REVIEW! Meze 109 PRO

[@SuperReview]

Audience Q&A is here 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3i4hn6hj6iKf8k Missed the Q&A but still got a question? Follow me on Minds and send me a Supermind for guaranteed response. www.minds.com/superreview/

[@lukaszzarzecki1717]

Thank you! That was a very interesting and really honest review. I've also tried Meze 109 pro and compared them directly to my Senheiser HD560S. For my ears, the tonality and the timbre was much more natural on Senheiser. I loved the comfort, the build, the looks of Mezes but there was simply too much treble and they sounded quite metallic on certain tracks, wherby Sennheiser sounded very natural and pleasant. Like you said - I also wanted to love Meze, but I had to return them. In the end of the day I prefer much cheaper 560s.

[@bratosin1]

Keep in mind 300 dollars headphone, at least 300 dollars amp/dac

[@cnnlive10]

I did the burn in thing for 60 hours and even after that, it took another 60 plus (?) for the sibilance to disappear. The mid / high treble frequency energy doesn't seem to bother me "as much" as before as it's either toned down or I have become use to the sound. I really couldn't stand this headphone 6 weeks ago as it was as hot as fire on the top end. I do plan on ordering the AKG 240 foam pads as I still find most recording titlted towards the hot side. Having said that, I really like, sometime love this headphone. For everything it does poorly, it dynamics, bass and overall energy is a perfect match for what I listen to. Thanks for a HONEST review of the 109 Pro. Nobody else is saying this... 🤔

[@cnnlive10]

Follow Up: I have now owned these for quite a while and have hundreds on hours on these. The sharp mid / top end has toned down to a point where I think these are one of the best headphones I have every heard. That's something I thought I would never say about the 109 Pro.

[@KXP70]

@cnnlive10 is that with the AKG foam installed or with more use that the sharp top end has toned down (or both)?

[@cnnlive10]

@@KXP70 I ordered the foam pads, ( I actually ordered 2 pair because they were hot ) and still have them in the package. I have not used them. To be honest, after months of listening, I couldn't be any happier with the 109 Pro.

[@KXP70]

@cnnlive10 that's great to hear, they're definitely a headphone I'll still consider then. Thanks 👍

[@alessandrolira4035]

So by burn-in, you mean letting the pads wear?

[@PhoggHawk]

I think these are some of the smoothest, most wonderful headphones I've ever heard; no harshness at all. Of course, I have different ears, but this may not be your experience it at all. I just listened to them at CanJam, and for my ears, these were utter perfection.

[@18andcloudy]

cool man thanks for chiming in after hearing a headphone once for a few minutes

[@PartyMusic775]

more points of view more betterer, the guy was honest about how long he had with it so there's no problem,@@18andcloudy

[@Anthony-cc8bx]

But what music do you listen to? They will burn a hole in your ear for certain types of music as he said. I tried My Chemical Romance and it was just too much treble for my liking. I cannot listen like that for too long without ear fatigue. Great for more mellow music. Bad for punk, alternative rock, metal and some rock. If the master recording has lots of treble, it wont sound good with more treble.

[@caseyknolla8419]

It's definitely on the bright side, but for me, it made me appreciate vocals and treble more than I ever have before, so I'm happy to have a set that is tuned in this direction. I would like the option to swap with another set that leans toward heavier sub-bass when desired.

[@gdemirjian]

The black star on the back of the cups is metal. Too much time spent on cable talk. Very obvious an open back and even a novice knows the related properties. It's not a BT headphone... check. LOL. I love using cup inserts and pad swap for tuning headphones. Great showing the ones you use. I use felt and thin foam from random packaging. I am treble sensitive. I hear the sparkle, but no sibilance in the mix. IMO it adds to the sense of detail retrieval, image separation and timbre. I love my Focal Elex, but the 109 gives me more information while listening. I received a pure copper, balanced cable from Apos included in my purchase. I don't really notice a sound difference, but it behaves so well. I sold my 99 as they could not grab my attention and hold it, in any way. The 109 are keepers. 4 stars from me for overall value and enjoyment. Great video. Thank you!

