Antonio Meze is the founder and chief designer behind Meze Audio, a company he started in 2011 in Baia Mare, Romania. In its early days, the brand operated under the name Meze Headphones before evolving into what is known as Meze Audio.

The idea for the company took shape long before its official launch. While working as a product designer, Antonio traveled extensively and struggled to find a pair of headphones that truly resonated with him. He was searching for more than just sound performance, he wanted something with character and emotional appeal.

This led him to begin experimenting with headphone design using off-the-shelf components. From the outset, one element stood out: the use of real wood for the ear cups. At a time when most manufacturers relied heavily on plastic, this choice gave Meze identity right from the very beginning.

After several years of refinement, Meze reached a turning point in 2015 with the release of the Meze 99 Classics. Designed and built entirely in-house, this model quickly gained recognition among audiophiles for its unique aesthetics and musical presentation.

Building on that legacy, Meze Audio continued to refine and evolve its formula, leading us to the next chapter in the series: The Meze 99 Classics 2nd Edition, which we will explore in this review.

Build quality:
The overall build quality is impressive. Everything is well put together, without any sense of compromise. The walnut wood earcups are not only visually striking but also carefully finished, giving each unit a slightly unique look. 

Despite their lightweight, they never feel flimsy or cheaply made. The headband has a solid metal frame with a gold-toned support structure that not only adds rigidity but also anchors the suspended strap.

Instead of using a traditional adjustment mechanism, Meze opted for a self-adjusting headband. It looks sleek and works effortlessly. You simply put them on and they settle into place. It is a small detail, but it makes a (real) difference.

The earpads are made of leather and strike a good balance between softness and breathability. The inner foam has a memory effect, allowing it to gently form around the ears. This helps with comfort during listening sessions without creating pressure points.

One of the more practical additions in this second generation is the USB-C dongle. It performs well enough to make the headphone easy to use with phones or computers straight out of the box. The included case is sturdy and compact, offering good protection without being overly bulky.

Meze Audio also considered those who prefer the original 99 Classics tuning. The headphone comes with acoustic absorbers that can be placed inside the earcups to adjust the sound. With these installed, the presentation becomes warmer and more laid-back. Brightness is reduced and a stronger bass is present, bringing it closer to the original 99 Classics signature.

The design is fully serviceable, meaning parts can be replaced if needed. This adds to the long-term value and makes the headphone a product you can keep for years, rather than replace it if something breaks.

Comfort
Comfort is where the Meze 99 Classics really stands out. The spacious earcups, soft padding and the self-adjusting headband makes them easy to wear for hours, whether you are at home or working at a desk. This approach fits perfectly with their intended use. They strike a nice balance between immersion and awareness, without feeling closed-in or overly isolating.

The biggest factor here is clearly its weight. This makes a real difference over time. Many audiophile headphones tend to be on the heavier side, which can become tiring, but the 99 Classics avoid that completely.

Isolation is kept on the lighter side, which helps the Meze 99 Classics maintain their open and natural presentation. Rather than sealing you off completely, they allow a bit of the outside world to remain present, which can actually feel more relaxed during longer listening sessions.

Specifications

• Type: Closed-back, over-ear
• Driver: 40 mm dynamic
• Frequency response: 15 Hz – 25 kHz
• Impedance: 16 Ω
• Sensitivity: 103 dB SPL/mW @ 1 kHz
• Total harmonic distortion: < 0.1% @ 1 kHz

Build & Design

• Ear cups: Walnut wood
• Headband: Steel frame with self-adjusting strap
• Earpads: Memory foam with protein leather
• Weight: 290 g

Connectivity

• Connector: Dual 3.5 mm TS
• Cable: 1.8 m OFC, Kevlar reinforced

In the Box

• Carry case
• 6.3 mm adapter
• USB-C dongle DAC
• Acoustic Absorbers
• Cable pouch

Test equipment:

• Luxsin X9
• Burson Stellar Conductor
• Ibasso DX270 R2R

Sound Quality
The original 99 Classics already set a high standard and this second iteration lives up to that reputation with ease. Instead of searching for specific songs to test them, you can simply enjoy the music as it comes. The presentation is engaging and draws you in. It is easy to listen to and before you know it, you are already a few tracks in.

