Introduction to the Meze 99 Classics V2 review
Meze Audio is a Romanian company that hardly needs an introduction anymore. For years, they have been creating headphones in their own unmistakable style, marked by meticulous build quality, carefully selected materials, refined aesthetics, and accessories that feel genuinely premium. All of that would mean little, of course, if they forgot about the sound. Fortunately, they never do – and the Meze Audio 99 Classics V2 are a perfect example of that philosophy.
When Meze reached out asking if we wanted to review a new product, they did not reveal the model name. They only wrote that they were genuinely excited about what they had prepared. Naturally, that made us curious as well. When the package arrived and I saw the familiar silhouette of the 99 Classics, I will admit I felt a moment of disappointment. I feared this might be one of those typical “V2” releases we see too often – minimal tweaks, a slightly higher price, and nothing more. But that is not the case here. The price increase compared to the original 99 Classics is minimal, and the sonic changes are far more significant than I expected.
The original 99 Classics were among my first “serious” headphones, and back then I was absolutely thrilled with them. The walnut cups, the detachable cable, the bold, thick, and bass-forward tuning – it all felt like a major step up. Would I go back to them today? Probably not. My priorities have shifted, but in a direction surprisingly similar to Meze’s own evolution. After just a few minutes with the Meze Audio 99 Classics V2, it became clear why the company was so excited. These are not minor tweaks, nor a lazy refresh. This is a meaningful and thoughtful reinterpretation of what made the original model special—and in many ways, an outright improvement.
Packaging & Build Quality
Meze has always paid close attention to even the smallest details, and the Meze Audio 99 Classics V2 are no exception. This time around, the headphones arrive in a new, more eco-friendly cardboard box, which I consider a genuinely nice touch. Whenever it’s possible to reduce the use of single-use plastics, it’s a step in the right direction – especially in a product category that often goes heavy on unnecessary packaging.
Inside the box, we find a familiar Meze-style accessory set. Alongside the headphones themselves, there’s a sturdy hard case – this time finished in eco-leather rather than fabric, unlike the cases included with the 105 AER or 105 Silva. You also get a new braided cable and a simple, compact USB DAC/amp. Altogether, it’s a very complete and thoughtfully assembled bundle, especially considering the relatively accessible price point of the 99 Classics V2.
Looking at the build quality of all included elements, it’s hard not to be impressed. The natural walnut wood cups look and feel fantastic, the pads are made of leather-like material (eco-leather, to be precise), and the cable is excellent – easily good enough to be marketed as a premium accessory by many manufacturers. Everything feels solid, well-finished, and coherent as a whole.
Starting with the differences compared to the first generation, the most obvious change is size. The new 99 Classics V2 are simply larger. The earcups protrude further from the head and have a slightly different shape. Visually, they almost look a bit “puffed up,” which strongly suggests a completely redesigned acoustic chamber. One change I’m slightly less enthusiastic about concerns the new ear pads. They feel softer to the touch, but on the head, they behave quite similarly due to their revised construction. While the thickness remains the same, the pads are wider, which results in slightly less space for the ears. For some users, this could translate into a minor reduction in comfort during longer sessions.
Other noticeable updates include larger jack connectors on the earcups, as well as bass reflex ports located right next to them – another hint that the internal tuning and airflow have been significantly reworked.
The headband, however, remains pure Meze. Automatic adjustment, an eco-leather suspension strap, a stable metal frame, and excellent weight distribution all make for a very comfortable fit. It’s a proven design that still works exceptionally well, even with the subtle structural changes introduced in the V2 version. The new cable is a very welcome addition, although in my opinion it wasn’t strictly necessary in the first place. It’s well-made, flexible, and visually matches the headphones nicely. The only downside is the splitter, which scratches quite easily, and the paint tends to wear off along the edges over time.
Tech
I’ve never been a big fan of overly technical sections in headphone reviews, as they rarely tell the full story on their own. Still, Meze Audio clearly put real effort into refining the 99 Classics V2, and the manufacturer highlights several key changes worth mentioning.
According to Meze, driver matching has also been refined, with tighter left–right consistency in the mid and high frequencies. In theory, this should improve stereo imaging and overall coherence. Internally, the ear cup volume has been increased, which helps lower resonances and provides the bass with better control and definition.