[@jamestorres5582]

The driver on it isn't outsourced . It's brand new n built n developed in-house . I like that . Josh loves this Headphone . Very Nice review. Thank you

[@cdragon88]

Love my 109pro, but i agree, it was a little high on treble. Eq solved most of the issue for me. Its my endgame for now. Using a Audeze Maxwell for casual listening on the go, and gaming.

[@spamcan9208]

What are the frequencies that cause the treble to be so hot? I'm annoyed that I even need to consider eq to make these listenable for me but that's where I'm at.

[@rexbk09]

Meze 109 PRO - $800 ! Driver - 50mm, Beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer Cups - black walnut wood Frequency Response 5-30k Hz Sensitivity 112 dB Impedance 40 Ohms

[@arthurhaywood2184]

If you want to mod the treble response, the absolute best filter to use is the ZMF Acoustic Titan Mesh damping filters. They’re $20 and come in either radial vented or solid form. Best of all is that they won’t break down like foam and will last a lifetime. No negative side effects either.

[@SuperReview]

Looks fun to play with, guessing installation would require screwing new holes into the Meze cups, eh?

[@arthurhaywood2184]

@@SuperReview No, they can be just placed in just like the foam pads. They’re fairly rigid and hold in place underneath most earpads. They work great with 40mm & 50mm drivers. The screw holes are only for ZMF headphones. They aren’t needed for other brands.

[@ryanpowell2793]

Which mesh do you prefer out of the two for the 109s? Receiving my pair tomorrow and want to prep myself in case I need to buy these for the spicy treble haha.

[@hpwrotethis]

I'm glad you admitted that you are bias. Let us cleanse ourselves of the objective and dive full in deep into the hedonism of the subjective.

[@SuperReview]

Embrace teh bias, but resist the dark side of teh bias one must.

[@sigurros5219]

After testing the Meze 109 pro for almost 2 weeks I sent it back. I really wanted to like it because of its extraordinary design an because of the 800 bucks I spent. But the spark just didn't jump over at all. At the end I had to admit to myself that I neither liked the comfort very much (slightly heavy, itchy velor pads) nor did the sound convince me: nice bass but far too little stage, unbalanced sound and, yes, it tends to hiss a few shades too many.

[@SuperReview]

So close, so far.

[@carminedesanto6746]

A fair review 👍 I’ll stick with my Sen’s 650’s on a nice tube amp 😋

[@SuperReview]

Good choice, which tube amp?

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@SuperReview currently using two “budget friendly “ tubers 😋 Primarily: Xduoo 604 ( everything is balanced) Secondary: Loxji 20 ( everything is balanced) That being said …I was at the Toronto Audiofest last weekend and saw some nice headphone set ups with both tube and solid state amps.

[@cnnlive10]

As a fellow Sennheiser fan, I own the HD600 and I think you should set up a demo of the 109 PRO if possible.

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@cnnlive10 I had a chance to run the Meze Emp’s …..and damn ..an absolute stunner. Since then …I’ve gone more into IEM’s, as the price to buy into for something decent isn’t punishing.

[@Sorin_F]

Same impressions as myself concluded...also tried felt circles with hole in center of the diameter of central part of the diaphragm. They worked great cutting that highs overpower and harshness. Also they increase bass. Also really wish that MEZE to release some new pads with highs dampening integrated in...besides higs problem being resolved also the drivers will be protected from debris as they now are not.

[@PartyMusic775]

@Wavetheory claims the included cables emphasize the treble and that Hart cables help ease it off.

[@spamcan9208]

​​@@PartyMusic775Which is bull after spending almost a thousand dollars. I shouldn't have to spend another hundred to "fix" harshness with a cable that, after all the other copium in this hobby, likely won't work. I should have just eaten the restocking fee, trusted my ears and returned these. I tried to give them time, I even laughably let them "burn in." I suspect that comes from audio shops trying to reduce returns by having customers get used to hearing their purchase. That's what burn in probably is. I really can't stand this "hobby" at times with its pseudo science and copium.

