Sounds like an outstanding set to still hold up for this long. I may have to consider picking it up at some point. 🤔 Thank you for another great review! 👍
LIstened to this set when it first came out. Really taken back by how good they were. Ultimately got confused between this and the m50x ( think they came out a year apart?), and never decided.
Great review, i own the 99 Neo Version, which is cheaper and i would like you to try that as a comparison and find their differences and what are we paying extra to get the 99 Classics. Also, i am looking for a new Hybrid Set and just came across your review of SuperMix 4 and Kinera Relentless, since you already own the KATO and artti T10 considering those as the baseline what is the difference between those two, are they a slight Upgrade to the KATO and T10 or a Sidegrade and which one would you pick ? considering they COST THE SAME in my region [120$]; Or would you recommend something different at that price point ? you have already given me 2 great recs. of T10 and Hakugei Anunachi.
@@mrigankadeyMD lots of good stuff to respond to! Thank you for the comments and questions! I will give you a thorough response when I get back to the tech lair a bit later. Right now I’m sitting in October drizzle watching my kiddos last little league game of the season. ☮️
@@mrigankadeyMD okay. So, I will definitely reach out to Razvan to see if a 99 Neo is available. That would be a great comp considering the price. As far as the Relentless goes, it is an upgrade over the Kato. As good as the Kato is, it can’t keep up with the end to end extension of the Relentless. That said, you’ve gotta be ready for the bass and associated warmth. It does balance the treble nicely though. The SM4 is just really impressive in its balanced and natural presentation. Some might consider the “Harman-like” tuning to be a little boring, but the overall presentation is so clean, clear and smooth, that I cannot knock it for being neutral. Depends on which style suits you, I guess. You know how I feel about the T10. I have a hard time comparing it to other sets. But if you’re looking for more of a change of pace from that, I think I’d go with the SM4. It’s just so solid. Keeping in mind that they had polarity issues with the stock cable on some of them, I’d be ready to swap it out if they don’t sound right.
@@BassDad8 so you are saying that if i like more of a T10 kind of V sound i should go with Celest and if i want more neutral flavour i pick the SM4, are both same in terms of techs/detail retrieval or one of them is superior ? P.S. - I contacted Meze regarding this via Headfi couple of months back and heres the quote - "To clarify, the 99 Neo and the 99 Classics have the exact same driver, and the differences in sound between the two are unnoticeable. There has been no revision for the 99 Neo driver....." i am still reluctant to believe this, maybe your future review will verify this claim.
@@mrigankadeyMD Good to know about the Neo! Now I am even more curious. The Relentless will be the T10 on steroids pretty much. Whereas the SM4 is definitely going to be less intense. But I think I’ll give the technical edge to the SM4 actually. It will depend on how much you want to change it up. My initial reaction of “IEM of the Year” for the SM4 may have been a reach, but after going back to it several times, against similarly tuned sets, it is really, really good. It does rise above the noise if you take my meaning.
I am an unapologetic bass lover. But the Meze 99 just had way too much bass to my ears. I love the OG Empyrean though...great headphone. Had I not gotten a deal on a used Abyss Diana V2, I'd have definitely gone for an Empyrean.
@@hazi5961 the Dekoni pads would have probably helped then. Just getting that extra 1 or 2cm of distance from the drivers really balanced them out for me, but I like the bass as it is with the stock pads.
Sounds like an outstanding set to still hold up for this long. I may have to consider picking it up at some point. 🤔 Thank you for another great review! 👍
Been using since 5 years and everytime when I use it, feels like new enjoyable sound.
@@bencherian it’s so freaking good. I really wonder how the FT1 is going to stack up.
LIstened to this set when it first came out. Really taken back by how good they were. Ultimately got confused between this and the m50x ( think they came out a year apart?), and never decided.
For the algorithm.
@@UFO-Audio thank you bud!
@@BassDad8 My pleasure - love your channel!
Great review, i own the 99 Neo Version, which is cheaper and i would like you to try that as a comparison and find their differences and what are we paying extra to get the 99 Classics.
Also, i am looking for a new Hybrid Set and just came across your review of SuperMix 4 and Kinera Relentless, since you already own the KATO and artti T10 considering those as the baseline what is the difference between those two, are they a slight Upgrade to the KATO and T10 or a Sidegrade and which one would you pick ? considering they COST THE SAME in my region [120$]; Or would you recommend something different at that price point ?
you have already given me 2 great recs. of T10 and Hakugei Anunachi.
@@mrigankadeyMD lots of good stuff to respond to! Thank you for the comments and questions! I will give you a thorough response when I get back to the tech lair a bit later. Right now I’m sitting in October drizzle watching my kiddos last little league game of the season. ☮️
@@BassDad8 don't worry take your time. But pls note that i only have 48 hrs before sale ends to take a decision regarding the iem.
@@mrigankadeyMD okay. So, I will definitely reach out to Razvan to see if a 99 Neo is available. That would be a great comp considering the price.
As far as the Relentless goes, it is an upgrade over the Kato. As good as the Kato is, it can’t keep up with the end to end extension of the Relentless. That said, you’ve gotta be ready for the bass and associated warmth. It does balance the treble nicely though. The SM4 is just really impressive in its balanced and natural presentation. Some might consider the “Harman-like” tuning to be a little boring, but the overall presentation is so clean, clear and smooth, that I cannot knock it for being neutral. Depends on which style suits you, I guess. You know how I feel about the T10. I have a hard time comparing it to other sets. But if you’re looking for more of a change of pace from that, I think I’d go with the SM4. It’s just so solid. Keeping in mind that they had polarity issues with the stock cable on some of them, I’d be ready to swap it out if they don’t sound right.
@@BassDad8 so you are saying that if i like more of a T10 kind of V sound i should go with Celest and if i want more neutral flavour i pick the SM4, are both same in terms of techs/detail retrieval or one of them is superior ?
P.S. - I contacted Meze regarding this via Headfi couple of months back and heres the quote - "To clarify, the 99 Neo and the 99 Classics have the exact same driver, and the differences in sound between the two are unnoticeable. There has been no revision for the 99 Neo driver....." i am still reluctant to believe this, maybe your future review will verify this claim.
@@mrigankadeyMD Good to know about the Neo! Now I am even more curious.
The Relentless will be the T10 on steroids pretty much. Whereas the SM4 is definitely going to be less intense. But I think I’ll give the technical edge to the SM4 actually. It will depend on how much you want to change it up. My initial reaction of “IEM of the Year” for the SM4 may have been a reach, but after going back to it several times, against similarly tuned sets, it is really, really good. It does rise above the noise if you take my meaning.
I am an unapologetic bass lover. But the Meze 99 just had way too much bass to my ears. I love the OG Empyrean though...great headphone. Had I not gotten a deal on a used Abyss Diana V2, I'd have definitely gone for an Empyrean.
@@hazi5961 the Dekoni pads would have probably helped then. Just getting that extra 1 or 2cm of distance from the drivers really balanced them out for me, but I like the bass as it is with the stock pads.
Am using Brainwavz velour pads and it reduces bass impact on your ears by very much
Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how fired up my wife is going to be when headphones start showing up too?
@@Sforzabull lol!!!