Meze Liric 2 Headphone Review - Much Improved. Another Contender.

Thanks to Meze for the pre-release loan of Liric 2!
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Timestamps…
00:00 Intro, Pricing, Disclaimer
01:53 Shameless Self Promotion
02:18 What is Liric 2?
02:54 Key Takeaways
05:17 Specs
06:11 Packaging & Accessories
09:41 Intended Use Cases
10:35 Build
15:54 Test Gear
20:04 Sound
29:17 Drivability & Signal Chain Sensitivity
36:29 Comparison w/ DCA E3
38:55 Comparison w/ Focal Radiance
42:34 Conclusions

[@Michael_mki233]

You're finally part of the Important reviewers! 🤣

[@hemispherecompensation]

WaveTheory killing it

[@Starsunder81]

definitely one of my favorite sound gear reviewers. i trust your reviews more than probably anyones (Sajid Amit also rocks)

[@aceofspades6667]

This vs caldera closed will be interesting. Big price difference but still should be closed competitors. Very impressive the improvements meze has been able to make.

[@heyguyslolGAMING]

great review, tyvm.

[@SinisterSerp]

I'm currently out of audio gear market, but I always trusted your reviews the most. Glad to see headphone companies understand your value.

[@TheMaurob1979]

Awesome review as always..and also good choice from meze to release a close back..becouse looking at the market right now..mostly are making open back..

[@zenboy2000]

Great review dude, although I watched your focal radiance review, this review has made me want one even more, I occasionally see them used around £800 so will be on the look out for when one pops up again.

[@anncleverley4721]

Just love you. I buy because of you.

[@wavetheorysound]

😊 Thank you. That's also too much power to give any one person 😆

[@delta9k]

It doesn't suck - It looks good, Nice!

[@David-fo6oy]

This hard working chap needs 50,000 subs!

[@Zero-oq1jk]

I asking myself, how the fact that Meze highlighted you by sending you this headphones, impacted overall outcome. Would review be the same if they didn't.

[@cdotwu]

Congrats on 400 videos uploaded. I can't believe how much content you pump out. How many videos do you shoot a week?

[@Silverjerk]

Appreciate the E3 comparison. The one disappointment I had with that set was specifically the lack of impact. I usually reach for the Radiance or an EQ’d LCD-X if that’s what I’m looking for, but they’re both missing one thing or another. Looks like the Liric 2 might potentially act as a good bridge between my “fun” and detail sets.

[@bluemonstrosity259]

They added a bass port specifically in the E3 to improve impact but it seems to be an issue still. I guess it's just a consequence of overdamping your headphones.

[@robovirtuoso1354]

I almost believed you about the Radiance, but then you mentioned "cable picky".

[@rogerhuston8287]

Wow, I know many people loved V1, I wonder if they will li,e the changes.

[@liujun050612]

As an E3 owner and to my ears, E3 does not sound fatiguing like audeze lcd5, and I can listen to E3 for at least 4 hours without problem. The only downside is it is very hard to drive. Although extremely portable, Almost like a desktop only headphones. I will hold this until the new Stellia release.

[@shawnpwatsons1]

Scary. I'd be afraid to send you anything....lol. You're a tough customer. So glad they have a hit with this one.

[@wavetheorysound]

The truth can hurt! Lol. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

Is that the new ZMF headphones behind you, right by Tungsten?

[@muhamadsyazwanfaid1739]

If I have a Mojo 2, and crazy with its EQ, which one should I get?

[@Luci-kun]

How are these for metal? What are your favorite headphones for the genre?

[@astifcaulkinyeras]

Any reason to buy a Liric 2 or LCD-XC (2021) if I already own an E3?

[@chungang7037]

23:50 This is an important point, too much detail can become fatiguing

[@goldenstasgs]

Hello! I have Liric 1. Should I change it what do you think? I ll have it on test next week.

[@kajetan9550]

Oh I’m excited about Wandla review! Are you testing the Golden sound version already? I’m waiting to switch to it

[@wavetheorysound]

OG. Cameron says he's going to try to get one of his revisions to me, but doesn't know how long that will take.

