Perfectly spot on (from a Meze Liric’s owner and lover). These cans can be so different depending on what’s driving them. This also explains why the reviews out there are so different one from the other.

It lives! Good to see you back.

Love the light hearted dig at Randy. I'm subscribed to his channel as well. Keep up the good work.

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

He’s a good dude.

I like mine fine. I don't think anyone who would be up for spending 2k on headphones is someone who seriously would expect the best results plugging them into their cell phone. A DAP on its own or USB amp/DAC into the phone would be the starting point. It's kind of a misdirection to kick off with the cell phone angle. It feels like the review is structured as clickbait before it's a genuine review. (The 'phones in the trash can image doesn't help change this perception). And the music playing throughout is distracting. OTHER THAN ALL THAT ... you seem to have pinpointed the general complaint about the Lirics ... I appreciate the liveliness. And while I'm sure there are better 'phones at the price, the closed-back + comfort + portability + design quality adds up to something more than SQ alone would make satisfying. I only have the original Aeon Closed ($800, now marked down) and Utopias ($4,000 ... about half on used market) to compare them to. They crush the Aeons. And obviously not in the same league with the Utopias. But they're good enough that when I have them on I'm not worried that I"m not listening to the Utopias. Anyway, welcome back ... (also, the Lirics are pretty easy to find online for $1600-1700, and I'm sure that will come down even more).

@dollarama3k

2 жыл бұрын

Adding also that Im glad you got around to these. I haven't yet had the chance to try them out in the field (airplane, train, etc) where the closed back might be really handy, but. I can tell you they block out snoring really well!

@anncleverley4721

Жыл бұрын

Hi Steve looking to buy a pair of Lirics to use with my Cayin N6ii do you think they would work well with that.

@dollarama3k

Жыл бұрын

@@anncleverley4721 I don't know the Cayin model but mine sound great with an iBasso 240. And the Lirics have likely dropped in price towards 1500 by now. I really don't think you can go wrong.

Great review everytime.Congratulation.

Glad to see u back Ron

Good seeing your mug here! Always enjoy your delivery and insight. Hope your family is doing great!

Glad you're doing better. It's a somewhat small community and we worry about each other. Great review 👏

Ron glad to see new content from you dude! Been missing my weekly fix... Hope all is well post CV19 and during the renovation!

i really want to love meze. i got the entry level rai solo's and was blown away by the soundstage. saved up some cash for a higher end headphone for work and ultimately decided to go with the Aeon 2 noirs - based on reviews. apparently they even beat out the liric for half the price. can't wait to hear them. just put in my order

@mo_kin

Жыл бұрын

Update since then?

The HipDac is great medicine, I have an IEM i rarely used because it was too bright, thin sounding and bass light. With the HipDac and bass boost on it sounds fantastic.

@mathurm100

Жыл бұрын

i love the hip dac. have the 2 version. was using meze rai solo with them and it's great. i have a little digital noise on it with my phone plugged in. just upgraded to the ifi gryphon since i love the sound so much... omg.... omg... its a fantastic upgrade to the hipdac2

Warm Welcome Back you crazy knucklehead and the crazy Randy. I have to agree that will a phone headphone connection produce sound yes, best sound 🤔 I think most headphones need more power than phones can pump out. A natural smooth sound with details is what I'd want especially from closed back, bright and fatiguing is never a good sound. Great review Ron.

Glad to see you back. I really enjoy your take on things.

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! Feels good to be back in the swing of things.

Your videos are absolutely FANTASTIC! Would love to see more headphone reviews like this from you! :D

How much is the "amplifier"? Will they work with normal audiophile amps such a McIntosh or the golden age receivers of the 1970s?

I have the 99 Neo, I love the Meze sound....

Love my 99 noir.

Ron, you need to check out some ZMF cans like the ZMF Atrium

There's no getting around driving ANY planar with some power. They all thrive on (and need) a li'l extra current to sound their best vs dynamics. Some type of amp is pretty much mandatory for planars, IMHO - even the very sensitive ones. To do otherwise would be leaving A LOT of performance on the table.

Good thing I’ve learned to read through your lines in between definitely not the headphone for me

How about for folks with high freq loss?

Love your channel but this review felt a bit unfair. No one should purchase a $2k headphone and plug it directly into any non audio device (e.g. phone, laptop, etc). It is like judging inefficient speaks powered by a low powered amp…judging those results just wouldn’t make sense. If you believe this, then the ideal way to review an item of this price is to have a device like the cobalt included in the chain. I do appreciate that you called this out, but it feels like the baseline should be adjusted. Either way, LOVE the channel and your work!

@Audiorevue

2 жыл бұрын

Have you actually looked at what Meze says about the headphone. I think he's exactly right and the way he presents the content and don't get me wrong I agree with you however I just don't agree with your criticism of him. You have to understand that Meze on the website talks about the headphone as being meant for portable devices. And if I was doing a review of the headphone I would present it in exactly the same way as something that is meant for portable devices like a cell phone because that's exactly how the company presents its use case. That don't get me wrong like I said I agree that a headphone at this price point and of this caliber should not be powered off a cell phone but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't and it also doesn't necessarily mean that people wont. I have an older pair of Audeze LCD headphones that I sometimes run off an iPhone and in my opinion it sounds perfectly acceptable in that case so long as you're listening to small ensemble and jazz type stuff.

