The latest offering from Meze Audio, the premium open-back wired headphones, showcases brand new, custom-designed planar magnetic drivers. This technology has long been favored by audiophiles for its exceptional clarity and minimal distortion. However, it’s the striking design of the $2,000 Meze Poet that may truly captivate potential buyers.
Typically, planar headphones are known for their bulky designs that prioritize function over aesthetics. The Meze Poet breaks this mold with its exquisite copper-toned, intricately patterned steel grilles, magnesium earcup frames, a titanium alloy structure, and a luxuriously soft suede leather headband.
The copper design elements are elegantly carried through to the height adjustment rods and the detachable, hand-braided copper cable.
The ear cushions are designed for easy replacement, using a magnetic attachment that allows for hassle-free swapping once they wear out over time.
In the development of the Poet, Meze partnered again with Rinaro Isodynamics, an expert in electro-acoustics from Ukraine. Each earcup is equipped with an MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, a sophisticated hybrid magnet arrangement paired with an ultra-light planar diaphragm weighing merely 0.06 grams. This driver is akin to the one found in Meze’s flagship $4,000 Elite Tungsten headphones.
The specifications of these drivers are certainly impressive:
- Frequency range: 4 Hz – 96 kHz
- Sensitivity: 101 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
- Maximum SPL: >130 dB SPL
- Total harmonic distortion (THD): <0.05%
With an impedance of just 55 ohms, the Poet is user-friendly and can easily be driven from a standard 3.5mm jack on a typical laptop.
In poetic terms, Meze describes the sound profile of the Poet as “a sonic journey characterized by lush, airy vocals and crisp bass precision, achieving a harmony between rich low-end depth and delicate high-frequency clarity.” The headphones are said to naturally enhance tonality with subtle sparkles for a vibrant yet effortless listening experience.
The price tag of $2,000 is a considerable investment for most consumers. However, Meze Audio softens the financial impact with the inclusion of a robust PC-ABS hard case for storage. Additionally, a separate synthetic leather pouch is provided for housing the cables.
The included cable features 3.5mm mono jacks at the earcup connections, along with a standard unbalanced 6.3mm (1/4-inch) source connector. Meze also offers various optional accessory cables that allow for 2.5 or 4.4mm balanced connections if desired.
For those seeking a budget-friendly entry into the open-back audiophile market, the Meze Audio 105 AER is worth considering. While they may not feature high-end planar drivers, they nonetheless deliver impressive sound quality and aesthetic appeal.
