The MEZE LIRIC is KING OF THE STREETS

👉🏻 This episode is brought to you by Headphones.com:
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🎥 Camera: Olaf von Voss
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan
🛋 My listening room in 2022:
darko.audio/darkos-listening-...
🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video - and other videos - can be found on PATREON: / johndarko
0:00 Intro
2:40 I tell you nothin’
4:47 Comparison #1
7:28 Comparison #2
9:49 Further thoughts
Meze Liric:
mezeaudio.com/products/liric
Also seen in this video…
Focal Stellia
darko.audio/2021/08/a-short-f...
Dan Clark Audio AEON 2
darko.audio/2019/11/a-short-f...
Schiit Jotunheim II
darko.audio/2020/12/modules-n...
iBasso DX300
ibasso.com/product/dx300/
#headphones #meze #audiophile
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[@DarkoAudio]

**PLEASE READ CAREFULLY** 1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio KZbin community (and not me) as I'm now busy making the NEXT video 2) All comments here are moderated by a third party: instagram.com/p/CTWcokaszpW/ 3) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, please)

[@ttscruz]

I don't need a high end headphone. All the refinement this gear brings is way beyond my listening abilities. Yet I still watch it because I would watch Darko analyze even a refrigerator.

[@dilbyjones]

Darko: the compressor hum is GONE in ..... hehe

[@dilbyjones]

I often lose focus too, this is the only way I've been able to listen. However if you stick with the Artist and the way they use tone and Volume ect... it helps

[@timvanrooyen]

yeah John! Fridge reviews when?

[@carminedesanto6746]

If you can hear the difference between a cupped handed clap and a flat handed clap ……then you can hear the difference. I’ve just about given up on headphones as I find IEM’s are more accessible to create a stable of different sonic signatures..at a fraction of the price ..and though I have a headphone stack ..IEM’s on my iPhone gives a fun time . Best of the🎄 season 🍻

[@SILENTIMACT74]

Preach

[@ibassnote]

Everything about your channel gets better and better with time. It is a study in refinement. As a professional musician and as a person with a high interest in “things” I am constantly inspired by your use of language and personality, for lack of a better word, to bring us into a space of critical considerations. I think I am going to have to join the paetreon circle out of sheer appreciation for all the work that goes into what you and your team do here. Just excellent work. Thank you.

[@DarkoAudio]

Thanks for noticing that the journey for me - one that runs alongside my audio journey - is to make each video (in some way or other) better than the last. As you say: refinement.

[@bpalpha]

Yeah. You've got style boy and it shows in your choice of music, fashion, and gear. I don't often wear headphones outside as I like to take in the world. Any good trip-hop to recommend? I'm big on Portishead and Thievery Corporation.

[@robberthilgeman5233]

Great to see you out and about and get a feel of the Berlin urban texture.

[@eugeneswanepoel877]

Great video, thanks. Well-timed release too; was looking into those models.

[@yusif.heybatov]

Amazing review, thank you so much ♥️

[@tigerfish66]

i gotta be honest, i would not walk around in public with those cans on......reason 1, they look expensive and in my region of the London underground district line that would be like having a 'mug me' sign on your back. Reason 2 They are for me too CYBERMAN...Playboy Cyberman in fact.....just my personal taste......for those that dont know what a cyberman is look up Doctor Who Enemies on wikipedia.

[@jarekharmening8993]

John, thanks for making headphones reviews. I'd like to see more of them (and make them longer). I wish you would have gone into comfort and maybe some more comparisons of the headphones from different dac/amps you own. The real treat of this video was seeing Berlin and you/your stylish clothing choices.

[@justinhancock7337]

I own both the Liric and the Stellia. My personal take is the Liric has a better low end (if amped well) due to some low end bump but the Stellia has much better detail retrieval and overall imaging. Both are fantastic but I'd argue the Liric is more comfortable and has a much better look. Both of these headphones are warm sounding and handle isolation quite well. I'd be happy owning just one of the two of them since they are both great.

[@leisureavidgentleman8901]

I love the look of them and my preference is closed back. So I may have to give them a try.

[@2meta435]

Hi, love the content and have been a quiet fan until now. I've recently reached some kind of endgame for my speaker system and am focusing on headphones now. I have the Susvara and Stellia, have been curious if there are driver / build types I should have in the collection as well to deal with more diverse kinds of music. Keep up the good work.

[@ExMeroMotu9]

These prolly sound fabulous but the practicality is what keeps me at pause.