Meze also reworked the acoustic sealing and added a dedicated bass vent near the jack, aiming for improved low-frequency consistency and better unit-to-unit repeatability. The baffle design is now more open and acoustically transparent, reducing diffraction and cleaning up the high frequencies.
The ear pads have been reshaped to better align with the new tuning goals and now use a clip-on system for more consistent positioning and easier replacement. That’s the thing
Practical updates include enlarged input sockets for wider cable compatibility, an upgraded stock cable, and the inclusion of a compact USB-C DAC/amp to suit modern portable devices better.
Sound of reviewed Meze 99 Classics V2
As I mentioned at the very beginning, the Meze 99 Classics V2 turned out to be a genuinely pleasant surprise. I was expecting a modest sonic refresh — a small tweak here, a subtle adjustment there, and perhaps a slightly higher price tag. That’s how many manufacturers approach “V2” releases these days. Meze, however, went much further. The 99 Classics V2 are not a minor upgrade; they represent a substantial rework. The brand kept what worked best in the original model and rethought nearly everything else to better align with current listening habits, expectations, and technical standards.
In just a few words, I would describe the Meze 99 Classics V2 as slightly warmer, closed-back counterparts to the Meze 105 Silva that I reviewed recently. They share a similar sense of balance and refinement, but with a more intimate, enclosed presentation and a touch more warmth in the overall tonality.
Across the board, the 99 Classics V2 performed very well with every genre I threw at them. Whether it was laid-back jazz, energetic pop, or dense, heavy rap like Night Lovell, they consistently delivered an engaging and coherent sound. Considering their price bracket, the level of polish is genuinely impressive. I found myself actively searching for that moment where the manufacturer might have decided something was simply “good enough” — but I couldn’t really pinpoint one.
At the same time, there isn’t a single aspect that aggressively steals the spotlight. The Meze 105 Silva impress with their soundstage, while the original 99 Classics were famous for their bold, bass-heavy tuning. Reviewed Meze 99 Classics V2 take a different route. They aim for balance and consistency across the board, offering a well-rounded presentation in every key area — something I’ll break down in more detail in the sections that follow.
The bass is probably the element that surprised me the most. It’s not particularly massive or overwhelming, but it is very well controlled, without any sense of unnecessary hardness or stiffness. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be natural. There’s a slight smoothing of texture here, which means dedicated bass-guitar fans might not find it especially expressive or gritty. Drums, however, are a completely different story. As a former drummer myself, this is where I was genuinely impressed — the way percussion is rendered feels tight, rhythmic, and very satisfying.
Considering the overall bass quantity, the sub-bass presence is a pleasant surprise. It rumbles gently in the background, adding depth and foundation, but it never tries to steal the spotlight. The mid-bass is where most of the action happens: it’s nicely saturated, slightly smoothed, and forms the core of the low-end presentation. The kick-bass, on the other hand, is fast and precise, doing an excellent job of driving the rhythm and giving the music a sense of momentum. It works particularly well with pop and other energetic genres, where timing and pace matter more than sheer weight.
The midrange is once again very natural and rather relaxed, closely resembling what we know from the Meze 105 Silva. There’s a pleasing level of detail here and, for a closed-back design, a surprisingly good amount of air. As with the bass, a subtle smoothing is present — texture on electric guitars or the rasp in a vocalist’s voice can occasionally soften and blend slightly into the rest of the mix. That said, this tuning never becomes tiring. On the contrary, it’s an excellent midrange for evening listening sessions, when you simply want to unwind and let the music flow without demanding too much attention.
In the lower midrange, I do find myself missing a bit of saturation and weight. Very deep male vocals can come across as slightly understated or even a bit flat. Michael Kiwanuka is a good example here — his voice loses some of its sweetness and physical presence compared to fuller, more forward tunings. Still, the midrange remains objectively correct, with respectable detail and an openness that many listeners will genuinely appreciate.
The upper midrange is more distinctive. Most of it sits slightly more forward than the lower mids, while maintaining the same smooth, coherent character. This works beautifully for guitar riffs and female vocals, which sound engaging and pleasantly present. I can honestly say that I’m rediscovering Adele through the Meze 99 Classics V2 — her voice feels clean, expressive, and emotionally convincing without ever becoming sharp or aggressive.
