I tried audiophile icon Meze’s brand-new entry-level headphones — and I feel like I’m hearing my favorite songs for the first time

The Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen are unlike any of the best headphones I’ve tried before. I’m not going to lie and pretend I’m a seasoned expert in the world of audiophile reference cans, because I’m not. I am, however, a seasoned expert in the world of Bluetooth consumer-focused headphones, and I can tell you that the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen are completely different.

Bluetooth headphones are usually bass-heavy, with a focus on features like ANC, mic quality, and app connectivity. The Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen? None of that. These are straightforward, no-nonsense music listening headphones. And I love them.

As someone who seriously adores music, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen are a breath of fresh air. Even so, if you’re after jaw-shaking bass, you won’t find that here. Find out how these are my new go-to headphones for serious listening sessions in this Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen review.

Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The 2025 model of Meze’s iconic, entry-level Meze 99 Classics
• What does it cost? A pretty premium $349 / £319
• What do we like? The balanced, highly accurate neutral sound signature provides a unique listening experience
• What don’t we like? I wish the high-end were more well-rounded in electronic and rock genres

Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Specs

Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Price & availability

I’ve seen these cans listed as 99 Classics 2nd Gen and 99 Classics V2, but both of these names refer to the headphones reviewed here. If the product is listed as “Meze 99 Classics”, this is the original 2015 model. You need a “2nd Gen” or “V2” in the name.

The Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen are brand-new as of October 2025, and, as a result, are in limited supply right now. Don’t fret, though, as the cans are still available to purchase both in the U.S. and the U.K.. In the U.S., you can buy them for $349 from Crutchfield.

In the U.K., you have a few more options: Sevenoaks for £319, and Richer Sounds for £319. Hi-fi audio is more of a “thing” on this side of the pond, but there are still some specialist retailers in the U.S. that stock Meze.

As of November 2025, the 2nd Gen aren’t available on Amazon U.S. or U.K., but other Meze Audio products are sold on Amazon, so I’m positive the 99 Classics 2nd Gen will land on Bezos’ bazaar soon-ish.

Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Design

• Gorgeous walnut closed-back cups and gold accents
• Uber-comfortable vegan leather headband for all-day listening
• Vegan leather soft cloud cups

Meze has outdone itself. The 99 Classics 2nd Gen are a sight to behold.

I’ve used other Meze cans, like the 105 AER ($399) and the Elite ($4,000 — yes, $4,000), so I knew what to expect when I unboxed the 99 Classics 2nd Gen. As anticipated, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen are deliciously well-made, with cloud-soft cushioning cups, thick foam over the driver, and a magically expanding headband that moves to fit your head, not the other way around.

All this makes the headphones a dream to wear for hours on end, which is most certainly what you want when your music sounds this good.

The walnut cups, though, are the best part. As the cups are crafted from real wood, no two pairs look exactly the same, but I can assure you that mine look utterly scrumptious. The walnut is smooth, with no nicks or scratches, and bonded securely to the cushioned cups.

The headphones also have gold flourishes beside the aux jacks, on the base of the headband, and on the outside of the cups. The original model came with silver embellishments, too, so I hope Meze brings that color option back for the 2nd Gen.

As these are wired, analog headphones, there are no controls as you might expect on Bluetooth headphones. You’ll need to use your playback device to control play, pause, skip, and volume.

Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Connectivity

• USB-C DAC dongle — no external DAC needed
• 3.5mm dual-cup aux
• Gold-plated ¼ jack attachment

Because these are analog headphones, there’s no Bluetooth connectivity. Don’t expect as many features as you would on the Focal Bathys or AirPods Max.

So while the 99 Classics 2nd Gen’s prevailing feature is audio quality itself, these cans don’t have anything like ANC. I’m grateful, actually. ANC would definitely dampen the crisp, pristine, detailed soundscape ubiquitous to Meze’s 99 Classics series. However, that means I wouldn’t recommend using these headphones in noisy environments. If you’re commuting or your neighbors are having building work done, you’d be better off elsewhere.

If you want a more “convenient” pair of headphones, I’d recommend the detail-focused AirPods Max ($549) or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($499) if you’re a basshead.

Anyway, back to the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen. These headphones have two connection modes: 3.5mm jack with or without a USB-C DAC dongle (provided), or a ¼ gold-plated jack for studio or hi-fi listening.

I used the Meze 99 Classics Gen 2 with the provided USB-C DAC, connected to both my iPhone 16 Pro and my MacBook Air M2.

