I went to CanJam over the weekend, and I have to say, for all of the headphones I tried, including the Elites, and some Audeze, Hifiman, ZMF & Focal; nothing made me feel so warm and wonderful as the Meze 109 Pro. I was absolutely smitten with them. I didn't care what they cost, what type of driver was in them, or even how beautiful they looked, I just LOVED how they sounded so much! I am ordering a pair. It also made me understand, after watching this review, how very little these reviews tell me that I hold onto or value in terms of the descriptions of the quality of the bass, mids and highs. Once I put a pair of headphones on, immediately I forget about all of that. What I am looking for is a unique experience. I care most not for objective sound quality, but for how they make me feel when music is playing through them. For example, I heard the Sennheiser HE-1 at CanJam! What I remember about that isn't the "highs, mids, and bass" but the etherial, heavenly experience, the way those headphones seemed to pull the music out of my heart and how I floated along with it. Absolutely sublime, and the only other headphone I listed to all weekend that came close to that experience, whatever it's technical abilities may be, was the 109 Pro. This, sirs, shall be my End Game. It's the one headphone I have found that is absolutely perfect for my ears. The one I have been chasing. I'm so freakin excited to get them and love them forever! So, for what it's worth, if you get the chance to hear this headphone or any other headphone, focus on how it makes you feel, not so much on its technical capabilities. It's the headphones that make you gush love and appreciation for, no matter what else, that you'll want to keep and go back to again and again. Cheers!
I own the 109 Pro, LCD-X, LCD-2, EL8, HD600/6XX/660S2, DCA Aeon Open X, Sundara, Elex, as well as about ten other pair of far less expensive headphones, and I don't know but if I could keep only one of them I think it would be the 109 Pro. I just love everything about them, from their glorious aesthetic to their comfort and finally, to their sound signature. I'm 62 years old and my ears have been subjected to and endured a lot of things loud in my lifetime. Obviously I don't hear as well as when I was 18 and so I probably appreciate a little bit of high octane gas up there in the upper register. I have never been the kind of listener who appreciates the kind of deep, thunderous, sloppy bass that used to rattle the bumpers off of Yugo's back in the 80's, either. I enjoy the bass of the 109 Pro very much, and I agree with your points on it's midrange. I may not express what I'm hearing or what I like or don't like about a product as well as those who review these products because I've never aspired to. It has always been my desire to do the listening for myself rather than to ask others what to buy. I purchase only those products that sound good to me, that fit my head and cradle it in comfort while just allowing me to immerse myself in the music and get completely lost in it. I don't want to sit in my chair and analyze note for note everything of which I am listening; that's no fun for me. I appreciate listening to others ideas on new products because it gives me a little bit of knowledge, a perspective I can use to make smart decisions on any future items that I might be interested in trying out. Thank-you Michael, for a terrific review, I like them though.
I never realized how nice headphones could be comfortable too until I got my DCA Aeon Closed X, now I want to get the updated Audeze headband for my LCD 2 because my Aeons feel like almost nothing. Been super busy with end of the season work and concert/hotel/anniversary this week, and I needed to put a couple weeks between purchases before I'm sleeping in the garage, tho I saved your email because I'll be in touch for the garage sale. Keep up the good work, I need these videos to watch when I get breaks in between trucks. Waiting for more asphalt has been my only freedom recently so IEMs and my various Bluetooth dongles for them have been coming in real handy
Wow, just cant agree. I own 6 headphones that range from $1200 to $6,000. Gotta say the 109’s are performing to at least twice its price point. Just a stellar tuning with very good resolution and imaging. I will also add that these headphones respond to EQ very well. I’m not a fan of this reviewer (mostly a style issue) but his reviews are decent and IMHO presented. NEVER BUY A HEADPHONE BASED ON REVIEWS….GO LISTEN OR BUY FROM COMPANIES THAT OFFER A 100% RETURN POLICY.
Refreshing honest review thanks! Been very distracted by the hype around these lately and wondered what they’d be like or if I would be looking for flaws since I usually use my Utopia; but I thought these might be a warmer complement to those. I just don’t believe you can get the kind of sound being hyped for this price so thanks for setting it straight 😅subscribed
They are entirely different headphones. The R-9 is a slamming closed back with a classic V tuning-- very Fostex in presentation. The 109 is an open back with a wide soundstage, brilliant mids and an airy top end. The 109 is more refined, a bit faster, and better built.
