Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

Meze Audio’s POET is About to Shake-up the High-End Headphone Market Below $2,000: CanJam NYC 2025

Smaller, lighter, and more affordable than the flagship Empyrean II, the $2,000 Meze Audio Poet have planar magnetic fans rather excited.

Meze Audio POET Headphones on Table with Cable

CanJam NYC 2025 kicks off this Saturday in Times Square and two very different headphones in the $2,000 range are going to create a lot of excitement; the brand new Grado Signature S950 and the $2,000 Meze Audio POET.

There is already a lot of buzz surrounding the new Grado Signature HE100 SE (read our review) and the Signature S950 (read our preview) because they represent the first Grado headphones with detachable cables (we can hear the screaming all the way from Southern California) and their next generation dynamic drivers, but we suspect that the Meze Audio POET are going to be the talk of the show.

2024 was a quiet year for the Romanian manufacturer with only two new product introductions; the 105 AER and Liric II (read our review) — which only meant that Antonio Meze and his team were cooking up something massive in Baia Mare.

If the state-of-the-art Meze Empyrean II fall outside of your price range, the Meze POET make that more of a reality — although $2,000 is still a significant amount of money for any pair of headphones.

The POET

For a brand that started with the rather affordable 99 Classics (EIC Ian White’s daily driver in the dynamic category below $500), Meze have rather quickly become one of the leading innovators in the open-back, planar magnetic category.

Meze Audio POET Headphones In Travel Case

The Meze Audio POET are designed to provide exceptional audio performance by redefining what is possible in a compact, open-back form factor.

The POET combines Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology, luxurious materials, and ergonomic design.

The POET also incorporates a steel grill, magnesium chassis, and soft suede leather headrest that is visually striking and also designed to contribute to both durability and acoustic performance.

For comfort and longevity, the POET’s flexible titanium alloy headband evenly distributes weight, ensuring a snug fit that enhances listening pleasure for hours on end. The lightweight design and magnetic ear pads contribute to user-friendliness. To aid in long-term care and convenience, users can swap out earpads.

Rinaro and Parus

For the POET’s drivers, Meze has teamed up with Rinaro. Building on over 30 years of developing and offering planar magnetic technology, Rinaro Isodynamic brings its acclaimed Isodynamic Hybrid Array with a new MZ6 driver to POET.

Each driver is hand-assembled and tested at Rinaro’s state-of-the-art facility in Lviv, Ukraine, ensuring unmatched quality and performance.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The Hybrid Magnet Array is designed to create a uniform, powerful magnetic field across a Parus diaphragm with an incredibly low weight (just 0.06g) and expansive active area. This combination results in ultra-low distortion (<0.05%) and ultra-high-resolution audio that captures every nuance, from the deepest sub-bass to the highest treble frequencies.

Fully Serviceable

In addition to the engineering support to provide better sound. The POET is fully serviceable, with every component designed to be easily disassembled and replaced. Whether it’s the magnetic ear pads or the high-performance materials used throughout the chassis, POET is built to stand the test of time.

The headphone’s durable construction, together with its luxurious finish, makes it an enduring companion for years of immersive listening. Coupled with a premium hand-braided copper cable, POET guarantees not only technical superiority but also the ultimate aesthetic pleasure.

Man wearing Meze Audio POET Headphones

From Alex Grigoras, Acoustic Engineer at Meze Audio: “From the very beginning of our POET journey, we knew we wanted to create something unique — a more compact planar-magnetic open-back headphone that is every bit as capable as our flagship models. Well then, what better place to look than at the very apex? In collaboration with our friends at RINARO ISODYNAMICS, we synthesized the essence of ELITE’s driver technology and gave it new life. I believe POET turned out to be more than just a headphone; it’s a nod to a huge stepping stone in our development as a team and a testament to how far we’ve come.

Meze Audio POET and Liric II Headphones Comparison

The Meze Audio POET is very similar to the previously released Liric II which we referred to at the top of this article. The main difference between the two is that POET is Open Back and Liric II is Closed Back. Also, the POET incorporates a newer version Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array.

meze-audio-poet-liric-ii
ModelMeze Audio POET (2025) Liric II (2024)
Headphone TypeOpen Back Planar MagneticClosed Back Planar Magnetic
PriceUS $2,000 – €2,000US $2,000 – €2,000
Ear Coupling CircumauralCircumaural
Driver TypeRinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ4
Driver ShapeOvoidOvoid
Driver Size92 mm x 63 mm92 mm x 63 mm
Driver Weight73 g (2.58 oz.)71 g (2.5 oz)
Driver CasingFiberglass reinforced polymerFiberglass reinforced polymer 
Driver Diaphragm TypeRinaro Parus MZ6Rinaro MZ4
Diaphragm Active Area3,507 mm23,507 mm2
Diaphragm Weight0.06 g0.08 g
Acoustic Mass 6.5 kg/m46.5 kg/m4
Frequency Range 4 Hz – 96 kHz4-92,000 Hz
Impedance 55 Ω61 Ω
Sensitivity 101 dB SPL/mW at 1kHz100 dB SPL @ 1 kHz, 1 mW
Maximum SPL >130 dB SPL> 130 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) <0.05%<0.15%
Weight 350 g (12.3 oz.) (without earpads)427 g (not indicated is this is with or without earpads)
Input Connector Dual 3.5 mm TS JackDual 3.5 mm TS Jack
Fully ServicableYesYes
Meze Audio POET Headphones with DAP