The 99 classics 2nd’s character can best be described as analog and fun. It has a warmth and natural touch that feels closer to spinning up vinyl than listening to digital files. The sound comes across as organic, smooth and easy to connect with.

Treble
The treble has a pleasant extension with enough detail to keep things interesting. The Classic 99’s never becomes sharp or fatiguing. There is a smoothness to the top end that works especially well. Despite the smooth presentation, the highs retain their detail. Nothing feels missing, it is simply delivered without sharp edges.

Instruments like cymbals and strings come through with a natural tone, without sounding overly bright or analytical. Jazz and classical recordings benefit from this approach, as the highs gently blend into the midrange rather than standing apart. This gives the overall presentation a well-balanced and refined character.

Midrange
The Meze 99 Classics truly shines in the midrange. It sits slightly forward and delivers a rich, full-bodied presentation. Vocals are a clear highlight. Both male and female voices sound natural, with good weight and texture. There is a sense of intimacy that makes vocal-driven tracks especially enjoyable.

Instruments such as acoustic guitars, piano and strings come across with warmth and realism. The level of detail is strong, but smooth enough not to sound clinical. Everything feels well spaced, with enough room to avoid congestion.

Bass
Bass is not tuned for maximum impact or speed, but for well-balanced musicality. It reaches low enough to give a satisfying foundation, without ever feeling dominant or overpowering.

There is a gentle warmth in the low end that supports the midrange nicely. Instead of a punchy or aggressive bass, you get a rounder and more relaxed presentation. This fits perfectly with the overall tuning of the 99 Classics. It is not a basshead headphone, but it offers enough body to keep things engaging, especially with acoustic, jazz and rock recordings.

Soundstage & Imaging
Imaging is surprisingly solid for a closed-back design. Vocals and instruments are placed slightly in front of the listener, creating a natural and easy-to-follow presentation. The soundstage is not overly wide, but it has a balanced sense of width and depth that works well for most genres. Nothing feels cramped and the overall presentation remains well-balanced and enjoyable.

Pairing
The Meze 99 Classics are versatile and work well across a wide range of genres. Acoustic music, jazz, classical, and rock all benefit from their warm and engaging tuning. 

If there is one area where they feel less convincing, it would be fast-paced electronic music. With genres like EDM, the 99 Classics do not quite match the speed and impact that planar headphones typically can. Beyond that, they are easy to recommend for nearly any other type of music.

Listening impressions
Please allow me to walk you through a few music tracks to highlight the Meze 99 classics strenghts and capabilities.

Keith Jarret paris concert (live)
The Meze 99 classics’s gave this recording a natural flow without feeling like a clinical breakdown. The piano had weight and body, especially in the lower registers, rounded but never muddy. The 2nd Gen tuning helped here, with better note separation, so fast passages did not blur together. While it may not reveal every micro-detail, you do get a convincing sense of space and timing. The room ambience is present, just not exaggerated.

Pergolesi: Stabat Mater; Salve Regina – Christopher Hogwood – II Soprano. Cuius Animam Gementem
This is where the improved midrange pays off. The soprano sat cleanly in the mix, with a smooth and controlled presentation. There were no harsh edges in the upper mids, which made longer listening a nice experience. Strings had decent texture, though they leaned slightly warm. The overall presentation felt well-balanced and musical. 

Ultimate Sinatra – I’ve got you under my skin
Vocals are the 99 classics specialty. Sinatra’s voice had clarity and warmth, giving it a rich and intimate tone. The orchestra behind him sounded well layered, though not hyper-separated. Brass had enough bite without becoming aggressive. The Meze kept everything smooth and enjoyable, focusing on the groove rather than analytical detail.

Wynton Marsalis – The feeling of Jazz
Wynton Marsalis’ track benefited from the Meze’s easy-going but structured presentation. Trumpet lines were clean and controlled, with enough presence to stand out without becoming piercing. The bass had a nice punch and rhythm, giving the track a nice momentum. Instrument separation was good for a closed-back, but the emphasis stayed on the overall musical flow.

• Warm and engaging sound
• Excellent midrange and vocals
• Smooth, non-fatiguing treble
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Premium build with real materials
• Easy to drive
• Great value for money

Cons

• Limited speed and impact
• Not for bassheads
• Average isolation
• Technical performance not class-leading

Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd product page