Author: Jamie Madden

In their essence, Empyrean and Elite are sound-emitting art objects for the head that transport their wearer to a mystical parallel universe where music has retained all the supernatural attributes regaled upon it in the tales of yore. Or something very close to that… anyway. 

Roon Ready Writeups returns with part three of our Meze earphones and headphones series. Part one highlighted the Rai Penta and Advar in-ear monitors, while Part two featured their closed-back models, the Liric, 99 Neo, and 99 Classics. In this segment, we’ll explore their flagship open-back models – the revolutionary Empyrean and Elite.

Meze’s Hypnotic Allure

In the lead-up to this review, I wondered if it was possible to discuss these models without unwittingly stepping in a pile of hyperbole. Meze’s Empyrean and Elite headphones are some of the most innovative planar magnetic headphone designs the world has to offer. But for all its accuracy, that statement utterly fails to communicate the euphoria of handling and listening to them. These products practically beg the beholder to go off the deep end descriptively. It’s as if some secret hypnotic force within their enclosures urges the writer on. In their essence, Empyrean and Elite are sound-emitting art objects for the head that transport their wearer to a mystical parallel universe where music has retained all the supernatural attributes regaled upon it in the tales of yore. Or something very close to that… anyway. 

Beauty and innovation in every detail

If Meze Audio needed to communicate its aesthetic and acoustic ethos with a single product, either of these headphones would exceed the requirements. Both result from their ongoing success in teaming up with Rinaro Isodynamics of Ukraine. Rinaro has been a fixture at the forefront of planar magnetic research and development since the 1980s. It’s a partnership built on curiosity, experimentation, and daring. The Empyrean and Elite exemplify the culmination of 30 years of intense acoustic research packed into designs that check every box, sonically and stylistically. 

Every element of these headphones is purpose-built for unparalleled performance. Meze’s characteristic attention to detail is on full display here. Empyrean and Elite come housed in a striking aluminum flight case with high-quality accessories. Not surprisingly, the stock OFC cables that accompanied the headphones were of exceptional quality. Unlike other audio companies that skimp on trimmings, Meze’s presentation is elegant, tacitly conveying respect and appreciation for their customers.

The chassis of these headphones is ingeniously milled from a single piece of precision aluminum. The skeletal grillwork isn’t just beautiful; it increases airflow and driver performance. The exceptionally lightweight carbon steel frame and unique pressure distribution headband design balance weight evenly, ensuring maximum comfort. The hybrid Alcantara and leather pads provide a cozy luxurious musical space that invites hours of relaxed listening. The ultra-thick earpads are held firmly in place by the driver’s magnetic system, making changing out ear pads an effortless task. There’s nothing left to improve in terms of form and fit.

Empyrean and Elite represent the absolute apex of planar magnetic technology. Both feature first-of-their-kind hybrid dual driver arrays that are hand assembled by Rinaro exclusively for Meze. The dual voice coil configuration improves the sound intensity distribution and creates a balanced response across the entire frequency spectrum. 

The larger switchback coil generates the low-end frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the driver. The spiral coil delivers middle-high frequencies and is set directly in front of the ear canal, improving auditory perception in those ranges. The ovoid earcups conform to the ear’s natural anatomy and sound processing, enabling sound waves to enter the ear without any time delays or image slurring. 

The soundstage of both headphones is quite copious; their ample breadth lends additional dimension to the sound, much like listening to high-end speakers in a room but without the environmental tone coloring. 

Empyrean and Elite feature captivating, vivid sound. There’s great heft and body to the voicing, but it maintains an exceptionally even balance that provides plenty of instrumental space across a wide frequency range. High-range extension feels airy yet natural and balanced. The same holds true for the mids and the low end making them perfect for reproducing complexly layered music and critical listening – no matter your choice of music. 

Listening Notes

I demoed each track with the Empyrean, followed by the Elite, to closely examine the sonic differences between the models. Selections were played through Chord’s Hugo 2 portable DAC with the EQ and Crossfeed features set to “off.”

Simon & Garfunkel – Scarborough Fair/Canticle from Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, And Thyme

Empyrean: Roon attracts fans of every genre of music. I chose this song because it’s folk-pop music with distinctive classical attributes. The soundstage created a wide vista for examining each instrument’s voice. Notes from Simon’s acoustic bloom below the delicate ring of the chimes. The harpsichord dances behind fully resolving descending bass lines. The multitracked vocals comprise a symphony of textures. Listening to the track through the Emypreans was genuinely like hearing it for the first time. I played it five or six times in a row, attempting to focus on each instrumental element individually but got swept away in the intoxicating music every time. 

