Meze 99 Classics V2 is here, but what actually changed? In this review, I take a closer look at the updates, sound, comfort, and overall experience to see if this new version brings something meaningful or if it’s just a small refresh. Let’s find out who these headphones are for and whether they’re still worth considering.

Some headphones become obsolete after just a year. Others become part of audio history. The Meze 99 Classics are one of those headphones. And now, that story has a sequel.

The original Meze 99 Classics were released in 2015 and quickly became loved by many (myself included), thanks to their warm, engaging sound signature, outstanding design, and excellent build quality. If you’re interested, I have a detailed review of the original model here on the channel.

And today, I have the next chapter of that story on my desk: the Meze 99 Classics V2, or simply the second version.

As always, let’s start with the unboxing.

The headphones arrived in a medium-sized dark green box. Inside, we find a carrying case with the headphones, a user manual, stickers, and acoustic dampers, which we’ll talk about a little later.

Inside the case, there are headphones and another small fabric pouch containing the cable, a 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm adapter, and a portable DAC and amplifier – or a USB-C dongle.

The impedance of headphones is 16 ohms, the sensitivity is 103 dB, and the headphone weight 290 grams without the cable.

Design, build quality and changes

At first glance, the Meze 99 Classics V2 looks almost identical to the original Meze 99 Classics: wood, metal, the suspension headband design, and the same instantly recognizable aesthetic. But once you look closer, the first external differences start to appear.

The earcups of the second generation are deeper, which increased the internal ear cup volume. This helps to shift cavity resonances toward the low frequencies and reduces the influence of standing waves, resulting in better control of the bass.

The second difference is precision sealing across all key structural points. There is also a specially designed bass port integrated into the connector housings on both sides. This port provides more accurate low-frequency control and improves consistency between individual units.

The third external change is the shape of the ear pads. They were redesigned to adjust and increase the volume of the front acoustic chamber, which helped fine-tune the midrange.

The mounting system was also improved: the previous elastic ring system was replaced with a snap-in mechanism, making ear pad replacement much easier.

The V2 ear pads are deeper and have more volume. This brings two immediate benefits: increased comfort during long listening sessions and a more open soundstage. The fit has also changed slightly – the headphones now feel even more stable and secure on the head.

The fourth external change is the increased diameter of the connector housings. In the second generation, the diameter is now 7 mm, which provides compatibility with both low-profile and larger 3.5 mm connectors. This allows users to pair the headphones with a wider range of cables, including Meze’s premium hand-braided copper and silver cables.

The accessories included with the headphones have also been updated.

The V2 comes with a single 1.8-meter braided cable made with oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors and a Kevlar outer layer. This maintains excellent electrical performance while improving resistance to tangling, mechanical strength, and flexibility.

The second change is that the headphones now come with a compact USB-C DAC and amplifier, which provides optimal sound quality when used with modern devices that no longer have a dedicated headphone output.

Now, let’s remove the ear pads from both models and continue discussing the changes.

With both models opened up, we can continue looking at the internal changes.

In the second generation, the driver grill design has been changed, and it is no longer covered by a damping material. According to Meze, the grille in the first version created more reflections than desired, so it was redesigned for the V2. This change also improved the reproduction and clarity of the high frequencies.

There is also another driver-related improvement: the drivers are now better matched. In simpler terms, the selection process for pairing drivers has become more precise, resulting in more consistent stereo imaging across units.

Subjective Sound impressions and comparison with Meze 99 Classics V1.

Before we start talking about the sound, I would like to mention that all impressions and evaluations in my reviews are subjective and reflect my personal listening experience. Please take them with a grain of salt and consider them as one person’s perspective.

The V2 sounds very “alive,” but at the same time noticeably more mature than the original version. They still have that warm Meze character, but the presentation is more refined. The bass is full, fast, and controlled, without the same level of excess weight as before. The low frequencies have excellent punch and impact, while staying out of the way of the midrange.

Vocals and instruments sound natural and spacious, with pleasant texture and better separation. The treble is slightly smoother, making the headphones easy and comfortable to listen to even during long sessions.

Another thing worth highlighting is the depth and height of the soundstage. Music no longer feels like it is happening inside your head — instead, it feels more like it is unfolding around the listener.

Overall, these are headphones with a very comfortable, emotional, and atmospheric presentation that works especially well with rock, jazz, soul, electronic music, and vocal recordings.

The original Meze 99 Classics V1, in my opinion, were headphones with a very distinctive personality: a warm sound signature, powerful bass, and an extremely musical presentation.

However, they also had some noticeable weaknesses. The low frequencies could sometimes overlap with the midrange, detail retrieval was softer, and the treble could occasionally feel either too sharp or too forgiving.

The bass in the V2 remains deep, but it has become faster and more controlled. Put simply, the first version had a tendency for the bass to slightly spread out, while the V2 keeps it tighter and better defined.

The midrange is one of the biggest improvements. On the Meze 99 Classics V1, vocals could sometimes feel pushed into the background. In the V2, they are closer, more detailed, and more realistic. Instruments are better separated, and there is less of that dense, overly saturated feeling.

The treble on the Meze 99 Classics V1 was somewhat inconsistent. At times it felt too smooth, and there were moments when I wanted more air and sparkle. In the V2, the highs are more open without becoming harsh, creating a more spacious and airy presentation.

We also cannot ignore the improvements in soundstage and stereo imaging. Thanks to better driver matching and the increased volume of the earcups and ear pads, the soundstage feels wider and more stable, while stereo positioning is more accurate.

Coming back to the acoustic dampers included in the package: according to the manufacturer, using them brings the sound of the V2 closer to the original V1. And overall, this is indeed noticeable.

They work as a treble damping solution, slightly smoothing the upper frequencies and giving the sound a warmer character. The difference is real, but it is not an exact recreation. It is impossible to fully reproduce the original Meze 99 Classics sound using only the dampers.

So, if we summarize the comparison between the two versions, I would say that the first version was about emotion. The second version is emotion combined with control.

In my opinion, the V2 did not completely reinvent the 99 Classics. It is still the same great idea of a musical, enjoyable listening experience — just without some of the small compromises of the first version.

And the fact that Meze spent 10 years preparing this second generation highlights how carefully they approached these changes. For that, I genuinely respect the work of the Meze engineering team.

Who Are These Headphones For?

The Meze 99 Classics V2 are ideal for listeners who want comfortable headphones with a warm sound signature and a non-fatiguing presentation.

Their rich and musical character makes them perfect for long listening sessions. You can easily get lost in your favorite albums and, after a couple of hours, realize that you were simply enjoying the music rather than analyzing the sound.

They work especially well with rock, electronic music, jazz, soul, vocal recordings, movies, and gaming. And their appeal is not limited to sound alone.

These are the kind of headphones that make you smile even before pressing the Play button. Natural wood, metal instead of cheap plastic, attention to detail, and a recognizable design create the feeling of a product made with care and respect for the owner.

And that’s all for today.

Take care!