Meze 99 NEO Review: closed-back audiophile cans that are fun first, neutral second

I’ve been using the Meze 99 NEO as my main closed-back pair for a while, swapping them with my usual studio-style headphones (AKG/Audio-Technica type stuff) and some open-backs. I’ve used them for work calls, late-night gaming, and just zoning out with music from a laptop and a cheap dongle DAC. So this is not a lab review, it’s just how they behaved in real life, day after day.

The short version: these are fun-sounding, easy-to-drive headphones that are more about enjoying music than analyzing it. If you’re expecting ultra-flat studio sound like Sennheiser HD560S or Beyer DT 770 Pro, that’s not what they do. They push the bass a bit, keep the mids clear enough, and don’t pierce your ears in the highs. They’re the kind of headphones you put on and just let play for hours without tweaking EQ every track.

I mostly used them plugged straight into a laptop, a phone with a USB‑C dongle, and a small desktop amp. The nice thing is: they don’t actually need the amp. Volume was already more than enough from basic sources. With a little amp or DAC you get tighter bass and a slightly cleaner sound, but if you only have a phone or PC jack, they still perform well. That’s a real plus if you don’t want to go down the hi-fi rabbit hole.

They’re not perfect though. The tuning is a bit warm and can feel a little thick on some tracks, the isolation is decent but not crazy, and the included mic on the cable is just okay. Also, the dual 3.5 mm connectors on the cups are nice in theory, but it does limit cheap cable replacement options. Overall, I’d say they’re strong everyday headphones for people who like a warm, engaging sound, but not the best choice if you want pure neutrality for critical mixing.

In terms of value, the Meze 99 NEO sit in that mid-range bracket where you have a lot of competition: Audio-Technica M50x, Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, Sennheiser HD 560S (though that one is open-back), various gaming headsets, etc. Compared to those, the Meze are less about studio accuracy and more about enjoyable listening with a nicer design and better accessory bundle. If you can find them closer to the lower end of their usual price (around the $200 mark or a bit under on sale), I’d say they’re a good deal for what they offer.

What you’re paying for here is a mix of sound tuning, comfort, and build philosophy. The sound is fun and accessible, not flat; the comfort is clearly above average; and the fact that every part is replaceable means you can keep them for years instead of binning them after one break. If you split the cost over several years of daily use, it starts to look pretty reasonable. Compared to something like the DT 770, you lose some raw detail and studio-style neutrality, but you gain a more relaxed, easy-listening tuning that many people will actually prefer for casual use.

Where the value takes a small hit is if you’re only going to use them for voice calls or basic gaming: in that case, a cheaper headset with a better mic might be a smarter buy. The inline mic here is serviceable but nothing more. Also, if you are a strict audiophile who wants the cleanest, most neutral sound for mixing or critical listening, there are other models in this price range that fit that job better. The Meze 99 NEO are more for people who want to enjoy their music and media without having to think too hard about gear.

So, if your use case is mixed—music, movies, some gaming, home office—and you care about comfort and a warm, enjoyable sound, the price makes sense. If you want budget-only or studio-only, there are better value picks. For me, they sit in a nice middle: not cheap, not absurdly priced, and they feel like something I’d actually keep using instead of throwing in a drawer after the honeymoon phase.

Design-wise, the 99 NEO are the more understated cousin of the Meze 99 Classics. Instead of the wooden cups and shiny metal, you get matte black plastic ear cups with the same floating headband and metal frame design. In real life, they look clean and modern, not cheap. If you like black-on-black gear that doesn’t scream for attention, this is right in that lane. On a video call or in an office, they look like a serious pair of headphones, not a gamer toy with RGB everywhere.

The main visual feature is that self-adjusting headband: two metal arcs on top and the faux-leather band that sits on your head. There are no visible size notches to click through; you just put them on and the band adjusts automatically. It looks a bit retro but in a good way. After some use, I started to appreciate that I never had to fiddle with sliders every time I picked them up. The downside is that you can’t fine-tune length per side, but honestly, I never needed to.

One thing I like is the lack of obvious screws and glue blobs everywhere. Meze clearly designed these so parts can be replaced. The cups connect cleanly to the frame, and there are metal fasteners where it matters. It gives a bit more confidence than those plastic hinge designs that you just know will crack in a year. Also, they’re not huge on the head. They’re over-ear, but the profile is relatively slim compared to some studio cans. If you wear them in public, you won’t look like you’re wearing a VR headset.