Elite: I admit to thinking that there couldn’t possibly be anything Elite could add to what I heard in the Empyrean, but I was wrong. Texture, timbre, and space are complex elements to capture in text. In the intro, Simon’s guitar has a slightly warmer mid-range resonance on the plucked strings. Air on the layered vocals feels slightly more pronounced. The harpsichord is crystalline and holographic in the far right channel. The descending bass line is fuller and authoritative but with less crispness than heard in the Empyrean. It feels foundational and broader through the Elites.  

Charles Earland – Black Talk from Black Talk

Empyrean: Black Talk is a stunning reinterpretation of The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby with an exhilarating drive. This one perfectly demonstrates the Empyrean’s skill at bringing a song’s essence to life. The instrumentation simmers deliciously. Melvin Spark’s hollow body jazz guitar is spunky and funky. Earland digs in, and man, let me tell you – this is what the Hammond is supposed to sound like! The trumpet and tenor and perfectly articulated. The fuzzy vibration from Person’s reed tells you everything you need to know about Meze’s detailed presentation. Idris Muhammad keeps things cooking on drums. They’re back in the mix and boxy, but that’s a characteristic of the mix – not the headphones.

Elite: The Elite added a bit of overall pop to the track, and the trumpet and tenor stepped forward in the mix. My Hammond love was further accentuated here – what a lush groove! The texture on the trumpet was more apparent. The guitar picked up some heft as well. But all of this was accomplished without artificial thickening or muddying of detail. 

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – All Along the Watchtower from Electric Ladyland

Empyrean: Ok, but how do they handle Jimi’s apocalyptic take on Dylan’s pastoral original? Well, with all the detail and excitement I’d expect based on the previous selections. This track retains Jimi’s dense orchestration, but there’s more space, thanks to the Empyrean’s staging and detail. I heard either scratch or buried vocal tracks I’ve never noticed hiding in the right rear of the mix. When I consider the number of times I’ve spun Electric Ladyland, that’s an awe-inspiring feat. Jimi’s guitar multitracking brilliance is illustrated in full psychedelic technicolor, thanks to Meze!

Elite: The models’ differences were less noticeable here. Perhaps I’m still reeling from what I heard in the Empyrean, but the presentation is very similar, going from one to the other on this particular track. There may be a subtle degree of added depth in the mid-range with Elite that better showcases Jimi’s guitar prowess but it’s a very nominal difference.

Our Conclusion: The quest for perfect sound has reached its end.

Meze has carved out a unique niche among audio manufacturers, where daring and timeless artistic expression intersect with passionate innovation that exceeds all expectations. Empyrean and Elite establish a new standard, not just among audiophile headphones but in natural, accurate, life-like sound reproduction. These aren’t only the best-sounding and most comfortable headphones I’ve ever heard or worn. – they’re products of heirloom quality destined to amaze and inspire generations of music listeners. If you’re seeking headphones with unrivaled aesthetics and an accurate yet vivid and uniquely engaging sound signature, Meze should be on your shortlist. Pure magic awaits you in the Empyrean and Elite. 

Tech Specs:

Empyrean

• Driver Type: Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ3
• Ear Cup Design: Open Back
• Frequency Range: 4Hz – 110kHz
• Impedance: 31,6 Ω
• Sensitivity: 100 dB/1 mW
• Maximum SPL: > 130 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.1% at 1kHz
• Materials: Black Leather, Magnesium Frame
• Weight: 15.1 ounces
• Warranty period: 2 years

Elite

• Driver Type: Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ3SE
• Ear Cup Design: Open Back
• Frequency Range: 3Hz – 113kHz
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Sensitivity: 101 dB/1 mW
• Maximum SPL: > 130 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.05% at 1kHz
• Materials: Black Leather, Magnesium Frame
• Weight: 15.1 ounces
• Warranty period: 2 years

What’s in the Box

Empyrean

• Meze Empyrean Open-Back Headphones
• High-strength aluminum suitcase with foam inserts
• Two sets of earpads: one Alcantara, one Real Leather
• Serial number and Inspection certificate
• Owners Manual
• Cable options: 
  • 2.5m OFC Cable, 4 pin mini XLR to 6.5mm jack or
  • 1.2m OFC Cable, 4 pin mini XLR to 3.5mm or
  • 2.5m OFC Cable, 4 pin mini XLR to XLR

Elite

• Meze Elite Open-Back Headphones
• High-strength aluminum suitcase with foam inserts
• Two sets of earpads: one Alcantara, one HYBRID Perforated Alcantara Interior + Real Leather Exterior
• Serial number and Inspection certificate
• Owners Manual
• Cable options: 
  • 2.5m OFC Cable, 4 pin mini XLR to 6.5mm jack or
  • 1.2m OFC Cable, 4 pin mini XLR to 3.5mm or
  • 2.5m OFC Cable, 4 pin mini XLR to XLR

Any audio product that inspires us to spend more time listening to music is a winner. Naturally, that makes us big fans of Meze headphones… they place high-quality audio within easy reach of most buyers’ budgets.

