From Wooden Prototypes to Global Recognition - The Story of Meze Audio

Meze Audio is a genuine rarity, both in the headphone market and in the audio industry as a whole. Few small companies focused almost exclusively on a single product category have managed to make such an impact in such a short period of time. Admittedly, Meze Audio is still nowhere near the scale of brands such as Sennheiser, JBL, or Beyerdynamic, but that was never really the point. The small manufacturer from Baia Mare, Romania, began with relatively simple designs whose defining features were wooden earcups and attractive styling. It would have been easy to dismiss the concept as a one-off idea with little chance of further development, but nothing could be further from the truth. Antonio Meze, the company's founder, clearly had a remarkably coherent vision from the beginning, and the company remains unusually consistent today. Design mattered, but so did engineering, ergonomics, build quality, and visual presentation. The brand pays attention not only to the product itself, but also to the way it reaches its audience - from polished promotional materials and social media communication to a well-designed online store and a presence in respected specialist publications. A quick look at Meze Audio's website is enough to reveal a small but exceptionally well-organized company. It is difficult to believe that all of this was achieved in little more than a decade. From an audiophile's perspective, however, the most important thing is that companies like this mean we are not limited to endless rows of nearly identical plastic headphones that cannot be repaired when something breaks - and sooner or later, something almost certainly will. So let us begin a fascinating journey that starts in Transylvania.

An Idea Born on the Road

Meze Audio, originally known as Meze Headphones, was founded by industrial designer Antonio Meze. He had been immersed in art from an early age. He began exploring it in middle school, continued his education at an art university, and eventually graduated from an art university. "I happen to specialize in industrial design, but in terms of my approach and the way I think, I would say I am more of an artist than a designer," he explains. The company's headquarters remain in his hometown of Baia Mare. Picturesquely situated in northwestern Romania at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, the city is known for its mining heritage - gold and silver were extracted there as early as the Middle Ages. Today, it attracts visitors with its atmospheric old town, the historic Stephen's Tower, and numerous museums, including the famous Mineralogy Museum. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, Baia Mare is considered one of Romania's greenest cities. It also has a strong artistic identity, having been home to a well-known artists' colony established around the turn of the twentieth century.

Although the company was formally established in 2011, the idea behind it emerged somewhat earlier, in 2009, when Antonio - at the time traveling frequently for his work as a designer - began searching for the ideal pair of headphones to accompany him on the road. None of the models available on the market gave him the same sense of connection with music that he experienced while playing his Fender Stratocaster. Antonio wanted to create something that carried the same emotional weight as the instruments he loved - something full of personality and life, with a story of its own. His experiments began with a material that was highly unusual in headphone design at the time: wood. Rather than relying on the ubiquitous plastic used by almost everyone else, he hand-carved prototype earcup housings. After gaining experience and experimenting with commercially available components, Antonio Meze decided to pursue his own vision from the ground up and take the project seriously - to develop a strategy, investigate the possibility of production at scale, and transform a personal hobby into a real business.

Design Philosophy - Artistic and Timeless

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Antonio Meze followed his own path from the very beginning, without paying too much attention to what his competitors were doing. His company emphasizes that it does not chase short-lived trends or passing fashions. Instead, it has developed its own timeless style, one in which form grows naturally out of function and ergonomics. For Meze, a product's appearance should emerge naturally from its function - the headphones are designed to serve their owners for years without becoming technically obsolete or visually dated. Classic styling, premium materials such as natural wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum, and meticulous craftsmanship are combined with modern technology. Every Meze model is designed to be durable, serviceable, and modular. Most components can be disassembled and replaced when necessary, significantly extending the product's useful life. This attention to detail and build quality inspires confidence among users. The headphones are intended to provide a complete, immersive experience - to "draw listeners into the world of sound and allow them to forget their surroundings," as the company puts it. This holistic vision, encompassing sound, comfort, and design, has become Meze Audio's signature and attracted a large community of enthusiasts for whom headphones are something more than just another gadget.

Want to Join Us? Okay, What Instrument Do You Play?

