Massdrop x Meze 99 Noir

Okay, so I've been meaning for ages to get ears on the 99 series after reading Tyll's glowing review on IF a few years back. To this date I've yet to get ears on them for any reasonable amount of time, but eh. Philippine post sucks ass, there's been a 99 Classic "lost" in the system for about two months now? Yeah I am pissed.

Anywho these look pretty damn nice, but I'm a fan of the Classics' warmer look. The old thread seems to have been given second wind thanks to the Empyrean, but might be interesting to hear fresh thoughts on these given how popular the line seems to be and whether there's anything new on the table.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-meze-99-noir-closed-back-headphones

EDIT:
For better or for worse these seem to have the exact same tuning as the current-production 99s, which I remember some thought a step back from the original 99 Classics. Welp.

 

I was hoping these went back to the 'OG' tuning, but the Classics are supposed to be better than the Neo.

I demoed the Neo on loaner, and they do respond well to pad rolling, which is what the change was IIRC between the new & old classics. My AT M40X pads brought the Neo within shouting distance of the OG Classics (from admittedly imperfect memory). Take that with a grain of salt obviously, but I'd love to see some measurements to bear that out.

 

Can't speak to the sound, but these are some of the best looking 'phones I have ever seen. Dead sexy.

 

I personally like the new tuning on the 99c over the old. The old I had some comfort issues on those pads and thought the bass was a bit much.

My 99c don't see all that much usage lately, been using my iems. When I do take them out and about, I do notice it tends to turn heads.

 

The 99c are probably my favorite closed cans. $199 is a good price.

 

Massdrop has a way of taking headphones that were not previously black and improving them by making them black. Also they improve the sound, but mostly-

Mmm, black.

 

Well it looks like I will be getting these as a X-Mas gift from the mother in law (whenever they ship). Iv'e never gotten to hear the 99 Classics and I like how they look, so figured why not ask the wife.

Just looking for another flavor to add to the collection.

 

I had the original 99C. The smaller pads became unglued and I received a new "bigger" pair. Newer pads bass was more boomy and boxy sounding compared to the older ones. With newer pads they where even more bassy than my M100's. I was as dissapointed as Tyll was. Apparently there are a few more iterations of the pads. I had the MKIII. Looking at the pads on the Massdrop version, they seem to be bigger than what I had and more plush. Great closed cans otherwise. Very enjoyable in the same vein as the CAL!

 

I had what I gather was the newer Classics and the bass was boomy and boxy, as you said. Felt totally disconnected from the rest of the sound. Strongly preferred the HP50 to them and sold the Classics.