A new and welcome feature of this year’s Bristol Hi-Fi Show, tucked away in the Bristol suite, was the HEA Distribution Headphone Bar. Where else can you test and evaluate so many pair headphones? It’s an area away from the bustle, almost surreal for those who haven’t experienced it. Walking in is like stepping into a library—faint background hum, studious expressions, and complete focus. Then the illusion bursts when some newbie shouts, “These are good, aren’t they!!” — greeted immediately by frowns, raised eyebrows, and shakes of heads.

For me, the standout is the impressive Meze lineup, now fully matured and a staple of the Bristol Hi-Fi Show…

History

Meze has grown from strength to strength since its founding in 2011 by Antonio Meze in Baia Mare, Romania. They’ve never been content with making run-of-the-mill headphones.

“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, Lead Designer and Founder of Meze Audio

Launched in 2022, the Meze 109 PRO redefined what a sub-£1,000 open-back headphone can be. Even today, it remains the benchmark that everyone strives to beat.

The Meze 109 PRO Build

The 109 PRO features a 50mm dynamic driver made from a carbon-fibre reinforced cellulose composite. Its W-shaped dome is incredibly lightweight, held in place by an ultra-thin, 22-micron beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer.

The diaphragm sits in a high-precision aluminium frame paired with a neodymium magnet. The design and attention to detail are exceptional for this price point. Walnut wood, cast zinc, manganese steel, and vegan leather complete the build, resulting in a lightweight, comfortable, and highly durable headphone.

All Meze headphones are built to last—they can be deconstructed, and virtually every part is serviceable or replaceable.

Reading reviews since 2022, I struggle to find a negative one. Many enthusiasts consider them an open-back benchmark, praising their openness, air, and precision. The only minor critique is a slightly warm tone. One word that keeps coming up? “Musical.”

“Musical” is vague. There are other descriptors like “impactful” bass or “dynamic” tone, but these hardly convey the experience. It’s like calling a car “fast” or wine “winey.” Scores and stars can’t fully communicate it either.

Setup & Listening

At the Bristol Hi-Fi Show, the Meze 109s were paired with an Astell & Kern player (I forget the exact model, but the full range of A&K players was available).

image: Meze and Astell & Kern - perfect match

At Audio T Bristol, our headphone area features a WiiM Ultra in fixed output, USB out to a Chord Hugo 2, with software options via Wiim, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, or Roon Endpoint mode using our FLAC library on an Innuos Stream 3 media server. The Chord Hugo 2’s headphone amp with both 6.35mm and 3.5mm outputs makes the setup effortless.

We tested using the Audio T Bristol Hi-Fi Experience Playlist on Qobuz. Immediately striking was the sound staging, openness, and space between instruments. Transients were beautifully etched without being harsh. There is a slight warmth, but it’s subtle—likely a counterbalance to the overly bright trend—and can be adjusted via standard or parametric EQ if needed. Lower octaves have plenty of texture and presence.

Highlights from the playlist include:

Francine 13 by Queen Mary
Haydn: Piano Trios Nos. 24, 25 "Gypsy Rondo", 26 & 27 by the Florestan Trio
Chameleon by Trentemøller
Rescuing Sarah from The Lost World: Jurassic Park (Original Motion Picture Score) by John Williams, courtesy of Paul Cowgill

This is a headphone where time seems to evaporate. It’s an easy listen with abundant detail and tenability. The Chord Hugo 2 DAC filter settings were easy to distinguish, with neutral being the standout. The Meze 109 PRO is one of the most comfortable headphones you’ll find, with perfect weight and fit. At this price, they’re hard to beat.

As always, the decision comes down to your personal preference—the sound that best conveys the “flavour” of musical intent you enjoy, not what a reviewer, Hi-Fi magazine, or even a shop says. Come in and audition for yourself.

Thank you for reading,

Justin, Paul & Max

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