@digitalm3ssiah

2 жыл бұрын

​@@Audiorevue I'm with you, and my intent is not to overly criticize. I agree that Meze says the Liric is a 'portable device', but they utilize this to say that the headphone is smaller than the Elite and Empyrean (more portable), is closed back (more private), and 'can' be driven by most devices (relatively efficient). On this last point, all I was trying to say is that 'Can' and 'Should' are very different things. Adding a small dongle dac to the chain does not change whether or not the device is 'portable,' and the incremental cost on top of a $2K headphone will not be a deal breaker for those purchasing the Lirics. Again, not overly criticizing, just my take. Also - love the 99 Classics and intend to keep these as my closed back daily driver as well :p

@1337wafflezz

Жыл бұрын

depends on the impedance and sensitivity. especially if they are being marketed as “portable”, then it absolutely is fair to judge them hooked into a portable device.

I’ve given up on headphones…💸💸💸 I’ve gone the IEM’s route as to get a variety of sound signatures and flavors for less money. Btw, IFI Go Blue is my preferred amplification method via the 4.4 balanced 🔥 Glad to see you’re back . Take care.☕️🥓

@yusif.heybatov

Жыл бұрын

Which 3 IEMs are best for you?

@carminedesanto6746

Жыл бұрын

@@yusif.heybatov I’ll give you my top 4 IEM’s in my stable 😋 No1: Moondrop Variations No2: Letsur S12 No3: Yume Midnight No4:IKKO OH10

@MaciejSebastianKijowski

Жыл бұрын

Are you using the iFi GoBlu wirelessly, or wired via usb? I was thinking of getting GoBlu, but knowing that Bluetooth is lossy, I’m concerned about the sound quality degradation.

@carminedesanto6746

Жыл бұрын

@@MaciejSebastianKijowski The Go Blue in my set up is Bluetooth exclusively…and since I use it on IEM’s exclusively..they make them sound spectacular. Now nothing is perfect..but this us damn close. Next stop maybe the Gryphon in ‘23😋

@Tyetheberious

Жыл бұрын

IE600 is stunning with the Go Blu.

Bring back the AKG K130’s. So comfortable awesome sounding great price.

I find it hard to believe the dfference between my $200 headphones and these $2000 headphones is really worth the cost. They capitalize on the fact people just think you have to spend tons of money to get really good headphones.

@bladelefusyn3337

2 жыл бұрын

Must hear to believe, it's sound, no amount of words or videos is going to change your ears listening to them directly. The worth is justified by the individual, ever-debatable and extremely subjective. Jumping to assumption such as yours is forevermore common and easiest to fathom.

@jeraldquist8579

2 жыл бұрын

What your talking about is "good enough for me." My Meze 99 Classics are good enough for me even though I know the Empyrean sound better.

@massivemikeh

Жыл бұрын

If those 200$ headphones are hd6xx, well I'd have to agree with you.

Have you tried the abyss diana vesion 2?

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

No I haven’t

Was burn-in considered?

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@lorddarphyve

2 жыл бұрын

@@Newrecordday2013 ok good 😊

Oh the gear I could buy with the price of these Meze's!!! I'll keep my Meze Classic's and put my money elsewhere. Thank You Ron! Love you're reviews! 👍

LOL. Suzie Sissy Pants

Meze huh?

$2000. for incomplete satisfaction without external amp. no way

Headphones...or...used Subaru. Hmmm....

iFi portable DACs are awful. My favorite are Audioquest dragonfly, Chord Mojo 2, Chord Hugo 2 and A&K SP2000.

@quikspecv4d

2 жыл бұрын

My Ifi Hip DAC 2 sounds great. I’ve used it with lots of headphones and IEM’s. They all sound great

@Tyetheberious

Жыл бұрын

Dragonfly's are terrible DACs.

Oh hey, welcome back! do you fully recover yet? . The "mobile" part is just plain bullsh*t, all planar DO having really bad phase underpowered, or using amp that can't handle capacitive load... and the worst part about it is that both Liric & Empyrean didn't do well with solid state amp, they kinda need something really OLD and 'soft' sounding amp lke Auris or Thoress.. and even so, it's still very colorized on the upper band, such is the taste of old geezer audiophile who really like this kind of sound. . Planar are just n00b trap, they are very overrated technology, power hungry & really overpriced, even terrible planar such as t50rp seems to be popular amongst people who didn't really understand mixing, recording technique, music theory or any sense of humility whatsoever. this is only good as $1200 headphones, and you still having to invest decent system to drive this. (at least you can listen to this comfortable for a really long time) . If you wanted a decent pairing, try pair this with cheapo music hall dac amp 25, that oughtta do it.

@bladelefusyn3337

2 жыл бұрын

You must be confusing electrostatic technology with this.

You shouldn’t accept any free equipment and still claim that you’re not for sale. Slippery slope…just don’t do it. It’s impossible to receive a 2000 dollar gift and not be swayed, unless you’re a billionaire... and even then. A lackluster review is not proof of the negative. If you paid 2k and heard the same, you would’ve completely excoriated these instead of ‘a slight top end silver color’.

@Newrecordday2013

Жыл бұрын

You should start your own channel and do whatever you want. I’ll subscribe twice.

@maximburgman

Жыл бұрын

@@Newrecordday2013 should’ve prefaced with ‘really love your channel and no snark intended!’ I’m just saying what is objectively true-as I know you’re into that, and one of the main reasons I listen to you! If want to stay pure and true to your stated ideals, just send the headphones back or sell them and donate proceeds to charity. That simple.