Meze 109 Pro - Mic Drop. 

Hey I do remember your post on head-fi and definitely appreciated the advice. So I did own the Arya SE. I ended up selling them because I didn't reach for them enough. I'm more of a DD guy I am finding and the combination of the planar sound and slight over-bearing treble at times is what turned me away from the Arya. The funny thing is that the 109 Pro can also have that treble zing at times. It comes down to the amp for me with them and I love the bass/warmth I get from the 109 Pro. I think that is where they top the Arya to me...though I would think the Arya to be a bit better in the details if that is important to you. I also loved the comfort of the Arya so that had me torn as well. Both together are pretty similar as you said, but I'd personally take the DD sound any day over the somewhat artificial planar sound you can get of the Hifiman. Very subjective but that's just me.

They're much more comfortable. Most comfortable headphone I've tried and have tried a bunch.

Aesthetics never hurt!

Thank you for that!

Thank you! As always, your stands compliment the headphones so well!

Thank you! I understand the temptation 😁. For details, I still love focals and the Radiance if that helps too.

@@Skeeb23 Thanks for the review. I think the Focal *Bathys beats the Focal Radiance (Bentley)* when using its built in DAC, and even more when using the cable into an external Mac and amp..and it has wireless ability with noise cancelation.

Thank you and I'll take your advice into account. To be clear, I do state in this video that I bought the 109 Pro, full price.

Ryan Sciba thanks. This, in my opinion, is very important information that makes your site more credible than others who receive gear free to keep which ends up on Ebay. I will keep my subscription then! 👍

Also bonus points for quoting songs and musicians I know..

I need to hear an Ananda. I had the Arya stealth for quite a while.

Well, depends your idea of feeling. Analytically, the Arya Stealth or DCA being planar and getting those details. The 109 Pro however, for me, is a much more musical feel into the music. They can get a little bright at times but not as stabby as the Arya. I just love the comfort and over all warmth you get from the 109. Also, good to know what your genre of music is or if you hop around.

Check them out here if you ever want one! He sells out in seconds when he has a run of them ready. www.oneillscreationworkshop.com/grumpy-goose-headphone-stands?fbclid=PAAaZMUaAw_0n4Qc0njAONNoX7-sIpe4pYwOXihT0EtlIyYX2qmnzsWZBh2CA

Fun is a subjective thing, but in my opinion, it's more about engaging sound that isn't really as analytical. The 99 Classic is very bassy and I think can be a fun sound if you love bass. The 109 Pro is an accurate representation of sound but also warmed up in the low end but can be shouty or louder on the vocal range. I don't find it harsh, but some have. As for the DAC. Everything you plug your headphone into has a DAC to convert your sound over. So your PC has it too. A dedicated DAC is nice to have, but you could drive both of those headphones without that and your PC or phone would work fine. There's some great information out there on what dacs and amps do for your sound. I'd always recommend putting money into a good headphone first.

@@Skeeb23 thank you so much for putting your time in this reply. I think your words say it best: "engaging sound that isn't really as analytical". This was the idea i was going for with the word "fun". I am not really sure if we have to be in the presence of heavy bass so we can have that engaging effect. I know i am not a bass lover, especially when it comes at the cost of everything else... But the idea of pure fidelity without non of the emotion or the "engagement"... It's really not for me. Maybe i'm better of with the 99 classics, evaluating by the reviews i read. It's difficult to find some 109 Pro to listen to in store. Thank you once again for your kind reply! Best Regards

@@PedroAlmeida5 you're welcome. Still remember that the 109 Pro is probably my favorite under 1k headphone. I don't consider it a reference sound or something to mix and master. Definitely try to get a listen to one if you can. It's got excellent qualities from sound to comfort and build.

No need to be sorry. It all comes down to preferences. I can understand as it does peak at times for me. I also found it makes a difference with amps. It's got more treble sizzle on my liquid platinum balanced then it does SE out of my ADI2DAC. So that can make a difference too.

Cost is such a difficult thing to evaluate, however to me, the 109 Pro is worth it because I think it beats out so many other options. The 99 is overly bassy...which if you value that then maybe it works. 109 has balance of sound, comfort and very easy to drive. Hope that helps!

These are my first Meze's and i bought them alongside a Focal Radiance(what a coincidence) but the 109 Pro blew me away and made me jump up playing air guitar to Mike Oldfield again which i havent been doing for a long time.

@@tdmduc that's what it's all about!!

yeah

I haven't heard the 660s2 yet unfortunately.

Got it off Amazon a couple of years ago. If I can find the name I'll link it up!

@@Skeeb23 Thanks ! Love it. I need a good whiskey glass

Well, I've read others comparing to the Ananda Stealth. I think it comes down to if you prefer planar sound or not. Planars typically will have good speed and instrument separation. I'm just generalizing this. Compared to my Aeon Noire, which is a closed Planar, I would say the 109 has better midrange and vocal presence. Both can get a bit bright in the treble. The 109 has good space/stage. Personally I also find the 109 to pair up well with multiple genres of music. It's a fantastic headphone.

This man right here..follow him on Instagram as his stands sell out almost instantly when they release! instagram.com/oneills.creation.workshop?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I can only comment on the Clear MG, as I never owned or heard the OG. For my tastes and preference, the 109 Pro. But I highly suggest looking into both characteristics of them and decide what fits your preferences.

For sure it's great with gaming. Best? That's very subjective but I think you would be happy with the sound on games. As for pairing it's very easy to drive. I've not heard it on the Fiio K5, but I don't see why that wouldn't be just fine.

@@Skeeb23 okay with k7 i think will be more good but somone told me if i connact all this with goxlr the sound and qulity will be bad it's that correct?

Well the price ranges aside, I'd say Auteur or Atrium first. Both are great but the Atrium will step up details that will be noticed in music, not gaming. The 109 Pro is also very good but a bit more bass could make footsteps more difficult. The Clear I have not personally heard, just the Clear MG. I can say it's not open enough in stage to recommend for gaming. Cheers!

@@Skeeb23 a little off topic of this but is the Atrium worth the 1k price difference over the Auteurs?

Amazing. So how many have you done ? Pls share