Massdrop x Meze 99 Noir Review (Headphone)

[DanTheMan]

EQ is a must with these as it is with nearly every headphone. That said, these have a great looking design and an easy, comfortable fit. He Brainwaves pads make these look far more tempting. Most dongles should be able to drive these as loud as you’d ever want them to go. A great looking over-ear which is definitely portable, fairly noise isolating and head headroom in the bass to compensate for outside noise. I’d think these should get a better panther really. These look like a lot more money than they are. I’m actually impressed.

 

[Xombul]

Many thanks to Amir for this comprehensive review.
I own Meze99 headphones and out of the box they sound dull. For closed headphones akg371 is for sure better option.
Actually it seems that they are not so easy to drive and surprisingly, replacing the stock single end cable with a balanced one improves the sound... which is not good without EQ. Even with EQ I am still disappointed despite their comfort and nice looking.
Definitely I am going to try Amir's filter

 

[Savi]

As always, thanks for the measurements and the work. Most of the time, amir's conclusions are: "performances are Bad/Ok before EQ and great after EQ" and I am wondering if this small EQ are really audible or if it is just a biaised methodology. in this case, with a -10db correction @ 180hz, I have no doubt that is audible .

 

[AdamG]

Hi @amirm,

Another great review. You are a workhorse.

I think it would be very interesting and educational to do a video review of how/why you select the filters you chose for your headphone EQ. A deeper perspective on when and where differing types of filters (peaking, LShelf, ect…) should/can be used. More Classroom time. Give a man a fish, or teach him to fish.

 

[solderdude]

I'll throw the Meze 99 Classics CSD in here for those that are interested.

Note that the ringing at 8kHz and 16kHz usually is not seen with dynamic headphones.
The ringing at 4kHz is benign (inaudible)
The sharp 4kHz dip seems to be a resonance in disguise.

Quite a lot of pad bounce around 80Hz. Also the 4kHz and 8kHz resonances are visible. At 1kHz the wiggle in the group delay coincides with the CSD.
I have no idea where the 99 Classics differs from the Drop version (other than price) but certain aspects appear to be very similar.

 

[WickedInsignia]

Had the Classics for a bit and they were hilariously tuned. SO much bass, and not good bass. Just woofy thick bullshit.

I am glad people have fun but please for the love of music stop recommending these. What you’re hearing isn’t even intentional: it’s the result of the manufacturer swapping out the original pads (since they had major comfort issues) without retuning. It’s objectively a mistake.

I’m convinced the love it receives is more for the build and the looks, and buyers convince themselves the sound is any good just to hold onto the gorgeous things.

 

[jfree77]

Had the Classics for a bit and they were hilariously tuned. SO much bass, and not good bass. Just woofy thick bullshit.

I am glad people have fun but please for the love of music stop recommending these. What you’re hearing isn’t even intentional: it’s the result of the manufacturer swapping out the original pads (since they had major comfort issues) without retuning. It’s objectively a mistake.

I’m convinced the love it receives is more for the build and the looks, and buyers convince themselves the sound is any good just to hold onto the gorgeous things.

These are actually my Noirs (you can even see my Modmic base attached to the left can) and I also own Verite Open, HD650, and a few highly-regarded IEMs.

I definitely appreciate and love the neutrality and technicality of my more "reference" cans. However, I think the 99s represent a great compliment to my other sets. They give me something different and allow me to have a lot of fun with EQ and different music tracks.

You gotta get away from the mindset of "objective good" when it comes to music. People can like what they like. They can also like what they like while also understanding what "good" really is.

It's like David Chang. Dude is an amazing chef but he also loves trashy food too. He understands what "good" is, but can appreciate other things for what they are.

 

[youngho]

I have a set of the original Classics, which seemed to measure better: https://www.stereophile.com/content/meze-99-classics-very-fun-very-tasty

 

[Robbo99999]

I'm very surprised by the extreme nature of this headphone, that's one crazy frequency response! As mostly though, EQ manages to fix the worst of it! Nasty 4kHz deep sharp dip though.

 

[Zensō]

When I tried these, they sounded so strange/bad that I assumed they were defective. Apparently not. It makes you wonder what the designer was thinking. Perhaps trying to appeal to those who enjoy the “Beats” bloated bass sound?

Hoping to see a review of the Empyreans at some point...

 

[Zensō]

What you’re hearing isn’t even intentional: it’s the result of the manufacturer swapping out the original pads (since they had major comfort issues) without retuning. It’s objectively a mistake.

Ah, I didn’t know that. The wonky FR makes more sense knowing that.

 

[m8o]

This is a basshead's delight stock. I used to own the woodie version many years ago; traded it with a friend who loves a V shaped tonality in his headphones for his FiiO X7 dap + three amp modules. But being an eq lover had I had an objective basis to EQ to and had done so maybe I wouldn't have parted with it. I always thought and still do that he got the better end of the deal.

 

[dtaylo1066]

I am not sure I want to purchase a product that requires EQ when one can purchase, quite easily, one that does not.

 

[KiyPhi]

I am not sure I want to purchase a product that requires EQ when one can purchase, quite easily, one that does not.

Sometimes comfort is a factor. Not in this case, but there are headphones that are enormously more comfortable than others but just sound worse. For my ANC needs, my Sony's sound way worse than my AKG but the AKG get pretty uncomfortable after a while. The ananda sound worse than the Sundara but I find them more comfortable, etc.

Also aesthetics. Some headphones just look nice. Lol

 

[solderdude]

Not surprised by these results. While I never tried the Noir, I listened to the Classics before and couldn't stand them. Ironically I ended up buying a Nighthawk, which measures just as bad - or even worse - but with Brainwavz HM-5 pads they become listenable. With EQ even more, naturally.

stock AQ NH, with Brainwavz pads.
Note: A horizontal trace is 'audibly neutral' acc. to my target.