[@dasninjastix]

Good to see you still using headphones. Get them IEM out your ear holes. Should have a 109 in a week or two. ZMF done made all my Planars irrelevant so I sent them into greener pastures. Can't vibe with the folks that want no resonance or decay, probably just being from my generation and all but the "speed" cans ultimately sound uncanny in a bad way to me. I need some harmonics to stick around for a bit. I got enough pads to flood proof my home, but I'm thinking the Xenon pads from the Argons may be a happy marriage for the 109. Keep your biases where I can see them please 🤠✌️, and keep making headphone content as well.

[@SuperReview]

Keep me updated on your adventures in pad swapping. I will warn, the gap where the pads slip into on the 109 Pro is quite tight, I had a hard time getting pads onto it. As for planar vs. DD, I still don't have a strong sense for the inherent sonic differences -- I don't think I could pick out DD vs. planar purely by listening. But I did recently buy an Audeze MM-500 for myself...

[@dasninjastix]

@@SuperReview well first off - congrats on the MM-500! I forget you likka da reference/neutrality sound signature; in that regard they should serve you very well from all accounts I've seen and read. Second, I have forsaken EQ outside of using the Mojo 2 (unintentional rhyme) and solely pad swap for my to-taste preferences. I avidly pad swapped the Meze Neo with its very thin casing slits so I think I'll be able to finagle the 109 as well. Lastly - I have owned the following planars: the HE-X4, the Sundara, the Mobius, the Deva, the Deva Pro, the Aeon Noire, the Arya v3, and the Empyrean, and while they all sounded very different, they still all sounded "like" a planar to me. The one exception is the T60rp Argons which have more of a dynamic driver response to them. I am certain there are dynamic drivers that are planar-like and that there are planar drivers that are dynamic-like, but speaking in broad generalizations, I think the characteristics of the two are far enough apart for me to gravitate towards the more emotional, engaging side of your average dynamic. No aspersions, just preference. I am willing to sacrifice the extension and "speed" of a planar for the sense of better dynamic contrast and more resonance/decay with a dynamic. The higher up in the hobby you go the more I think you realize you're not outrunning your preferences or biases. I think the sound of cassettes is still my internal reference point as to how something "should" sound. I can't help but giggle when you folks talk about correctness now (no shade or pretension). Getting to experience different boutique headphones and high end sources.. ain't nothing correct or accurate.

[@dasninjastix]

@@SuperReview Yeah so.. you weren't lying. Pads don't want to go on easily but I refuse to lose to a headphone. I put some ZMF Eikon hybrids on them using a credit card to feed the pad sleeves into the open slotting. It was not fun but sonically I created something magical. Stock, the treble is very spicy. Easily tamed using a Mojo 2's crazy good EQ or just different pads. I got some Xenons on them pretty easily but they were slightly muffled, enough for me to notice and for it to bother me. Same with some Dekoni suede pads for Beyer. Couldn't fit my brainwavz stuff on them. The ZMF pads I have are technically too big for them but fit easily over the cups and are very comfortable. Problem is that looks pretty stupid, sort of like the wood is being tucked in for bed. Sounded amazing though. For neutral/bright - the Auteur Suede pads were a winner. But my preference is turning the 109 into an Argon using the Eikon Hybrids. A pad I don't like on the actual Eikon. On the 109 it drops that treble peak but you don't lose any of resolution. It elevates the sub-bass, I want to say "mightily". Feeding it from a Mojo 2 running to an Anni. BIG SOUND. The macro dynamics went from soft to firm. I may have as well. I may spring for some ZMF Universe perforated pads for them but for now they'll stay in Argon mode for a bit. I do (much) prefer the timbre to the Arya SE. Arya has more detail and better extension but the 109 on initial listening is more alive, especially with pad swap. I have a feeling an Auteur or OG Clear, used or discounted, is likely the smarter purchase for folks wanting audiophile-grade detail. I won't be able to understand the value of the 109 until I spend some more time with them but anyone who is unfortunately reading this - swap the stock pads. Go on an adventure. Discover what sound they can make.

[@spamcan9208]

I really wish I saw this review before buying these. Absolutely right, the treble is harsh and grating, especially for someone who is treble sensitive. I should have known better and returned them. Eating the restocking fee is better than trying to force yourself to like something. It has its moments but overall I don't enjoy it and that's the whole point for me.

