Hifiman Sundara, Meze 99 Classics, comparison.

Not a shoot-out, but a comparison of two very different headphones at near the same price.

[memoli]

That was great.
Exactly the typ of video comparison I was looking for.

[canutraceme]

Hello. I was looking for a new headphone and I was considering both of these headphones. This video helped me in deciding what am I gonna get. Well, yesterday I got Meze 99 classics and I am absolutely in love with it. I came back today to thank you for this video.

[slade]

Thank you for this, as a youngster just starting to research the nuances of audiophile tech this was very informative. Specifically, this was a great contrasting comparison of highs, mids/neutrals, and lows focused phones. I've only really had experience with more neutral closed back headphones and I want to get both the Meze 99, because I do like punchy and deep bass, and on the other hand try something open-backed like the Sendara or the Monolith M1060 for a planar magnetic headphone that gives that surreal feeling to the piano/organ/horns that I like. Trying out opposites seems like a great way to find my own preference in a headphone so thanks again for this information.

[MrKeech]

My 3 favourite headphones: Meze 99 Classics, Sennheiser HD 600, and HiFiMan Sundara (+Momentum wireless 2 for OTG). I culled down about a dozen cans from AKG, Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, and HiFiMan and don't think I will be upgrading any time soon. 😎

[Alexandra-Rex]

I am currently using the V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master which are somewhat neutral apparently, and V-Moda recommended me these over their M-200 which are more of a neutral studio mastering headphone. I do love bass, and these deliver it a lot to a high volume without distortion. V-Moda also has their LP² which has more bass, but more sloppy and a worse mid and high end, so the M-100 feel like a more mature headphone that still have a powerful low end.

I really wonder how the Meze 99 Classics sound compared to the M-100 Master, and I think I will go for them to try them out. I was considering the Sundara too, but this comparison made me want to test the 99 Classics first since they seem to be the obvious choice for what I like.

[canutraceme]

This is the best comparison video. I was looking for this kind of review. Thanks a lot sir.

[warfam_clan]

I think that the Meze fills a niche between fully portable and semi audiophile. I definitely do not mind wearing mine out and about. They have a cool retro look that turns people's heads. I have found that if you give the 99's more voltage as opposed to volume, the bass tightens up nicely. As far as portability goes when paired with the IFI audio iDSD micro black, the extra voltage in the higher gain modes really does the job well and you end up with a headphone that sounds awesome at home and out and about. The Sundara, on the other hand, is an 'at the home only' type of headphone.

[terryhkleung]

Really appreciate your even handed approach on comparing these two great cans... thanks a lot

[scottlowell]

Any time you cut off the treble significantly (like the Meze). the bass will automatically seem more prominent due to lack of spectral balance. And of course, when treble is extended, it will seem like the bass is "light" unless boosted.

[antonine.rodrigue]

I've had ATH-M50 (which was my first taste of quality sound), followed by ATH-DSR7, Beyer Dynamics DT 770 Pro and finally the Classic 99. The 99 Classic are my favorite: very confortable and although not the most balanced, makes music enjoyable. I'd say the DT 770 Pro are closely following behind.

[DavidKnowles]

I bought the Hifiman, but replaced it with the Meze for the following reasons:-
- Sundara claims to be easy enough to power but in my experience that wasn't the case. I have a Fiio Q5s TC which was maxed out, but it still wasn't enough for me.
- Sundara may have the sound stage and precision, but for me it just wasn't enough fun.

I enjoy my music more with the Meze.

[RPrototype]

Just what I was looking for! Great review of both of them. I do appreciate bass but the recessed vocals kills it for me. Sundara it is

[OOJokerOO]

Really appreciated the information presented in the video. Thanks!

[LilPeener]

I love my Sundara's open backs will never have the same depth in the sub-bass range, but they can be EQ'd and the mids and highs are beautiful. Paired with a Fiio BTR5 or 7 they get plenty loud and are very portable while being able to stay aware of your surroundings (for better and for worse, I prefer the soundstage of open backs 🤷‍♂️)

[garychowhm]

I like the treble on the sundara too. The bass is ok not too boosted. Mids are detailed and lush.... thin sounding? i think you have to check the source, i dont find it thin.

[Viewer]

were you doing the comparison with the balanced cable? reviewers have mentioned that the meze balanced cable improves and tightens the sound, and the silver cables do it even better (even though i know you don't believe cables change anything and u did review the meze silver cable already).

[NukenInDKuken]

0:21 no shit ? Sundara is 350 and meze Classics is ... wtf are the Meze's still going for 300 ? They came out in like 2014/2013 ?!
edit: first iteration came out in 2015

[FlacomanXD]

Is there a headphone out there that is a combination of the two? I mainly listen to edm and rock (double bass drum, thrash, and tool) so i want that instrumentsl bass from rock and also the punchiness from edm. Used to be a rap bass head when i was younger which im assuming the 99s do well

[maxstueven]

My wife always asks why I have 8 pairs of headphones, because music sounds very different depending on the headphones. I have both of these in my collection and love them both

[chrisgatecliffe]

I'm looking forward to getting my Meze tomorrow with my ifi hip dac. I hate how so many complain about characteristics like they are a flaw when they are a feature.

I've sent back beyerdynamic 1990t and hd660s thinking these would be the best up to £500 predominantly for rock and metal. Can see why people like them, but i like something that's in your face like I'm watching a live performance right infront of me and even with EQ I just couldn't get the sound I wanted. With these headphones as I'm starting to discover with openback that they are designed for hearing everything and seemed to be neutral.

The more and more reviews I have read on here I was starting to think closed back suited my sound. Only headphones I've had are sony XM3 which for travel and noise cancelling are brilliant and have the bass(bit too much at times) which made me look at some wired home based headphones and the meze seemed to be the ones which fit the bill(thank god for Amazon returns).

Like anything sometimes your assumption is spend more get better quality when its just not, I'm learning its just about put as many on your head as possible and let your ears decide.