Roon Ready Writeups is back with part two of a three-part series on Meze earphones and headphones. In part one, we checked out their stellar Rai Penta and Advar in-ear monitors and were excited by what we heard and saw – you can find that review here if you missed it. In this installment, Meze’s closed-back models take the spotlight as we discuss their planar magnetic Liric, 99 Neo, and the 99 Classics – the model that secured them a trove of coveted awards and an equal measure of brand loyalty upon their release in 2015.

Any audio product that inspires us to spend more time listening to music is a winner, in our opinion. Naturally, that makes us big fans of Meze headphones. Not simply because they achieve that goal in addition to looking and sounding great, but more importantly – they place high-quality audio within easy reach of most buyers’ budgets. Another advantage of quality headphones is that they create a personal listening space that’s free of room coloration and that can be enjoyed anywhere.

Some owners may initially hesitate to take their Mezes on the go, but they’re certainly up to the challenge. The 99 Neo and 99 Classics cost much less than many of the more pervasive popular brands saturating the market, have far better sound, and feature superior build quality. Every component of the 99 series is manufactured in-house by Meze and is owner replaceable in the unlikely event that they should ever require repair. I can’t think of another headphone in this price range that can make that claim.

Old school cool

When I opened the 99 Neo for the first time, I was immediately smitten by its vintage vibe. Their textured black earcups evoke the retro cool of classic 1970s cans by Pioneer, Kenwood, and the Koss Pro 4AAs I wore for many years while working in radio. 

The craftsmanship of the 99 Classics is even more striking. Each pair is fitted with solid walnut earcups featuring unique grain figuration. Like a fine acoustic instrument, the patina of daily use imbues the eye-catching tonewood with additional character. The earcup shaping and finishing process takes 45 days, about the same amount of time required to build a top-of-the-line Martin Guitar. That’s an impressive commitment to quality.

Meze Audio founder, Antonio Meze, has stated that considerable effort went into achieving a uniform sound signature between the Neo and Classics, making the Neo an absolute steal for the price. The tonal presentation of the 99 Series is similar to those vintage brands mentioned earlier. I’d describe its voice as “classic hi-fi” rather than “audiophile.” Like many fellow reviewers, I couldn’t be more pleased with that as they sound perfectly lovely with a rich, soulful, naturally engaging articulation. The highs could feel slightly rolled off to some listeners, but I find them nicely detailed and authentic, without any artificially augmented coloring.

All resemblance to vintage audio headphones evaporates when it comes to comfort. Rather than the vice-like grip of those vintage models I mentioned, the 99 series are unbelievably lightweight. The spring steel frame eliminates fatigue, while the self-adjusting padded leather headband ensures maximum comfort. The medium firm, comfy earpads and snug fit provide excellent isolation inviting hours of relaxed listening. Simply put: they are the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn. I’ve actually fallen asleep wearing them.

Liric is Meze’s first closed-back planar magnetic headphone for audiophiles on the go. Like the 99 models, it has a somewhat vintage appeal, but sonic gold awaits inside its elegant, understated exterior. It’s a bold marriage of cutting-edge acoustic engineering and Meze’s unmistakable artistic expression, featuring the same revolutionary hand-assembled isodynamic hybrid array technology found in their flagship Emyprean and Elite models – for a fraction of the cost. In fact, Liric caught many Meze observers off-guard with its wealth of new features and by how quickly it followed the unveiling of the Elite.

The newly designed Phase-X system eliminates phase distortion while creating three-dimensional spatial imaging for immersive listening. The advanced ovoid earcup maximizes acoustic space and sonic delivery. Meze’s precisely tuned pressure equalization system enhances earcup energy release, resulting in vividly detailed, life-like, enveloping sound. Liric also introduces Meze’s new Ear Pad Air Flow system, combined with an advanced skeletal frame, soft touch leather headband, adjustable fit, and vented cushion for fantastic comfort with prolonged listening.

Liric’s sound signature is abundantly pleasing – featuring buttery mids and detailed, airy highs with robust, natural deep bass. The sound staging is astoundingly three-dimensional for a closed-back headphone.

Listening notes

I demoed each track with the 99 Series, followed by Liric, to examine the sonic differences between these models. Selections were played through Chord’s Mojo 2 portable DAC with the EQ and Crossfeed features set to “off.”

