Meze Audio 99 Classics (2nd Gen) Headphones

99 Classics 2nd Generation, Over-Ear, Closed-Back Headphones, by Meze Audio.

Since their release in 2015, the Meze 99 Classics have undeniably left a big impact on the headphone cultural landscape. In this sense, they have become iconic, a symbol.

Meze initially created them out of a desire to infuse life and passion into what is commonly perceived as technical objects. They view headphones as vessels that contain our love for artistic expression and celebrate individuality.

Ten years later, that vision continues to drive them. As a celebration, the 2nd Generation 99 Classics come with a number of meaningful enhancements, all while preserving the spirit of the original.

Everything that made the original headphone an instant classic is still present – the magnetic and inviting sound, the seamless comfort, the use of premium materials, the timeless design aesthetic – it’s all here. However, upon closer inspection and audition, the enhancements become more apparent.

Sound Signature

The 2nd Gen 99 Classics moves the signature closer to a balanced, neutral target. Bass remains engaging yet slightly more restrained, allowing midrange and treble details to emerge with greater clarity. The result is a more versatile headphone that retains the musical warmth of the original while offering improved overall balance and detail retrieval.

Driver Matching

A refined matching process, using a mixed cosine function combined with level-adjustment algorithms, reduces inter-driver variance in the mid and high frequencies. The result is improved stereo image stability and a more consistent listening experience across pairs.

The baffle has been re-engineered with acoustic transparency in mind. A more open grille and streamlined structural beams reduce diffraction and acoustic impedance in front of the driver, minimizing high-frequency artifacts.

Redesigned Ear Cups

The internal cup volume has been increased. A larger volume shifts cavity resonances downward and reduces standing-wave interactions, enhancing control in the low-frequency region and aligning with the new tuning goals.

The 2nd Gen introduces precision sealing at all key junctions. This improved sealing enables the use of a dedicated bass vent integrated into the jack shell, providing better control over lower frequencies, improved left–right consistency, and higher unit-to-unit reproducibility.

New Ear Pads

The ear pads have been reshaped to adjust and increase the front cavity volume, refining the midrange balance toward the intended target. The attachment system has evolved from a stretch-skirt to a clip-on mechanism, ensuring fixed orientation, reducing variability, and simplifying replacement.

Improved Cable + USB-C DAC / Amp

The stock cable now uses a dual-twisted, Kevlar-sheathed OFC conductor. This maintains excellent electrical performance while improving tangle resistance, mechanical durability, and flexibility.

Reflecting today’s usage patterns, a compact USB-C DAC/AMP is now included to ensure optimal performance with modern devices that lack dedicated headphone outputs.

Features

• 2nd Generation of the iconic 99 Classics Over-Ear, Closed-Back Headphones
• Walnut wood ear cups, with increased volume
• Self adjustable headband
• Tuned, matched dynamic drivers
• Acoustically sealed porting
• Redesigned baffle architecture
• New clip-on design ear pads
• Two tonalities
• Cast zinc hardware
• USB-C DAC / Amp Cable included, for devices without a 3.5 mm socket.

Specifications

• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Input Connector: Dual 3.5 mm TS Jack
• Driver Size: 40 mm
• THD: <0.1 % @ 1 kHz
• Frequency Range: 15 Hz - 25 kHz
• Ear Cups: Walnut Wood
• Impedance: 16 Ohms
• Weight: 290 g
• Sensitivity: 103 dB SPL/mW @ 1 kHz

More Information

• 99 Classics 2nd Generation, by Meze Audio