Meze Audio 99 Classics

These wired over-ears are as delectable as their name

Are we just hungry or do Meze Audio’s 99 Classics conjure up images of flatbread, falafel and baba ganoush, washed down with a chocolate-flaked ice cream cone? Whether or not there was any such intent behind the naming of these wired over-ear headphones, they are, for the most part, as delectable as they sound.

The launch of the 99 Classics mark a breakthrough for Meze Audio, a decade-old Romanian headphones brand created by a guitar-loving founder with a desire to make a pair of headphones he could feel as passionately about as his Fender Stratocaster.

Wired over-ears at this price point aren’t as common as they once were, due to the popularity and increasing quality of wireless headphones, but for anyone whose priority is to get the best performance this amount of money can buy, a wired pair is still the only answer. So are these Mezes the answer?

Strong aura of traditionalism

True to their name, the 99 Classics’ walnut-veneered earcups and gold or silver metal accents give off a strong aura of classic traditionalism. In a market increasingly awash with minimalist, industrial-looking designs, they have a discerningly premium aesthetic, backed by a sturdy build and satisfying comfort.

The flimsy-looking skeletal frame is surprisingly rigid, while their large padded headband does well to prevent pressure from building on the head. With and without glasses on, we spend hours listening to the Mezes during our testing period, and their design is light and comfortable enough to do so without feeling burdened.

There is, however, slight evidence of the wood lacquer being worn on the bottom edge of the ear cups by the time we have finished testing them – indicating that it’s something you should perhaps expect to happen over time if they’re constantly placed on a desk.

The hardshell case will prevent the 99 Classics from being spoiled when they’re outside the house, and the handy pouch inside is large enough to store the supplied flight and 6.3mm adapters, plus a 1m cable with in-line remote for portable use and a 3m cable for plugging into a home system.

With a sonic character that’s easy to love at first listen, the 99 Classics are pleasingly even-handed and bask in full-bodied lusciousness and clarity from top to bottom. There’s a natural warmth to the midrange that laps up Chris Stapleton’s country crooning as we play Whiskey And You, with the Mezes keen to throw his vocal under the spotlight.

It isn’t the most spacious presentation we’ve encountered in a pair of closedback headphones, but we like their determination to make things as clear and focused as possible. They invite you to listen, and it’s satisfying to do so.

That solidity extends to the bass frequencies too, with lows impressively deep and well defined, whether they’re anchoring the droning bassline of Billie Eilish’s Therefore I Am or the sombre heaviness of James Blake’s Atmosphere cover. Those who like their bass fat but not overbearing will be pleased with the Meze’s low-frequency handling.

FOR

• Clear, smooth and direct

• Impressively deep bass

• Luxury aesthetic

The 99 Classics are no slouches either, their crispness up top helping them sound balanced and snappy. We would, however, trade some of their smoothness and fluidity for a touch more bite. They tend to gloss over the rhythmic punch and enthusiasm of more upbeat tracks, stopping just short of a wholeheartedly good time. While these headphones are hugely listenable due to their pleasant tonality and comfort, they aren’t exactly natural-born entertainers.

Not quite class-leading

Compared with the class leaders at this level, the leaner-sounding Austrian Audio HI-X55 are more analytical in the way they surface detail and express themselves dynamically. We also prefer the greater transparency and liveliness of our long-time favourites, the openbacked Grado SR325E. But the Mezes are easy to find favour with – their appealing combination of natural warmth and good insight, all-day comfort and classic looks make them an appetising option.

The dwindling number of wired over-ears today, compared with around a decade ago, means there aren’t many models around that we can recommend at this price point. But the 99 Classics are certainly one of them.

RATING

AGAINST

• Not the most energetic

• Rivals are more transparent

VERDICT

These talented, comfortable wired over-ear headphones are an appetising option