Meze 99 neo design review - a nicely made headphone

[@c11p]

I've had them for a year now, primarily my travel/airplane cans. At first they were a bit soft but they've opened up quite nicely, especially the low end. Primarily use them with an aftermarket balanced cable into a Qudelix 5k with EQ of high end.

[@CustomCans]

Yes - a few people had mentioned running them balanced, I will have to give that a go

[@johanjdbjsksn9925]

Hello @c11p ,How was your comfort, did you have any discomfort in summer or during very hot periods?🤔

[@Firebottleman]

You are hilarious! Lol. Love the humor. Thanks for the review.

[@danrussell9357]

I have owned a pair for about 3 years. I changed the pads to velour which improved the sound and feel cooler. I also changed the stock cables, but be sure to get ones with thin 3.5 ends or they won't fit into the ear cups. Mine don't squeek, and the warm sound pairs well for listening on a laptop.

[@PaulBloomlittledevil]

I have the v1 wood version, the cup attachment has been changed to be simpler and more durable, more squeeky but less loose than my version.

[@CustomCans]

Thanks for the info

[@chazmundo18]

I have the 99 Classics, mainly as option for a different sound signature to my HD660s, I love them, beautiful looking, closed back (For late light listening) and super warm sound

[@CustomCans]

Yes they probably would be a good contrast to the 660

[@soulfulfool]

lets say it is way too warm xD never heard anything warmer

[@Firebottleman]

These would probably be pretty good for classic rock with less than stellar recordings with weak bass. My Fiio FT-5s are excellent for this type of music and recording quality. They mask the imperfections quite a bit, and juice up the bass.

[@chungang7037]

What is your daily driver? Preferences play a role for sure, but also brain burn-in. I prefer the relaxed sound signature, for music enjoyment. The brighter or analytical headphones I find fatiguing.

[@CustomCans]

To be honest - Some lightly modded Beyer custom one pro have been my daily since they launched 10 years ago. In work I am always listening to whatever I am working on at the time but the custom one pro are the only pair I have at home

[@chungang7037]

​@@CustomCans Nice, you must get to hear a lot different stuff! I think a lot of people would be into simply break downs of famous cans to see what is really in them. I remember you doing one for an Ultrasone and commenting on the build and driver, was really interesting!

[@narkformost867]

pad swap helps with the muddiness, give them velour and they will shine.

[@focaltrip]

There's a few mods for balanced so you can fit any 3.5mm jack with a 3d printed part. Running mine off a Fiio BTR7 balanced sound a lot better after eq.

[@CustomCans]

I will check it out

[@SuperLber]

I found them relaxing with jazz. I only listen to jazz trought lake people g111 mkII. Warm and never fatiguing with brass and cimbals.

[@fredofuss9438]

I got the 99 noir because they got a nicer look then the classic and still better sound then the neo. The earpads have a great impact here, there's a good chance you can improve a lot by replacing them. They definitely lack some treble and details but are pretty enjoyable and have a surprisingly bigger soundstage than most closed backs. Looking forward to your adjustments. ;)

[@CustomCans]

Yes - I will have to have a proper listen over the next month and see if they grow on me

[@Neneraju1w4]

I felt same like you what do you recommend in 200 dollars

[@CustomCans]

I am no good at recommendations but the new Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X is good around that price

[@Neneraju1w4]

@CustomCans tqsm is it bright and sparkly

[@QOTSAPT]

They measure well apart from 2k, it takes a while for the ear to adapt, most audiophiles have been conditioned to extremely bright gear.

[@thepedanticcreature680]

Ah, yes. The Meze 99 Neo. My first non-BT headphone as an adult. Besides the sound *requiring* EQ through software or mods, they also have some pretty annoying issues with microphonics. I tried swapping the cable but it turns out that the cup just picks up on every vibration both from the cable and the headband. I still actually use them regularly, including for a trip from which I just returned. Though, mine have been modded. I use Brainwavz microsuede pads with cooling gel. Plus, since mine are so old, they have a different back hinge design, and I tried to dampen the squeaks from that with a SkyGel pad. Turns out that that combination really helps their sound. Most recently, I had a guy from an hifi store test them after I was done testing their stuff, and he was amazed by the difference (they sell Mezes so he knows what they sound like). The bass is under control, and the main issue in terms of FR is that male vocals can be a bit subdued. Still not a sparkly headphone by any means, of course.

[@Hijynx87]

If you stuff the cups it might help the microphonics.....probably affect the tuning though.

[@thepedanticcreature680]

@@Hijynx87 Possibly but I get the sense that the main issue is how it is a solid construction of hard materials that are light enough to pick up any vibrations. I would actually be more interested in using gel layers or the kinds of elastic options that CustomCans presented some time back to reduce the vibrations that get delivered to the cups themselves.

[@Shifterfire]

I tried the Meze 99 classics (the wood ones), and i thought the sound was mwah and a bit muddy. They were gorgeous! Until you put them on your head... xD then they don't look as special. Also couldn't get used to the wider arc supports, which made a pinging sound when touched or bumped (which was the other problem in that happening quite often. Looks over sound, but fine mediocre headphone.

[@CustomCans]

Ah - that is interesting - we are trying to design some headphones this year and noise from the spring steel in the headband was not something we had though about

[@sulgrave_]

Pubes add character.

[@CustomCans]

LOL ;)

[@twitchbook-1]

cheers

[@CustomCans]

no problem ;)

[@SearchAshPile]

I love my 99 Neos but running them balanced is required.

[@CustomCans]

I will give that a go

[@Flibster]

For £70, if it's an easy fix... complete bargain. Tried the Meze 99's recently. Basically like the Neo's but the earcups are made of walnut instead of plastic. Immediate impression was how incredibly comfortable they were and how mellow the sound was. They were a lovely thing, but I wasn't enamoured with the sound. There was nothing really wrong, but it wasn't what I was after. Shame. Would absolutely have a pair as a second or third set. If a decent price turns up somewhere, I might snag a pair.

[@cocoabuttervaseline]

Cheers

[@the_wobbly_witch]

from my experience they had a.. very odd sound.. mentlly painful to listen to, zero subbass, tons of midbass, not even a woofy but still a horrendously boomy sound in a "thud" way.. and absolutely zero high treble. zero mods i tried to do, fixed any of the sound. build-wise though; absolutely amazing lmao.

[@CustomCans]

Yes - based on build - they are great value - I will have to try some of the higher end ones to see if they sound better

[@CustomCans]

Maybe, at this price point you have Good looks Good build Good sound But you can only pick two of them ;)

[@Pastel.Plague]

you are so brave for smelling them so up close.... i can never forget the one time where i could literally TASTE another person in my mouth when i opened one of the send-ins...... hmmm.... ahhhhh

[@CustomCans]

James charges people an extra £24 now if they send them in without cleaning them 1st

[@Pastel.Plague]

@@CustomCans as he should. some of them are a literal biohazard

[@onepieceatatime]

They are the only 100% symmetrical headphones I've ever seen. They do responding okay to pad rolling - the stock pads are terrible.

[@CustomCans]

I may try some pad mods on them. Another symmetrical headphone would probably be the HD25 light... not nearly as pretty though