It is worth emphasizing that everything Meze Audio does revolves around what matters most to its customers - music. And this is not merely an empty slogan. Antonio Meze plays guitar, but the story does not end there, because several key members of the Romanian company's team come from musical backgrounds. Lorand Czibere, the man responsible for media relations and brand promotion, is the bassist in the metal band Riot Monk. At most companies, someone in that position could just as easily be a philosopher with an interest in aquariums or grasshopper breeding. Here, he is an active musician. Vlad Toca, the product manager involved in the creation of the Alba in-ear monitors, also comes from a musical background. He is a drummer with 25 years of experience. "Coming from a musical background, maintaining direct contact with our customers every day, and having been an audiophile for most of the past decade, I was truly able to understand what people expect from a complete and immersive listening experience," he says. So when you read that the idea for a particular pair of headphones grew out of the founder's love of music, it is not a hollow declaration invented by a marketing department and pasted onto the website because every audio company is expected to say something similar. In interviews, Antonio Meze even discusses the music that inspired specific headphone models. His favorite artists include Tom Waits, John Frusciante, Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, Billie Holiday, Björk, Cesária Évora, Buena Vista Social Club, CocoRosie, Devendra Banhart, Gang Gang Dance, Johnny Cash, The Knife, Noir Désir, and Regina Spektor. More recent designs are said to reference, in both their appearance and sound, the music of artists such as Khruangbin, Grimes, Sevdaliza, and The War on Drugs. According to the company's founder, it is an endless exploration. It is therefore hardly surprising that Meze Audio already supports more than 130 musicians and audio professionals, ranging from underground artists to Grammy Award winners. The list includes Fab Dupont, Ed Kulzer, David Kahne, Barny Barnicott, Yann Tiersen, Adam Ben Ezra, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Ekaterina Shelehova, Danay Suárez, Ariana Delawari, Vök, Sotomayor, Corrado Bertonazzi, and Tony McKenzie.

The Era of Early Experiments - 55 Classics, 66 Classics, 73 Classics, and 88 Classics

Meze Audio's first years were defined by trial and error, quite literally under garage conditions. Antonio Meze confirms that the company began in a garage, operating on a very small scale for its first three years. "For the first three years, I was simply tinkering and playing with parts without knowing anything about headphone design. That is why the beginning was so slow," he recalled years later. The lack of experience in headphone engineering meant acquiring knowledge from scratch through a long and painstaking process. Meze began sourcing components from different suppliers and assembling prototypes by hand, gradually learning about headphone acoustics and ergonomics. This pioneering period produced the first models in the Classics series, although they functioned more as experimental platforms than commercial successes. The company released short production runs of wooden headphones such as the 55 Classics, 66 Classics, 73 Classics, and 88 Classics, with the numbers generally referring to the diameter of their wooden earcups. These early designs allowed Meze to refine its own solutions, from earcup geometry to the selection of materials, but the brand remained virtually unknown beyond a narrow circle of enthusiasts. Even so, Antonio Meze continued improving the concept, convinced that his vision was worth pursuing. Comfort and timeless styling had already become priorities, distinguishing his headphones from their mass-produced competitors. This slow, methodical groundwork created the foundation for the company's future success.

The 66 Classics were the first truly portable headphones in Meze Audio's catalog, reaching the market in 2012. Designed for users who valued mobility and style, they combined a lightweight folding construction with the genuine ebony finish that was already becoming one of the brand's most recognizable visual signatures. The 66 mm earcups were made by hand, and their natural grain ensured that every pair had a unique appearance. The wooden components were not intended to be purely decorative. They were also meant to influence the acoustic behavior of the headphones, lending the sound a softness and warmth consistent with Meze Audio's developing sonic philosophy. The 66 Classics were closed-back, on-ear headphones equipped with unusually large 50 mm dynamic drivers. As a result, despite their compact form, they offered a surprisingly full-range presentation. Their tuning encouraged long listening sessions without causing fatigue, which was particularly valuable in urban environments and while traveling. The manufacturer also paid attention to one important detail - a detachable cable with wooden accents and a gold-plated plug. Reviewers praised the 66 Classics for their build quality, natural sound, and distinctive appearance. Some pointed out that the contrast between the wooden earcups and the plastic structural elements made the headphones feel slightly less luxurious, but it did not compromise functionality. Among the portable headphones available at the time, the 66 Classics stood out through their unusual combination of style and sound. They were something more than just another accessory for a smartphone.

The 73 Classics developed the idea of a portable headphone in the Classics range, offering a design that balanced mobility with a presentation more typical of home-oriented models. They were closed-back headphones built around 73 mm solid ebony earcups, intended more for home listening than the smaller 66 Classics, while still retaining a degree of portability. The earcups could be folded flat, making transportation easier. Technically, the headphones were equipped with 50 mm neodymium dynamic drivers, had a frequency response extending from 18 Hz to 22 kHz, and an impedance of 40 ohms. These specifications allowed them to work with most portable sources, although the best results were achieved with a headphone amplifier or a high-quality digital audio player. Their sound was generally described as smooth, coherent, and warm. The design remained consistent with the company's philosophy - hand-finished ebony, minimalism, and elegance. The ear pads were thicker than those used in the 66 Classics, providing better isolation and improved comfort. The headphones felt solid and carefully considered, although some reviewers observed that the sound could have been more dynamic and open. The 73 Classics were intended as an affordable step toward hi-fi and functioned as a bridge between the compact 66 and the larger 88. For many users, they represented the sweet spot - headphones that were never tiring or intrusive, allowing listeners to enjoy music for hours.

