The classic closed Meze, updated and still modular
99 CLASSICS V2 renews the walnut headphone with 40 mm drivers, a 16-ohm load and optional absorbers for a warmer balance.
The second-generation 99 Classics retains its recognisable silhouette while revising acoustics and wear points. This is a closed headphone for home, office or travel and is far easier to drive than the brand's planar models. Supplied acoustic absorbers can move the tuning towards the warmth of the original; without them, the response remains more neutral and balanced.
Key features
- 16-ohm closed-back dynamic headphone
- 40 mm dynamic drivers
- Machine-shaped, hand-finished walnut cups
- Removable acoustic absorbers included
- Detachable 1.8 m cable and USB-C DAC dongle
- Glue-free, fully serviceable construction
Where it works best
99 CLASSICS V2 should be chosen from the listening environment rather than price alone. Its acoustic architecture determines how much room noise enters and how much music reaches nearby people; impedance and sensitivity indicate how readily a phone, dongle, player or desktop amplifier can produce a useful level.
Built to last
Meze designs 99 CLASSICS V2 with replaceable cables and wear parts. Being able to renew pads, headband or connections extends useful life and separates a repairable product from one defeated by a single failed element. Materials and finishes therefore have a purpose beyond appearance.
Making the right choice in the range
The useful comparison is not an abstract ranking. 99 CLASSICS V2 makes sense when its balance of isolation, openness, portability and supplied equipment matches the source and listening place. Spending more may add materials or technology, but does not automatically make a headphone more suitable for travel, office work or home listening. A short trial with the intended device is therefore more informative than specifications considered alone.