@@DirectorsGarage I tried out the sundara and XS next to each other the other day. I have to say, the XS blew the Sundaras out of the water. Have you ever tried the edition XS?
Hmm... your review is top notch. Your production value is pro. I wonder why this video is so underrated. Maybe you are underrated. Kudos. Keep an eye on your email. I got a collab idea I wanna pitch your way. Great vid.
Excellent review. You’re not the only one who comments about the strange sub base. I’ve been considering the 109 Pro as an upgrade to my Sennheiser HD600 and HD650, but from what I’m hearing, it may not be much of an upgrade. I tend to gravitate to my 600’s more often than the 650’s because if their gorgeous midrange, but the absence of base is starting to make we wanting more. I may have to look at Audeze LCD-X Creaters edition or the HiFiman Sundara, Ananda, or Arya. I’m concerned about the past history of poor QA/QC that has plagued HiFiman headphone, and the only have a 1 year warranty. Focal Clear MG don’t quite do it for me either. Not sure what my best option is, so the hunt is still on. I was hoping the Meze 109 Pro was going to be my next headphone, but I doubt it will be.
Theres no such thing as an upgrade to an hd600 series headphone, only different headphones that do different things well. I own an hd600 and a meze 109, and it's just a different headphone. More bass, more detailed, more treble, less mids, more dynamic and less smooth. I also own a Focal Clear, which is much more dynamic than a 600, more sparkly, very balanced sounding although the instrument timbre is very different than most headphones (not better or worse, just different). Whenever you get another headphone, just dont get rid of the 600. Its unique sounding, just like the Meze 109 is unique. There is no definitive upgrade to headphones like these, as their "flaws" are seen as positives by a lot of people
@@Peace_GuardAn upgrade for what exactly? Tbh the thing people praise about the HD600 is how neutral and comfortable it sounds while not being too dark. What about the hd600 do you enjoy that youd want to see replicated in another, better headphone? To get better bass, better detail retrieval, better dynamics, better imaging, etc you'll be losing some of things that ppl come to the 600 for. For me personally, is it worth the tradeoffs to get something better? Absolutely without question. But I personally was never blown away by the HD600, its a good headphone but pretty overrated imo with the way its gushed over. The headphone that got me into the hobby was the 560s, because it was so clear and detailed vs anything I was listening to at the time. Incredibly immersive. No headphone Ive tried less than $1500 gives me that *exact* same feeling. That being said, its definitely not the best headphone Ive heard anymore, so the tradeoffs to get something more expensive were worth it. I now own a Meze 109 Pro, Focal Celestee, Audeze LCD X, Moondrop Venus, and Hifiman Arya Organic and kept my 560s. Just all very different headphones for different experiences
Meze Audio has no experience when it comes to engineering their own drivers from the ground up. Antonio himself has said in one of the interviews that they pick, buy and put parts together from third parties. It's simply not feasible to do R&D and construct expensive laboratories etc. It's too hard on ROI. Rinaro Isodynamics, on the other hand, are specialists and have been in the field for decades manufacturing diaphragms for other companies. The collaboration between the two was great because Antonio designed the chassis and Rinaro developed the technology. They both excelled at what they knew how to do best. This is why their TOTLs - Liric, Empyrean and Elite are on a different level. The 99 Classics, 109 Pro and the IEMs they offer are more of a DIY project as in let's see what we could possibly offer at a lower price point while still retaining the luxurious image of the company. Their ads also feature hot models (as in women) subconsciously displaying luxury, class, as if they're trying to cater to the rich or pull off a sex sells marketing tactic. I feel like Antonio is losing his passion and is trying to move onto other ventures while making sure the company is still profitable and self-sustainable. I don't blame him or anyone though. Whether we get an improved Elite is entirely in the hands of Rinaro so yeah. Up until then, Elite it is.