The largest and most ambitious headphones from Meze Audio's early period were called the 88 Classics. These were full-size, closed-back, over-ear headphones with 88 mm earcups made from hand-finished ebony. Their styling referenced classic audio equipment, with large shells, a distinctive headband profile, and fabric padding. It was in this model that the Romanian company first used what it called a floating headband - a self-adjusting structure similar to systems familiar from some higher-end Audio-Technica models. The headband consisted of an external flexible polycarbonate frame and two soft support wings that distributed the weight and improved comfort. The ear pads were soft and provided good isolation, while the complete construction was surprisingly light and comfortable despite its considerable size. In practice, however, the model had certain limitations. The headband mechanism could be prone to wear over time, while the sound, although pleasant, did not appeal to everyone. Critics pointed to overly gentle tuning, insufficient dynamics, and a relatively narrow soundstage. There was also some controversy because the 88 Classics resembled certain OEM headphones manufactured in China. Some enthusiasts also noted similarities between the 88 Classics and certain OEM designs available at the time. Whatever the exact origin of the underlying platform, this period clearly preceded Meze Audio's move toward fully integrated, ground-up designs. Even so, the experience was a clear indication that this type of operating model would not work in the long term. The 88 Classics remained in Meze's catalog until around 2014 and were the final model in what might be called the company's first generation. Viewed in retrospect, they were a kind of dress rehearsal - a demonstration of capability, an expression of the brand's aesthetics, and a preview of a much higher standard.

The Model That Defined the Brand - 99 Classics

In 2015, the Romanian company unveiled a model that would permanently secure its place in headphone history - the 99 Classics. These were the first Meze headphones developed entirely from the ground up. The 99 Classics stood out with their elegant, timeless appearance, closed-back over-ear construction, and use of natural materials. During the design process, the company decided to employ a metal frame and a self-adjusting headband intended to provide comfort even during extended listening sessions. The launch was preceded by a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, which helped finance the final stage of production. The manufacturing process itself was already impressive. The earcups were made from solid walnut that was seasoned for 18 months before machining. Shaping a single cup took eight hours, while the final stages - sanding, lacquering, additional seasoning, and polishing - required a total of 45 days. Meze's designers deliberately rejected easier manufacturing shortcuts, explaining that the wooden components, their visual character, and their influence on the sound formed the heart of the entire design. This approach distinguished the company from many competitors relying on plastic, highly repeatable parts.

When the 99 Classics reached the market, they were immediately received warmly by both reviewers and users. Their appearance attracted attention, but their build quality and sound were also highly praised. One of their most important constructional features was the screw-together assembly. No part of the headphones was permanently glued, which meant that components could be repaired, replaced, or personalized even after many years of use. This emphasis on durability and long-term ownership separated Meze from manufacturers whose disposable designs were difficult or impossible to service. Sonically, the 99 Classics introduced what would become Meze's characteristic approach. Their presentation was natural, mildly warm, and musical, with a well-judged tonal balance. Reviewers emphasized their forgiving, versatile character. They did not require exotic amplification or an elaborate source setup, yet they offered a level of satisfaction close to that of considerably more expensive designs. At approximately €309/$309/£289, Meze gave the buyer a genuinely premium product, not only in terms of appearance but also in the overall ownership experience. Gear Patrol described the 99 Classics as an extraordinary bargain, highlighting the contrast between them and a market that was then crowded with expensive planar magnetic headphones and fashion-oriented in-ear monitors.

The 99 Classics quickly gained international recognition. They earned a place on InnerFidelity's prestigious Wall of Fame and received nominations and awards in competitions such as the CES Innovation Awards. Stereophile emphasized their build quality, drawing attention to the hand-polished wooden earcups and the overall solidity of the construction. User comments on forums such as Head-Fi indicated that Meze Audio had successfully addressed the needs of a broad audience - not only audiophiles, but also anyone looking for comfortable, beautifully made headphones with a sophisticated sound. The original 99 Classics remained in production for a full decade, becoming one of the longest-lived and most recognizable products in the modern headphone market. Their successor, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen, would not arrive until 2025.