[@kajetan9550]

@@wavetheorysound isn’t it just a matter of a software update? Friend of a friend had one months ago for testing already. The only physical thing to change is the voltage divider for the 4V output, but all the remaining features are purely software I’m told

[@yogiwp_]

How do these compare against the Bokeh? (Different class I know, but they're the only closed back I have)

[@MWeston2]

I really like energetic headphones, even at work and so there are some more comparisons that I would be interested in. I would be curious how the DCA E3 and LCD-XC compare and work into the mix for rock/metal listening....should you read this. 😀

[@wavetheorysound]

I felt no need to EQ Liric 2. LCD-XC (2021) is going to be more dynamically forward with more impact. It's also much heavier and less comfortable. It's been too long since I've heard LCD-XC to go into details on how the other technicalities compare.

[@JTB--]

I'm curious if these would be good Gaming Headphones?

[@wavetheorysound]

I'm the wrong guy to ask. I don't really game anymore. But, on the right amp, probably pretty good!

[@hiraksarma3068]

aha, I hear Wandla, hoping for a review soon, also any possibility of 300B OTC tube amps review in the horizon?

[@666PANDEMONIUM]

Fantastic review, did you try to EQ these and how would you compare these to a set of EQ'd Carbon Fiber Audeze LCD-XCs?

[@wavetheorysound]

See my reply to @@MWeston2

[@Dan.M821]

Hi, which one would be the best upgrade for LCD-2C - Elite, Empy1 or Liric2? I am very glad with the overall sound signature and lush, full body, laid back tonal balance of 2C so I am not looking for something different but something similar with some technical improvent. Thanks.

[@joggometer5393]

Lush, laid back, full body...that screams empyrean all day. I still love it and more detail (empy 2) does not equal better for me. As a whole empy 1 is still my best headphone I've listened to and or owned at some point. Furthermore your can tweak the Empyrean with the angled Alcantara pads and then I'm sure only the most critical listeners favouring the analytical type will still find them missing something in the details. They are really unique and it's hard to find music material they don't sound at least great.

[@davec2007]

Literally two far better closed back options on the wall behind him. If you drop 2K on this blind i really hope you get one of the non-defective ones.

[@mikef5659]

"It's not going to be a headphone that jumps out and grabs you and wow's you". That's very sad for a $2000 headphone. What are these companies thinking selling a headphone for $2000. Or the people buying a headphone that wave theory describes as a "good" headphone. I have good headphones that cost under $300. Pretty crazy.

[@wavetheorysound]

I think a bit more care is needed here. Presumably, since you're here, you're also a music lover. How many times have you heard a new song or new artist and not been immediately impressed, but then over time and after hearing them again for whatever reason you start to understand the brilliance behind what they do? Eventually, you may even grow to love their work. I don't think it's crazy to think that similar can happen to the gear with which we listen to that music. My $0.02. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Peace_Guard]

10:46 Massacre ebony sounds like a KKK slogan, lol. Otherwise, long-ish, but nice, detailed review.

[@amaya897]

Atrium / Verite Closed or even Bokeh will give you more bang for the buck here when it comes down to music. Meze is design brand first, tuning and technicalities are usually very unremarkable compared to competitors.

[@wavetheorysound]

With the Empy (V1), Elite, and Liric V1 I would have agreed with you. 109 Pro & Liric 2 are technically price appropriate while maintaining the exquisite aestheitcs and build. Hopefully this means Meze are hitting their stride.

[@amaya897]

@@wavetheorysoundI believe, when I hear it for myself. The release hype by reviewers on Empy 2 release teached me to be very careful with week 1 reviews. Ultimately it was another very lacking headphone imho.

[@Silverjerk]

Strongly disagree here. I own several headphones that are significantly more expensive, and yet I find I reach for the 109 Pros far more often. That set surprised me, even at the price point they’re set at. They’re likely a permanent addition to my collection.

[@HungryEatNow]

Not my league 😂 they are threatened by ZMF I guess, everyone buckle up!

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

Dan Clark won't make their headphones VEGAN, so if Meze can produce this in a vegan version, it may be the one for me!