MEZE 99 CLASSICS V2 HEADPHONES REVIEW
The Meze 99 Classics V2 Headphones are an update of the Romanian brand’s MEZE 99 CLASSICS that HiFi PiG reviewed back in 2019. Oscar Stewart takes a listen for HiFi PiG.
Hailing from Romania, Meze Audio have been around for quite some time now and makes a wide range of headphones and earphones. 10 years ago, they released one of their most important products, the 99 Classics, which became a huge hit and has enjoyed success ever since.
I reviewed the original, and they had a warm, full sound that was easy on the ears and highly enjoyable. Fast forward to 2025, and Meze have updated this model with a new tuning and a few other tweaks. Let’s check out this update to a classic.
BUILD QUALITY AND FEATURES OF THE MEZE 99 CLASSICS V2
If you took a quick look at the new model, you’d think they are just the same as the old, and largely they are. They share the same familiar headband with a self-adjusting comfort strap, and the same walnut earcups; however, there are some changes. The sockets for the cable are now a little wider and shallower to allow easier use with aftermarket cables; the sockets also now feature a small integrated bass port. The internal volume of the cups has been enlarged; couple this with a new tuning that aims to be a little closer to neutral, and you have improved control over the bass, as well as creating more space for your ears. This brings me on to the earpads, which have a slightly different shape. They also feature a new clip-on system, which maintains a fixed orientation for consistent frequency response. Lastly, there is improved acoustic sealing, a new front baffle, and improved driver matching – allowing for closer consistency between units and reduced baffle diffraction.
So, you get the same excellent build quality with easily replaceable parts, alongside a few updates to the original design that aim to make these a little more neutral and balanced. Don’t worry, though, if you enjoyed the original sound, Meze are providing a foam tuning pad that aims to deliver a sound that is closer to that of the original model. They also have a new twisted cable, the same that comes with the 105 Silva, and include a new 3.5mm to USB-C dongle in the box so you can easily use them with your phone. With their impedance being 16 Ohms and sensitivity of 103dB/mW @1kHz, these are nice and easy to drive, so using them with the included dongle, DAP, or external DAC/Amp is enough to power these with ease.
The original design was very comfortable, and the new model is a little better due to the slightly better shape of the earpads and larger cup size. I had no issues wearing these for hours on end. I absolutely love the self-adjusting top comfort pad; it works flawlessly, and these are quite lightweight headphones at only 290g, making them an excellent choice for long listening sessions.
Another nice touch is the new box, which is made from fully recyclable cardboard, eliminating plastic and foam, reducing the environmental impact. Meze has always championed sustainability in their designs, with easily replaceable parts, and this takes that a step further.
SOUND QUALITY
I’ve been using these at my desk with my main setup, the SMSL D6s > iFi iCAN Phatom > 99 Classics V2, using Roon with local CD rips and Qobuz streaming. I also used them out of the Activo P1 DAP and with the included USB-C dongle, as they are so easy to drive, changes in sound tend to be down to the source tuning and not power output.
Starting with the standard new tuning (without additional absorbers).
Let’s Cheers To This by Sleeping With Sirens came on, a bit of a throw-back song/album for me, and these instantly put a smile on my face. Kellin’s OTT high-pitched vocals coming across with presence and clarity; the bass still kicks hard with these, yet there is less bloat and fullness compared to the original model. The sound is dynamic and engaging, they have a tuning that’s more like the 105 AER, in that is adds a subtle warmth that adds a little flavour without sounding too dark. The guitars have great bite, snares are snappy, and cymbals crash around without harshness. Being a closed-back headphone, these don’t have that airiness that open-backs often have, yet it works to their advantage in the 99 Classics V2 – with a slightly more up-front and energetic presentation. There is still great instrument separation here, and they don’t sound congested.
Next up was Deep Red by Movements, and the grungy bass line is articulate and full, vocals come in with great emotion and depth. These are fantastic headphones for rock music, in my opinion. Every drum hit is well placed, the bass line is clear instead of sounding thick and bloated, kicks have good impact and body, whilst guitars and vocals come across with great accuracy. This isn’t a neutral tuning; it is still a little on the fun side, with a bit of added body and energy in places, yet it doesn’t throw off the overall sound of these. The treble is very well presented here; it’s clear and precise, airy yet smooth, and never fatiguing. Something that stands out here is the transient response, as the old versions were quite smooth and full, they didn’t always sound that snappy. The V2 fixes that, and these come across as snappier during more complex sections.
On My Page by Courtney Marie Andrews came up whilst listening to these, a beautiful song by this American singer-songwriter, and one that has a lush and smooth presentation on the 99 Classics V2. There is effortless body on this track, yet it doesn’t smooth over the details, her vocals coming across with natural timbre and nuance. The soft finger-picked guitar with excellent articulation, allowing you to hear every note, and when the bass kicks in, there is body aplenty without overshadowing the rest of the song. The piano in the background, the guitar lines, articulate bass, and vocals all come together in perfect harmony here.
