Meze 99 Noir _(Z Reviews)_ Massdrop Edition 

Meze was up at AXPONA this year and I asked them what was different about the Noirs than the Classics. As soon as I asked the question a big grin spead across the guys face and he said, “Literally nothing at all.” They proceeded to tell me that the only changes are cosmetic and that the cups are the same wood just a different stain. Same drivers, same build, same pads, plus you get the extra pads all for $100 less.

"You've had a rough day at the office. Six people were laid off. You aren't getting your christmas bonus. Someone broke the window on your car and stole your 8 year old ipod. You just need everything to stfu. 99 Noir's." Why I love Zeos

14:10 "you'll roll over and die" said in the most soothing way ever, lol.

I love the way you described these headphones with the bad day analogy.. That was just great

These might be the perfect starter headphones for a lot of people. I'm several open-backs, dacs, amps, planars, and iems in and, if someone handed me these day one, it would be hard for me to move onto to something more expensive. They are cool looking, easy to drive (with a phone I have room to spare), they just sound really fun, and the price is right.

Just ordered these from Drop. I almost made the mistake of getting the neo's until I got schooled on the Noirs. Great review!

I think I've seen all reviews of the 99 classics and 99 noir on RU-vid, this review was what sold them to me! The way you expressed the experience of these headphones was unique and entertaining and informative! I'm going to buy these headphones because of you! Cheers!

Could Z do a whole review in the calm voice?? Not sure he could keep it in that long lol

the dark voice is an OTL amp, those are high output impedance and match well with high impedance headphones like the hd6xx hd600 etc. (both 300ohm headphones). the 99 noir is 32ohm, and pairs well with amps that are low output impedance. if you want tubes youd be better off with a hybrid tube amp (tube pre with solidstate power/output section). amps like the little dot 1+ etc. or a solid state amp.

"please support me on patreon so my lights don't fall down" 🤣

You seem to pack more gear under those stands each time and I love it. 👍 Zen Zeos

I have both the H6 and now these Noirs and damn I can't decide which one I want to crown as my office headphone! The H6 sounds more transparent and pure, detailed and gives me a better idea of how a recording is supposed to sound, slightly better imaging and space imo but they also sound thinner, especially in the mids, with not as much punch or power. Light, but in a good way. These on the other hand are warm as you mentioned, strong bass (a little too much sometimes) that does bleed into the mids a little (some mid-lower note acoustic guitars, keyboards sound deeper than they should, like they fall into the bass region when they shouldn't), a little muddy, not quite as detailed across the board but easier to hear some bass and low mid details (vocal undertones, piano pedals), vocals sound quite a bit better on the Noir, slightly easier treble, more dynamic and powerful and natural. Thick and full, also in a good way. I'd describe it like the Noir are "analog" and the H6 "digital", both are great! By the way, the extra pads are different, they are smaller and they change the sound. I put those on as soon as I got the Noir as I read they reduced the bass a bit but I still need to try the default, larger pads

The second pair of pads are not the same pads. The second pair are the “OG” pads which are supposed to simulate the pads that were on the Classics before Meze changed the pads halfway through the product cycle. The other pads change the sound a good bit.

I've had these for a few years now. Just replaced the original pads with BrainWavz leather and memory foam ones as the originals were starting to get gross. Loved them in stock condition, love them even more with the new pads. I run them out of an iFi ZenDac and it rules.

"But after rounds of testing and community feedback, we realized we had lost a lot of what made the 99 Classics special. In the end, we decided not to change the sound signature at all, so the reviews you see of the 99 Classics are representative of what you’ll hear with the 99 Noir. " -Drop

Mine were delivered today. Shame that I was out and I've been hit with €50 customs! Still, going from a pair of Status CB-1's with pads that are falling apart, so I'm happy with this purchase 😁

Patiently waiting for an Ether CX review

Totally agree with the "they relax you" comment about these calming you down after work. I actually use these at work so that they can help protect me from the mayhem. Great headphones. I would pay the $200 just for the build quality and the case, but they sound great and work exceptionally with lower powered devices. I figured these were better to have at work than a more expensive pair of Audez because you never know if someone might walk off with them. I'm now thinking I need something else that I don't love as much as these and bring them home. Love them. Buy a pair.

Got a pair of these, stuck Brainwavz oval hybrid pads on them (which takes some work holy hell), listened to some stuff at a volume that would’ve murdered me with my AKG K545s, couldn’t be happier.

Z, the pads are different and produce a different sound.

pretty sure theres a R indented inside the leather on the right. Great review, didn't warrant ownership from me but I did really enjoy em.

Just ordered, need the Rx calm

I don't always hear the same stuff or want a bass bump like zeos, but this is very accurate. To me it sounds like you're listening to music in a big stone church. They're comfy. They're fairly light. They're a nap on a Sunday afternoon packaged just for your ears. They're easy to drive, easy to listen to and they sound very much like the t50 fostex (I forget the whole name). If you want the fostex but don't want extra equipment to drive them, these are it.

Z, just a heads up. Maybe too soon but the sound demo isn't working.

Bless me with that M300 review 😭

Salutare si Paste fericit. (Hello and Happy Easter.)

“You just need everything to shut the fuck up…99 Noirs.” Best review tagline ever.

Hell yeah Yōko Kanno! Someone else is listening to the Cowboy Bebop soundtracks and the Seatbelts and all of that good stuff, happy :D :D :D

if i have extra money which r better noirs or originals? is there any diffrence in sound? i prefer have gold ones if there better soundstage

Patiently waiting for Ether CX massdrop review :)

His sound demos are just going to be him eating chips in your ears. *Crunchy chip voice*- LEFT. RIGHT. LEFT. RIGHT

Off topic: Takstar just realize a new plannar! Model Takstar HF 580B. People say the Takstar uses the Sendy Aiva drive.