[@samsstuff1482]

Really interesting to watch even though all of these are way beyond my willingness to pay for a set of headphones at this time. So much good information to use when auditioning next cans, so thanks again. 👍

[@rosssmith8481]

You might want to check out an old review by z of the audio techinca Ath m60x. Really good cans $200.

[@Soundoverload]

Awesome review

[@mrdarryljones1]

Loving this! The vibe walking on the street, the B-roll music and your descriptions; Art dude! Keep doing this! 👍🏾

[@CzerodyStudios]

More headphone reviews please!!!

[@warfam_clan6933]

Many people have said that the Denon 9200 is as good as the Stelia. The Biocelulose driver is the star of the show. This comparison with the Liric would be interesting, especially as the Denon is 1400.

[@KeenAesthetic1]

Beat me to it! 🙌

[@yippie6862]

Lookout people! Audiophile Badass walking the streets of Berlin. 🤟

[@gamerfinn3634]

Sir, such a treat to wake up on a Sunday make coffee and enjoy your work. Thank you.

[@denisruskin348]

I would be scared to use 2K headphones on the street. I mean, most people wouldn’t know they are 2K but they do still look premium.

[@observerstation]

RIP Robbie Shakespeare 🙏

[@tedjensen8841]

Hey John, another great video thank you. How would compare the comfort between these headphones. How about compared to the Empyrean’s

[@alxbl324]

Will you do a video on DAPs? I know in previous videos you discussed how DAPs are dead, but in this video you were featured using one. I'm more curious about the Astell & Kern line of products. I've seen others review them, but I'd like your take. Thanks.

[@brandonburr4900]

Nice shots of checkpoi t Charlie. Been there many years ago 😀

[@onepieceatatime]

This is great - listening to these closed back headphones while walking around Berlin sounds exactly the same as doing the same thing in Chicago or Tokyo. Now I just need two grand!

[@arrakian]

I would’ve loved to see John compare this to the Denon AH-D9200.

[@dennismanning6684]

Ya'll be careful crossing the street...busses don't care what ur listening to. Never-more on my bicycle. Love headphones

[@rikardekvall3433]

My wife wouldn’t let me buy such expensive headphones, if I would like to. BUT I do appreciate your videos and the different products and all the new music you play that I search for on Spotify and are adding my own playlist. Keep up the great work. Happy Christmas to ya!

[@gordonm6128]

“My wife wouldn’t let me buy”??? That’s sad. Who wears the pants in your house? That is absolute Beta behavior. You make the money you can buy whatever the hell you want. Just remember that.

[@jimfarrell4635]

@@gordonm6128 Just one small point you big hairy old silverback, leader of the pack and dominator of all you survey. You appear to be using the name "Unicorn Goodies" online. Now I have nothing against unicorns as fictional mono-horned creatures go, but I don't normally associate them with paragons of alpha-maleness. More of a 7 year old girls thing. Did, by any chance, your wife make you choose it ?

[@DuSeun]

@@gordonm6128 Who even says he makes all the money? You know that many women work too these days, right? So yeah, when you live together and want to buy any $2k object, you should discuss that in a healthy relationship. If you think that makes you a "Beta male", you just sound insecure

[@newsigmundfreud3023]

Focal Bathys she might let.

[@marceltougas6574]

Wondering if there is a faux surround sound headphones you could recommend

[@martinrose6756]

How do the Liric go while wearing glasses? Did the frames cause a break in a seal and affect the bass response? I've found it to be a problem with my Lagoons.

[@woodshop-audio]

Don't know why this particular video hit me with its excellent videography and sound quality but I just have to say it made me smile and MADE we want to see and hear more. Hats off for the excellent production values. One of the reasons I like this channel so much. Also I notice a distinct improvement to how you sound when talking in your room with the new acoustic treatment in place.

[@newsigmundfreud3023]

*Hi. Thanks for this review. After listening closely to all this I would throw in the Focal Bathys, which does so much and maybe even more than the 3 mentioned above. It has its built in DAC when using USB connection. You can use it with any of your DAC & AMP combo as a wired headphone and it is also bluetooth. When using it with high level AMP it shines even more than with its built in DAC which shines even more than with bluetooth connection. It is going for about US$800.*

[@allansh828]

I wouldn’t risk using them on the street. My Focal Elegia was killed by a tiny droplet of rain. I purposefully tested that before I decide whether to take out my Stellia.

[@eugenio6058]

John, what is the brand of beautiful lava lamp which you are using? p.s.many thnkx for your cozy videos!

[@earthgirdler23]

I got to check out that Aleksi Perala album now. He seems to be releasing about an album a week, it's tough to know where to start. I'll take your mention of it as a recommendation and start there!

