I would like to thank Alexandra Rizoiu from Meze for reaching out and sending us a sample 99 Classics V2 in exchange for our honest and unbiased opinion in this review. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.
Introduction
There’s something quietly radical about waiting a full decade before updating a beloved product. In an industry that churns out annual “improvements” like clockwork, Meze Audio took their time with the 99 Classics V2 – and that patience shows in every refinement.
The original 99 Classics arrived in 2015 as something of a revelation. Here was a closed-back headphone that looked like furniture from a mid-century modern catalogue, sounded engaging enough to compete with established players, and cost even less than some basic offerings. For countless listeners, it represented their first proper step beyond mainstream brands into the world of HiFi audio.
Now, a decade on, Meze returns with the second generation, aptly Christened the Meze 99 Classics II (or 2nd Generation, or V2, take your pick). This isn’t a cosmetic refresh with new paint and marketing spin. It’s a complete acoustic overhaul that trades the original’s warm, bass-heavy character for something more balanced, more refined, more grown-up. The question isn’t whether it’s better – that much is obvious – but whether refinement trumps the original’s immediate, seductive charm.
99 Classics: a brief history
Antonio Meze started his company out of frustration. The Romanian designer couldn’t find headphones that matched the tone and character of his Fender Stratocaster, so he decided to build his own. After some experimentation with OEM partnerships, Meze Audio launched the 99 Classics in 2015.
The timing proved fortunate. The portable audio market was expanding beyond budget gear and established legacy brands, creating space for boutique manufacturers who prioritised design and sound quality equally. The 99 Classics filled that gap beautifully.
Those hand-finished walnut cups required forty-five days of CNC machining, sanding, lacquering, and inspection. Each pair emerged unique, with natural wood grain that caught light differently depending on the angle. Combined with that self-adjusting headband and warm, V-shaped tuning, the 99 Classics became an instant icon.
For many audiophiles, these were the headphones that proved high-end sound didn’t require mortgage-threatening investments. They introduced a generation to the concept of headphones as heirlooms rather than disposable tech – something worth maintaining, repairing, and passing down.
The original remained in production for nearly a decade, testimony to getting fundamentals right the first time. That longevity created both opportunity and challenge for Meze: how do you improve something that clearly didn’t need replacing?
The new Classics
Meze markets the V2 as “10 years, 10 improvements,” which sounds like marketing speak until you examine what’s actually changed. This is comprehensive redesign territory.
The most significant shift is the tuning philosophy. Where the original delivered a warm, bass-heavy presentation with prominent low-end and rolled-off treble, the V2 pursues balance and neutrality while retaining musical engagement. It’s less immediately impressive, perhaps, but ultimately more versatile and accurate.
Underneath those familiar walnut cups, the 40mm dynamic driver received extensive reworking. Impedance dropped from 32Ω to 16Ω, making the V2 easier to drive from portable sources. Sensitivity remains at 103 dB/mW, but the driver now maintains frequency balance at all volume levels – something the original struggled with at low listening levels.
Meze implemented sophisticated driver matching using mixed cosine functions and level-adjustment algorithms. This reduces variance between left and right channels, improving stereo imaging precision and ensuring consistent performance across production runs. It’s the sort of detail most manufacturers skip, and it shows in the V2’s soundstage accuracy.
The internal architecture received equal attention. Cup volume increased subtly, shifting cavity resonances lower in the frequency spectrum. A bass port integrated into the 3.5mm jack shell provides better control over low frequencies while improving left-right consistency. The baffle was completely re-engineered with a more open grille and streamlined structural beams, reducing diffraction and minimising high-frequency artefacts.
Perhaps the smartest addition, though, is the acoustic absorber system. These foam discs, supplied with the headphone, fit between the earpads and the baffle, shifting the tonal balance towards warmth and smoothness while dramatically extending bass response. This isn’t simply a nudge to those nostalgic for the original ‘Classic’ sound; rather, it makes the new Classics a two-headphones-in-one package.
Continue to packaging and accessories…