Hi. Meze 99 noir vs AKG 7xx? Can you please kindly advise which to choose?

I got a question, which one to get Msr7 or 99 classics? For rap music and metal, mostly And all other genres but not as much?

Still enjoying my meze 99 neo on a daily basis

as of writing this there is currently 4 month wait. ill be picking some up for sure.

Hey, it’s November in 2020..and I’m thinking of getting these 🙂

Where can I find that Nitro 11 ost? I'm not finding it anywhere.

Sir Z very much obliged I never had any headphones like this I have been using Bose qc3 noise cancelling for 15 years are these Meze only for indoor use? God bless you and your family stay safe healthy and happy. Power on!!!😇

Oh no, Z transitioned into ASMR

Hey, Z ... I am re-watching this video with the 99 Noirs ... STOP WRECKING MY SAVINGS !

How are these for gaming? Shooters in particular

Today on the Bob Ross Audio Review show ....

I think this is the best review you've ever done.

Dear Z, sound wise only, witch one has a better sound, meze 99 or Monolith M1570? Thanks

Look on the underside of the headband...one side says massdrop...the other side has an R embossed in the leather.

Those other pads are smaller and change the sound

Typed up a comment bashing you on not seeing the "R" indicator on the headband, then promptly slapped myself when 6 minutes in you find it. Lesson: Always watch the whole video.

Lol! They are mini empyreans! Classic zeos, well done!

Wonder how these compare to the emu teaks

I love Kelly's Heroes.

Not just "basically". these are the Meze 99 Classics. If you take the pads off, you can see the cups say "Classic" on them. The only differences are the dark wood backs and the blacked-out trim. So, the Classics were great, these are great. End of story. :)

Well I've found what I want for Christmas

There is an R on the inside of the headband, indicating the right side Z

god dammit i love your reviews 🤣

would these be good for playing games like frogger?

Smooth, relaxed, delicate and warm are all adjectives that could just as easily be applied to my last bowel movement, Mr Z. OK - 'delicate' might be a stretch ;)

a review in that ASMR voice please Zeos

I own these since a month after the review, they sit on my head 50% of the time, that is the majority of the time, the rest of the 50% is spread across the rest of my headphones. Do recommend.

did you ever get a chance to try logitech ue6000's? they can be had very cheap on ebay(they are no longer being produced)

Warm review. Zeos, the other set of pads it's different and provides some variation on the sound, I'm using those right now, though I'll probably go back to the stock sound.

They look similar to Monpprice's Modern Retro.

Can't wait to drink 99 Bananas while listening to Jay Z's 99 Problems on some Meze 99 Noirs.

The first great sit-down comedian. The Bill Hicks of the Audiophile. You make me buy FIIO, Superlux, Takstar, Ships 9500, MPOW, Tin Audio 2, Hidizs, etc, etc... Thanks for making me extremely happy although slowly broke....🤣

Which amps/DACs would you recommend for these?

These or the Creative Aurvana Live?

How do these compare to the MDR Z7's?

I'm missing meze noir's sound demo I used to listen to it while I was learning something new as a soundtrack. Could you please upload it again?

Rai Penta review coming?

Damn z do a whisper/asmr review of headphones from now on, so soothing xD

I think you hold your own against Jack Black Z lol this was brilliant

Please Z if you could would you look into reviewing the Adam Sp-5 Headphones.

I just got mine. Where's my goddamn Barry White playlist! I'm sad my Hart Audio cables won't work; But, otherwise pleased. thanks Zeos

Was that “Rouya” you were listening to? I can play the entire song on acoustic. So pretty.

All music sounds like Bach, is a surprisingly good description of these...

Are they good for gaming?

These vs Argon? Please?

Those might have been a better choice for me than the 58x jubilee. They are so beautiful. I´m still happy with my headphones. Just saying...

Z, you keep going on about the Gold, well the 99 Classics also come with Silver accents, which I have. Its all good!

Its not very noticeable but the two pairs of pads are slightly different in size. I only realized it because I have these and I held the pads up to each other.

Calm like the Bang & Olufsen H6?

these or the m60x??

Best Z Review ever 😂 funny yet informative

Kelly's Heroes is one my favorite movies. Now quit them negative ways

Are the earpads large enough for my elephantine sized ears?

Waiting for Z ASMR channel

Review the xduoo x20 DAP!!

Suddenly I feel like I'm listening to public radio / NPR or something. lol

Bought mine from Joshua Valour, after he reviewed them. I love them, and according to him it's a painted 99 classic (the same) 😄👍

idk how much different than the 99 neo's these are, but i had the neo's and i was a little disappointed tbh. they sounded kinda like beats to me lol a lot of bass that bleeds and the mids/highs were just ok with a big lack of detail.

I buy a pair of headphones every year, def not an audiophile. Was thinking of buying these, so I clicked your review...Im going to watch everything you make now, just bc of your personality. Really enjoyed the video.

Do I need an amplifier for these headphones or can I just plug them into my PC?

You couldn't have said any better Z, I own the 99 Classic"s & you just enjoy listening to music, I don't see how you could be disappointed with them.

Zeos Ross.....

Is Chewbacca a quality built lap cat?

Thanks Jack Black. LET'S GET ROCKIN

Holy shit I wanna go out and build a house with my bare hands. Not expected in a headphone review.

Hey been seeing your reviews lately and I love your channel. So all I have now are the M50x and a fiio q1 amp. Which drop do you think should I get meze 99 noir, hd6xx, he4xx or fostex t-xo 2? My brother is flying down from the USA and your input would help a lot. Thanks.

Are the Neo version a bad buy? Cause I bought em.

Fun fact, when zeos says "negative things" he touch the thing that is bad, in this case, headphone wire :P