[@PaulCouzens83]

anyone know who makes that coat hes wearing in the outdoor scenes like at 5:18?

[@adriangpuiu]

its pitty that for a 3000 USD / EUR product you loose those screws up top the copper tube that hold the ear cups, it happened to me on my empyreans, luckly i sent meze an e-mail telling them about it and they sent me free of charge 2 3 more screws. and my empyread is as brand new , i screwed the new one putting a bit of nail polish over them to make sure won't happen again.

[@sogunbiyi]

Link for the headphone stand 🧐

[@Big-J-8579]

Headphone listening is not my main thing. Speakers are the way to go. With that said... I love my Meze 99 Classics when I do listen at home. I loved your review on those several years ago. Thanks again for another great review.

[@mariankis1158]

Are meze 99 worth it? I'm looking for sound quality, between those and sony wh-1000xm3

[@astorbeijer9424]

I would love to know if you (John) wear 2k headphones as your portable option around Berlin? If you do; would you mind sharing the routes you normally take? Thanks so much! 😁

[@DucatiKozak]

Any chance to share that playlist at 5:01? Looks like Tidal, HEY Tidal! give Darko Audio a playlist!

[@kopczas]

Have you used any of Aeon`s 2 filters ? Currently I own Aeon 2 Closed but I`m looking for something to level up, Liric looks like major contender. As to A2C I use use them with white and black filter, otherwise theyare much to bright to my ears.

[@metebalci]

I have recently tried it (and some other headphones like hd820 at the same time) and it had too much bass. It sounded good with some music but started to disturb after some minutes.

[@dilbyjones]

Man I love the Euro approach to music. So much classics so alive there still.

[@swize82]

Excellent music choice. By the way I saw that you used the unbalanced out from the Ibasso DX300 . The balanced output is rated at 1.2 watts which I think is adequate to power these HP's.

[@DarkoAudio]

So is the single ended output. Besides, only a single ended cable is supplied with Liric.

[@Sampardhanani]

Superb as usual Bro John.

[@alvaskins]

Great video as always JD. Question to the masses: can you plug these into a phone or will it be too quiet for them? If not, what would be needed? Cheers.

[@professorcalculus5315]

Your phone (if it has a headphone jack) might be able to power them, but you’re better off getting a dongle DAC or similar, and running them out of this. You should check out John’s recent reviews. This setup will likely blow your phone out of the water for sound quality.

[@robinr5787]

Most will say: you can, but why spent 2000 on a headphone just to connect it to the standard (inferior) headphone socket.

[@newsigmundfreud3023]

@@robinr5787 I would suggest the Focal Bathys which does it all.

[@pdg1877]

Good Schiit!

[@herschan1]

Thank you for your reviews, got the liric and Eon 2, liric - music coming from the shoulders and even down the arms Eon 2 just from neck area, sound on a different leage.

[@yusif.heybatov]

🤔

[@x32i77]

Susvara deserves this guy , the guy deserves Susvara ! We need a review 🙏🙂

[@10nut]

Great job coming from Romania!

[@NotedArchived]

Curious the pros/cons in relation to the Empyrian

[@officedotie]

I rigged my table lamp to flash as i dont hear the doorbell when i have headphones on ?

[@passagier303]

Thanks for the great video. How would you rate the difference in the base region between the Stellia and the Liric? I am also really intrigued about your take on the ibasso dx 300, especially its performance as an android based streamer with coax out into a Hi-Fi system. Here is to hoping you will make a video on that ^^

[@jeremylim6998]

Would work great as a transport whether Coax or better, USB. Its MQA certification would at least partially aid an unfold along to the DAC as a transport. And its FPGA-based I2S processing means that SPDIF signal is properly treated, clocks and data all transmitted with maximum integrity.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗👍🤔 I THINK YOU NEED ALL THREE 😉 for the different music 😂 😍😍😍

[@win_dum]

that's one sexy pair of headphones!

[@asplmn]

Totally get that you "can" wear these around outside, but like most audiophile cans, they still look really silly lol just not as bad as most.

[@vthee]

what brand is your headphone stand?

[@ubacow7109]

Should see where the DC stealth compares to the Liric

[@eddents]

Wearing those cans on a snowy winter walk makes them look warm and toasty! Thanks as always for a robust and nuanced review of product. I think the word on the street is that two grand is called two grand and one grand is referred to as "a grand". Of course Darko Audio videos are always grand!

[@kevinmaestroful]

Anyone know where i can get that headphone stand he has the mezze lirics on?

[@leonardcheri2118]

audio perch I think it is called

[@RVDL]

What is that audioplayer he listens to when he's on the go? 5:58 at least shows it's Android based.

