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.
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.
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.
This is a fun EQ. Thanks for sharing!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!
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My settings
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Try to eq them, start with @amirm's settings.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
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
previously SMSL DL200. Now: IFI zen can signature + zen dac signature.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?