I went to CanJam over the weekend, and I have to say, for all of the headphones I tried, including the Elites, and some Audeze, Hifiman, ZMF & Focal; nothing made me feel so warm and wonderful as the Meze 109 Pro. I was absolutely smitten with them. I didn't care what they cost, what type of driver was in them, or even how beautiful they looked, I just LOVED how they sounded so much! I am ordering a pair. It also made me understand, after watching this review, how very little these reviews tell me that I hold onto or value in terms of the descriptions of the quality of the bass, mids and highs. Once I put a pair of headphones on, immediately I forget about all of that. What I am looking for is a unique experience. I care most not for objective sound quality, but for how they make me feel when music is playing through them. For example, I heard the Sennheiser HE-1 at CanJam! What I remember about that isn't the "highs, mids, and bass" but the etherial, heavenly experience, the way those headphones seemed to pull the music out of my heart and how I floated along with it. Absolutely sublime, and the only other headphone I listed to all weekend that came close to that experience, whatever it's technical abilities may be, was the 109 Pro. This, sirs, shall be my End Game. It's the one headphone I have found that is absolutely perfect for my ears. The one I have been chasing. I'm so freakin excited to get them and love them forever! So, for what it's worth, if you get the chance to hear this headphone or any other headphone, focus on how it makes you feel, not so much on its technical capabilities. It's the headphones that make you gush love and appreciation for, no matter what else, that you'll want to keep and go back to again and again. Cheers!
I own the 109 Pro, LCD-X, LCD-2, EL8, HD600/6XX/660S2, DCA Aeon Open X, Sundara, Elex, as well as about ten other pair of far less expensive headphones, and I don't know but if I could keep only one of them I think it would be the 109 Pro. I just love everything about them, from their glorious aesthetic to their comfort and finally, to their sound signature. I'm 62 years old and my ears have been subjected to and endured a lot of things loud in my lifetime. Obviously I don't hear as well as when I was 18 and so I probably appreciate a little bit of high octane gas up there in the upper register. I have never been the kind of listener who appreciates the kind of deep, thunderous, sloppy bass that used to rattle the bumpers off of Yugo's back in the 80's, either. I enjoy the bass of the 109 Pro very much, and I agree with your points on it's midrange. I may not express what I'm hearing or what I like or don't like about a product as well as those who review these products because I've never aspired to. It has always been my desire to do the listening for myself rather than to ask others what to buy. I purchase only those products that sound good to me, that fit my head and cradle it in comfort while just allowing me to immerse myself in the music and get completely lost in it. I don't want to sit in my chair and analyze note for note everything of which I am listening; that's no fun for me. I appreciate listening to others ideas on new products because it gives me a little bit of knowledge, a perspective I can use to make smart decisions on any future items that I might be interested in trying out. Thank-you Michael, for a terrific review, I like them though.
I never realized how nice headphones could be comfortable too until I got my DCA Aeon Closed X, now I want to get the updated Audeze headband for my LCD 2 because my Aeons feel like almost nothing.
Been super busy with end of the season work and concert/hotel/anniversary this week, and I needed to put a couple weeks between purchases before I'm sleeping in the garage, tho I saved your email because I'll be in touch for the garage sale. Keep up the good work, I need these videos to watch when I get breaks in between trucks. Waiting for more asphalt has been my only freedom recently so IEMs and my various Bluetooth dongles for them have been coming in real handy
Wow, just cant agree. I own 6 headphones that range from $1200 to $6,000. Gotta say the 109’s are performing to at least twice its price point. Just a stellar tuning with very good resolution and imaging. I will also add that these headphones respond to EQ very well. I’m not a fan of this reviewer (mostly a style issue) but his reviews are decent and IMHO presented.
NEVER BUY A HEADPHONE BASED ON REVIEWS….GO LISTEN OR BUY FROM COMPANIES THAT OFFER A 100% RETURN POLICY.
Refreshing honest review thanks! Been very distracted by the hype around these lately and wondered what they’d be like or if I would be looking for flaws since I usually use my Utopia; but I thought these might be a warmer complement to those. I just don’t believe you can get the kind of sound being hyped for this price so thanks for setting it straight 😅subscribed
How does it compare to hifiman R9?
They are entirely different headphones. The R-9 is a slamming closed back with a classic V tuning-- very Fostex in presentation. The 109 is an open back with a wide soundstage, brilliant mids and an airy top end. The 109 is more refined, a bit faster, and better built.
What are the others in this price range you recommend checking out?
Sorry, I cut that list for time. Dan Clarke Audio Noire, Audeze LCD-2, Hifiman Sundara or Ananda, Focal Bathys or Celestee, Fostex TH-610.
