Meze 99 Classic

I am also looking at these. Surprisingly difficult to find a good closed headphone! The Meze could be a good option. They are like almost like half the price of the PM3 here in Europe its seems, so seems to be much better value for money than the PM3. Looking forward to hear more impressions.

 

I was sent a review set of these, and I dislike them a lot. They're like a bad closed X2 to me, as well as being on-ear and uncomfortable for me (as a guy with a large head.)

Considering what these costs, the PM3 and the ZMF Classic seem like better headphones by quite a bit. Used LFF Paradox's are also available at this price point.

 

New review

http://headphone.guru/meze-99-classic-headphones/

 

Huh, they're much closer in price in the US... In fact you can often net the PM3 for $319 if you order them refurbished from Oppo (they've got a short wait list going right now, think the rep told me I was #4 last week).

Then again, there's also a 10% discount code floating around for the Meze that can knock them down to like $280 new, valid thru April IIRC (check Steve Huff's photography blog, if I'm remembering right).

 

The PM3 seems to retail for about 530€(about $600) And the Meze for 309€ ($309) here in Europe. If import from Oppo US will have to pay import tax...

 

The 10% discount code is still working

 

New review

 

Decently descriptive, at least as far as the build and whatnot, but zero sound comparisons with other closed headphones outside of a vague remark about the Fostex (less bass than the TH-X00 probably describes a whole lot of things!)... Ugh.

Also, must've not looked very hard at the Meze site he had open if he couldn't figure out where to buy them, nor did he notice there's actually three variations (walnut + silver rather than gold). All in all, that review provided very little new info.

 

Another review

http://inearspace.com/2016/04/01/meze-99-classics-music-masses/

 

CANJAM SOCAL 2016: BEST IN SHOW

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2016/04/04/canjam-socal-2016-best-in-show/

 

I received email that the walnut silver version will ship with bigger earpads. 10 mm increase in height and width, while depth remains the same. Seems like Tyll changed his mind about these, they did not knock the HP50 of the wall...

 

Interesting because I have pre-ordered the Walnut Silver version.

 

I assume that they will also sell the bigger pads for the gold version at some point.

 

It always seems to take him a while from when he comes out and says something is going on the WoF (within a review) until when he actually puts it there and displaces whatever else, maybe @Tyll Hertsens forgot to adjust the rest of the list this time around.

Personally, I think it's weird to have half a dozen $200-400 closed can recommendations on that list (with basically nothing above them save for the Shures), and then only two open headphone recommendations at the same price point within the open part of the list.

It's like the sealed headphone list is being dictated by a "no child left behind" sorta policy whereas the open list has Asian parents as their selection committee.

 

I have received a confirmation from Meze that new Walnut Silver version will come with the larger pads.

Old pads Interior size was: H 5.5 cm x W 4 cm
New pads Interior size is: H 6.5 cm x W 5 cm

 

Interesting, pretty sizeable increase. I don't understand why manufacturers don't go as big as possible from the start if there's room to do so.

 

Yes, can't wait to get my pair. (In 2 weeks)

 

I just received a pair of 99 Classic Gold. First impressions: much better looking in real life, even with the gold
Earpads are snug, but fit is comfortable. More comfortable than the Focals or NAD I have had. Sound impression follows later...

 

Any more impressions of these? They seem interesting, seems they stack up well against the PM-3 which is my go-to portable reference can.

Might just bite the bullet and try then out.

 

I heard them a few weeks ago at a meet, meh. I'd really need some time at home with them, but they didn't wow me at the meet.