Thinking about it, these are very good headphones from a subjective point of view, and they do what they set out to do extremely well. There are headphones with such clarity that they can take away some of the enjoyment of listening to music, like a digital camera that catches everything in perfect detail and sharpness. The 99 Classics V2 are like a film photo, where there is a pleasant look/sound that’s quite captivating, rather than focusing on being technically perfect. And I say that as someone who shoots both digital and film, just like I have headphones with a range of sound signatures, and solid-state and valve amps.
Now, Meze have decided to include an additional pair of foam discs that fit underneath the earpad (between the earpad and baffle), and these are designed to make the V2 sound a little closer to the original model in terms of overall sound signature. So I decided to fit these in and listen to a couple more tracks.
Up first was Wait and Bleed by Slipknot, an iconic track and one that gained a thicker sound with the additional tuning pad. As someone who normally enjoys a slightly cleaner presentation, this change wasn’t necessarily something to my taste, yet the more I listened, the more I can appreciate why some will love these with the additional pad fitted. It tones down the treble a touch, and the warmer sound is going to please those who cannot stand a fatiguing signature. Meze knows how to do warm sound without it being boring, and these have a full sound that has plenty of body yet refrains from sounding closed in or muddled. The L/R panned guitars here are well placed, whilst Corey’s aggressive vocals cut through, blast beats are well separated and soft yet detailed treble is in evidence. It loses a little clarity overall compared to no tuning pad, yet the overall signature is still musical and punchy.
Midnight Rocker by Bedouin Soundclash is a track that benefits from this slightly warmer sound, the funky bassline intro being wonderfully full and articulate, and it remains so throughout the song. Luckily, the mids are not as affected by this tuning foam, and they still cut through with great clarity and tonality, whilst the guitars are well placed within the soundstage. The drums happily do their thing, and the cymbal crashes are still delivered with energy and shimmer, without ever sounding harsh. This is a groovy song and one that has an additional fun factor when listening on headphones, such as these, they’ll get your head bopping along to the music in no time.
So, the tuning foam brings them closer in sound to the original, with that smooth, warm presentation, yet they still have some V2 magic which shines through in the way these handle detail and staging. These are still more dynamic, controlled, and spacious than the original and are a good step up in sound quality.
QUIBBLES
Not a proper quibble, yet these are undoubtedly a Meze-tuned headphone, which means they are quite fun and engaging – you may want to look elsewhere if you want that last ounce of refinement and neutrality.
CONCLUSION
10 years, 10 improvements, and one headphone that has become quite an icon in head-fi circles. This new model brings them up a notch in sound, and without the additional tuning pads, they are a more refined headphone in every way. They have clarity, control, energy, and most of all, they are fun – they might not be technically perfect, but subjectively they are a fantastic-sounding headphone for the money.
Now, if you enjoy the warmer, smoother nature of the OG model, Meze has you covered with the tuning pads that bring them closer in sound to their predecessor. This gives the 99 Classics V2 a fuller, warmer sound that is sure to please fans of the OG, along with winning over those who want a fuller-sounding headphone.
Meze has done a great job at updating this classic, and these are headphones that put a smile on my face – so they must be doing something right.
AT A GLANCE
Build Quality And Features:
Same excellent build as the original, now with easier-to-replace earpads and a nicer cable
I love the inclusion of a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle for mobile phone users
Sound Quality:
Engaging, balanced, and fun
Spacious and well separated
Tuning pads give you the option for a fuller, warmer sound
Value For Money:
Whilst these are a tiny bit more than the original, the refinements more than balance that out, and these are still a fantastic value for money
We Loved:
The comfort and sound quality
The ability to have two different tunings
We Didn’t Love So Much:
Nothing to note
Elevator Pitch Review: If you are in the market for a closed-back headphone that offers a well-balanced yet still engaging sound, you cannot go far wrong with the new 99 Classics V2. Whilst the original was renowned for its warm, full sound, these now give listeners a more balanced sound that’s still fun and smile inducing. Meze has even included a pair of tuning pads so that you can get them closer to the original sound, yet they will still have better control, detail, and sound staging. All-round these are an incredibly enjoyable pair of headphones to listen to, and well worth an audition should you have the chance.
Price: £349 / €349
Oscar Stewart
SUPPLIED SPECIFICATION
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Driver Size: 40 mm
- Frequency Range: 15 Hz – 25 kHz
- Impedance: 16 Ω
- Sensitivity: 103 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
- Input Connector: Dual 3.5 mm TS Jack
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.1% at 1 kHz
- Ear Cups: Walnut Wood
- Weight: 290 g (10.23 oz)