[@Ahzahail]

I love warmth and bass in headphones, and absolutely DESPISE too much upper mids. I am looking for a warm open back headphone, is this it if I do the mod you just showed? I want the Empyrean, but I just can't justify that kind of money. I have the DCA Noire, and LOVE those. I listen to mostly Metal Rock and Industrial music. Any recommendations?

[@SuperReview]

109 Pro is not really that, no. You might like ETA O2.

[@radinan]

I bought it and spent few weeks with it before returning it (200 + hours burn in): very good details, soundstage ok, good bass response (a lack of slam, tho) but the high medium is wayyyyy too bright, the sibilance never goes away, even after days and days. So if you're an old dude who lost the ability to hear high frequencies maybe it will do the trick, but otherwise, run away.

[@acecabusas7013]

So it's kinda similar to the HD 800S? Would love to see comparisons between these 2.

[@harackmw]

Your journey with this headphone reminds me of trying to deal with the DT1990pros I have. Hot, harsh, whatever you want to call it, they were so bright they made all my other gear sound overly dark and muddy when swapping headphones. Brain burn-in can be a bitch, but I guess the 109s might appeal to people who are into those insane bright headphones. I think we all know a few other reviewers that are going to like them, as a result.

[@my_username_was_taken]

Maybe I'm a weirdo but comparing the Clear MG and 109 Pro at CanJam...I just immediately bought the 109 Pro and have been a happy camper since. For the price? Destroyed the Clear MG. Same price? Sure toss up. I don't find them hot with their treble and I'm more of a bass person too. I can't stand sibilant headphones after I had a pair of Audio Technica MSR7, I just can't. So if I detected a hint of that, I wouldn't have purchased these. So weird that this seems to vary. I sure hope it's not something variable with production for them. For me, these were every bit as detailed as the Clear MG. I see zero difference between the two technically, it's more about tuning preference. More bass on the 109 Pro and of course Focal has their house sound which is pretty dynamic. I don't know. You hear one Focal you've heard them all basically. Sure you get their higher end drivers with beryllium or something and yes there's even more detail and speed...but you can tell a mile away they are Focal. That's just Focal. Anyway, for me since I already have a pair of Focal...easy choice. I will try some damping material I have from Dekoni. Not just to see if I can hear a difference, but because it could help protect the driver. One thing people noticed was no cover over the driver. It's completely exposed. If you look at the Focal you'll see a fine mesh over top. So everyone is still concerned about how the 109 Pro may hold up over time with dust, etc. So putting some felt or foam in there could also help in that regard as well. If it doesn't destroy the sound, I'll probably keep something in there just for that. Anyway, thanks for the review. I like getting opinions from others (even after I buy something). I especially like hearing about any kind of mods or pad swap, etc.

[@neilsnyder7915]

When you move into the audiophile world and are a serious listener you develop some brain acoustic education. Most folks like a very warm and somewhat muddy sound as it is musical and easy to listen to What you give up for easy listening 😅is staging, image separation, and clarity of leading and trailing edges of tones. Now, not everyone enjoys this more clinical 😅approach as they are unaccustomed to the treble energy that most very good headphones have. If you are young and treble sensitive you can use parametric EQ to adjust certain high frequencies that you may found unpleasant. The 109’s among the audiophile community are VERY well reviewed and a good entry point for folks who want to take the next step. The 109’s are very well tonally balanced meaning that no frequency range is overwhelming the other frequencies.s Everyone’s hearing is different. As an example, the 109’s have just the right amount of treble energy. I have both the clears and the 109’s. Much different headphones in tonality, naturalness, and image separation and detail. Never buy a headphone that requires pads over the drivers to become pleasant. This defeats the years of tuning prowess from the vendor. I suggest you veer towards VERY warm headphones that clip the trailing edge of treble frequencies. This will give you that soft treble response you may seek.

[@Anthony-cc8bx]

100% agreed!

[@kitdenerley]

I just sold mine on eBay for much the same reasons. I can see why some reviewers may like them as taken individually the bass, treble, and bass are fine (ok - the treble maybe ok if you like a bit of sparkle) but they never come together as a convincing whole. Bottom line? Music just doesn’t sound realistic on the 109

[@Rev0ltTTV]

Are the focal clear as comfortable as the 109 Pro? How is the clamp on the Clears? Trying to decide between the two. I'm coming from a beyer dt1990 and enjoy that sound signature.