Growing on the Wave of Success

The debut of the 99 Classics marked a turning point. Meze Audio advanced from a semi-garage startup to a recognizable manufacturer. Antonio Meze later admitted that he had not expected such rapid success and described the entire project as an experiment. "The 99 Classics were an experiment for us, and we never imagined that they would receive so much recognition in such a short time," he said. Yet this was the model that gave the company international visibility, financed the development of subsequent projects, and enabled Meze to build a catalog that would eventually include reference-class designs and modern planar magnetic headphones. Almost overnight, Meze Audio became a recognizable name in the audio world, while the 99 Classics turned into an icon valued for their warm, engaging sound, exceptional comfort, lightweight construction with a self-adjusting headband, and modular design that simplified servicing and customization. In the context of the market at the time, the headphones were a breath of fresh air. A small company from Romania demonstrated that it was possible to compete with industry giants not by using their weapons - production scale and enormous marketing budgets - but through quality, passion, and attention to detail.

The success of the 99 Classics opened the door to further growth, both globally and within Romania, where the company became a source of pride for the local technology sector. Meze Audio evolved from a small, friendly startup team into an efficiently operating business, although the spirit of a boutique manufacturer remained embedded in the brand's DNA. Soon after the debut of the 99 Classics, Antonio Meze began working with Mircea Fănățan, who became the company's managing director and played an important role in its further development. From that point forward, the two men jointly guided product development, sharing decisions and maintaining a "product first, business second" philosophy that placed quality above the pressure to reach the market quickly. As early as 2016, Meze expanded its catalog with its first in-ear models, the 12 Classics and 11 Neo. These moves strengthened the company's position and demonstrated that the success of its first genuine hit had not been a coincidence.

At the same time, Meze Audio began gaining greater exposure at international audio shows. By late 2015, the company was already presenting the 99 Classics at prestigious CanJam headphone events, attracting considerable attention among audiophiles. The brand's reputation was built on enthusiastic reviews in specialist publications and authentic word-of-mouth marketing, with satisfied owners recommending Meze products to others. In Romania, the media reported on the success of the Indiegogo campaign and the unusual fact that world-class headphones were being created in Baia Mare. The narrative of a Romanian garage company conquering the audiophile market earned Meze Audio considerable goodwill and publicity. It is also worth emphasizing something that many new manufacturers - and even some experienced players - still seem to forget: stories about a good product selling itself belong in fairy tales. Antonio Meze's team certainly created excellent headphones, and the years spent in the garage were not wasted, but as soon as the company decided to bring its products to a wider audience, it ensured that the entire presentation surrounding them - the website, photography, press materials, brochures, and exhibition booths - looked every bit as good as the headphones themselves. This demonstrates that success never appears out of nowhere. The people responsible for Meze Audio's development understood from the beginning how the market worked and how their products needed to be presented to the world.

From In-Ear Monitors to the 99 Neo

Following the success of the 99 Classics, Meze Audio did not rest on its laurels. The following years brought an expansion of the portfolio into new categories, demonstrating the company's ambition to become a complete headphone brand offering products for different needs and audiences. In 2016, the catalog welcomed Meze's first in-ear monitors - the 11 Neo and 12 Classics. These small, affordable earphones retained the company's characteristic styling. The 12 Classics featured housings made from genuine walnut, visually referencing the larger 99 Classics. At the same time, the company continued developing its full-size headphone range. In 2017, it introduced the Meze 99 Neo, a variation on the successful "ninety-nines." The 99 Neo used the same proven basic construction and 40 mm dynamic drivers, but differed in its finish. Instead of wood, the headphones featured black polymer earcups with a leather-like texture. This gave the Neo a more restrained, modern appearance and allowed it to be offered at a lower price, expanding the audience for Meze Audio's warm and enjoyable sound.

During this period, the company also refined some of its previous designs. One example was the introduction of the improved 12 Classics V2 in-ear monitors, featuring revised styling and sound. These moves demonstrated that Meze Audio was capable of combining its audiophile roots with more mainstream products. By the second half of the decade, the company's catalog included both large over-ear headphones for home listening and compact portable models - on-ear and in-ear - for people on the move. All of them shared the same brand DNA: attention to sound, comfort, and style. Importantly, Meze Audio remained a relatively small, independent manufacturer. According to one report, the company employed exactly 15 people in 2019. Antonio Meze continues to oversee the entire operation, although acoustic engineer Alex Grigoras plays a key role in the design of new models. The Romanian company says it devotes great attention to every stage of headphone development and manufacturing, from the first sketches to final quality control. Each component is expected to meet strict requirements, while the finished products are assembled with painstaking care in order to preserve the reputation the brand has worked to build from the very beginning.