The Bottom Line

The high-end headphone category has never had as many great options as it does in 2025; brands like Audeze, Dan Clark Audio, ZMF, Beyerdynamic, Grado, Focal and Meze Audio continue to push the envelope and while some of the top models are priced well out of the reach of most consumers, the level of performance below $2,000 is rather astounding. 

Meze Audio came out of nowhere and showed up at CES with the 99 Classics and never looked back. 

The Meze Empyrean and Empyrean II Planar Magnetic Headphones put the entire industry on notice that it could engineer products that could compete with anything.

The success of the 109 Pro and AER 105 dynamic headphones have demonstrated that they can engineer high-end performers as well below $1,000 and $500 USD.

The high-end planar category has come down significantly in price thanks to Audeze and HiFiMAN who have successfully introduced models below $500 and consumers no longer have to spend thousands of dollars to get great sound quality. 

What makes the Meze POET so intriguing is that have the potential to make state-of-the-art planar magnetic headphones more attainable for those who may want to use headphones instead of loudspeakers in the context of both a portable and desktop playback system.

The combination of stunning industrial design and high-end performance in a pair of headphones small enough to fit in your laptop bag feels like a huge win. We can’t wait to listen to them. 

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Price & Availability

POET will be available from February 20, 2025 for $2,000 at Crutchfield.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

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

Advertisement

Latest Products

Monitor Audio Bronze 7G Loudspeakers White

Floorstanding Speakers

Five Monitor Audio Bronze Series 7G loudspeakers bring upgraded drivers, sleek design, and Dolby Atmos support at wallet-friendly prices.

Ikarao Smart Karaoke Speakers Group Ikarao Smart Karaoke Speakers Group

New Products

Ikarao's Shell S1, Break X1, and Break X2 combine wireless and wired music streaming with touchscreens, light effects, and karaoke features for the ultimate...

Musical Fidelity B1xi Integrated Amplifier Front Left Angle Musical Fidelity B1xi Integrated Amplifier Front Left Angle

Integrated Amps & Stereo Receivers

Musical Fidelity’s new B1xi integrated amp ditches streaming for pure Class A/B power, a quality phono stage, and hi-res digital inputs for $879.

AudioQuest Brave Heart Speaker Cable AudioQuest Brave Heart Speaker Cable

Audio Cables

ZERO-Tech speaker cables capable of advanced noise reduction and precise timing for high-end audio systems deserving of geekery loud on specs, quiet on sense.

Ortofon MC X10, X20, X30, X40 Phono Cartridges Ortofon MC X10, X20, X30, X40 Phono Cartridges

New Products

Ortofon’s new MC X Series cartridges bring high-end quad-coil tech and precision tracking to challenge Hana, Dynavector, and Goldring at every price point.

OePhi Lounge Series 2 and 2.5 Loudspeakers in Oak OePhi Lounge Series 2 and 2.5 Loudspeakers in Oak

Bookshelf Speakers

OePhi Lounge Series Loudspeakers aim to prove high levels of musical performance don't have to cost a fortune.

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

Digital Music Systems

WiiM takes the popular form factor of its Ultra streamer and adds a 100 watt per channel power amp. Just add speakers.

Ask an Expert

WiiM's family of network streamers offers something for everyone. Here's how to pick which WiiM is best for you.

News

Feeling lucky? Enter for a chance to win a SVS SB-1000 Pro Subwoofer with Isolation Feet and Cable. Must be 18+ and U.S. or...

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Unveiled at CES, the groundbreaking Hisense 116UX is the first production TV to feature RGB MiniLED backlighting. Here's how it looks.

Ask an Expert

Struggling with poor vinyl playback? Your phono cartridge setup—or those filthy records—might be the reason. Here’s how to fix it.

Articles

Discover if vintage turntables still beat modern models under $2,000. Pros, cons, sound quality, and where to buy for the best vinyl experience.

Articles

Portable CD players are back, but with better sound, Bluetooth, and DACs. FiiO and Shanling are leading the charge in 2025's retro revival.

Reviews

The Tivoli SongBook MAX is retro, loud, and weirdly addictive. Mid-century design meets Miami volume—your neighbors may never forgive you.

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