DT770 or 99 Neo

Headphones Headphone Discussion / Help
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I’ve been looking for a good starting point headphone for music and some gaming. The Meze 99 Neo and the Beyerdynamic DT770 are currently my top 2 picks, I just wanted a second opinion before buying either one of them. Pros, cons, or alternatives I may have overlooked.

No DAC/Amp as of now but open to getting one later, for now running it off of my PC. I mostly listen to EDM with a mix of J-Rock/Pop. I don’t do competitive gaming so imaging isn’t a top consideration. Closed back preferred because I have a combination of a computer, fan, and AC running at any given time. Budget is around $300 USD, but flexible.

Yes, I’ve seen the Meze 99 Classics but I don’t feel that an extra $100 is worth it in that case since I want a bit more sub base rather than mid base.

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I’ve seen conflicting opinions regarding Meze 99 soundstage. Not sure how critical the gaming element of this is, but if closed-back is requisite — Beyer has a massive gaming following.

The Beyers have a variety of impedance choices. I feel like the Mezes are always going to be easier to power though. Those Beyer drivers are relatively inefficient, old-school — so despite even lowER impedance levels option - they’re not the easiest piece to power. Also, though I understand some folks like to really “isolate”, but… none of your reasons stated would be compelling to me to choose a closed-back over open-back (outside of BASS levels, which may be important with the given genres).

Fit on Meze seems to be an issue, with replacement pads being requisite for some people. Very small stock pads. Meanwhile the Beyers are pretty widely accomodating from a comfort perspective.

Do you have any audio reference place you’re coming from, to gague expectations?
Mezes look amazing, Beyers look utilitarian with an attached cable. It’s a very interesting comparison!

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Right now I’m just using a gaming headset, Cooler Master MH 630, which I would still switch onto for something like a discord call with friends. I’ve used Razer Krakens and Corsair HS60 in the past as well. In terms of other audio devices I’ve used Jabra Elite 75t and Samsung Buds+, but I don’t plan to be using a wired headset on my phone at all.

I mostly want closed back headphones for isolation, the bass is just a plus. Like I mentioned in my previous post I have a noisy fan, AC, and PC or 2 running at any given time and I just want to not hear them. I am not opposed to getting an open back set, however I think I value isolation more than soundstage and imaging since it is not a priority in the least bit.

My ears are not that big so I don’t really have an issue with slightly small pads on the Meze. Since you’ve mentioned fit/comfort, clamping force on either one of these an issue? I prefer a tighter headphone, but its not deal breaker if one is slightly looser or tighter than the other. I’m more concerned about extreme tightness.

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Some people feel the stock pads on the Meze 99 make them “on-ear” rather than “over-ear” I don’t believe either suffers from excess of clamp force.

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While I can’t speak on the 770, I really like my 99 Neos,

As far as comfort and fit I have 0 issues with the pads or overall comfort (not in clamping force or size). the suspension strap is a bit “bouncy” but after a bit of time you get used to it.

As far as sound Its a very “fun” set, with a full sound - overall warm and dark set, the bass is the star of the show with the 99s, it has a good feel and impact to it (it’s not super detailed but it doesn’t make any less fun), the highs are a subdued a bit, but it helps with long listening sessions.

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The only major bummer with it, is if you want to get a replacement cable you have to buy a dedicated cable (same if you want to go balanced). it might be a dual 3.5mm but the connectors are too deep to use with a standard cable so you have to buy a special cable. that being said the stock cable is decent

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I’d like to add that the stock pads on the meze’s don’t seal very well. I guess it depends on your face/head shape but a pair of brainwavz oval pads fix that for cheap.

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Hey, i had both of them. If i had to buy a closed back for gaming, i would choose a akg 361/371 or the meze 99 classic instead.

The 770 pro is very recessed in the mids and it needs an amp.

The neo has very strong bass, it sounds really bloated and it bleeds into the mids. The classic has also strong bass, but the transition between bass and mids is much better.

The akg 371 has also strong bass and a fun sound signature, but doesn’t reach the texture quality of the mezes. The 371 doesn’t lacks in the mids like the 770 and it works without an amp. But the 770 has much better built quality.

The 361 is like 371, but with less bass emphasis. The 371 has better soundstage than the 361. Since you are choosing between 770 and neo, i think you would like the 371 over the 361. So my ranking would be: 99 classic>371>770=361>neo

Also the sony mdr 1a could be interesting for you.

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Gaming isn’t the top priority here, its just something I’d like for them to do at least as well as my current set or better. Imaging and soundstage are pretty low on the priority list since “beeps and boops” don’t really have a location in an orchestra I’d like to pick out lol. I did say the classics don’t seem like enough of an upgrade to justify the extra $100 USD, unless I’m missing something here. I know the mid-bass is better, but from my music choice I would rather have sub-bass.

