Meze Audio has introduced their first dynamic open-back headphone today. The 109 PRO headphone is a demonstration of their commitment to go beyond the faithful reproduction of sound. Antonio Meze, Lead Designer and Founder of Meze Audio. says it beautifully when they set the goal for this headphone:
“At the core of it all, music is an expression of emotion, a celebration of life and a token of everlasting memories. Every part of the 109 PRO, from the premium materials we used to the intricate engineering, embodies that same emotion our favorite music makes us feel.” Antonio Meze
This new headphone is all about comfort. From the structural design of the headphone to the choice of materials, all decisions were carefully made to ensure the highest standard in terms of ergonomics. Meze Audio combined sustainably harvested walnut wood, zinc, manganese steel and vegan leather in a comfortable, lightweight, highly durable structure.
At the heart is the new 50mm dynamic driver that was specifically designed for this headphone. The Dual-Composite diaphragm, which sits in an aluminum frame, consists of a combination of Beryllium-coated polymer, cellulose – carbon fiber composite and copper-zinc alloy, tuned with ultimate precision, which allowed Meze Audio to push the boundaries of speed, accuracy, and dynamic range.
The W-shaped dome is made of cellulose composite enforced with carbon fiber, which is very durable and lightweight to reproduce high-frequencies with incredible detail and clarity. Surrounding the dome sits the torus made with beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer, measuring only 22 microns in thickness. This coating is applied through Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) to increase the stiffness and durability of the driver, while still keeping it light enough to achieve a fast transient response. The damping qualities of beryllium also help suppress unwanted resonances, giving the 109 PRO its neutral, vivid and transparent character. Around the membrane, we find the ring-shaped stabilizer that is made of copper-zinc alloy, which improves the absorption of vibrations to further reduce distortion.
Every effort in the design has been to make the 109 PRO an easy to drive headphone, whether you are using it with a portable device or in your home system.
Acoustic Design
The open-back design has been carefully tuned by the team from Meze Audio to offer this engaging organic sound with superior dynamics and excellent imaging. The spider-shaped structure and the acoustically transparent grill inside the earcup expose the driver from both sides, creating our most open pattern to date. Following the principles of anthropometrics, we positioned the driver at a precise angle and distance from the ear, to achieve an ideal anatomical fit.
Combining the positioning of the driver with the velours pads for an optimal seal to create the natural sound that Meze Audio strives. As you know, velour is far softer and more breathable than leather, so not only will it sit more comfortable, but it will also prevent sweat and overheating during lengthy listening sessions.
Transducer Size: 50mm
Frequency Response: 5Hz – 30KHz
Sensitivity: 112dB SPI at 1KHz, 1mW
Impedance: 40 Ω
Weight: 375 gr (13 oz) without cables
Ear-Cups Black Walnut Wood
Meze 109 PRO MSRP €799