Planar Ambitions and the Partnership with Rinaro

Another turning point in the history of the Romanian company - this time in the high-end segment - came with the decision to enter the world of planar magnetic technology. Having established its position through dynamic models, Antonio Meze decided to move the company into a higher tier of the market and develop a flagship headphone for the most demanding audiophiles. Without its own experience in planar driver design, Meze Audio entered into a strategic partnership with Rinaro Isodynamics. Rinaro's specialists have been developing planar magnetic technology for more than three decades. The collaboration proved to be an inspired decision. A multiyear research and development project resulted in the Empyrean, introduced in 2018 as Meze Audio's first planar magnetic headphone.

The Empyrean employed the revolutionary Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, jointly developed with Rinaro - the world's first planar magnetic transducer with a dual, hybrid voice-coil configuration. Different coil geometries were used to optimize the reproduction of low and high frequencies. This unique driver architecture resulted in an unusual combination of qualities: highly detailed sound, lower weight, and greater comfort than many competing designs. The Empyrean caused a sensation in audiophile circles. Gear Patrol wrote that its launch sent shock waves through the hi-fi industry. These were among the most expensive headphones on the market, priced at €2,999/$2,999/£2,699, yet demand exceeded expectations and strengthened Meze Audio's position among the world's leading headphone manufacturers. The high expectations surrounding the Empyrean were confirmed by enthusiastic reviews. Critics praised its superb sound and sophisticated construction, highlighting its natural, coherent presentation, rich midrange, deep soundstage, and freedom from many of the weight and ergonomic compromises typically associated with planar magnetic headphones. The Empyrean was also widely regarded as one of the most comfortable large high-end headphones available.

Crucially, the Empyrean's success did not distract the company from other market segments. Soon after introducing the model, the Romanian manufacturer decided to address the premium in-ear market as well. In 2019, it announced the Meze Rai Penta - a reference-class, five-driver IEM equipped with a hybrid array consisting of four balanced-armature drivers and one dynamic driver. The name referred to the five transducers, while the entire system was tuned to deliver the greatest possible accuracy without abandoning musicality on a miniature scale. The Rai Penta debuted as the brand's flagship in-ear monitor, expanding Meze Audio's premium portable lineup. Listeners seeking a simpler or more affordable option were offered the Rai Solo, a single-driver dynamic IEM introduced in late 2019. Meze Audio had therefore made its intentions clear: it wanted to compete across every major headphone category, from enormous full-size planar magnetic designs to pocket-sized earphones used with a smartphone.

New Flagships - Elite and Liric

Following the success of the Empyrean, it became clear that the chosen strategy was working. Meze had joined the small group of manufacturers capable of producing truly top-tier audio equipment. The company therefore continued developing flagship models based on the planar magnetic technology created with Rinaro. In 2021, two eagerly awaited high-end products were unveiled - the Elite and the Liric. The first was an open-back, over-ear headphone conceived as a more technically ambitious development of the platform introduced with the Empyrean. Externally, the Elite retained its predecessor's distinctive design, including the elegant openwork structure and aluminum frame. At its heart, however, was a new version of the planar magnetic driver developed jointly with Rinaro. The refined Isodynamic Hybrid Array used in the Elite employed a different diaphragm material, giving the headphones a sonic character distinct from that of the Empyrean. Meze Audio's goal was to raise the bar for sonic realism. The Elite was tuned to deliver an even more detailed yet natural presentation, a wider soundstage, and dynamics capable of bringing every nuance in a recording to life. According to Antonio Meze, the company sought to establish a new standard among flagship planar magnetic headphones by offering "a powerful, lifelike, and immersive experience that awakens the listener's senses." The Elite quickly earned widespread praise from reviewers and received prestigious awards, including the EISA Best Product 2022 title in the High-End Headphones category. The EISA jury appreciated the model's combination of outstanding sound, luxurious craftsmanship, and exceptional comfort.

The second major launch of 2021 was the Liric, Meze Audio's first closed-back planar magnetic headphone. The Liric was designed to transfer the benefits of the open-back flagships - the Empyrean and Elite - into a more portable format for listeners who wanted to enjoy high-end sound away from home. The headphones used drivers developed with Rinaro, but with a somewhat smaller diameter and tuning optimized for a closed enclosure. The Liric retained the dual-coil isodynamic architecture familiar from the Empyrean, but the complete design was reworked for portability. Its earcups were more compact, while the construction was lighter and easier to transport. At the same time, Meze succeeded in preserving many of the sonic characteristics for which the larger models had been praised - abundant detail, speed, and deep, well-controlled bass, combined with very effective isolation from external noise. Meze Audio described the Liric as the first closed-back headphone powered by an Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, intended for audiophiles seeking the highest sound quality while traveling or working in an office. Its launch also generated considerable attention. At the time of its debut, it belonged to a very small group of high-end closed-back headphones, immediately capturing the interest of demanding listeners.

