Meze Audio 99 Classics

Sources split three ways, and the split tracks the unit. Every rig measured between 2016 and 2020 shows a big shelf — about 8–18 dB over an HD 600/650 at 20–60 Hz and still +6–10 dB at 100–200 Hz. The largest camp hears that as too much: bloated, loose and bleeding into the lower mids. Nearly as many hear the same lift as the headphone's draw — deep, full and punchy without drowning the rest. A third group, mostly owners who bought after late 2022 (plus some early 2016 units), find it nowhere near the 'bass cannon' of its reputation — balanced to some, disappointingly light to others. Meze revised the pads around 2016–17 (more bass) and the cup joint and port in late 2022–23 (less), so which camp you land in partly depends on which 99 Classics you get.

Sources split, but unevenly. Most reviewers call the midrange the headphone's best part — warm, natural and vocal-forward, with voices 'the star of the show'. A measurement-led minority hears the same band as thick, hollow or recessed: the bass shelf reaches into the lower mids and a deep dip at 3.5–4 kHz pulls presence back, so vocals can sound boomy or veiled. Pad choice moves this band too.

Sources split. Most reviewers hear a smooth, slightly rolled-off, fatigue-free top end with enough detail. A sizeable minority hear a peaky, etched or grainy treble that gets harsh on sibilants and at high volume. Both describe something real: the rigs show a hole below 4 kHz followed by sharp 7–9 kHz peaks and resonances, which read as 'smooth' against the big bass and as 'splashy' once the bass is tamed. Newer, less bassy units draw more of the harshness complaints.

Sources split on how the colouring lands, not on the colouring. Nobody measures it as neutral: it is warm, bass-lifted and V-leaning. Most reviewers and owners find that musical, forgiving and fun — a few even call it balanced, especially on early or recent units. Measurement-led critics find it too coloured, the bass 'screwing with' the mids; some call it a pretty-shelled take on a consumer 'Beats' tuning.

Good for a closed-back, most agree — spacious enough, with some calling it among the best at the price. The caveats are about size: several reviewers find it intimate and centred between the ears, and a couple of critics hear it as cramped or congested, usually blaming the bass.

“The 99’s spatial presentation is exceptional”

Louder (Steve May)

“the Mezes kept the music close, hugging the space between my ears with a smaller soundstage than the other headphones used in this review.”

Stereophile (Ken Micallef)

A point of broad agreement: placement is precise and instruments separate cleanly for a sealed headphone, even where the stage itself is modest.

“Imaging is outstanding for a sealed headphone.”

InnerFidelity (Tyll Hertsens)

“The imaging is excellent.”

AudiophileOn

Sources split. Editorial reviewers and many owners find the detail clear and 'plenty for the price'. The measurement camp and critical owners say it is not a resolving headphone: the bass warmth and treble resonances blur fine detail, and cheaper open-backs and several closed rivals out-resolve it.

Lively and fun rather than hard-hitting. Several reviewers call it fast and punchy; others find the big bass has weight without much slam, and What Hi-Fi? thinks it glosses over the energy of upbeat tracks. Nobody calls it a planar-style slam machine.

“Dynamics are also quite good, though lacking the serious punch big planar magnetics can deliver with a powerful amplifier.”

InnerFidelity (Tyll Hertsens)

“They tend to gloss over the rhythmic punch and enthusiasm of more upbeat tracks”

What Hi-Fi?

Sources split, most of them happy. At 260 g with a self-adjusting headband it is light and easy to wear, and many owners call it the most comfortable headphone they have. The minority is consistent about why it isn't: the cups are small and the pads shallow, so larger ears touch the driver grille and ache within 15–60 minutes; the pleather pads run hot; and the arc clamps firmly on bigger heads. Pad swaps fix it for many but change the sound.

Sources split, most of them impressed. The walnut, zinc and spring-steel build is widely called beautiful and premium, and everything is screwed together and replaceable. The dissent is about two recurring faults: the metal headband is microphonic and rings like a bell when it touches a chair or collar, and the stock pleather pads peel or flake within months for a number of owners (replacements are cheap, but they are the same material).

Middling for a closed-back. It cuts high-frequency noise well but does little below a few hundred hertz, so engines and traffic come through. Fine for a desk, an office or a subway ride; not a plane isolator. A few owners, usually on a good seal, rate it well.

“these won’t isolate much below 300Hz, and you will probably hear engine rumbles and vehicle noise along with your music.”

SoundGuys

“Isolation is not great.”

AudiophileOn

Sources split. One side says nothing else at the price combines this look, build, comfort and an easy, fun sound, and several reviewers named it one of the few wired closed-backs worth recommending. The other side says the sound alone is matched or beaten by cheaper headphones (HD 58X, DT 770, M50x, FiiO FT1) and that you are paying for the wood. It is now being cleared at $249–299 while the redesigned 2nd Gen sells for $349.