Meze Audio 109 Pro

Headphones Headphone Discussion / Help
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I don’t care for the style at all. AND they are charging $200.00 extra, I believe.
I Really like the black walnut version, but I believe that is only available in Germany.

I like the 109’s, but am not blown away. I find the bass is just enough. The mids are magical and the treble can get hot. Great for rock and pop. Can be a challenge with classical, opera, jazz, etc.

I bought these used for half of the retail, plus tax, price here in Canada. If I had paid full price I think I probably would have returned them.
Although that’s probably not fair to say yet. I just got them and ran them for ten days straight. Since then I have been rotating other headphones in and out. I will get back to them soon. Curious to see how I will feel the second time through.

Today I am enjoying, yet again, my recent cheapie find, the Nectar Sound Ambrosia’s. HELL of a headphone for $399.00!

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I’m going to put you on the spot, Shane, for your opinion on two headphones you own that interest me greatly.

Meze 109 Pro or Nectar Ambrosia? Compare? Contrast?

Thanks.

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Wow, that is two very different headphones.

I am currently in the middle of a run with the Ambrosia’s. I have had them for a few months and they just get stronger and stronger, IMO. I just put these back on today and it was a great day. I played pop songs from the 70’s through my Schiit Valhalla 2 amp.
Good solid bass, clean and clear mids and a good amount of treble. They are light, comfortable and sound great. And they are Cheap! $399.00, last I heard.
I am loving them.

The 109’s are new to me. I bought them used a few weeks ago for just over half of retail, plus taxes.

The mids are beautiful and amazing.

The bass is just enough and no more. I have never seen bass measured out this carefully by a headphone.

The treble is Large and can get hot with certain music. Very high pitched vocals and horns can get a little sharp or piercing. I think these might be tricky with opera or classical, but that is just a guess.

I ran them for ten straight days on my first listen. I really liked the sound for the most part. One evening I found the treble bothersome but I have not been able to recreate the situation.

They are Great with rock and pop. The bass seemed light at first, but when I played some bassy songs, the headphones were just booming. And in a great way.

I like these headphones, but don’t love them. But I can’t make a full decision after one (albeit long) listening session. If I had paid full price (in Canada, it would be $1,099.00, plus 15% sales tax), I would likely be returning them.

Since I got a great deal buying used, I will try them for several more weeks.

At this point in time, I think the Ambrosia’s are the better headphone, for my tastes.
They also take nicely to bass boost. I have not tried adding any bass to the 109’s yet.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

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205

Thanks for the very detailed impressions, Shane! Much appreciated.

My preferred genres are rock, classic rock, alternative rock, stoner rock, alt-country, Americana and bluegrass.

Which sounds better with that music, factoring in cost and value propositions, too?

Thanks again, man. Really appreciate your time and knowledge.

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206

With those genres I think either one will be fine. The Meze’s are much more beautiful, but the Nectar’s are half the price.

Right now I love my Ambrosia’s. I don’t really know the 109’s very well yet.

After my first week with the Ambrosia’s, IIRC, my review was “nice all round headphone with no major flaws”. I was not at all blown away. Just seemed like a decent headphone.
Now, about 7-9 listening sessions later I am VERY impressed by them.

And I may feel that same way about the 109’s in a few months.

One last point and not sure how important it is to you:
The Ambrosia’s, brand new, with shipping would cost me about $645.00 in Canuck bucks, landed. The used 109’s cost me $750.00, shipped, in Canuck bucks.

With what I know RIGHT NOW, I would go with the Ambrosia’s. My feelings could change as I get to know the 109’s better, but that is my opinion on Oct 2, 2023. :grin:

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Thanks, Shane! Appreciate your candor and information!

The Ambrosia appeals to me. Love the DIY ethos of the manufacturer, and the price-to-value ratio seems very high.

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I will take any opportunity to talk headphones! :laughing:

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209

If you get a chance try the 109 on a warm chain, they responded really well to chain changes.

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I tried them in all my gear. My system is a BF2 feeding:

  1. ifi Pro iCAN
  2. Violectric V220
  3. Schiit Valhalla 2
  4. Little Dot MK9

Lots of warmth there. :grin:

Don’t hate or dislike them, just don’t love them. Hopefully they will grow on me more.

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Oh good stuff, I really enjoyed them on my ifi iDSD micro signature.

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212

Meze 109 Pro Open Back Dynamic Headphones with Sennheiser HD 660s2 comparison!

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I don’t like to compare apples to oranges. An open back dynamic needs to be compared to an open back dynamic. I’m not a card carrying headphones guy myself, but I think the logical comparison for Meze 109 Pro headphones would be another professional dynamic headphone made for mixing music & perhaps mastering; in the <$1k range. There are only 2 others I can think of. Neumann NDH30 & Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro. I have the 1990s. I want all 3 so that I can hear for myself with 3 different amps to try with each. TA26, SA1, A70 Pro. I might apply for my card at a later date.
(Edit)
Here in my reply I’m referring to the earliest of replies on this thread, where folks are making comparisons of this dynamic headphone vs planar headphone. Sorry for the confusion.

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I’m confused. Since when is the 109 Pro designed for mixing and mastering? It has a colored sound signature, correct?

If so, then wouldn’t the HD 660 S2 be a good comp? Open-back, dynamic, a bit of colorization to the sound signature, especially compared to the original 660?

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I only provide the options I can think of within the class of pro mixing headphones. I’m certain there could be dozens of examples if not hundreds.

On another note, the “pro” headphones don’t necessarily have to be perfect in measurements. There are many pro mix engineers even today that still use Yamaha NS10m monitors as a reference to do their mixes on. If you listen to anything mixed by CLA for example, what you’re listening to he mixed on his NS10m monitors most likely. Reason being is that those Yamaha monitors are like a magnifying glass on the midrange. They are not flat, nor extended or airy.

216

Fair enough. But I think the “Pro” in the Meze 109 Pro is more marketing-speak than an indicator of their intent.

These are colored, slightly V-shaped headphones, right? About the last thing I would think someone would mix on. But what do I know?

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I haven’t heard the Meze 109 Pro. My main point is in the comparing of a dynamic headphone to a planar headphone. That is at best, illogical. Thats compring apples to oranges, as I mentioned earlier.

218

100 percent agree. But Marcello’s video posted above compared the Meze 109 Pro to the Sennheiser HD 660 S2 – both dynamic-driver open backs.

But yeah, often silly to compare planars to dynamics. Kind of like comparing a diesel to a gasoline engine car.

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I have the 109s, and I can definitely say they are a fun musical headphone. All glory to comfort and having a good time. I’ll never understand why so many companies put Pro on just about everything though.

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Right on. Glad you’re digging them, man. I’ve had my eye on them for a long time, but it’s probably a case of paralysis by analysis. :slight_smile:

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It’s always great when a product not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Meze does have a reputation for quality build and design, so it’s understandable why you’re drawn to them.

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