The 371 and the MDR1A seem alright, I’ll have to look into those more.

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Good to know there are no comfort issues with the strap or clamp.

So long as replacement parts are sold through Meze, I’d be okay with just using the stock cable otherwise.

Also it is not balanced by default? Or does whatever I need come in the box to make it balanced?

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If you have an AMP or other device that can output balanced then you can think about getting a balanced cable - otherwise don’t worry about it, they run just fine unbalanced (i happen to get mine from a friend).
There is a slight and i mean very slight difference (at least on my amp Topping A50s and IFI zen Can) between the two but you really switch back and forth to tell an actually difference

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Gotcha, any cheap DAC/Amps for around $100 to pair with the 99 Neo you recommend? Just want to start looking at possible upgrade for down the line.

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the IFI zen Dac is currently the “king of budget” (the V1 is 129 the V2 is 159)
If you want to go portable since the 99’s are very efficient you can use a BTR5 to run them no sweat

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Here is my 2 cents, I have a Meze 99 Classic and Beyer 880/990’s. Do yourself a favor and buy Beyers. They are super-comfortable, I abused them for years and they’re still rock solid. You can backorder almost every part, good quality, the kind that Germany gave its reputation. I like the 770’s the least of the 770, 880, 990 line. In your case I would go for the 880’s, its almost a closed back, non-fatiguing for me, the 250 ohm version if you have some spare cash for dac/amp. Again some more for maybe a DT1990 Pro, they are some of the best bang for your buck headphones in that range with great SQ. (At least here in EU). Would be end game for most normal people. Also much tuning options with changing the pads with Beyers, completely changes how they sound. Mind the different cables between the pro and regular versions, they’re fixed on the 770/880/990 line so you better buy the one that fits your need, personally for PC use I like the 3m curled version of the Pro’s.

The Meze are a ‘fun’ headphone, they fit a bit tighter than the Beyers but my ears still fit. They sit comfortable but not as steady, a bit wobbly, you have to watch out when you lie on the couch. I like them very much as well but I miss some detail sometimes and although they ‘seem’ to do bass well, when I’ve first heard them I thought they did it better than the Beyers, after a while I noticed that it rolls off, for EDM and Hip-Hop it was really starting to bother me once I noticed it (Beeps and boops need that low extension). I’m glad I bought them (was a bit concerned about the ‘dark’ reviews) but I use them mainly for jazz and vocals) and I always go back to my Beyers with great pleasure. They sound nice and detailed with good extension down low and again, super comfortable. I’m not sure the Meze’s will last as long as the Beyer’s, less than a year and already some white’ish protection layer seems to start peeling on the corners of left cup.

I also casually game and there I also like Beyer’s more. More accurate and more information. Probably because they give me more detail and are maybe more designed for a correct presentation in stead of a smooth one.

For amp I think ifi has indeed some great budget options and they are usually also a bit warmer which should be a good match with the Beyers. If you pay some extra for a Asgard 3 with internal DAC (maybe used or b-stock) you’re set to drive any headphone, even a 600 ohm Beyer. A dongle dac from audioquest other brand is also a budget option. To drive the Meze’s you indeed don’t need an amp, they run fine just from phone BUT they sound a bit muffled (at least once you’ve heard them do better). Let’s say they certainly appreciate amplification.

Again, just my 2 cents, you know your situation/usage the best. Maybe the Neo’s dig a bit deeper down low but its a problem for EDM/HipHop on the classics in my book. And again, build quality, comfort, just super on the Beyers. The wood on the meze’s is also very cool though… aargh, choices

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Wow thank you for such a thorough response. Even though I’ve heard the DT770’s are better than the Meze for imaging its not a concern for me. I am looking for something a bit on the warmer side, more fun without harsh highs which I hear that the DT770’s suffer from.

But I’ve also just found out about the 99 Noir, the AKG 271, and the Sony MDR1A so now I’m spoiled for choice and it’s become even harder. This really is a never ending rabbit hole!

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Indeed spoiled for choice… these are all decent headphones, good music will sound like good music

Try to take all the reviews with a grain of salt, they describe the Meze’s as being dark and undetailed, the Beyers as having harsh highs. I don’t have golden ears, to me they both sound very nice, nothing dark, nothing harsh and a noticeable difference with your regular 50 EUR headphone. They have different tuning but differences start to matter once you can compare and notice you like this or that better. Until then ignorance is bliss :smiley:

AKG are nice headphones as well, I’ve had AKG 701’s, similar to Beyer 990, a bit smoother and more airy maybe, also light and comfortable but build quality was less in my experience. Its been a while but they broke on me.