Back to the Roots - 109 PRO

In 2022, Meze Audio returned to its roots with a model that completed its range of dynamic full-size headphones while consolidating the experience accumulated by the company over the previous years. The 109 PRO was the first open-back dynamic headphone in the brand's history. It represented a symbolic bridge between the world of high-end planar magnetic models and more conventional dynamic technology, elevating the latter to a new level of performance. The 109 PRO was an over-ear design equipped with 50 mm dynamic drivers whose W-shaped diaphragms combined a carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite dome with a beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer torus. The objective was clear - to deliver a rich, engaging, high-resolution sound through a design that was easier to drive and more affordable than the company's flagship planar magnetic models. Visually, the 109 PRO continued Meze Audio's established aesthetic. Genuine wooden earcups returned, joined by a metal frame and components made from aluminum alloys. The retro-futuristic styling familiar from the 99 Classics and Empyrean was retained, but this time in an open-back configuration.

The headphones proved to be another major success. Enthusiastic reviews appeared almost immediately, and the 109 PRO became one of the company's most highly regarded models. Critics praised its smooth, saturated, and versatile sound, which combined musicality with detail. The 109 PRO also quickly earned recognition from international experts, receiving the EISA Best Headphones 2023-2024 award in the main headphone category. The EISA jury emphasized that the Meze 109 PRO offered a transparent and emotionally engaging sound, excellent dynamics, and sufficient comfort for extended fatigue-free listening. The award confirmed that even Meze Audio's more accessible designs could establish new standards in their respective classes. With the arrival of the 109 PRO, the Romanian company decisively demonstrated that its product portfolio had matured and now encompassed the full spectrum of headphone types.

A Compact Planar Statement - Poet

At the beginning of 2025, the Romanian manufacturer introduced another exceptional pair of headphones. Even at first glance, the gracefully named Poet clearly communicates its premium status. Its form is visibly inspired by the aesthetics of Meze Audio's high-end models. The substantial openwork grilles are made from stainless steel, finished in a deep copper tone, and contrasted against the matte black of the magnesium earcups. This combination gives the design an elegant yet technical character. Every enclosure component is precisely cut, finished, and fitted without adhesives, emphasizing both attention to detail and the complete serviceability of the construction.

At 405 g, the headphones are relatively light for a planar magnetic design, yet they remain solid and sufficiently durable for everyday use. The headband is made from a flexible titanium alloy, while a broad, soft suspension strap finished in genuine suede leather provides stable and comfortable support. There is no concentrated pressure in any single area. The weight is distributed evenly, allowing the headphones to remain comfortable during long listening sessions. The ear pads are thick, soft, and covered in suede. They provide a secure fit without causing discomfort or excessive heat buildup. The construction uses planar magnetic drivers developed in partnership with Rinaro, the company responsible for the transducers used in earlier Meze models. The Parus diaphragm, open architecture, and additional AMTS acoustic system integrated into the driver are intended to control high-frequency resonances and reduce listening fatigue during extended sessions. Importantly, this entire advanced engineering system remains completely concealed beneath an elegant and visually coherent exterior.

"From the beginning of our journey with Poet, we knew that we wanted to create something special - a more compact, open-back planar magnetic headphone capable of matching the performance of our flagship models. What better place to begin than at the very top? Together with our friends at Rinaro Isodynamics, we distilled the essence of the Elite driver technology and gave it a new life. I believe Poet has become more than just a pair of headphones. It is a tribute to an enormous step forward in our development as a team and proof of how far we have come," says Alex Grigoras, acoustic engineer at Meze Audio.

Do It Once, Do It Right

At a time when most audio manufacturers rely on rapid product cycles and annual model launches, Meze Audio has consistently followed its own path. The Romanian brand avoids seasonal trends and focuses on longevity - technically refined products with timeless aesthetics that remain in the catalog for many years. When a model is well received by users and fulfills its original purpose, the company sees no reason to replace it. It may receive subtle refinements, but its fundamental identity remains unchanged. This is exactly what happened with the now-iconic 99 Classics. Since their launch in 2015, they have not only remained on the market but become one of the foundations of Meze Audio's identity. The 99 Neo, a stylistic variation on the original model, has enjoyed similar longevity. Meze does not push older products aside to make room for new ones. Instead, it expands its catalog by complementing existing models. New products appear infrequently, but they are always carefully considered. The Liric 2, for example, replaced its predecessor only after several years and differs primarily in its finish and tuning. A similar philosophy can be seen in the high-end segment. The Empyrean, introduced in 2018, remains in production in an improved form as the Empyrean II. Likewise, the flagship Elite did not force the withdrawal of the company's earlier planar magnetic models. Meze favors evolution over revolution. It believes in its designs and does not chase temporary fashions. In Meze Audio's current lineup, nearly every model has already spent several years on the market. There are no constant replacements or superficial annual refreshes. Instead, the customer receives stability, technical support, and a product that does not become obsolete after twelve months. Although unusual in today's industry, this strategy has earned the brand a loyal customer base.