If I nitpick, the plastic on the cups is more about practicality than looks. It doesn’t feel luxurious; it just feels solid and light. Also, the cable going into both cups is not my favorite from a pure look and tangle perspective, but it’s functional. Overall, the design is simple, grown-up, and practical. If you want something flashy with visible wood grain and metal, you’d probably go for the 99 Classics. If you want a stealthy black pair that still looks thought-through, the 99 NEO fits the bill.

Comfort is probably one of the main strengths of the Meze 99 NEO. The self-adjusting headband actually works. You put them on, the band finds its position, and that’s it. I never had a hotspot on the top of my head, even after 3–4 hour sessions of music and gaming. The clamp force is moderate: enough to keep them stable if you move around a bit, but not so tight that you feel squeezed. I’ve had Sennheiser HD6XX clamp way harder out of the box; these feel more relaxed.

The earpads are soft and reasonably deep. My ears are average-sized, and they fit fully inside without touching the drivers too much. If you have larger ears, you might brush the inside slightly, but the foam is forgiving. The pads do warm up after a while because they’re faux leather and these are closed-back, so your ears will get a bit toasty in a hot room. In a normal indoor environment with AC or mild temperatures, it was fine. I could do long work sessions without constantly adjusting them or taking breaks just because of heat.

Weight-wise, at around 260 g (about 9.1 oz), they’re on the lighter side for over-ear headphones with a metal frame. That definitely helps. The weight is spread well by the wide headband, so you don’t get that pressure spot you sometimes feel with narrow bands. The lack of rigid extensions or hinges also means fewer weird angles pressing into your skull. I wore them with glasses several times; the pads compressed enough that the arms of the glasses didn’t dig into my head. Not perfect, but better than many clamping studio models I’ve used.

Downsides: the pads are not super breathable, so if you live in a hot climate or don’t have AC, you will feel some heat and maybe a bit of sweat after long sessions. Also, the cable splits to both cups, so it can get in the way if you’re leaning back or moving around a lot in a chair. Overall though, for desk work, gaming, and music at home, I’d rate comfort as clearly above average. I could wear them for an entire workday with short breaks and didn’t feel the urge to switch to something else purely for comfort.

Materials are a mix of plastic cups, faux leather pads and headband, and a metal spring-steel frame. If you’re expecting luxury materials at this price, you’ll be a bit disappointed, but in practice, everything feels decently built and light enough for long sessions. The plastic on the cups is not glossy or cheap-looking; it’s more of a matte finish that hides fingerprints and small scratches, which is actually useful in daily use.

The headband is vegan leather over a flexible steel strip. It doesn’t feel fragile, and the stitching on mine is clean with no loose threads. The earpads are also faux leather with memory foam inside. They’re soft to the touch and don’t feel like the super rigid pads you get on some cheaper sets. Over time, these pads will probably be the first thing to wear out, but the good news is that everything on these headphones is designed to be replaceable. There are screws, not glue blobs, so if something breaks or wears down, you’re not throwing away the whole unit.

The cable has a Kevlar-reinforced section, which is a fancy way of saying it’s less likely to tear internally if you bend it a lot. In the hand, the lower fabric-sleeved part feels solid and doesn’t tangle too much. The upper rubber part is more basic and can stick a bit to clothes, which can transmit some noise when you move (microphonics). Not a dealbreaker, but you notice it if you’re walking around with them. The connectors are gold-plated 3.5 mm, standard stuff, nothing special but they do the job.

Overall, I’d say the materials are chosen for durability and comfort more than for a luxury feel. No real weak points stood out during my use. They’re not tank-like like some Beyerdynamic models, but they also don’t feel flimsy. If you’re okay with good-quality plastic and faux leather, you’ll be fine. If you only like metal and real leather, you’ll probably see these as a step down, but at least the construction is logical and repairable.

On durability, the Meze 99 NEO give a pretty good impression. The brand clearly leans on the idea that every part is replaceable: cups, headband, drivers, cable, pads. There’s very little glue, and most of the construction uses screws and metal fasteners. This is a big plus compared to many consumer headphones where a broken hinge means the trash bin. If you’re the type who keeps gear for years, this design approach matters more than fancy materials.

The metal headband frame feels solid and doesn’t flex in a scary way when you stretch it to put the headphones on. The plastic cups don’t creak much, and the yokes that connect the cups to the frame seem sturdy. I tossed them in the included hard case and then into a backpack multiple times; no visible wear or new rattles so far. The finish on the cups hides small marks well, which is nice if you’re not super careful with your stuff.