[@jrlx86]

IBasso DX300

[@11clouds]

John please try to get your hands on the 7HZ Timeless Planar IEM's, my new favorites for electronic

[@darrellross8609]

I have, for a long time been a " Slave to the Rythem".

[@RedSinter]

So, John shirt and sweet sadly I could get me some of that, Meze Lyric, even at tha $ point, but what I'd rather know is the Meze compared to the Sudara Hifiman. As I'd prefer a balanced system not over shadowed by H Phones which equal 2/3rds of what I plan to spend. Unless I go all Phones, Preamp, and Streamer and no CD Transport, no Speakers.

[@paulwibb.8944]

They would look loads better with some LEDs on them. Bling BLiNGU$$ for the Berlin massive,,

[@gregstevenson7401]

Nailed it. Again. Superb production and as someone in the market for a 1K+ headphone, I thought that open back was the only option. Well done for making my life harder. Great to see this channel growing.

[@michaelhalberg1184]

Hi The black plate, that the headphones and amp are resting on, says "Acoustics" - Im guessing its an anti-acoustics plate - Which brand is it? :)

[@alexandremarques1367]

IsoAcoustics ZaZen

[@TheLMMish]

Maybe use them in an airport or cafe, lounge or in the forest. No way I'm strapping 2k on my head.

[@Villaboy78]

DCA Aeon2 closed . Space glitter cherry with carbon fibre... Not Berlin , but which city would you place these ? I feel this would be a great game to play

[@tigerfish66]

Las Vegas would be my vote

[@davidh3385]

Good game. Sennheiser HD800 = planet Mondas

[@nigelkelly2286]

I walk around with my open back akg k712s and a portable amp set to high gain 🤷 i like hearing my surroundings but no doubt they sound better in quiet room.

[@timvanrooyen]

Meze for the win! Loved the bloopers at the end.

[@marcbungener1877]

would you go as far as saying they are also less fatiguing than the Focal Stelia ? I like the understatement look indeed !

[@hartyewh1]

A fire alarm is less fatiguing the a Stellia so I would assume they are. Mezes other headphones are very easy listening first and technical capability a distant second as well.

[@robertnoblitt518]

I had a Stellia for over a year, but grew tired of its metallic sound. Now I have a Liric, and love it.

[@alexandremarques1367]

Loved it when I tested Meze Liric!! Really confortable and enjoyable. Amazing quality

[@russellledonne4370]

I am interested in getting a good pair of closed backs that I might wear in public. However, I am wondering if I should get the T&A Solitare (the idea of HQ mode really appeals to me) and then use them passively as a closed back at home OR consider getting a Liric or Stellia and use an iFi GO Blu (or similar device) to make them wireless. Thoughts? I agree with John that the Stellias would probably be too C3PO for most citizens, but they would much less cliche than another grey haired man driving a BMW convertible.

[@gitmobob6266]

Would have liked to see you compare them to another 2000 euro pair of headphones for a euro to euro comparison.

[@DarkoAudio]

But I don't have a €2k headphone here otherwise, yeah I would have considered that.

[@allansh828]

street price of Stellia is about €2000 now

[@DarkoAudio]

Kindly help us understand what you mean by 'street price'? And is that street price specific to a certain region of the world?

[@scottsterry8119]

No comments on fit and comfort? I’m surprised. Or is that just a given?

[@DarkoAudio]

Super comfortable. Even more than Stellia. But maybe not quite Aeon2 comfort.

[@darrellross8609]

Single ended?...?

[@professorcalculus5315]

Great jacket 🐨

[@markwillems4826]

Are there in the pricerange 1000€ (or less) headphones where the sound get in front of you and not in your head, between your ears?

[@potipota9242]

Sennheiser HD800s

[@DuSeun]

For open back there are countless options with great sound stage under $1000, so I'm assuming you're talking about closed back? In that case, sadly there aren't many options. According to Rtings' test results, the best scoring ones are some Logitech and Astro gaming headsets, which don't have great sound quality and still only score around a 7 on soundstage. I think for a closed back your best bet would be the Monolith m1060c, which Rtings has not tested, but it's one of the best closed backs overall

[@killerra]

Hifiman Ananda

[@superpeca]

What about the idea of getting a 1000 eur headphones and spend the other 1000 on a quiet refrigerator? ;)

[@KeenAesthetic1]

Why these over high end iems?