The Collection - Because "Product Lineup" Does Not Quite Do It Justice

As of July 2026, Meze Audio's collection begins with two in-ear models positioned at opposite ends of the company's portable range. The more accessible one is the Alba, priced at €159/$159/£139 - a lightweight, ergonomic design built around a single 10.8 mm dynamic driver and supplied with a USB-C adapter containing its own DAC and headphone amplifier. Considerably more ambitious is the Astru, priced at €899/$899/£819. Rather than following the increasingly common practice of packing several different transducers into each earpiece, Meze developed the Astru around a single 10 mm dynamic driver, arguing that one carefully engineered diaphragm can provide the coherence and physical impact of a dynamic design while approaching the resolution and spatial layering associated with multi-driver systems. The diaphragm itself is unusually elaborate, combining a PEEK membrane with a titanium coating and 80 ultra-thin layers of gold. Each housing is CNC-machined from a solid piece of titanium and finished through a multistage electroplating process, resulting in a smooth satin surface and a total weight of 13.4 g per pair. The Astru uses replaceable two-pin cables and is supplied with a silver-plated LC-OFC lead terminated with a balanced 4.4 mm plug, a 3.5 mm adapter, five sizes of liquid-silicone ear tips, and two different carrying cases.

The least expensive current full-size model is the 99 Classics 2nd Gen, priced at €349/$349/£319. Introduced exactly ten years after the original 99 Classics, the new version retains the recognizable walnut earcups, spring-steel frame, self-adjusting headband, and fully serviceable construction, but almost every element affecting the sound has been reconsidered. Meze increased the internal volume of the earcups, improved acoustic sealing,integrated a dedicated bass vent into the jack housing, redesigned the front baffle, and introduced new clip-on ear pads whose shape and fixed orientation provide greater consistency between individual pairs. The matching process for the 40 mm drivers has also been refined, while the tuning has moved closer to a balanced and neutral target, with slightly less prominent bass and clearer midrange and treble detail. The company has not entirely abandoned the warmer character of the original, however. A set of acoustic absorbers is included for listeners who want to shift the balance closer to the first-generation model. The package also contains a more durable Kevlar-sheathed OFC cable and a compact USB-C DAC/AMP, reflecting the fact that many modern portable devices no longer have a conventional headphone output.

The open-back dynamic range begins with the 105 AER, whose regular list price is €399/$399/£359. Since this lightweight and highly comfortable model has already appeared earlier in our story, it is enough to say that it provides the most affordable route into Meze Audio's current full-size open-back collection. Above it sits the 105 Silva, priced at €499/$499/£469. It is not the Aer's replacement, but a more sophisticated interpretation of the same general concept, combining some of the warmth and versatility of the 105 AER with the clarity and technical ability associated with the 109 PRO. Its 50 mm dynamic driver uses a bio-cellulose composite dome surrounded by a titanium-coated torus, while the 42-ohm impedance and sensitivity of 112 dB SPL/mW make the headphones relatively easy to drive. The earcups combine walnut with PC-ABS polymer, and their radial grilles give the model a distinctive Mid-Century Modern appearance without adding excessive weight - the complete headphones weigh 354 g. Meze describes the tuning as a balance between musicality and refinement, with controlled bass, a more expressive midrange intended to improve vocal presence and the reproduction of acoustic instruments, and a smooth but revealing treble. A twisted OFC cable, 6.3 mm adapter, USB-C DAC/AMP, and hard carrying case are included.

The 109 PRO, priced at €799/$799/£799, remains the company's most advanced open-back dynamic headphone. We have already discussed its walnut construction, 50 mm driver, and place in Meze Audio's history, so there is little reason to repeat the full description here. More interesting in the context of the current catalog is the Strada, offered at exactly the same price. This closed-back model combines a 50 mm dynamic driver with a bio-cellulose composite dome and beryllium-coated torus, installing it in a compact enclosure designed to provide effective isolation without creating an unnaturally confined presentation. The structural frame is made from magnesium, while the outer earcup covers are fashioned from Macassar ebony. One of the most distinctive details is the deep metallic green finish, applied in-house and subtly changing its appearance as it catches the light. With an impedance of 40 ohms, sensitivity of 111 dB SPL/mW, and a weight of 330 g, the Strada was conceived as a relatively portable and easy-to-drive alternative to the company's large planar magnetic designs. Its pads are attached magnetically, every structural component can be replaced, and the package contains two detachable OFC cables terminated with 3.5 mm and balanced 4.4 mm plugs.

