"The first dynamic open-back headphone from Meze Audio, 109 PRO is a demonstration of our commitment to go beyond the faithful reproduction of sound to deliver pure emotion" Meze Audio
Disclaimer: "Meze Audio" "Zur Trade" Distributor graciously provided the "Meze 109 Pro" for this review.
Meze is undoubtedly a popular and well-regarded brand in the audio industry, known for its range of headphones that cater to different sound preferences and budgets.
The Meze 109 PRO Dynamic Headphones occupy a special place within Meze's lineup. While they come with a higher price tag, they offer a significant improvement in resolution and overall clarity compared to the Meze 99 Classics. The intention behind the 109 PRO seems to be to provide a balance between the magic of the 99 Classics and the high-end performance of the flagship models.
Introduction:
I recently had the pleasure of testing out the MEZE 109 Pro headphones, a back-open model equipped with a powerful 50mm dynamic driver. After spending some quality time with these headphones, I must say that they truly exceeded my expectations in terms of sound quality and overall comfort. In this review, I will discuss the key features and explain why I highly recommend the MEZE 109 Pro headphones.
Design and Comfort:
The design of the MEZE 109 Pro headphones is elegant, with a sturdy build that gives off a premium feel, yes, in general, it is. The adjustable headband allows for a comfortable fit on any head size, and the lightweight (375 gr without cables), and velour ear cups, make them perfect for long listening sessions without causing any discomfort or fatigue.
The comfort of the Meze 109 PRO Dynamic headphones is truly exceptional. The attention to detail in their design and construction is evident.
The standout features of the Meze 109 PRO is its self-adjusting headband and its lightweight design, ensuring that the headphones sit lightly on your head without exerting too much pressure, providing a barely noticeable sensation. Weighing in as one of the lightest headphones available, the 109 PRO offers hours of fatigue-free listening thanks to the support provided by the flexible and soft headband. Whether it's the headband or the cushioned velour earpads, you'll never feel any wearing fatigue even after extended periods of use. Velour cushions comfortably surround the ears, providing the optimal seal to create natural sound. As velour is far softer and more breathable than leather, it also prevents sweat and overheating during lengthy listening sessions.
In summary, the Meze 109 PRO Dynamic Headphones not only possess excellent design aesthetics but also offer remarkable comfort and wearability.
With their precisely placed drivers, deep velour-coated earpads, and self-adjusting headband, these headphones provide an unmatched level of comfort, allowing for enjoyable listening sessions lasting hours on end.
The build quality of the Meze 109 PRO is also worth mentioning. The spider metallic structure and acoustically transparent grill not only contribute to the open and spacious sound signature but also add a touch of elegance and durability to the headphones. Meze Audio's commitment to high-quality materials and precision engineering is evident in every aspect of the 109 PRO's design.
Overall, the Meze 109 PRO delivers not only exceptional sound quality but also unmatched comfort. Whether you plan to use them for a short listening session or an all-day music marathon, these headphones will provide a pleasant and enjoyable experience without any wearing fatigue.
Sound Quality:
The sound quality of the Meze 109 PRO Dynamic Headphones is truly exceptional, making them a standout choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike. These headphones offer a wide soundstage with excellent depth and imaging, creating a truly immersive listening experience.
Overall, the Meze 109 PRO excels in delivering a balanced, detailed, and emotionally captivating sound signature. Whether you're a fan of bass-heavy music, enjoy intricate midrange details, or seek an engaging and energetic treble response, these headphones will not disappoint. Their ability to reproduce music so accurately and emotionally will bring back memories and elicit deep emotions you may have forgotten were even there.
The lows are deep and impactful, providing a satisfying punch to bass-heavy tracks. Starting with the bass, the 109 PRO delivers a full, deep, and lush low end that can reach down to 5 Hz. The bass is natural in speed, allowing for both technical metal and more subtle acoustic notes to be reproduced accurately. The headphone's ability to produce nuanced and distinguishable bass notes really sets it apart from other headphones in its price range.
Moving on to the midrange, the 109 PRO continues to impress. The mids are clear and well-defined, allowing vocals and instruments to shine through with great clarity. The soundstage is wide and holographic, bringing music to life all around the listener. The detail and clarity in the midrange are outstanding, making even the smallest nuances, micro symbols, synth keys, and background vocals easily discernible. Voices sound sensitive and emotional, while acoustic recordings feel incredibly vivid and real.