[@SuperReview]

21:05

[@ticoss]

I have "a doubt" after viewing your review about this Meze 109Pro, but i had the opportunity to test it and after that, i'm completely agreed with you for the bass part (not really an issue for me) but the treble.. I find that the cymbals are quite aggressive for example, sometimes brass instruments too ... and yet, I like the treble. However, I don't know why, I think it's still a good headphone but i won't buy it

[@arunhanjavanich2824]

i have Grado ps500e and needs to upgrade. Is this one it worth to buy ?

[@towsifshahriarshovo]

You can try Hifiman edition xs $500, I heard good things about it.

[@SuperReview]

Yeah, interested in that.

[@towsifshahriarshovo]

@@SuperReview thanks for the reply

[@Tripokaridos22]

Use BeyerDynamic Foam Discs , (the new ones) u gone get smoother Treble than AKG foam discs.

[@ikoyDaPnoy]

Can I use the Moondrop River 2 dac amp? What about a cheap $10 dongle?

[@SuperReview]

Yeah, it does not have high power requirements -- runs easy on my MacBook.

[@hartyewh1]

Wish there was a way to purposefully and precisely balance areas of the frequency response. Imagine that. Maybe one day.

[@SuperReview]

If you're into EQ, go for it. I like to move my headphones between multiple devices and switch between headphones frequently, so for me EQ is not a good solution.

[@hameedn.b7004]

Hi Mr. Ryan, Could you please turn on english subtitles? Thank you.

[@SuperReview]

KZbin is still processing the video, they will come soon 🤞

[@johnnyr-518]

Sound aside, this looks beautiful to me.

[@SuperReview]

Agreed.

[@SzymonSaysStuff]

Biased is just based with an added I.

[@SuperReview]

iRobot, iBased

[@SzymonSaysStuff]

@@SuperReview I, too, am iBased towards Meze products.

[@turrizaturriza]

have you had a chance to compare it with the HiFI Edition XS?

[@SuperReview]

Nope, sorry.

[@baronofgreymatter14]

The tune will work well for someone like me with high freq hearing loss haha

[@jaroslavfricek7772]

Hi Mark, thinking about what next IEM to get what would be your recommendation, I am thinking Oracle mk1, sennheiser IE600, one which you should do review of they would be really happy it's called Aür audio Neon Pro, I could also get with discount Andromeda 2019, what do you think...❤️🙋‍♂️

[@SuperReview]

IE 600 would be my pick, Oracle is also good.

[@jaroslavfricek7772]

Thank you ♥️ ✌️

[@dmora2386]

So, what I'm getting is put these through the running and burn them the hell in before judging. This is now something everyone says. I'm looking at these vs the orig Focal clears.

[@SuperReview]

I wouldn't expect burning them in is going to change anything.

[@dmora2386]

​@@SuperReview honestly I've become so confused and deadlocked to the point of analysis paralysis that I'm going to start low and then go high. Probably 6xx or sundara to start, then go from there. Seems like a good jump off point.

[@teqai]

They didn’t sound harsh to me through a Denafrips Ares II, but that’s probably not surprising. Would much prefer the Focals at that price though. Not even sure if it’s worth it upgrading to these from the much cheaper HD650s. Plus, not a fan of elastics in the headband. The elastics in my AKG lost their elasticity with age and there’s no easy way to replace them.

[@SuperReview]

Meze stuff should be pretty replaceable at least.

[@DeepishMoog]

I can relate here, I have the K712, for me, they're least in comfort among my other headphones, and the elastic failed pretty quickly. Year, year and a half... and tough to replace. However the band on meze 109 reminds me of other such headband designs (it does it pretty different from akg's), X2HR uses a similar flex headband design as meze 109, and they're still going strong after 3 or 4 years. And meze probably does it better for the price.

[@rialdoroeloffze628]

Focals are known for their stellar dynamics.

[@SuperReview]

Yeah, just hard to know what people mean by that word.

[@rialdoroeloffze628]

@@SuperReview I know what you mean. Some audiophile terms are hard to explain. Especially to someone like me who isn't mega into the hobby yet and only understands the basics.