The most unusual aspect appears right at the very top of the midrange, where it transitions into the treble. There’s a noticeable dip in this region, something that also shows up clearly in measurements. On the one hand, this means there’s absolutely no hint of harshness or sibilance. On the other, it slightly reduces sparkle and brilliance. This region plays a major role in the overall calmness of the sound, contributing to the relaxed, easy-going character that defines the reviewed Meze 99 Classics V2.
The treble largely behaves exactly as described earlier. After a noticeable dip around the 4 kHz region, the response returns to a more conventional shape, only for the very top end to gently roll off again. This tuning keeps the overall presentation calm and composed, free from aggressive cymbal crashes or overly highlighted string sections in classical music.
The result is a smooth, relaxed high-frequency performance that never draws unwanted attention to itself. There’s no glare, no sharpness, and no sense of fatigue — just an easy, laid-back treble that complements the rest of the frequency range beautifully. As mentioned before, this makes the Meze 99 Classics V2 an excellent choice for evening listening sessions or long hours at work, where comfort and a non-intrusive sound signature are far more important than analytical sparkle.
Pairings
The Meze 99 Classics V2 are absurdly easy to drive. They’re the kind of headphones you choose when you don’t want to invest in a separate DAC/amp or spend time experimenting with different signal chains. They sound good straight out of a laptop, and they also pair very nicely with the included USB dongle, which works perfectly for smartphone use. In that sense, they’re genuinely plug-and-play.
When connecting them to more serious desktop gear, I didn’t experience a dramatic leap in overall sound quality. What does change more noticeably, however, is the tonal character. The 99 Classics V2 are quite responsive to shifts in coloration rather than raw technical improvements. If you do decide to add external electronics, I’d recommend looking at gear with a mild V-shaped signature. That kind of pairing adds a bit more energy and excitement to the sound, giving the presentation extra drive and liveliness.
Personally, I wouldn’t pair them with very laid-back sources that roll off both ends of the spectrum. That combination risks making the sound a bit too polite and subdued. Of course, that’s a matter of taste — but in my experience, the Meze 99 Classics V2 benefit most from sources that inject a touch of contrast and dynamism rather than further smoothing things out.
Comparisons
Meze 99 Classics vs Meze 99 Classics V2
The most natural point of reference here is the original Meze 99 Classics, which I personally owned for several years. The new generation moves in a noticeably different direction — one that clearly aligns with the broader evolution of Meze’s sound philosophy. Bass control has been significantly improved, the presentation is far more organized, and there’s a clear step up in detail retrieval and overall clarity. In return, we get a calmer, more composed sound, a better-defined soundstage, and much stronger control across the entire frequency range. From a technical standpoint, nearly everything has moved forward.
That said, this shift comes with a trade-off. While the original 99 Classics were unapologetically bold, warm, and bass-heavy, the V2 opts for balance, restraint, and refinement. Because of that, I can confidently say that if you’re a die-hard fan of the original 99 Classics and their thick, fun, and instantly engaging sound, the V2 might not necessarily be for you.
Instead, the Meze 99 Classics V2 make the most sense for listeners who are looking for a closed-back alternative to the Meze 105 Silva, or for those who simply want a more relaxed, mature, and controlled tuning. It’s less about instant wow-factor and more about long-term listening comfort — a direction that won’t please everyone, but one that feels deliberate and well thought out.
Meze 99 Classics V2 review – summary
In recent years, Meze has clearly taken a turn in a new direction. Whether that’s the right move is, of course, a matter of taste. Personally, I like this direction — and in the case of the Meze 99 Classics V2, it works exceptionally well. What we get here is a product that feels almost complete. It’s versatile, pleasant to listen to, and consistently good across all key aspects of performance.
At the same time, nothing stands out as overly emphasized, either positively or negatively. There are no exaggerated strengths and no glaring weaknesses. Instead, the 99 Classics V2 focus on balance, calmness, and long-term comfort. They’re an ideal choice if you’re looking for headphones that let you relax and unwind with music, rather than chasing constant excitement or a live, concert-like presentation.
Highly recommended.
Big thanks to Meze for providing us with the 99 Classics V2 for this review. I wasn’t paid or asked to say anything good or bad about this product, all of the above is just my personal, unbiased opinion.
I am a 24 years old audiophile, photographer, coffee lover and Star Wars fan. I love checking out new audio stuff and sharing my opinions with people, not being overly bloviating. Furthermore, I believe that a review acts as a guide to just interest people, and then comes the most important part, which is actually testing the device by themselves.