 

[Gurkerl]

stock AQ NH, with Brainwavz pads.
Note: A horizontal trace is 'audibly neutral' acc. to my target.

Thanks for sharing! That does look better imo. Unfortunately the elevation around the 300hz area is still there, but at least the bass doesn't overpower the rest of the mids and treble so much anymore. At retail price I would not have bought them. Even with the HM5 pads they were cheaper than the Classics

 

[Ron Texas]

The main test is with the taller oval pads.

Of the two pairs I believe these ones are closest to the Meze99 stock pads. The other set with smaller holes produces somewhat less mid bass. It's a PITA to change the pads. I use mine with the "original" pads when traveling because of the hard case and high sensitivity which doesn't require a headphone amp to drive off my notebook.

Thank you for another great review of a highly available and affordable product.

 

[Sean Olive]

To import this PEQ profile into 'Equalizer APO', use:

Otherwise, see my PEQ guide.
..................................................................................................................
For those who don't have PEQ-capable app, and want to use GEQs instead.

Spoiler: 10-band GEQ

Preamp: -5.2db
32 0.6
64 0.9
125 -6.0
250 -5.9
500 3.2
1000 1.0
2000 3.7
4000 4.7
8000 -3.1
16000 1.3

Spoiler: 31-band GEQ

Preamp: -6.6db
20 1.2
25 0.8
32 0.5
40 0.3
50 0.1
63 -0.4
80 -1.0
100 -1.8
125 -3.9
160 -7.1
200 -6.9
250 -4.0
315 -1.5
400 3.2
500 0.6
630 0.5
800 1.1
1000 1.7
1250 2.3
1600 1.7
2000 3.3
2500 4.0
3150 2.2
4000 5.7
5000 0.5
6300 0.9
8000 -3.6
10000 -1.3
12500 0.9
16000 1.1
20000 3.5

If you want to import into "Wavelet" (Android App):

Spoiler: 127-band GEQ

GraphicEQ: 20 -5.6; 21 -5.6; 22 -5.6; 23 -5.7; 24 -5.7; 26 -5.7; 27 -5.7; 29 -5.8; 30 -5.8; 32 -5.8; 34 -5.9; 36 -5.9; 38 -6.0; 40 -6.1; 43 -6.2; 45 -6.2; 48 -6.3; 50 -6.4; 53 -6.5; 56 -6.7; 59 -6.8; 63 -7.0; 66 -7.1; 70 -7.4; 74 -7.6; 78 -7.8; 83 -8.2; 87 -8.4; 92 -8.8; 97 -9.2; 103 -9.7; 109 -10.2; 115 -10.7; 121 -11.3; 128 -12.0; 136 -12.7; 143 -13.4; 151 -14.1; 160 -14.7; 169 -15.1; 178 -15.3; 188 -15.2; 199 -14.8; 210 -14.2; 222 -13.4; 235 -12.6; 248 -11.8; 262 -11.0; 277 -10.2; 292 -9.5; 309 -8.6; 326 -7.7; 345 -6.6; 364 -5.4; 385 -4.3; 406 -3.7; 429 -4.0; 453 -4.5; 479 -5.0; 506 -5.3; 534 -5.4; 565 -5.4; 596 -5.4; 630 -5.3; 665 -5.2; 703 -5.0; 743 -4.9; 784 -4.7; 829 -4.5; 875 -4.3; 924 -4.1; 977 -3.9; 1032 -3.7; 1090 -3.6; 1151 -3.5; 1216 -3.4; 1284 -3.4; 1357 -3.3; 1433 -3.4; 1514 -3.4; 1599 -3.3; 1689 -3.2; 1784 -3.0; 1885 -2.7; 1991 -2.1; 2103 -1.4; 2221 -0.7; 2347 -0.6; 2479 -1.3; 2618 -2.0; 2766 -2.6; 2921 -2.8; 3086 -2.8; 3260 -2.3; 3443 -1.3; 3637 -0.3; 3842 -0.2; 4058 -0.9; 4287 -2.4; 4528 -3.4; 4783 -4.1; 5052 -4.6; 5337 -4.9; 5637 -5.2; 5955 -5.4; 6290 -5.7; 6644 -6.0; 7018 -6.5; 7414 -7.2; 7831 -8.4; 8272 -9.8; 8738 -10.2; 9230 -9.0; 9749 -7.7; 10298 -6.8; 10878 -6.4; 11490 -6.1; 12137 -5.9; 12821 -5.8; 13543 -5.7; 14305 -5.6; 15110 -5.6; 15961 -5.6; 16860 -5.5; 17809 -5.5; 18812 -5.1; 19871 -4.0

Otherwise, see my GEQ guide.

 

[Sean Olive]

There is a similarity between the measurements of this unit versus the Meze Classic 99 in terms of exaggerated bass.. It seems consistent with the philosophy of the Noir 99 suggesting the tuning is intentional and not an accident.

This headphone turned out to be a useful low anchor in our research. On our 100-point preference scale it helped calibrate the lower range of the scale, and it consistently produced scores below 0- 25% in our blind listening tests. The predicted preference rating is 12 on a 100-point scale. Unless you like extreme bass heavy sound, I'm not sure who the intended audience is (note: to be fair, there is a small segment of the population, 15% in our sample, who do like 4-6 dB more bass above the Harman Target Curve. These people tend to be mostly young, untrained male listeners).

They do have an attractive. retro wood look to them which I think must be their main appeal.

 

[Zensō]

This headphone turned out to be a very useful low anchor in our research.

I wonder if “a very useful low anchor” could be spun into a marketing sales pitch?