[@DuSeun]

Because many people don't like the fit of IEMs. Over ears are also able to create a wider soundstage, and the sounds resonate more realistically into your ear and against the side of your head, creating a more natural sound. Over ears, especially open backs, sound closer to real speakers, while IEMs sound like there's a speaker inside your head

[@Gman1044]

Get some Chris and Cosey into your 🎧

[@AndrewLamas19]

Check out the denon ah-d9200!

[@malinyamato2291]

I have that one and I am going to listen to this liric and compare. I don't listen to the 9200 as much now because I have LCD-5 and I need something on the run where I don't want to bring my 9200 as it leads and stands out.

[@CalmTempest]

@@malinyamato2291 @ me when you've compared them please

[@ekaeo]

nice leopold keyboard at the start of the video

[@raghuadhlakha7676]

I know when someone spent 3000 dollars and it's feels like in heaven

[@RealYethal]

John why do you use the single ended output of the Jot2 and not the balanced output?

[@DarkoAudio]

Because only a SE cable supplied with LIRIC.

[@steveluck9541]

Price is right but I need open back to ensure I can hear others in the house yelling at me that my dinners ready or more seriously that they have had a medical emergency. What open backs would people consider?

[@SuperUltraNinja1]

lol

[@cowhydrodynamics]

Hifiman Arya if you are willing to invest in an amp. However I have heard that they got the impedance down on the newest revision so I’m not sure if you need an amp for them

[@killerra]

Hifiman Arya

[@max-6035]

@@cowhydrodynamics To maybe answer your wondering about the amp and general advice for anyone looking into this. Impedance is not a measure as to see how much power you need. More important is voltage vs current. Planars like current more, dynamics like voltage more. An 8 watt tube amp will have a high voltage but struggles pushing current for low impedance headphones. A solid state is in general better at pushing current. To get lower distortion and good bass extension on a planar you’d like plenty of current. Since most amplifiers are designed with dynamic drivers in mind, a higher wattage is preferable for planars. Voltage x current = watt This does not have to mean a 0,5watt dongle dac/amp wont sound good, it might very well do given that it provides the preferable current and voltage for the decibel level you’d like to listen to. My advice is to still go for trail and error in finding what works, manufacturer’s are still more keen on using wattage in their marketing. Figuring the optimal operating windows of current vs voltage for both the headphone and amp seems almost impossible for now.

[@realcrypt1206]

Great, thank you !

[@robinmarples5198]

But as we know with focal. Wait 2 years and you will already have 40% on it.

[@judebronner9520]

what phone is that?

[@jeremylim6998]

Just an iBasso DX300 portable music player 😎

[@howardbaldwin1226]

I must admit I’ve liked the neutrality of the top line Shure products. Both head and earphones. Cheers.

[@sdbentrup]

I really like your reviews John, but part of my watching this video was for some good shots of Berlin (I used to live there). The Haus am Checkpoint Charlie and Friedrichstrasse is a good location for testing their noise blocking, but if you had gone to Rosenthaler Platz or U-Bhf Eberswalder Str., even Unter den Linden, and said they're good at blocking the noise, then you'd have really tested them :) Gruesse!

[@GibranHashim]

New glasses!

[@GiancarloCarccamo]

great video

[@InternetUser-d7s]

Got them myself, though have not yet walked around with them in public.

[@phil5743]

Sorry but although these are closed, they look out of place on the street. Just because you can, doesn't mean that you should! Great review nonetheless - I love my Empyreans!

[@falcodarkzz]

Who cares how they look lol

[@PhotoViking]

I thought these headphones was a nobrainer due to all good reviews they got and I bought them. Where I live there is no store that have them, so I had to order online. Got them, really nice look, really comfy, but… they aren’t very fun to listen to. Amazing details and amazing soundstage, but voices sounds a bit analytic, even metallic, they certenly lack in the lower end. I used them on Audioquest Dragonfly Cobolt on an iPhone 13 Pro. My Audioquest Nighthawk was actually more pleasant to listen to, more ”musical”, and voices was way more natural. I know Nighthawk is far from perfect, and that’s why I’m shopping for new and better headphones. I sent the Meza Liric back. I know so many say it’s the best headphone ever. Well, it’s not, at least not for me. Music just died in them.

[@FXV56]

Maybe they need a better amplifier Sometimes i feel like there's something wrong with my 99 classics.. or maybe it was just me

[@Mr1stcat]

@@FXV56 their meant to be taken everywhere you can't carry a desk setup everywhere 🤣

[@ezvkm77]

Nice to hear some good news about Meze for a change, thanks.

[@automatic241]

Why? Was there bad news recently?

[@smirkingguru]

A tad pricey for street strolling...careful the neighborhood choose peruse but, very nice.