Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen Closed-Back Headphones - Walnut & Gold

Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen Closed-Back Headphones - Walnut & Gold

The Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen is a closed-back headphone with 40mm dynamic drivers, walnut wood ear cups and gold-toned cast zinc hardware. Ten years on from the original, Meze have kept the look and the self-adjusting headband but moved the tuning towards a more neutral balance: the bass is still full, but it is better controlled, so midrange and treble detail come through more clearly. If you preferred the warmer voicing of the first 99 Classics, the acoustic absorbers in the box let you shift the sound back in that direction.

With an impedance of 16 ohms and a sensitivity of 103dB SPL/mW, it is easy to drive from phones, laptops and portable players. Meze now include a compact 3.5mm to USB-C adapter with its own DAC and amplifier, so it plays straight from a phone or computer that has no headphone socket. A 1.8m twisted OFC cable with a Kevlar sheath and a 6.3mm adapter for home equipment are also supplied, and the enlarged 7mm input sockets take bulkier 3.5mm plugs if you later move to one of Meze's upgrade cables.

Every part of the headphone, from the ear pads and headband to the cable and drivers, can be replaced, which suits a pair meant to be kept for years. The ear pads now clip on, so they sit the same way every time and are simple to swap.

What Meze Audio say about the 99 Classics 2nd Gen

The 2nd Gen 99 Classics keeps the silhouette, materials and comfort of the original 2015 design while bringing ten changes to its tuning and construction. Meze have moved the sound closer to a balanced, neutral target, matched the drivers more tightly and reworked the ear cup volume, sealing, bass port, baffle and ear pads, which now clip on. The input socket now accepts larger 3.5mm plugs, the stock cable is dual-twisted and Kevlar-sheathed, and a compact USB-C DAC/AMP comes in the box. Walnut wood cups, cast zinc hardware in matte gold and a fully serviceable build complete the design.

A Classic Fit for Today

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.

We initially created them out of a desire to infuse life and passion into what is commonly perceived as technical objects. We view headphones as vessels that contain our love for artistic expression and celebrate individuality.

Ten years later, that vision continues to drive us. As a celebration, the 2nd Generation 99 Classics come with a number of meaningful enhancements, all while preserving the spirit of the original.

Same Iconic Silhouette

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 enhancements become more apparent.

10 Years, 10 Improvements

Ten years on from the original, the 2nd Generation 99 Classics bring ten improvements, each one listed below.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Increased Ear Cup Volume

The internal cup volume has been 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.

4. Acoustic Sealing and Bass Port

The 2nd Gen introduces precision sealing at all key junctions. This improved sealing enables the use of a dedicated bass vent integrated into the jack shell, providing better control over lower frequencies, improved left–right consistency, and higher unit-to-unit reproducibility.

5. 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.

6. Ear Pad Redesign

The ear pads have been reshaped to adjust and increase the front cavity volume, refining the midrange balance toward the intended target. The attachment system has evolved from a stretch-skirt to a clip-on mechanism, ensuring fixed orientation, reducing variability, and simplifying replacement.

7. Sound Technicalities

The rebalanced tuning, enhanced acoustic consistency, and optimized internal geometry work together to improve stereo imaging and instrument separation, providing a more open and spacious soundstage.

8. Input Socket

The input socket has been enlarged to 7 millimeters in diameter. This ensures compatibility with both slim-profile and larger-bodied 3.5 mm shells, welcoming a wider range of cables, including our premium hand-braided copper and silver ones.

9. 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.

10. 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.

One of a Kind

When it comes to wood patterns, there are never two alike. Age, color, texture, and grain come into play to create a pair of headphones as unique as you. The process of crafting a single pair of ear cups takes up to 8 hours, while sanding, lacquering, and finishing extend over 45 days. Slowly air-dried to preserve its rich tones, the wood is then carefully inspected, ensuring that no imperfections pass through.

Features & Craftsmanship

The materials and details that set the 2nd Gen apart, as Meze describe them.

Walnut Wood Ear Cups

Treasured for its rich, dark color and beautiful grain, walnut wood is strong and durable, yet lightweight. The cups are CNC-machined, then hand-finished, stained, and polished.

Self-Adjustable Headband

The vertically self-adjusting vegan leather headband, in combination with a spring steel band with a large active area, delivers a level of comfort that has been praised throughout the headphones industry.

Two Tonalities

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.

Cast Zinc Hardware

The frame’s metal hardware is crafted from cast zinc alloy, then electroplated to a delicate matte gold tone.

Sustainable by Design

We consider the possible failure points of our headphones from the earliest stages of product development. If we want to slow down replacement cycles and create something to be enjoyed for years, we have to find solutions for anything that could go wrong before it even happens.

And in addition to aiming for a failure proof construction, we designed the 2nd Gen 99 Classics as fully serviceable. Ear cups, headband, cables, or driver, all pieces are replaceable.

Key Features

• Sound signature: neutral, balanced. Engaging bass, clear mids and highs, inviting, and non-fatiguing
• 40 mm dynamic drivers
• Built using premium materials – walnut wood, spring steel, cast zinc
• Detachable memory foam ear pads with clip-on mechanism
• Dual-twisted, Kevlar-wrapped OFC cable
• Custom 3.5 mm to USB-C adapter with integrated DAC/AMP
• World-class ergonomic design for all-day comfort
• Endless serviceability - every component can be replaced

Specifications