@@DirectorsGarage All I'm concerned about is using these for gaming on the PS5 and you said these would be good?
@@MJordanisGod23 I’d check out the Fostex. Great booming bass. Semi closed will keep those around you less annoyed!
@@DirectorsGarage I tried out the sundara and XS next to each other the other day. I have to say, the XS blew the Sundaras out of the water. Have you ever tried the edition XS?
Hmm... your review is top notch. Your production value is pro. I wonder why this video is so underrated. Maybe you are underrated. Kudos. Keep an eye on your email. I got a collab idea I wanna pitch your way. Great vid.
You give me a "dose" of humor for today. Enjoy your review(s).
Mr. Pete---------->
aging hippie
Get the Ananda Stealth Magnet for $700 instead. Benchmark HP under $1K
This is one I'm seriously considering actually
Excellent review. You’re not the only one who comments about the strange sub base. I’ve been considering the 109 Pro as an upgrade to my Sennheiser HD600 and HD650, but from what I’m hearing, it may not be much of an upgrade. I tend to gravitate to my 600’s more often than the 650’s because if their gorgeous midrange, but the absence of base is starting to make we wanting more. I may have to look at Audeze LCD-X Creaters edition or the HiFiman Sundara, Ananda, or Arya. I’m concerned about the past history of poor QA/QC that has plagued HiFiman headphone, and the only have a 1 year warranty. Focal Clear MG don’t quite do it for me either. Not sure what my best option is, so the hunt is still on. I was hoping the Meze 109 Pro was going to be my next headphone, but I doubt it will be.
Theres no such thing as an upgrade to an hd600 series headphone, only different headphones that do different things well. I own an hd600 and a meze 109, and it's just a different headphone. More bass, more detailed, more treble, less mids, more dynamic and less smooth. I also own a Focal Clear, which is much more dynamic than a 600, more sparkly, very balanced sounding although the instrument timbre is very different than most headphones (not better or worse, just different).
Whenever you get another headphone, just dont get rid of the 600. Its unique sounding, just like the Meze 109 is unique. There is no definitive upgrade to headphones like these, as their "flaws" are seen as positives by a lot of people
@@PantsaBear Would you consider Atrium a HD600 upgrade?
@@Peace_GuardAn upgrade for what exactly? Tbh the thing people praise about the HD600 is how neutral and comfortable it sounds while not being too dark. What about the hd600 do you enjoy that youd want to see replicated in another, better headphone?
To get better bass, better detail retrieval, better dynamics, better imaging, etc you'll be losing some of things that ppl come to the 600 for. For me personally, is it worth the tradeoffs to get something better? Absolutely without question. But I personally was never blown away by the HD600, its a good headphone but pretty overrated imo with the way its gushed over. The headphone that got me into the hobby was the 560s, because it was so clear and detailed vs anything I was listening to at the time. Incredibly immersive. No headphone Ive tried less than $1500 gives me that *exact* same feeling. That being said, its definitely not the best headphone Ive heard anymore, so the tradeoffs to get something more expensive were worth it. I now own a Meze 109 Pro, Focal Celestee, Audeze LCD X, Moondrop Venus, and Hifiman Arya Organic and kept my 560s. Just all very different headphones for different experiences
wow live, our second time now
Meze Audio has no experience when it comes to engineering their own drivers from the ground up. Antonio himself has said in one of the interviews that they pick, buy and put parts together from third parties. It's simply not feasible to do R&D and construct expensive laboratories etc. It's too hard on ROI.
Rinaro Isodynamics, on the other hand, are specialists and have been in the field for decades manufacturing diaphragms for other companies. The collaboration between the two was great because Antonio designed the chassis and Rinaro developed the technology. They both excelled at what they knew how to do best.
This is why their TOTLs - Liric, Empyrean and Elite are on a different level. The 99 Classics, 109 Pro and the IEMs they offer are more of a DIY project as in let's see what we could possibly offer at a lower price point while still retaining the luxurious image of the company.
Their ads also feature hot models (as in women) subconsciously displaying luxury, class, as if they're trying to cater to the rich or pull off a sex sells marketing tactic. I feel like Antonio is losing his passion and is trying to move onto other ventures while making sure the company is still profitable and self-sustainable.
I don't blame him or anyone though. Whether we get an improved Elite is entirely in the hands of Rinaro so yeah. Up until then, Elite it is.