I appreciate the inclusion of a USB-C DAC. This means you don’t have to make an additional purchase to get the best sound out of the 99 Classics 2nd Gen. Other analog, audiophile headphones like the Meze 105 AER don’t come with a DAC, so you need to buy one before listening if you don’t have a dedicated playback device.

Thanks to the USB-C DAC, I was able to enjoy the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen’s mind-blowing sound quality straight away.

Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Sound quality

• Immersive, all-encompassing soundscapes
• Wide soundstage and faithful instrument separation
• Some genres have a harsh treble — techno and metal

To test the Meze 99 Classics Gen 2, I listened to a range of genres on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles.

As I’m currently chin-deep in my biannual Tame Impala hyperfixation, I listened to Kevin Parker’s entire discography while testing these headphones. Some standouts include: ‘Be Above It’, ’Cause I’m a Man’, and ‘My Old Ways’, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll discuss ‘Be Above It’ here.

This track starts with a whispered, echoing repetition of “Gotta be above it,” which surrounded my head like a mist. I was completely immersed in the song, and could’ve tricked myself into thinking that Parker was breathing the words beside me. The rolling, avalanching drums and guitars added to the expansive atmosphere, and when the warbling synths kicked in, I could feel the drivers pumping air around my ears.

Despite only being able to listen at CD-quality (rather than 24-bit 192kHz-quality available on many Qobuz tracks), the song sounded incredible. I could hear new motifs, even though I’ve been listening to this song since 2012. In the sparse midsection, there’s a ghostly, eerie synth cloud layered over the scattering percussion. Who knew? Not me, until just now.

I’ll also discuss the track ‘My Computer’ by Ninajirachi. This is a scattered, hyperpop electronic track, with modulated vocals and discordant melodies. It kind of sounds like the old dial-up tones, or like an audio representation of the Blue Screen of Death.

The vocals were well-rounded, and the headphones handled the wildly changing soundscape well. The track was dynamic, and I could hear everything from the airy vocals to the squelchy bass to the warm piano equally.

However, not everything sounded mind-meltingly good. Unfortunately, the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen aren’t tuned to every genre. That’s fine — one product can’t do everything perfectly — but I still feel like it’s fair to mention here.

I’ll also explain why. The 99 Classics 2nd Gen, like their predecessor, are tuned more like reference or studio cans than commercial, mass-market Bluetooth headphones. This means the sound signature is more neutral than you might be used to. Luckily, though, this sound signature means that most tracks sound highly accurate, faithful to the recording, and you’ll hear unique parts of the track. You’ll also get more instrument separation, a more expansive soundscape, and more dynamism in your music.

I listened to a few heavier tracks — ’RIDING WITH MY GIRLS’ by Die Spitz, ‘Unravelling’ by Muse, and ‘The Emptiness Machine’ by Linkin Park — and found myself wanting just a little more.

Heavy genres don’t all sound bad, but when there’s a concentration on bass, I longed for depth. I feel like this could be easily fixed with an in-app EQ adjustment (like there is in Apple Music), but I wouldn’t recommend this for everything. These headphones are tuned for reference and detail, not bass, and sometimes I found the EQ in Apple Music muddied the soundscape.

Even so, bass isn’t what these headphones are intended for, so it would be unfair for me to knock a point off for this. If you’re familiar with reference cans, you won’t expect hefty bass performance anyway.

Overall, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen continue Meze’s reputation for faithful, accurate music performance, thanks to the neutral tuning and expansive soundscape. I never wanted to take them off. If you want something a bit more bassy, though, I’d recommend something like the Audeze LCD-2, $899 from Amazon.

Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Verdict

The Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen are a worthy upgrade from 2015’s 99 Classics. With a beyond comfortable vegan leather headband, I can happily wear these cans for hours and hours without developing a headache.

The fact that I can wear these headphones for hours can only be a good thing — especially when music sounds this good. Wobbly, glitchy techno and psychedelic rock were my favorite genres to listen to, thanks to the textured soundscapes and interesting sonic structure. Although I longed for a little more in heavier genres, I know that these cans aren’t tuned with a bass-heavy signature for a reason. Even so, most genres are delicately handled, with a nuanced, expansive soundstage and unbeatable instrument separation.

If you’re an audiophile wannabe or a seasoned hi-fi expert, I’m positive that the 99 Classics 2nd Gen won’t disappoint you. I never want to take them off now.