Gordon Lightfoot – The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald from Summertime Dream

99 Series: Lightfoot’s haunting ode to men who went down with the SS Edmund Fitzgerald is lush and warm through the 99s. The drum and guitar bass response is robust but not exaggerated. When the toms kick in at 1:34, the sense of depth is intoxicating. The layered guitars land right in the 99s’ mid-range sweet spot. The steel guitar has nice sparkle, with a slight roll-off of its brighter edges. Closer listening reveals nice air between Lightfoot’s vocal and the instruments’ interaction with the plate reverb. 

Liric: Through Liric, you’re placed on the ship’s deck, fully immersed in an unfolding cinematic drama relayed in the song. Liric’s presentation is remarkably organic and pleasing. They required a slight bump in volume to match the gain of the 99s. Bass extension was more pronounced yet remained natural. The warmish snare of the 99 is snappy here. The toms acquire additional heft, and instrumental detail is sharper overall as is expected, given the advanced tech packed into this model.

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Natural Mystic from Exodus

99 Series: The opening from Exodus perfectly showcases the 99s bass chops. This is my go-to for bass reference, thanks to the heavy foundation laid down by the Barrett Brothers. This track swamps out underachievers, and the 99s sail through it with finesse. The up-stroke of the guitars is clear and articulate. Bob’s vocal takes center stage and is presented with lovely detail. Like the previous track, the reverb on the voice and instrumentation has an airy warmth. This one really demonstrates the musicality and bass extension of the 99 series.

Liric: The take-away on this track is mirrored in the previous description. Liric handles the bass lines admirably, adding depth and texture without artificial coloring. The guitars demonstrate additional detail and clarity. The steel drums pop aggressively. Interestingly, Bob’s vocal feels slightly softer in some passages compared to the 99s. 

Billie Holiday – I’m a Fool to Want You from Lady in Satin

99 Series: By the time Billie recorded Lady in Satin, the turmoil of her life was fully imprinted on her voice. Her cracked, broken instrument is a startling juxtaposition against Ray Ellis’ shimmering orchestral backing. This piece dismisses charges from critics who claim that the 99 series lacks high-end definition. The soundstage here is spacious and lovely. Billie’s melancholy melismatic vocal tugs at the heart, cushioned by soaring violin accompaniment. Every instrument in the mix has plenty of room for individual examination. 

Liric: Wow, just wow! The lush presentation of the 99s is taken to an entirely new level through the Liric. The Liric feels more like an open-back design when showcasing this piece. The instrumentation exhibits increased detail, revealing previously missed call and response between Billie’s vocal and the trombone. Holiday’s delivery here is shockingly frail and intimate. The song’s storyline is one she’s lived, lending authenticity and emotional resonance to her reading.

Our Conclusion: Unbeatable audio for the price.

The Meze 99 Neo and Classics are incredibly comfortable and offer unbeatable sound quality at their price point. Build quality is on-par with models that are far more expensive. Attention to detail is top-notch; all components are replaceable if needed, and they’re easily driven by ordinary mobile devices without any significant loss in fidelity. Meze’s 99 Neo and Classics could represent the best value on the market for sound quality this impressive.  

Liric, while more expensive, offers a substantial accomplishment in planar magnetic audio. By completely reimagining the sonic advancements of their flagship Emyprean and Elite models for a closed-back design, Meze demonstrates that they’re not content to rest on past achievements. I feel confident that we’re sure to see and hear many more surprises from Meze in the future. 

Their passion for innovation and pushing boundaries is inherent across their entire product line. Whether you’re in the market for your first set of quality affordable headphones or poised to explore a planar magnetic option, Meze’s closed-back models are no-risk choices featuring sublime sound and unmatched design traits.
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Tech specs

99 Neo

• Transducer size: 40mm
• Frequency response: 15Hz – 25KHz
• Sensitivity: 103dB at 1KHz, 1mW
• Impedance: 26 Ω
• Rated input power: 30mW
• Maximum input power: 50mW
• Detachable Kevlar OFC cable
• Plug: 3.5mm gold plated
• Weight: 260 gr (9.2 ounces) without cables
• Ear-cups: ABS Plastic

99 Classics

• Transducer size: 40mm
• Frequency response: 15Hz – 25KHz
• Sensitivity: 103dB at 1KHz, 1mW
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Rated input power: 30mW
• Maximum input power: 50mW
• Detachable Kevlar OFC cable
• Plug: 3.5mm gold plated
• Weight: 260 gr (9.2 ounces) without cables
• Ear-cups: Walnut hardwood