In the treble range, the 109 PRO strikes a good balance between energy and smoothness. The lower treble has a nuanced and pronounced presentation, adding bite and impact to cymbal crashes and high-frequency details. The upper treble is smoother, preventing any harshness or fatigue in the sound. This combination allows for a natural and engaging listening experience across a wide variety of music genres, from rock to EDM and everything in between.
One of the standout features of the MEZE 109 Pro headphones is their exceptional sound quality with Frequency Response: 5Hz - 30KHz and Sensitivity of 112 dB SPL at 1KHz, 1mW.
Moreover, the highs are crisp and never harsh, ensuring a balanced audio reproduction.
Carefully tuned by Meze's in-house engineering team, it offers emotionally engaging sound with great detail, clarity, and just the right amount of punch. Its organic character, paired with superior dynamics, excellent imaging, and full-bodied vocals bring soul-stirring details to life.
Thanks to the 50mm dynamic driver, these headphones deliver a rich and detailed audio experience across all frequencies. A new 50mm dynamic driver, assembled and tuned with ultimate precision, allowed to push the boundaries of speed, accuracy, and dynamic range.
Meze's research led to the development of the 109 series Dual-Composite Diaphragm - a combination of Beryllium-coated polymer and cellulose-carbon fiber composite.
The copper-zinc alloy stabilizer, positioned around the membrane, improves the absorption of vibrations to further reduce distortion.
The diaphragm is encased in a high-precision aluminum frame, together with the neodymium magnet. Manufactured using CNC machining, the frame offers superior rigidity, strength, and thermal stability to retain surface flatness.
Made of a carbon fiber-enforced cellulose composite, the W-shaped dome is able to reproduce high-frequencies with incredible detail, clarity, and definition. More durable than conventional alternatives used in dynamic drivers, yet lightweight, this composite helps reduce resonances that may lead to harmonic distortion.
The ultra-thin torus surrounding the dome is composed of Beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer, measuring 22 microns in thickness. By applying the Beryllium coating through Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), it aimed to increase the stiffness and durability of the driver, while still keeping it light enough to achieve a fast transient response. These qualities are also enhanced through the corrugations on the torus, which are precisely carved at a 45.5° angle.
Beryllium’s high damping qualities also help suppress unwanted resonances, giving the 109 PRO its neutral, vivid, and transparent character.
Performance and Connectivity:
Besides, it’s easy to drive from most devices, whether we’re talking portable sources or intricate home setups. When it comes to performance, the MEZE 109 Pro headphones shine. They have a low impedance of 40 Ω, making them easy to drive even with portable devices such as smartphones or laptops. The detachable cable is of high quality and eliminates any tangling issues.
Value for Money:
Considering the exceptional sound quality, comfort, and overall build quality, the MEZE 109 Pro headphones offer excellent value for money! They compete with many higher-priced headphones in terms of performance, making them a budget-friendly yet high-performing option for audio enthusiasts, audiophiles, or professionals.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the MEZE 109 Pro headphones are an outstanding option for anyone in search of affordable, open-back headphones that do not compromise on sound quality or comfort. The combination of the 50mm dynamic driver and open-back design provides an immersive audio experience, while the comfortable fit ensures hours of enjoyable listening. Whether you're a music lover, gamer, or professional seeking reliable headphones, the MEZE 109 Pro is definitely worth considering.
I love the MEZE 109 Pro!
The Meze 109 PRO Dynamic Headphones not only deliver incredible sound quality but also boast an impressive and visually appealing design. With their comfortable fit, thick velour ear pads, and unique open-back design, these headphones provide both comfort and a satisfying audio experience.
TECH SPECS
Transducer Size: 50mm
Frequency Response: 5Hz - 30KHz
Sensitivity: 112dB SPL at 1KHz, 1mW
Impedance: 40 Ω
Weight: 375 gr (13 oz) without cables
Ear-Cups Black Walnut Wood
ACCESSORIES
Case: Hard EVA pouch
Included cables:
- 1.5 m soft TPE cable, with black aluminum casings, ending with a 3.5 mm jack
- 3 m soft TPE cable, with black aluminum casings, ending with a 3.5 mm jack
Headphone termination:
- 3.5 mm TRS jack
Included adapters:
- 6.3 mm gold-plated jack
Warranty period: 2 years
Author - Alexander Y [ALEXKUBIK]
Meze Audio: "Alex Kubik of Hi-Res Audio Project tested the 109 Pros and found them to be “an outstanding option for anyone in search of affordable, open-back headphones that do not compromise on sound quality or comfort."
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