Meze Liric Review (Closed Back Headphone)

[Bow_Wazoo]

If you don't personalize the tonality, you give away potential.
Sometimes more sometimes less.
Oratory, with its measurements and EQ settings, was the most valuable discovery of my "headphone career".

 

[dadduah]

Great review!

I’ve spent the past couple years trying to find a closed-back headphone that has a good combination of comfort for extended listening sessions, transportable and/or portable form factor, and a sound signature that can be improved with eq, but doesn’t absolutely require it to get by.

It looks like that search might have ended with the Liric.

The comforts superb, I can take them nearly anywhere and drive them with nearly anything, and applying Oratory1990’s eq profile makes a decent tuning into something great.

I’ve owned Audeze LCD-XCs (2021), DCA Aeon 2 Noires, ZMF Eikons, and Denon AH-D9200s, and given the criteria of comfort, (trans)portability, and sound signature, the Liric comes out on top.

That being said the price is steep, but if you’re able to get a pair secondhand I think it’s worth considering.

 

[Snoopy]

Great review!

I’ve spent the past couple years trying to find a closed-back headphone that has a good combination of comfort for extended listening sessions, transportable and/or portable form factor, and a sound signature that can be improved with eq, but doesn’t absolutely require it to get by.

It looks like that search might have ended with the Liric.

The comforts superb, I can take them nearly anywhere and drive them with nearly anything, and applying Oratory1990’s eq profile makes a decent tuning into something great.

I’ve owned Audeze LCD-XCs (2021), DCA Aeon 2 Noires, ZMF Eikons, and Denon AH-D9200s, and given the criteria of comfort, (trans)portability, and sound signature, the Liric comes out on top.

That being said the price is steep, but if you’re able to get a pair secondhand I think it’s worth considering.

And I think sound isolation with the Liric is better than the DCA Aeon Noires (I own them as well) and the Focal Elegia (sold).
that was one point that was really important to me as well. I use close back headphones so my wife can watch tv next to me. so I don't want to disturb hear with sound leaking from my headphones but I don't want to hear a background sound while listening music.

I think they are amazing headphones with some mild EQ

 

[dadduah]

I spent some more time with the Meze Liric and ultimately decided to sell them. I stand by the comments I made a couple posts back, but the more time I spent with the Liric I found that the comfort wasn't quite where I wanted it to be. There's something about that outline-of-an-ear pad shape that just gets to me over time and causes a hot spot around my left ear, which is the same thing that happened to me with DCA Aeon 2 Noires. I'm pretty sure this is just a quirk with the shape of my head though, but if you get irritation in the jaw/lower ear area from similar headphones I would say to factor that in. The spring-steel headband is stretchable though so you can reduce clamping force if need be.

Also, as time went on I became less of a fan of the materials used for the Liric. Aesthetically speaking I was initially neutral, but for a headphone meant to be taken out and about it sure has a lot of leather, which I suppose could develop a nice patina over time, but for me I kind of just worried about it getting scuffed up. The material choice seemed like a bit of form over function rather than the other way around. But this is also a personal nitpick.

So for those specific reasons I decided to part with the Liric, that being said I think they're a great headphone with a less than ideal MSRP. If you're looking for a closed-back I would still recommend them.

If anyone's curious which closed-back I finally landed on, it would be the Mr. Speakers (DCA) Ether C Flow 1.1. A little warmer tonality than I would prefer, but they respond great to EQ and comfort and portability are great.

 

[Snoopy]

I spent some more time with the Meze Liric and ultimately decided to sell them. I stand by the comments I made a couple posts back, but the more time I spent with the Liric I found that the comfort wasn't quite where I wanted it to be. There's something about that outline-of-an-ear pad shape that just gets to me over time and causes a hot spot around my left ear, which is the same thing that happened to me with DCA Aeon 2 Noires. I'm pretty sure this is just a quirk with the shape of my head though, but if you get irritation in the jaw/lower ear area from similar headphones I would say to factor that in. The spring-steel headband is stretchable though so you can reduce clamping force if need be.

Also, as time went on I became less of a fan of the materials used for the Liric. Aesthetically speaking I was initially neutral, but for a headphone meant to be taken out and about it sure has a lot of leather, which I suppose could develop a nice patina over time, but for me I kind of just worried about it getting scuffed up. The material choice seemed like a bit of form over function rather than the other way around. But this is also a personal nitpick.

So for those specific reasons I decided to part with the Liric, that being said I think they're a great headphone with a less than ideal MSRP. If you're looking for a closed-back I would still recommend them.

If anyone's curious which closed-back I finally landed on, it would be the Mr. Speakers (DCA) Ether C Flow 1.1. A little warmer tonality than I would prefer, but they respond great to EQ and comfort and portability are great.

Headphones have to be comfortable for sure. And there is no "one size fits all" especially if you take ear cup shape, headband preference, hotspots, weight and maybe the climate you are living in into account.

I had that pain behind the left ear with the Focal Elegia and I really hated the headband.
Audeze headphones wouldn't be for me either.

My initial impression with the liric was that the earcups are a little small, coming from the Noire. But I got really used to it.

I would definitely buy both again or go straight to TOTL headphones like the Dan Clark Stealth.

I probably wouldn't take the Noire (bit weird look) or the Liric (too expensive) outside.

 

[TuliaNonTroppo]

I purchased a pair of these open box looking for a well-made closed back headphone that looked fantastic. I found all of that in the LIRIC. Six months later I ordered a new pair directly from Meze in Romania. Six months using the LIRIC everyday at work made me confident I found my endgame closed-back headphone and wanted a second pair that wouldn’t leave the house. This allows my well-used first pair to be my permanent work and walking commute pair. I EQ them sometimes, but sometimes I don’t. It’s all good.