Liric

• Driver Type: Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® MZ4
• Operating Principle: Closed
• Ear Coupling: Circumaural
• Frequency Response: 4-92,000 Hz
• Impedance: 30 Ω
• Nominal SPL: 100 dB (1 mW / 1 kHz)
• Maximum SPL: > 130 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.15%
• Weight: 391 g

What’s in the Box

99 Neo

• 99 Neo in Black/Silver or Black/Gold
• Hard Case: protective EVA case with Meze Audio metal logo
• 59″ braided Kevlar cable with mic/remote terminated in straight 3.5mm plug
• 3.5mm-to-1/4″ adapter
• Airline jack adapter
• Soft zippered cable and accessories pouch
• Manual
• 2 Meze Audio decals

99 Classics

• 99 Classics in Walnut/Silver or Walnut/Gold
• Hard Case: protective EVA case with Meze Audio metal logo
• 9.9′ Cable (straight 3.5mm plug)
• 59″ braided Kevlar cable with mic/remote (straight 3.5mm plug)
• 3.5mm-to-1/4″ adapter
• Airline jack adapter
• Soft zippered cable and accessories pouch
• Manual
• 2 Meze Audio decals

Liric

• Presentation Box
• Liric planar magnetic headphones
• Hard Case: protective EVA case with Meze Audio metal logo
• 122″ audio cable (straight 3.5mm plugs)
• 56″ audio cable (straight 3.5mm plugs)
• 3.5mm-to-1/4″ adapter
• Airline jack adapter
• Accessory cables pouch
• Large format full-color brochure

In the last few DAC reviews I’ve written for The Roon Store, I’ve been somewhat coy about the headphones I used to demo the devices. And let me tell you, it was hard to keep the reason for that a secret. Now, I can dispense with mystery and reveal our new partnership with Meze Audio. Like most music fans and audio gearheads who have heard Meze Audio’s products, we’re blown away by their design, build quality, and sound.

Meze has taken the audio world by storm since the release of their 99 Classic in 2015. And they’ve continued that streak with each follow-up product they’ve unveiled – dethroning some of the most revered headphones on the market in their quest for perfection. Now that we’ve spent quality time with their headphones, we can attest that their mountain of audio awards is well deserved. 

Our passion at Roon is to help you get the most musical sound reproduction possible from your system. Our Meze partnership places us in a unique position to realize that goal; few devices can transport you to an entirely new acoustic space and elevate detailed listening and music appreciation in the way a quality pair of headphones or IEMs can. They’re high-quality audio devices you can take anywhere. The abundance of small portable, affordable DAC/amps means easy high-res audio on the go – everywhere you go.

Musical Mysticism:

Meze’s products have an alluring quality inspired by the heritage of their Romanian birthplace. They create a stunning harmony made of timeless aesthetics and acoustic advancements fueled by a yearning to challenge the barriers accepted by the mainstream audio manufacturing community. 

I can’t say that I’ve been overly concerned with headphone cosmetics in the past. If they sound good and are reasonably comfortable, that’s been my benchmark. Meze changed that, their products are artworks that produce sound. Once you’ve seen and heard them, the thought of returning to ugly plastics is truly disheartening.

Advar takes its name from Romanian Mysticism, the Advar was a powerful talisman that blessed those who wore it. Just as the Meze Advar, finished in high-gloss black chrome and textured yellow gold, blesses the listener with a warm, dynamic sound. The precisely tuned 10.2 mm dynamic driver is easily driven by standard mobile devices but shines with a bump in power. Advar’s EQ curve sounds similar to the Meze 99 Classics, with a slight emphasis on the bass, upper midrange, and the mid-treble. 

The Rai Penta is Meze’s flagship IEM. The aesthetics, innovation, and build quality of their full-sized headphones are miniaturized in Rai Penta with incredible precision. They’re also the most lightweight, well-fitting, and comfortable IEM I’ve ever worn. The pebbled space-blue anodized finish is etched to display Meze’s lyre logo. Its beauty is matched only by its sound.

Rai Penta features a perfectly tuned, five-driver, hybrid array that delivers a pristine, harmonically balanced, sound signature with remarkable detail across their entire frequency spectrum. Meze’s Pressure Equalization System graces Rai Penta with a soundstage resembling their flagship Empyrean and Elite models – packing incredible value into its jewel-like enclosure. Like Advar, the efficiency of its driver array means it can be powered by ordinary mobile devices. But, when paired with a headphone DAC/amp it delivers lustrous listening.

Kick Out the Jams 

For our listening tests, I demoed each track with Advar, followed by Rai Penta, to reveal the unique sonic characteristics exhibited by the different models. They were paired with Chord’s Mojo 2 portable DAC with the EQ and Crossfeed features set to “off”.

