efficient with an impedance of 32 Ohm, making them easy to drive directly from everyday smartphones. However, the reviewer notes that pairing them with a dedicated DAC/amp like the iFi Nano iDSD Black Label significantly expands the soundstage, enhances bass impact, and improves instrument separation. Musically, they offer an engaging, fun, and warm sonic signature that excels in bass-heavy and dynamic genres like pop and rap.
The review highlights the Meze Audio 99 Classics as a highly premium, "old-school" pair of wired headphones crafted with certified walnut wood and memory foam ear pads. Priced at 309€, they are praised for their exceptional, glue-and-plastic-free build quality and an immaculate attention to detail that spans a 45-day wood treatment process. On the performance side, the pros include a clean, brilliant, and distortion-free sound signature with solid bass, alongside a generous accessory package featuring a dual-plug flight adapter and a gold-plated 3.5mm to 6.3mm jack. However, the primary cons are the complete absence of modern tech functionalities—such as Bluetooth connectivity or Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)—meaning they rely entirely on a passive wired connection. In contrast, the Meze Audio 11 NEO (available in Iridium and Gun Metal variants) serves as the brand's more consumer-oriented, budget-friendly in-ear alternative priced at 59€. The pros of these wired earphones include a clean aesthetic, high-quality material construction that mirrors the premium feel of the 99 Classics, and a rich array of accessories like memory foam Comply ear tips to optimize isolation. Conversely, the cons...
The Meze 99 Classics circumaural headphones present a dual nature, excelling significantly as a mobile audio solution while falling short of standing out in a domestic desktop setup. On the positive side, the headphones feature an elegant, glue-free construction with high-quality walnut wood ear cups and an automatic headband adjustment system. They offer excellent passive isolation, remarkable ease of drive (requiring only 0.98V and 31mA), and highly convenient portability. Additionally, they come packaged in a robust, high-quality hard carrying case that has proven resilient under stress. Conversely, the headphones carry notable sonic and structural drawbacks when evaluated for critical home listening. In terms of cons, lab measurements reveal a heavy low-end bias—showing approximately 13 dB more bass than target responses—which frequently bleeds into and masks the mid-range and high frequencies. This bass emphasis creates an aggregated, sometimes muddled soundstage that makes complex genres like classical and metal difficult to enjoy. Furthermore, the microdynamics are weak, the impulse response is relatively slow, and higher levels of total harmonic distortion (THD%) are present across the lower frequencies. Lastly, the ear pads trap...
The review on [Stereo-Head]( buon-look-si-accompagna-ad-un-buon-sound-recensione) outlines the Meze 99 Classic as a premium, aesthetically striking version of the brand's popular 99 series headphones, priced at 299 euros. The reviewer notes a flawless, glue-free construction featuring smooth hazelnut wood cups and durable metal hardware, making the 250-gram chassis exceptionally comfortable for long listening sessions. Sonically, it moves away from an analytical, strictly audiophile sound signature, opting instead for a highly musical, warm, and engaging presentation. Powered by a 32-ohm driver, it performs efficiently even when plugged directly into a smartphone, delivering an expanded soundstage and deep, punchy bass that smoothly transitions into a natural midrange.
The Meze Audio 99 Classics are circumaural (over-ear), closed-back headphones crafted by the Romanian manufacturer Meze Audio, offering an exceptional quality-to-price ratio at around €300. Designed to wrap completely around the ears rather than press on them, they provide excellent comfort for long listening sessions without the overheating or pressure common to on-ear or in-ear models. With a highly favorable impedance of 32 ohms, these headphones are incredibly versatile and easy to drive directly from smartphones, tablets, or portable players without needing dedicated amplification. The premium packaging features a magnetic closure, a well-padded protective carrying case, gold-plated Y-cables, a flight adapter, and a 6.3 mm jack adapter. Sonically, the reviewer praises the headphones for delivering a full-bodied, engaging sound, particularly in the lower frequencies, which remain perfectly balanced and realistic rather than overwhelming. Following the Harman curve, the midrange is intentionally tuned to be slightly recessed between 2 kHz and 4 kHz to match human ear sensitivity and prevent auditory fatigue. The high frequencies are airy and detailed without being sharp or overly bright. In terms of cons, the reviewer...
