Welcome one and all to another Audio T Southampton blog. This month, I’ve explored two fantastic pairs of headphones to compare against each other: the Meze Liric II and the Meze Poet. So let’s dive in and see what I discovered…

The Prologue

Before we begin, I want to lay out both how and why I listened to these headphones. Sheer interest and curiosity drove my reasoning, particularly since both models sit at the exact same price point.

My main line of thinking was: “If both of these are the same price and created by the same manufacturer, can this answer the question of which type of over-ear headphone is best?” And suffice to say… it didn’t. I loved both of these headphones equally, though for different reasons that we will explore later in this blog.

That was the why. As for how I listened to them (other than simply putting them on and playing music), I used the following equipment:

Source: Bluesound Node N132 Streamer – £499*
Amp: Rotel DX-3 Headphone Amplifier – £,1399*
Cable: Black Rhodium Calypso RCA-RCA 1m – £500*

I chose all of these units because they synergise incredibly well together. The streamer is a great unit for the money, offering a high level of quality for what you pay. The RCA cables were excellent and transported all of the information flawlessly, whilst the Rotel provided the drive and control needed to make both pairs of headphones truly sing.

Now, without much further ado, let’s have a look at…

Musical Words

The Meze Liric II (£1,899*) headphones are a closed-back isodynamic pair of cans. Closed-back headphones get their name from the sealed outer cups (where the driver is housed), which provide some passive noise isolation, lower sound leakage, and a more personal listening experience. Meanwhile, the isodynamic design delivers even drive across the diaphragm, meaning greater accuracy and lower distortion.

The first track that I listened to was Beat It by Michael Jackson – a phenomenally well-recorded track with loads of detail embedded everywhere you listen: up above, down below, and even to the sides.

Immediately, I noticed that the headphones had a fantastic soundstage, making them sound super open and engaging to listen to. Furthermore, the sound of MJ’s voice was crisp and clear, elevating that feeling even more. From there, I put on Sixteen Tons by Geoff Castellucci, a largely vocal track with background instrumentals added in for texture. Geoff’s voice was full of emotion and character, reinforcing my initial impressions from Beat It.

The next track on my list was Inferno by Hedegaard, a techno/electronic track with aggressive bass and loads of detail hidden throughout – electric crackles and blips flitting across the soundstage, all of which the Liric II picked up on with ease. The bass was extended and almost epic in proportion, like listening to a stereo system with a small subwoofer added in.

Track #4 was a personal favourite of mine: Mexicana by Opal Ocean, a fast-paced acoustic guitar track. The Liric II picked up on each guitar string being plucked, although there were a few sections where they slightly struggled to keep everything perfectly separated. Still, this track further cemented the fact that these cans have a fantastic soundstage, and it definitely put a grin on my face.

The final track was Our Love by Coheed And Cambria, an expansive piece with incredibly detailed vocals that almost ‘scream’ at you with raw emotion. Once again, these headphones handled it like a dream, allowing me to close my eyes and let the music take over.

Vocal Musician

Now it’s time for the Meze Poet open-back isodynamic headphones (link is placeholder, unit not on web). Much like their siblings, they feature isodynamic technology; however, they use an open-back design. Open-back headphones (like these) have ear cups with a perforated or mesh exterior, allowing for an easier drive and a more open sound (hence the name), at the expense of sound leakage that may disturb those around you.

As before, I started with MJ’s Beat It, and immediately noticed how much more open the soundstage was. It was incredibly expansive and wide, with a level of depth that the Liric II didn’t quite achieve. So far, so good.

Something interesting happened when I put on Sixteen Tons. I noticed the Poets had a much lighter, airier sound than I was expecting. Whilst this works brilliantly for fast-paced tracks with lots of intricacies, tracks like this felt slightly lighter overall, especially as the bass didn’t have the same level of extension as the Lirics. That’s not to say there was no bass – just a little less of it.

That said, Geoff’s vocals were super crisp and clear, and you could hear more of the natural resonance in his voice as well.

Back on track, Inferno was great fun to listen to. Whilst it features a deep, expansive bassline that the Lirics excelled with, the Poets provided a clearer and more concise presentation, making the intricate details stand out that bit more.

Mexicana was simply phenomenal. The guitar strings that were already noticeable on the Lirics became even more pronounced on the Poets, making the fast-paced track feel almost alive. I found myself closing my eyes while listening, and I could almost picture being in the recording studio, watching Opal Ocean perform right in front of me. Truly mesmerising.

Finally, Our Love was another interesting experience. The low-end presence wasn’t quite as prominent as with the Lirics, but the vocals had a sharper, clearer edge which brought them further forward in the mix and, in turn, made the track even more engaging (in my eyes).

Closing Thoughts

This blog was incredible fun for me to write. I already listen to headphones a lot – in fact, every day – and the experiences I’ve had with the Meze Liric II and Poets were nothing short of eye-opening. I’ve heard great headphones before from many different brands, but these felt like a step beyond.

Whilst I can’t say which set is better, as they are designed for slightly different uses, I can say that the Poets spoke to me (pun intended). I love bass, but I personally find a more balanced and open sound to be more rewarding in the long run.

If you would like to listen to these headphones, or indeed any others, please give any of our stores a call and we’ll be more than happy to help.

As always, see you next month.

Thanks for reading

Tiago, Wayne & Nick - Audio T Southampton

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