At this point, the collection makes a considerable leap into the world of planar magnetic headphones. The Poet, priced at €2,000/$2,000/£1,850, is the most compact and affordable model in this part of the range, using the Rinaro MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver in a magnesium chassis with a titanium-alloy headband and magnetically attached pads. Above it sits the Empyrean II at €2,999/$2,999/£2,749, followed by the Elite at €4,000/$4,000/£3,699. Both have already played major roles in the story of Meze Audio, so here they serve mainly to illustrate the steady progression of the company's established planar platform - from the more compact Poet, through the rich and immersive Empyrean II, to the greater neutrality, resolution, and refinement of the Elite. All three models share the brand's emphasis on elaborate metalwork, long-term comfort, replaceable components, and close cooperation with Rinaro Isodynamics.

The hierarchy will soon be extended by the Arta, Meze Audio's new reference headphone and the most ambitious product the company has announced so far. Its suggested retail price has been set at €6,000/$6,000, while the official UK price and exact market launch date have yet to be confirmed. The Arta uses the new Rinaro MZ5 H Ohm Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, described as the highest-impedance planar magnetic headphone transducer developed to date. Its average impedance of 225 ohms represents a significant departure from Meze Audio's previous flagships and reflects a high-voltage, low-current operating principle intended to improve linearity, stability, and signal purity. The specified frequency range extends from 3 Hz to 115 kHz, total harmonic distortion is below 0.05%, and the complete headphones weigh 495 g. The enclosure is equally unusual, combining precision-machined metal, carbon fiber, and leather in a flowing structure influenced by both futuristic bionic forms and Art Nouveau. The grille is formed from angled acoustic blades intended to reduce internal reflections and produce cleaner transients and a more open presentation. As with the company's other reference models, the Arta is assembled in Baia Mare and designed for complete serviceability - the ear pads, headband, drivers, and earcups can all be disassembled, repaired, or replaced. It is not yet a regular production model available from the online store, but its prominent place in Meze Audio's official product hierarchy shows where the company intends to go next.

Accessories for Every Occasion

Meze Audio's catalog is not limited to headphones. It also includes a carefully developed range of accessories designed to improve the comfort, functionality, and longevity of the company's products. Cables form the foundation of this collection. The Romanian manufacturer offers cables in different lengths and with various terminations, including 3.5 mm, 6.3 mm, 4.4 mm, and XLR connectors. They are compatible with nearly every model, from the 99 series to the flagship planar magnetic designs. Copper and silver-plated versions are available, along with both single-ended and balanced configurations, allowing users to adapt their headphones to different sources and listening scenarios. Replaceable ear pads are also available for planar magnetic models using mini XLR connectors, including the Empyrean II, Elite, Poet, and now Arta. They are made from Alcantara, leather, or hybrid material combinations. In addition to improving comfort, different pads can also alter the sonic character of the headphones. Original velour and leather pads are offered for the 99 and 109 series, while replacement headbands and suspension straps are available for most models. Meze Audio also offers durable carrying cases to protect its products. A particularly stylish curiosity is the aluminum Manta stand - expensive, certainly, but ideal for displaying the company's reference models. The accessory range is completed by the Boom Mic, a detachable boom microphone that transforms conventional headphones into a complete headset for calls, remote learning, or gaming. It is a simple way of expanding functionality without compromising sound quality or comfort.

Epilogue

The story of Meze Audio demonstrates how passion, consistency, and attention to quality can elevate a small garage-based manufacturer to the status of a global player. Today, the company's products are available around the world. Meze Audio headphones can be purchased online and from hundreds of specialist audio stores throughout Europe, North and South America, and Asia. Interestingly, the brand has earned a strong reputation not only among audiophiles, but also among musicians and sound engineers. Customers who appreciate distinctive styling and natural materials continue to choose the iconic 99 Classics, while demanding music lovers regard the Empyrean, Elite, Liric, and Poet as some of the finest planar magnetic headphones available. Meze Audio actively participates in international audio exhibitions, where its innovative designs and exemplary build quality regularly earn praise. Over the years, the company has accumulated an impressive collection of awards and distinctions. Its greatest achievement, however, has been winning the hearts of audiophiles around the world. Users frequently emphasize that Meze products have a soul. They combine engineering precision with artistic craftsmanship, becoming something more than mere tools for listening to music. From the beginning, Antonio Meze wanted his headphones to resemble musical instruments - objects capable of creating an emotional bond and bringing pleasure to every encounter with a favorite recording. Looking at the journey from a handful of wooden prototypes created in a small Romanian city to global success and widespread critical acclaim, it is fair to say that this vision has been fully realized.