There was at least one user review mentioning a loose left earcup that needed a Torx wrench to fix. That’s not great to read, but on the other hand, the repair sounded straightforward: open with a T6, tighten with a T15, reassemble. So yes, a potential quality control issue, but at least it’s fixable at home if you’re not afraid of a screwdriver. I didn’t have that problem personally, but it’s something to keep in mind: if you hear a rattle or wobble, it’s probably a screw that needs tightening, not a fatal break.

The cable feels okay but not bulletproof. Like most detachable cables, it’s a wear item. The Kevlar reinforcement helps, but if you’re rough with it or roll over it with your chair, you’ll eventually need a new one. Because Meze uses dual slim 3.5 mm jacks on the cups, you can replace it, but you may need a cable with narrow plugs or a specific aftermarket one. Pads will also wear over time, as with any faux leather. The good part is you can swap them. So overall, I’d rate durability as solid, especially thanks to the repair-friendly design, with the caveat that you might need to do a small fix if a screw comes loose.

Sound-wise, the Meze 99 NEO are on the warm and fun side rather than clinical. The bass is clearly boosted compared to neutral headphones like Sennheiser HD560S or typical studio monitors. It has good punch and presence, especially in the mid-bass. For electronic, hip-hop, rock, and movies, this is quite enjoyable. Kick drums and bass lines have weight without turning into a muddy mess most of the time. If you’re coming from thin-sounding cheap headphones, these will feel much fuller.

The mids sit slightly behind the bass but are still clear enough. Vocals sound good, not hollow or distant, but they don’t jump out in a super-forward way either. For podcasts and YouTube, voices were easy to follow, and I didn’t feel like I had to EQ anything. Guitars and pianos sound solid, but if you’re used to very mid-focused headphones, you might notice the extra warmth around the low-mids making things a bit thick on some tracks. For critical mixing, I’d look elsewhere, but for relaxed listening, it’s pleasant.

The treble is smooth and not harsh. That’s good news if you’re sensitive to sharp highs or sibilance. You still get enough treble to hear details like cymbals, room reverb, and subtle background sounds—several users mentioned hearing details they hadn’t noticed before, and I get what they mean. But they’re not super bright or analytical. The soundstage, for a closed-back, is decent. It’s not as open as open-back headphones (obviously), but there’s still a sense of space and separation. In games, positional audio is okay: you can tell where sounds are coming from, but it’s not at the level of dedicated open gaming headsets.

They’re also easy to drive. With low impedance and decent sensitivity, they get loud from a phone, laptop, or basic dongle. Using a DAC/amp tightens things up a bit, especially the bass, but it’s not mandatory. Isolation is good enough for home and office use: they block out a fair bit of background noise but not like ANC headphones. People around you will hear a bit of sound at higher volumes, but leakage is still much lower than open-backs. Overall, if you want a neutral, dead-flat tool, these aren’t it. If you want engaging, slightly bassy headphones that work well with most genres, they hit that target.

Out of the box, the Meze 99 NEO feel like a complete package, not just a bare pair of headphones. You get the headphones, a hard shell carrying case, the detachable Kevlar-reinforced cable with inline mic and remote, a little pouch for the cable, a 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter, and an airplane adapter. For this price range, that’s a pretty solid set of accessories. Nothing fancy, but it covers most real-world situations: home use, travel, and plugging into an amp or interface.

The case is actually something I used more than I expected. It’s rigid enough that I didn’t worry about tossing the headphones into a backpack with a laptop and charger. The zipper feels decent, not flimsy, and the inside has a small pocket where the cable pouch fits nicely. If you move around a lot or work between home and office, this is practical. I’ve had other headphones come with soft pouches that basically do nothing; this one actually protects the thing you paid for.

The cable is split: the lower part is fabric-sleeved and feels more premium, while the upper part (after the Y-split) is more standard rubber/plastic. You can tell where they saved a bit of cost. It doesn’t feel cheap, but it’s not high-end either. The inline remote is basic: play/pause and mic, that’s it. Don’t expect full multi-button controls like some gaming headsets. The dual slim 3.5 mm plugs that go into the cups look neat, but they’re slightly recessed, so not every random third-party cable will fit perfectly without a slim connector.

Overall, in terms of what’s included, I’d say Meze did a good job. You don’t have to run out and buy extra stuff to start using them with a phone, a laptop, or a home amp. My only small gripes: the cable above the split could feel nicer, and the inline mic quality is fine for calls but not great for anything serious like streaming or podcasting. But for the target use (music, casual gaming, home office), the package is well thought out and practical.