Fleetwood Mac – Gold Dust Woman from Rumours

• Advar: This is pure 1970s album rock gold-dust at its most sublime. Advar’s subtly enhanced voicing makes it a perfect companion for this track. Each instrument in the mix is afforded ample room to breathe. Mick Fleetwood’s metronome-like rim shots are crisp, and McVie’s bass line is warm, fat, and natural. Buckingham’s layered guitar parts sparkle while Christine’s keyboard adds understated yet perfect color. Stevie Nicks’ spellbinding vocals exhibit an intoxicating depth of emotion and yearning. As the song builds and the mix thickens, the airy sense of space is retained. If I only had five minutes with Advar to make a purchase decision, this track would seal the deal.
• Rai Penta: Through Rai Penta, the experience is like sitting in the studio with the band for the final mixdown. Highs are spectacularly vivid and overall resolution is truly breathtaking. The soundstage is more spacious but not exaggerated. The instrumentation benefits from pronounced clarity and depth, the air around Stevie’s vocal is ethereal and vocal harmonies display added texture and nuance. There’s no denying that it’s a reference sound signature, but one that’s pleasing and inviting.

Compay Segundo – Yo Vengo Aquí from Nueva Antología. 20 Aniversario

• Advar: Antologia (originally titled Yo Yengo Aquí when released) was recorded a year before Segundo garnered renewed fame as the elder statesman of the Buena Vista Social Club album and documentary. He’s joined here by a Trio from Madrid for a set of Cuban and Spanish folk standards. The soundstage here is gorgeous, and the small, lively recording space adds a rich organic compression to the track. Compay’s fluid guitar lines weave through the mix as his warm voice anchors the Grupo. Spanish lead vocalist Julio Fernández fits hand in glove with Segundo’s baritone and adds tasty maracas texture. Benito Suarez deps nicely on the second guitar as Salvador Repilado’s Contrabasso provides a robust foundation. Few listeners would believe this was a quickly assembled ensemble with just a few hours of rehearsal under their belt before these recordings. Yo Vengo Aquí flows from the Advars like pure honey.
• Rai Penta: here Yo Vengo Aquí jumps from the Rai Penta like a dancer and mirrors the presentation of the previous track. Hidden details reveal themselves more effortlessly; the interplay of the instruments exhibits greater nuance and vocals are more distinct. The crispness of the acoustic guitars is enhanced, spotlighting their instrumental dexterity. Surprisingly the maracas feel slightly recessed when heard thru the Rai Penta. Rai Penta’s bass voice is full and natural but the added warmth and richness of Advar’s gentle bump in the lows is missing here. 

Gábor Szabó – Mizrab from The Socerer

• Advar: Mizrab was recorded before a live audience at Boston’s Jazz Workshop in April 1967. The ringing decay of the hand cymbal in the opening perfectly showcases Advar’s smooth upper register, as the remaining instrumentation highlights its accurate, life-like expressiveness. Szabo’s amplified acoustic unfurls fluid serpentine ribbons of mesmerizing gypsy jazz guitar throughout the piece. Hal Gordon’s hand drums feel like they’re just a few feet away as they establish a pulsing rhythmic exchange with Marty Morell’s kit. Advar places you right at the heart of Mizrab’s hypnotic musical journey.
• Rai Penta: Mizrab benefits from Rai Penta’s accuracy and detailed imaging, the same opening finger cymbals exude stunning realism, sounding as if they’re inches away from the listener’s seat. The recording space becomes more apparent and defined. The same annoying live music attendees who yammer endlessly walked the earth in 1967, you can hear them in the background while the band coaxes Mizrab along its sinuous path. Its a mesmerizing listen, with a touch less warmth than with Advar but in no way less satisfying.

The Verdict:

Meze occupies a singular position among audio manufacturers. Their passion for innovation and “no-compromise” quest for perfection drives their every decision. It isn’t hollow marketing copy; it’s confirmed by the four mouse scrolls it takes to get through the accolades listed on their home page. Their engineering acumen, choice of materials, precision craftsmanship, and build quality testify to their dedication to excellence. Attention to detail extends to the most minute elements of their products.

Advar and Rai Penta demonstrate individual strengths and have uniquely tuned voices that gelled exceptionally well with the demo tracks we selected – and everything else we played through them. They’re pieces of sound art, designed to reveal subtle details with warmth and incredible accuracy that are built for a lifetime of enjoyment. If you’re in the market for a premium set of in-ear monitors that are comfortable and boast unrivaled sound quality they deserve your consideration. Surprising intricacies are waiting for discovery in your favorite songs, hear them again for the first time.

