Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

New Products

Meze Audio 109 PRO Open-Back Headphones are the Evolution of the 99 Classics

The newest addition to the Meze Audio lineup of products made in Romania, the brand’s first dynamic open-back headphone, will arrive in October 2022.

Meze Audio 109 Pro Dynamic Open-back Headphones Lifestyle Woman

Few headphones have had the staying power of the Meze Audio 99 Classics; I remember the first time Antonio Meze stuck a pair on my head at CES and thinking that they were rather different for the money. Two pairs have been part of my collection for over 4 years and I have wondered when something like the Meze Audio 109 Pro would be forthcoming.

That question was answered in March 2022.

I was both thrilled and amazed to see Meze Audio at CanJam NYC 2022 for the simple reason that the war in Ukraine has impacted them in a very real way; their corporate and R&D offices are based in Baia Mare, Romania which is rather close to the Ukrainian border and the city of Lviv. 

Meze 99 Classics Over-ear Headphones in Walnut and Gold
Meze 99 Classics ($309 at Amazon)

Lviv is a 4-5 hour drive from Baia Mare, but Meze Audio have technology partners based in Lviv and things right now are not business as usual for the obvious reasons. 

After the end of the Cold War, what was once a dead market for high-end audio has become a thriving scene with dozens of domestic manufacturers. Eastern Europe is not only supporting its own domestic consumer electronics industry but exporting reference-quality level equipment to the finest audio stores to the rest of the world. 

Brands such as Heed Audio (Hungary), Trafomatic Audio (Serbia), Kuzma (Slovenia), Thrax Audio (Bulgaria) and Meze Audio are taking on established giants and winning.

Meze Audio have grown in the right way; after a few missteps at the beginning the brand has built a strong foundation in the market and now offer some of the best headphones in the world; with the Empyrean, Elite, and Liric leading the charge. 

Earmen with Meze 109 Headphones
Meze Audio 109 Pro Headphones

The interesting news from CanJam NYC 2022 was the working prototype of the forthcoming Meze Audio 109 Pro open-back headphones that will be in the $1,000 USD/EUR range when they are launched later this year.

The headband was a prototype but certainly similar to the one used on the 99 Classics with some aesthetic changes.

One of the key features of the 99 Classics was how easy it is to drive; even from something like my old iPhone 6S. When I switched over to the Helm Audio Bolt or Clarus CODA Dongle DACs, there was almost too much power.

The forthcoming headphones are not, however, just an open-back version of the 99 Classics. They might share the same design language, but the 109 PRO is more complex, even bigger in size, and with an entirely different sonic presentation.   

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The 109 PRO are not as easy to drive and certainly need a Dongle DAC, DAP, or desktop headphone amplifier to really demonstrate what they can do.

The 109 PRO combines open-back design with a walnut wood chamber that follows the unmistakable aesthetic language of Meze Audio, and is precisely engineered to deliver an exceptional soundstage and a highly detailed, enveloping sound, with just the right amount of punch.

“With this headphone, we have proudly achieved our goal of delivering the same level of workmanship found in Empyrean and Elite, at a lower price point. We know that fans have high expectations from us so, when making the 109 PRO, our goal was to build something to surpass those expectations. We focused a lot of resources on sound development, and I think the result is sublime.” – Mircea Fanatan, Managing Director of Meze Audio.

Meze Audio 109 Pro Headphones Side
Meze Audio 109 PRO

In true Meze Audio fashion, the 109 PRO blends together carefully selected materials such as walnut wood, zinc, manganese steel, assembled together using only nuts and bolts, making this headphone fully and endlessly serviceable.

“At the core of it all, music is an expression of emotion, a celebration of life and a token of everlasting memories. Every part of the 109 PRO headphones, from the premium materials we used to the intricate engineering, embodies that same emotion our favorite music makes us feel.”- Antonio Meze, Lead Designer and Founder of Meze Audio.

The Meze Audio 109 PRO will be available in October for slightly under $1,000 USD/EUR.

We have a review coming soon.

Related reading:

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Status Audio Pro X Wireless Earbuds Lifestyle

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

Balanced Armature and Dynamic drivers, hybrid active noise reduction, AI-powered Voiceloom speech enhancement, and more take the Status Audio Pro X wireless earbuds up...

Campfire Audio Relay Dongle DAC Campfire Audio Relay Dongle DAC

Dongle DACs

Campfire Audio launches the Relay portable DAC/amp with AKM SEQ 4493 chip, balanced outputs, and high-res support at $229. Strong tech, but tough competition...

GoldenEar T44 Hybrid Floorstanding Loudspeaker Lifestyle Black GoldenEar T44 Hybrid Floorstanding Loudspeaker Lifestyle Black

Floorstanding Speakers

GoldenEar’s T44 hybrid floorstanding loudspeaker offers powerful sound and deep bass without the need for a subwoofer.

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 and 4.2 Bookshelf Speakers Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 and 4.2 Bookshelf Speakers

Bookshelf Speakers

Full range sound from bookshelf speakers? Check out the new Radiant Acoustics CLARITY 6.2 and 4.2 loudspeakers featuring PURIFI USHINDI woofers and custom AMT...

FiiO SP5 Desktop Speaker FiiO SP5 Desktop Speaker

New Products

FiiO expands its desktop audio lineup with the new SP5 active speakers, featuring upgraded amplification, premium drivers, and wide-format connectivity for under $750.

AVID Relveo Turntable Lifestyle AVID Relveo Turntable Lifestyle

New Products

AVID launches the Relveo, its first all-new turntable in 12 years. Handmade in the UK and priced at £6,900 ($11,000 US), the Relveo targets...

Gift Ideas?

Amazon Prime Day is July 8-11, 2025

Daily Deals

Amazon Prime Day is a four-day shopping event from July 8-11, 2025 offering the biggest discounts of the year on consumer electronics.

You May Also Like

Over-Ear Headphones

HiFiMAN Susvara Unveiled delivers refined planar magnetic sound with improved comfort and a natural soundstage. Discover why it needs a powerful amp and how...

Over-Ear Headphones

HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled Review: Discover how this near flagship planar magnetic open-back headphone delivers natural tone, detailed mids, and wide soundstage—if your amp's up...

Articles

Forget what you think you know. Eastern European brands like Meze, Ferrum, and Heed are dragging high-end audio into the future — and sounding...

Over-Ear Headphones

Explore the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled: detailed review of its sound, design, comfort & performance. Is this the best Arya headphone yet?

Over-Ear Headphones

Focal goes open-back on a budget—sort of. The Hadenys brings surprising bass, polite tuning, and typical French flair for $495. Balanced cable lovers? C’est...

New Products

At $1,299, the Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO open-back planar magnetic headphones puts more expensive audiophile headphones on notice.

New Products

Meze Audio's 105 SILVA is a bold statement in design and sound, making the rest of the industry sweat. With its striking looks and...

New Products

At $399, the Meze 105 AER open-back headphones feature trickle-down technology from the 109 PRO headphones for half the price.

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers