Meze Audio 99 Classics V2 Over-Ear Headphones

Product Description

Since their release in 2015, the 99 Classics have undeniably left a big impact on the headphone cultural landscape. In this sense, they have become iconic, a symbol. The Meze Audio 99 Classics V2 headphones come with a number of meaningful enhancements, all while preserving the spirit of the original. Everything that made the original headphone an instant classic is still present – the magnetic and inviting sound, the seamless comfort, the use of premium materials, the timeless design aesthetic – it’s all here. However, upon closer inspection and audition, the enhancements become more apparent.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

The 2nd Gen 99 Classics moves the signature closer to a balanced, neutral target. Bass remains engaging yet slightly more restrained, allowing midrange and treble details to emerge with greater clarity. The result is a more versatile headphone that retains the musical warmth of the original while offering improved overall balance and detail retrieval. A refined matching process, using a mixed cosine function combined with level-adjustment algorithms, reduces inter-driver variance in the mid and high frequencies. The result is improved stereo image stability and a more consistent listening experience across pairs. The rebalanced tuning, enhanced acoustic consistency, and optimized internal geometry work together to improve stereo imaging and instrument separation, providing a more open and spacious soundstage.

REIMAGINED DESGIN

The internal cup volume has been increased. A larger volume shifts cavity resonances downward and reduces standing-wave interactions, enhancing control in the low-frequency region and aligning with the new tuning goals. The 2nd Gen introduces precision sealing at all key junctions. This improved sealing enables the use of a dedicated bass vent integrated into the jack shell, providing better control over lower frequencies, improved left–right consistency, and higher unit-to-unit reproducibility. The baffle has been re-engineered with acoustic transparency in mind. A more open grille and streamlined structural beams reduce diffraction and acoustic impedance in front of the driver, minimizing high-frequency artifacts. The ear pads have been reshaped to adjust and increase the front cavity volume, refining the midrange balance toward the intended target. The attachment system has evolved from a stretch-skirt to a clip-on mechanism, ensuring fixed orientation, reducing variability, and simplifying replacement.

The stock cable now uses a dual-twisted, Kevlar-sheathed OFC conductor. This maintains excellent electrical performance while improving tangle resistance, mechanical durability, and flexibility.The input socket has been enlarged to 7 millimeters in diameter. This ensures compatibility with both slim-profile and larger-bodied 3.5 mm shells, welcoming a wider range of cables, including the premium hand-braided copper and silver ones. Reflecting today’s usage patterns, a compact USB-C DAC/AMP is now included to ensure optimal performance with modern devices that lack dedicated headphone outputs.

ONE OF A KIND CRAFTSMANSHIP

When it comes to wood patterns, there are never two alike. Age, color, texture, and grain come into play to create a pair of headphones as unique as you. The process of crafting a single pair of ear cups takes up to 8 hours, while sanding, lacquering, and finishing extend over 45 days. Slowly air-dried to preserve its rich tones, the wood is then carefully inspected, ensuring that no imperfections pass through. Treasured for its rich, dark color and beautiful grain, walnut wood is strong and durable, yet lightweight. The cups are CNC-machined, then hand-finished, stained, and polished. The vertically self-adjusting vegan leather headband, in combination with a spring steel band with a large active area, delivers a level of comfort that has been praised throughout the headphones industry. For those seeking a sound closer to the original 99 Classics, the 2nd Gen comes with a set of acoustic absorbers, allowing you to shift the balance towards a warmer signature. The frame’s metal hardware is crafted from cast zinc alloy, then electroplated to a delicate matte gold tone.