Additional Observations of Note:

• Selecting the best-fitting ear tip is essential to getting optimal sound and isolation from both Advar and Rai Penta. Experiment with the provided ear tips until you find the one that offers a snug fit. Advar seemed a bit thin in the Low/Mid Bass until I found the correct ear tip – once found, the frequency response was lush and full.
• The MMCX connection on the Advar doesn’t fit as snuggly with the flange as it does with Rai Penta. There was no discernable loss of imaging or detail, but it creates the impression that it is not completely seated. 

Tech Specs:

ADVAR

• Driver: 10.2mm Dynamic driver
• Frequency Range: 10 Hz – 30 kHz
• Impedance: 31 Ω
• SPL: 111dB/mW
• Distortion: <1% at 1kHz
• Stock cable: braided cable made of SPC (silver plated copper) custom wires ending in gold plated 3.5mm
• Materials: Solid stainless steel chassis produced by metal injection molding, with CNC finishing
• Finish: High-gloss Black Chrome plating on the main shell

RAI PENTA

• Driver: PENTA-HYBRID DRIVER (4 x Customized Balanced Armature and 1 x Dynamic Driver working harmoniously together)
• Frequency Range: 4Hz – 45kHz
• Impedance: 20Ω
• Sensitivity: 100dB SPL/1mW
• Max Input Power: 30mW
• Distortion: <1%
• Stock cable: braided cable made of SPC (silver plated copper) custom wires ending in gold plated 3.5mm
• Materials: High-precision sculpted chassis is CNC milled from solid aluminum
• Finish: Pebbled anodized Space-Blue finish with aluminum Meze Lyre detail

What’s in the Box

ADVAR

• Left and right in-ear monitors
• 48″ braided audio cable with dual MMCX connectors and a straight 3.5mm plug
• 5 Pairs of Final Audio silicone ear tips
• Cleaning tool
• MMCX removal tool
• Hard Case: protective EVA case with Meze Audio metal logo
• User Manual

RAI PENTA

• Left and right in-ear monitors
• 48″ Braided cable with dual MMCX connectors and a straight 3.5mm plug
• 3.5mm-to-1/4″ Adapter
• Airline adapter (female 3.5mm jack-to-dual 3.5mm male plugs)
• 8 pairs of ear tips
• Cleaning tool
• Hard Case: protective EVA case with Meze Audio metal logo
• User Manual

Audio gear for your Roon lifestyle

In December 2021 we launched The Roon Store, the only e-commerce gear site specifically designed with the needs of Roon users in mind. It’s focused entirely on audio equipment that pairs seamlessly with Roon. No matter where you are on your Roon journey, aspiring user, recent subscriber, or long-time customer – the Roon Store has something for you.

A new approach to gear reviews

The internet is chock full of specs-heavy reviews, and like many of our customers, we find those details fascinating. But technical specifications don’t generate much excitement when describing our relationship with the gear that provides the soundtrack to our lives. 

How many times have you heard someone reminisce lovingly about the sensitivity rating of their old JBL L100 speakers? You don’t, they talk about how well they remember and enjoyed their sound. So, we’re approaching reviews differently and with an intentionally Rooncentric focus. In Roon Ready Writeups, we’ll spotlight our favorite gear and describe how it enhances the enjoyment of Roon. You’ll come away with a feel for product performance; and a clear picture of how well it fits your needs and lifestyle. 

Chord Mojo 2: small size, big sound

We have an unabashed love for portable, small form factor DACs that improve desktop, mobile, and tablet listening. If you’ve heard Chord products in action, you’re probably familiar with their excellence in this area.  They fit perfectly with our Roon Ready philosophy: they just work, they provide lush, detailed sound, and most importantly, they help enrich our love of music. 

The Mojo 2 / Poly is one of our favorite Chord combos because its design facilitates multiple applications: it can pull double duty as a remarkable upgrade for a legacy system or a formidable desktop audio solution. Let’s take a closer look at their characteristics.

Got My Mojo Working, Pt. 2

The Chord Mojo 2, the second generation of the Mojo (originally released in 2015), packs even more performance and features into a smaller enclosure than the original. The Mojo 2 boasts a DAC designed by Chord’s own Rob Watts and supports up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD256. Hugely impressive for a DAC/amp that fits in my 11-year-old’s hand. Many costly full-size DACs can’t match the Mojo 2’s finesse.

Battery management has been vastly improved, and intelligent desktop mode protects against overcharging while in desktop or component use. Fully charged, the battery provides 8 hours of listening time. The original Mojo’s input configuration is preserved on Mojo 2, ensuring compatibility with Poly. Those who complain about the USB-C input location of Mojo 2 can credit Chord when they realize it was an intentional customer-focused design decision. Mojo 2 can charge in tandem with Poly, even while in use, with a 2A (amps) rated charger.