I purchased a used pair of 99 Classics but was surprised how much different they were tuned. I have gotten used to the sound of those but don’t reach for them often.

I think Meze makes headphones that sound good to Antonio and his team. They are proud of what they make. But they also seem to react to feedback on their creations, and the headphones seem to be moving further from their initial house sound. I don’t know if Meze will release another headphone that is tuned like the LIRIC. My guess is no. Now that Empyrean has been revised, I think the Elite and LIRIC will get their due. I really don’t know if I would be interested in a LIRIC II, as I am quite happy with their first attempt. I am not one to chew through gear. I will likely purchase an open-back model from them, but my use case for an open back is so seldom, it is hard to justify even the price of the 109 Pro.

 

[Snoopy]

I purchased a pair of these open box looking for a well-made closed back headphone that looked fantastic. I found all of that in the LIRIC. Six months later I ordered a new pair directly from Meze in Romania. Six months using the LIRIC everyday at work made me confident I found my endgame closed-back headphone and wanted a second pair that wouldn’t leave the house. This allows my well-used first pair to be my permanent work and walking commute pair. I EQ them sometimes, but sometimes I don’t. It’s all good.

I purchased a used pair of 99 Classics but was surprised how much different they were tuned. I have gotten used to the sound of those but don’t reach for them often.

I think Meze makes headphones that sound good to Antonio and his team. They are proud of what they make. But they also seem to react to feedback on their creations, and the headphones seem to be moving further from their initial house sound. I don’t know if Meze will release another headphone that is tuned like the LIRIC. My guess is no. Now that Empyrean has been revised, I think the Elite and LIRIC will get their due. I really don’t know if I would be interested in a LIRIC II, as I am quite happy with their first attempt. I am not one to chew through gear. I will likely purchase an open-back model from them, but my use case for an open back is so seldom, it is hard to justify even the price of the 109 Pro.

Im still thrilled with my Liric. Love them.

 

[TuliaNonTroppo]

I love my liric.
It's the best closed over-ear I've ever heard.
It sounds incredibly dynamic, rich in detail, and at the same time relaxed.
The imaging can actually be described as 3D. This is unique. The comfort is divine.
The build quality as well.
2000 € are extremely failr!


View attachment 175337

My settings
View attachment 175522View attachment 175523

This is a fun EQ. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Dexter_prog]

Hi to all. I just got a pair of Liric (gen 1) at a killer price, demo, 1000 euros. I bought them without listening to them first as it was a dealer from another country. I gave them some hours of listening and admit I am not impressed. The sounds is rather... thin, and I need to turn them quite high to perceive more nuances. As I prefer listening at low volumes, did I make a mistake with these? I will still give them more time though

 

[TuliaNonTroppo]

Sounds like the headphones aren’t for you. Perhaps you will adjust to them as you give them more time. If not, I hope you are able to return them. You can at least make your money back if not.

 

[LTig]

Hi to all. I just got a pair of Liric (gen 1) at a killer price, demo, 1000 euros. I bought them without listening to them first as it was a dealer from another country. I gave them some hours of listening and admit I am not impressed. The sounds is rather... thin, and I need to turn them quite high to perceive more nuances. As I prefer listening at low volumes, did I make a mistake with these? I will still give them more time though

Try to eq them, start with @amirm's settings.

 

[Vict0r]

Hi to all. I just got a pair of Liric (gen 1) at a killer price, demo, 1000 euros. I bought them without listening to them first as it was a dealer from another country. I gave them some hours of listening and admit I am not impressed. The sounds is rather... thin, and I need to turn them quite high to perceive more nuances. As I prefer listening at low volumes, did I make a mistake with these? I will still give them more time though

What are you plugging them in to? According to the measurements, they could use a bit of amplification. Also, your use of the word "thin" makes me immediately think the pads might not be sealing all around your ear. Does the sound change when you gently press the headphone down when listening?

 

[Snoopy]

I’ve recently been using my Liric (gen1) with my turntable setup (SL1500C , VM95ML , Singxer SA1) and „thin“ is the last thing I would describe the Liric with.

For my digital setup I use convolution filters .

Kinda curious about the Gen 2

 

[Dexter_prog]

What are you plugging them in to? According to the measurements, they could use a bit of amplification. Also, your use of the word "thin" makes me immediately think the pads might not be sealing all around your ear. Does the sound change when you gently press the headphone down when listening?

previously SMSL DL200. Now: IFI zen can signature + zen dac signature.

While try that thing you say about pressing. I have to admit I wear glasses, so I guess that takes some of the isolation away due to the glasses

 

[otaking241]

Have had my Lirics for a bit now and am quite happy with the sound and overall experience. As I was primarily interested in a closed-back for home/office use with isolation as a main concern "portability" didn't really factor into my decision (I personally wouldn't wear anything but IEMs out of doors as headphones really stand out too much, IMO). Comfort, design and build quality are all top-notch and I like that it's easy to cable roll and try them out with a variety of devices. Using them with the AMP13 tube amplifier module on the DX300 was a real eye-opener!

I am a bit surprised at some comments knocking the bass on these as that is really a highlight for me, and shuffling through my "Basshead" playlist always puts a big smile on my face. I will admit that the sub-bass rumble I get with my Legend Evos (or through my Sopra No. 2s) is not quite there, but the quantity and quality of the bass that is there and the overall coherent sound really make up for it.

I did get a chance to listen to the Liric II at the same time I bought the Lirics and really like the wood design. The sound was excellent but not enough to justify the price delta over a used Liric (purchased in "excellent" condition at JPY 180K with a 6-month warranty--Liric II is JPY 330K but does come with a balanced cable). Will keep a lookout and consider trading up when they start to show up on the used market, though.