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Bloom's Take The 99 Classics V2 retains the iconic wood‑cup look and plush suspension of the original, but shifts its focus from bass‑emphasis to a cleaner, more balanced tuning.  Built with Meze’s familiar comfort and style, it introduces a new clip‑in earpad system and broader jack compatibility, giving the V2 a subtle but meaningful engineering upgrade.  Sonically, the V2 pulls back the sub‑bass heft, fills in the mids, and extends the treble with a clarity the original lacked. The result is a headphone that still offers warmth and musicality but now delivers sharper detail, a more spacious stage and improved imaging, especially with the acoustic absorber switched off for that fresh “audiophile‑tuned” feel.  If you loved the original Meze look and comfort but found its sound a bit too indulgent, the 99 Classics V2 presents a strong next step: familiar build, elevated performance, and a tonally refined voice that bridges everyday listening with actual reference‑grade ambition Read our full review. |
Since their release in 2015, the 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.
Ten years later, that vision continues to drive Meze. As a celebration, the 2nd Gen 99 Classics come with a number of meaningful enhancements, all the 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 differences become more apparent.
Tuning Direction
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.
Acoustic Sealing and Bass Port
While the original 99 Classics already provided impactful bass, the 2nd Gen introduces precision sealing at all key junctions. This improved sealing allows the use of a dedicated bass vent integrated into the jack shell, providing more precise tuning, improved left–right consistency, and higher unit-to-unit reproducibility.
Ear Cup Volume
The internal cup volume has been subtly 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.
Baffle Architecture
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.
Ear Pad Redesign
The ear pads have been reshaped to adjust the front cavity volume, refining the midrange balance toward the intended target. The attachment system has evolved from a stretch-skirt to a clip-in mechanism, ensuring fixed orientation, reducing variability, and simplifying replacement for the user.
Sound Technicalities
The rebalanced tuning, enhanced acoustic consistency, and optimized internal geometry work together to improve stereo imaging and instrument separation, while also providing a more open and spacious soundstage.
Input Socket
The input socket shell has been enlarged to 7 millimeters in diameter. The larger shell maintains secure connection integrity while ensuring compatibility with both slim-profile and larger-bodied 3.5 mm plugs. This ensures compatibility with a wider range of cables, including our premium hand-braided copper and silver ones.
High-Quality Cable
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.
Modern Portability
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.
For those seeking a sound closer to the original 99 Classics, the 2nd Gen comes with a set of acoustic absorbers, allowing you to shift the balance towards a warmer signature. Simply detach the ear pads from the cups, place the absorbers in the allocated slots on the baffle plate, reattach the ear pads, and enjoy!
The 2nd Gen 99 Classics are fully serviceable. Ear cups, headband, cables, or driver, all pieces are replaceable.
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