Overview and Design The Meze 99 Classics is a closed-back, over-ear headphone developed by a young team in Baia Mare, Romania, and manufactured in China \[0.1.1\]. Priced at €299, it punches well above its weight class with a highly premium and aesthetic build that features CNC-milled solid walnut ear cups alongside metal accents in gold or aluminum \[0.1.1\]. The physical construction relies on a self-adjusting headband suspended between two flexible metal strips, offering great everyday comfort and reasonable isolation from outside noise \[0.1.1\]. The product comes packaged with a rich assortment of accessories, including a short mobile cable with an integrated microphone, a durable 3-meter Kevlar-reinforced cable, a flight adapter, and a hard shell carrying case \[0.1.1\]. Sound Performance, Pros, and Cons Audiographically, the headphone delivers a full-bodied, warm sound signature characterized by a silky-smooth treble presentation, making it exceptionally pleasant for listening to classical music \[0.1.1\]. The main pros highlight its high-end physical design, incredible material choice over standard plastics, rich accessory bundle, and deep overall musicality \[0.1.1\]. On the down side, the primary cons involve a prominent low-end...
The Meze 99 Classics is a closed-back, stylish headphone designed by Antonio Meze in Romania, retailing for around €309. It features unique, partly handcrafted walnut or ash wood ear cups that give it an elegant aesthetic suitable for both casual and formal wear. The headphone is highly praised for its exceptional comfort, lightweight build (260 grams), self-adjusting headband, and excellent passive noise isolation, making it highly suitable for public transport. Sonically, it delivers a massive, spacious soundstage with a warm, colored audio profile that emphasizes lush, deep bass and detailed, clear mid and high frequencies. It is very easy to drive across various devices and features a fully modular, screwed-together design for effortless parts replacement. However, the reviewer noted several drawbacks, including the headphone's inability to fold and its bulky hard-shell carrying case, which limit its portability. While the prominent bass is warm and smooth, it can occasionally feel loose or lack tightness at high volumes due to the pressure buildup of the closed-back design. Purists looking for a flat, analytical response may be turned off by this coloration. Additionally,...
The Meze 99 Classics Gold is a closed-back headphone constructed with a solid wood body and designed by industrial designer Antonio Meze. Retailing at €309, this headphone is highly praised for its beautiful aesthetic, exceptional comfort, and a pleasingly warm, detailed, and clear sound signature that outperforms many competitors in its price range. The user-friendly design and choice of natural materials successfully position it as a distinctive style statement for fashion-conscious audio enthusiasts. Despite these highlights, the reviewer and community feedback point out a few specific drawbacks. The audio performance can become overly warm and muddy when paired with a highly powerful amplifier. Additionally, mechanical contact with the metal frame causes structural noise to ring through the ear units. One user also noted that the headband clamping force feels quite tight on the head, though this might be something users get used to over time.
The reviewer modified the Meze 99 Classics headphones to unleash their full acoustic potential, specifically addressing a deep but loose, uncontrolled bass and mechanical "twang" feedback from the steel headbands. By opening the service-friendly earcups, he replaced the internal porous foam with a meticulously measured amount of Twaron Angelhair (originally referred to as Kevlar wool) damping material. Additionally, he applied industrial-quality 3M self-adhesive foam strips to damp the vibrating steel headband structure. These reversible, low-cost modifications successfully elevated the headphone's subjective sound quality rating from a 7 to an 8. Key Pros & Cons Pros: Out of the box, the headphones offer exceptional value for their €300 price tag, an incredibly beautiful CNC-milled wooden interior, and an outstanding build quality rated at 10/10. The hardware is highly service-friendly with no glue or sealant, allowing for easy disassembly and repairs. Following the internal dampening tweak, the sound signature balances beautifully: the high frequencies gain clarity and detail, while the sub-bass tightens, tracks deeper, and loses its boomy hollow resonance. Cons: In their stock configuration, the headphones suffer from an over-emphasised, muddy...
FWD Magazine's review highlights the Meze 99 ClassicGo as a highly impressive, visually stunning, and fun-sounding closed-back headphone that far outperforms its price competitors in presentation and soundstage. The primary pros include its breathtaking, flawless aesthetic featuring smoothly sanded walnut earcups, a remarkably lightweight 260-gram chassis, and a highly professional retail package complete with a hard carrying case, three types of cables, and travel adapters. Acoustically, the reviewer was highly surprised by its high fun-factor, excellent clarity/definition, deep and wide soundstage that beats similarly priced closed-back rivals, and its low impedance which allows it to be easily driven directly from a standard smartphone. Conversely, the review notes prominent cons concerning both sub-bass audio fidelity and physical clamping comfort. The biggest sonic con is its loose low-end response, which lacks tighter control and produces noticeable distortion on tracks with heavy sub-bass energy, occasionally causing the audio balance to derail. Ergonomically, the lightweight spring-steel headband arches create a tight, uncomfortable clamping force that seals well for passive isolation but traps ear heat and tightly presses against the ears. The reviewer recommends physically...
Compare
