The new Meze Audio 109 PRO open-back dynamic wooden headphones are designed to sound natural and engaging. Assembled and tuned with precision and powered by a 50mm dynamic driver, the 109 PRO headphones are described also as offering great detail, clarity and just the right amount of punch.
"Our obsession with art, exceptional sound and timeless design drives us. We only create what we love, and the 109 PRO is no exception to that," says Antonio Meze, the lead designer and founder of Meze Audio. "We poured our soul into every aspect of its design – from the premium materials used to its intricate engineering. And because we don’t follow trends, nor do we let them influence us, the 109 PRO is built to sound, look and feel great for years to come.”
At the heart of this new headphone design is the 109 series Dual-Composites diaphragm featuring a Beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer torus, a cellulose-carbon fiber composite dome and a copper-zinc alloy ring stabilizer. The superlight but stiff cellulose composite reinforced with carbon fiber makes it possible for the W-shaped dome to reproduce high frequencies (5Hz-30KHz) with improved definition. This composite material is superior to conventional alternatives used in dynamic drivers, and its low mass and stiffness helps avoid resonances that may lead to harmonic distortion.
The ultra-thin torus (22 microns) surrounding the dome is constructed out of a Beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer, applied through Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), which contributes to greater clarity and a faster transient response. The high dampening qualities of Beryllium also suppress unwanted resonances, leaving listeners with a more neutral, vivid and transparent experience. Around the circumference of the membrane, the ring-shaped stabilizer made of copper-zinc alloy improves the absorption of vibrations to reduce distortion even further.
The diaphragm is encased in a high-precision machined aluminum frame that has superior rigidity to typical plastics frames and retains perfect surface flatness, which is essential for the precision assembly with the diaphragm. The spider-shaped structure and the acoustically transparent grill inside the earcup expose the driver from both sides, creating an open pattern. As with other Meze headphones, the driver is positioned at a precise angle and distance from the ear, to achieve an ideal anatomical fit.
Another crucial detail for comfort in the 109 PRO are the velour cushions that surround the ears, providing the optimal seal to create the intended natural sound. As velour is far softer and more breathable than leather, it also prevents sweat and overheating during lengthy listening sessions. Also important, the self-adjusting headband spreads the weight out to deliver even pressure for any head shape and size.
And Meze Audio made sure that the 109 PRO design was meant to last, being fully serviceable, which can extend the life of the product beyond its usage limits. Also important, the black walnut wood used for creating the earcups is strictly harvested from certified sources, specifically trees designated as mature and having reached the end of their life cycle. Aesthetically, the 109 Pro headphones are not to everyone tastes. To refine the typical Transylvanian-inspired shapes and details, Meze Audio opted for copper-finished metallic parts instead of the gold used in the 99 Classics. Maybe Meze will be convinced to create a more discreet model with the same aesthetics of the black and silver 99 Neo headphones?
The 109 PRO headphones are available now for US $799.
www.mezeaudio.com