Connection points include:

• Co-axial, Optical, Mini USB, and USB-C inputs 
• Dual 3.5 stereo headphone outs
• Mini USB charging port

Pristine wireless streaming with Poly

Poly is a Roon Ready streaming module that snaps into the inputs of the Mojo 2, making it visible on your home network to Roon. Chord calls it a “fully fledged high-resolution wireless network music player, streamer and SD card playback device with wireless playback and control from smartphones.”

In addition to Roon, it supports DNLA, AirPlay, and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity and FLAC, WAV, ACC, AIFF, OGG VORBIS, ALAC, WMA, and MP3 file formats. PCM handling up to 24-bit/768kHz, DSD via DoP to DSD256, and SD card DSD playback. A full charge offers 9 hours of Roon Ready streaming. Setup was quick and painless with the Chord GoFigure app. Check out our Poly setup video in The Roon Store for help with that.

A few additional observations of note:

• The Mojo 2’s headphone outputs lack individual volume controls. 
• Poly’s internal Hot Spot functionality is a touch tricky. 
• Poly requires a few steps to wake up the unit and initiate use.
• The devices can get pretty warm when using the leather case during extended listening.
• MQA fans may need to look elsewhere, as Mojo 2 doesn’t offer MQA support.

Style and grace

The Mojo 2 / Poly combo provides a huge soundstage in a small footprint and exudes exceptionally fine design, features, and sound. Mojo 2 is housed in a robust, bead-blasted aluminum enclosure, finished in satin black, with lovely polychromatic spherical controls for volume, power, and the menu. The controls appear complicated in the manual but are easily mastered in a few hours of use. Chord has graciously included a handy decoder card to help with that. More details on Mojo 2’s tone-shaping features in a moment.

Pint-sized solutions

• The Mojo 2 / Poly partnership provides a clever way to integrate Roon with a sweet-sounding legacy setup, using just a quality 3.5 mm to RCA interconnect cable. When I connected the duo to a vintage Yahama amp powering my old B&W DM603 S3 tower speakers, I was gobsmacked by what I heard. My old setup sounded like a modern system just by adding those two devices.
• The highly flexible design facilitates high-res desktop and handheld device audio.
• High-quality system or DAC/headphone audio solution for a small space.
• The design makes this combo a perfect point of entry for the aspiring audiophile because its flexibility serves multiple uses.
• SD Card slot provides easy onboard high-res listening on the go.

Problem free reliability

The Mojo 2 / Poly dynamic duo provided rock-solid Roon stability both as a wired and wireless RAAT streaming endpoint. The long-range WiFi capability of the Poly placed my outdoor hammock within range of my network, a first and a pleasant surprise. A fully-charged Mojo 2 / Poly combo clocked in at just under 10 hours of sublime headphone listening. 

If problem-free Roon integration and reliability are top of your list, your worries are over. I didn’t have a single issue with this pair; how incredible they sound together is a bonus. 

Sonics that strike a Chord

Whether alone or paired with Poly, Mojo 2 delivers a stunning, attention-grabbing listening experience. Mojo 2 features a revolutionary lossless UHD DSP (Ultra-High Definition Digital Signal Processor), EQ, & Crossfeed that begs exploration.

DSP EQ offers 4 bands of tone control (lower bass, mid-bass, lower treble, and upper treble) with 18 steps of adjustment in each band – providing a bewildering 130,000 + possible EQ customizations. Dialing in adjustments while listening to personal reference tracks by Jackie McLean, George Harrison, Bob Marley, The Beatles, and The Grateful Dead revealed spellbinding texture and detail. I heard nuance and heft in these tracks that made them feel fresh and exciting again. 

Mojo 2’s new Crossfeed feature was borrowed from Hugo’s flagship Dave and Hugo 2 DACs. It improves spatial effects for a more ‘speaker-like’ soundstage when using headphones by subtly mixing both channels to achieve a more natural sound. Crossfeed may not seem noticeable initially, but I immediately missed it upon switching it off after a few days of use. It added an energizing, live music vibe to listening sessions that I quickly grew to enjoy.

The Mojo 2 / Poly partnership shined when tested with a variety of high-quality headphones. I’m withholding those details for now – but only because you’ll be hearing more about them soon in a coming review. 

If you’re looking for a small form factor portable Roon Ready DAC with great aesthetics, features, and breathtaking sound reproduction, the Chord Mojo 2 / Poly pairing is definitely one you’ll want to consider and investigate further.

For more details, please see Chord’s partners page.