[@SuperReview]

Well, knowing what the terms mean is one thing, and people meaning completely different things with the same term is another. Dynamics is definitely one of those words that commonly fits into the latter category.

[@rialdoroeloffze628]

@@SuperReview That's another very important misunderstanding between audio reviewers and viewers.😅 But thank you for the insight. It helps me understand the hobby more.

[@Soap67]

Where did you buy the foam disk?

[@SuperReview]

From here, note that they're sold individually (you'll want 2x). www.fullcompass.com/prod/544759-akg-2260z09010-foam-earpad-disk-for-k240

[@thbtse]

Does it possible to have Dunu SA4 review?

[@SuperReview]

Not likely, it wasn't sold in the US so no review units.

[@thbtse]

Ok, thanks. Enjoy each reviews of your channel

[@GadZookz]

Looks like there will be another Dunu IEM released today.

[@SuperReview]

We need an audio vacation.

[@GadZookz]

@@SuperReview How about Swiss Army Knives instead? There is a lot of variety and easy to compare with one another.

[@SuperReview]

I'm kinda afraid of knives.

[@GadZookz]

@@SuperReview It is also can opener, screw driver, wood saw, flame thrower, ear tip remover, lock pick…

[@SuperReview]

Oh OK I'm not afraid of those things. Or I wasn't before now...

[@MTheoOA]

I just prefer to watch headphone stuff lol... I can lose a lot of my precious time appreciating it.

[@idomusics]

I was collaborating with a well known artist about a year ago. We usually worked at he's studio because it was bigger and a few months into the work he got a sponsorship form these Meze fellas. 10 pairs of over ear headphones, can't remember the model but they were about 300$ a pair cause we looked it up as they arrived. Made a comparison with our trusty M50x and they sounded awful. Just bass, no sparkling, no details. They sit there in boxes to this day. Nobody uses them.

[@SuperReview]

Maybe the 99 Classics? I think they sound quite a bit better with a pad swap, but still pretty bassy.

[@idomusics]

@@SuperReview Yes you are right. Just did a google search. All i can say is they looked awesome and were pretty comfortable.

[@GadZookz]

I’m a big Dunu fan but won’t be buying the new Kima unless they change the wrapper.

[@SuperReview]

Why?

[@GadZookz]

@@SuperReview For consumer pressure.

[@SuperReview]

You object to anime?

[@GadZookz]

@@SuperReview

[@Guerilla_law3516]

This is not useful without the reviewer telling us what setups he used to listen with and what he listened to. I have listened to both of these cans on a variety of solid equipment and do not understand these conclusions at all. From a burson audio conductor 3 or an AK se200 both of the cans lean toward treble sharpness but neither one more than the other and its never too much. They are close and I could see any person choosing one or the other depending on priorities but a conclusion that the clear is just “better” is difficult to understand. Especially without “on this track with this equipment I heard this” type of descriptions.

[@SuperReview]

I don't have the experience that changing sources makes a difference. I've heard 3x different 109 Pro units across a half dozen or more different sources, my impressions have been consistent. For specific music references, these are ten tracks I often use: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXfYhaCMib-Wa7c

[@aRc11-11]

Spend hundred's and have to modify its sound signature. Boy, that sounds like a bargain.

[@SuperReview]

Sometimes you pay with money, sometimes you pay with effort, sometimes you pay with both -- if the result is worth the cost is what matters to me.

[@diana73654]

Just EQ them and dont lose the detail using foams ... They sound very lively , excelent headphones, and maybe the best in their price range and little above, with EQ .

[@SuperReview]

If EQ works for you, it's a great solution. I like to move my headphones between multiple devices and switch between multiple headphones, so EQ not a good solution for me.

[@diana73654]

@@SuperReview another solution for what I already own, it was pairing them with WA6 2nd gen ( Princess Sophia rectifier tube ).

[@FabioKasper]

Ouch. 😬

[@SuperReview]

Treble's hard.

[@maegnificant]

You're super biased, I am super based. We are not the same.

[@SuperReview]

Sounds like something someone who's super based would say.

[@maegnificant]

@@SuperReview for sure :D