Meze Audio Liric Review: Ultimate Detail and Comfort in Headphone Listening

Experience exceptional sound detail and comfort with Meze Audio Liric headphones, designed for discerning audiophiles.

A Classic Audiophile Experience That Demands Care

Looking for a headphone that throws you a bone with flashy features or a bargain price? Think again. The Meze Audio Liric isn’t built for casual convenience or mass appeal. Instead, these are old-school, wired over-ear headphones that ask for your care and respect — and reward you with uncompromising sound quality in return.

When you invest a significant sum in the Liric, you’re getting a pair of serious headphones equipped with esoteric planar magnetic drivers. Despite their closed-back design and an absurdly large carrying case that hints at portability, these headphones aren’t exactly discreet or travel-friendly. But if you’re like me — a passionate music lover who values detail above all — the Liric will become a cherished companion.

Meze Audio Liric: Price and Release Date

• Price: $1,999
• Released: November 2021

Available now in the US for nearly two grand, the Liric places itself in a premium spot. That price might make you pause—after all, you could snag almost five pairs of Sony WH-1000XM5 for the same money. So, what justifies this luxury?

The headband system helps Meze Audio Liric feel lighter than expected.

Design and Features: Pure Elegance Over Flash

• Premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship
• Surprisingly light for their 391g weight
• May be tight for larger ears

If you anticipated a feature-packed headphone with voice assistants or active noise cancellation, the Liric will surprise you. They’re just headphones—nothing more, nothing less. Slip them on, plug in the cable, and lose yourself in music. No battery life to worry about, no app to manage, just pure analog listening pleasure.

Included with the Liric are two cables housed in a hefty, rigid case: one 1.5m and one 3m, both built to last with attention-grabbing connectors. The overall impression is one of serious value and dedication to detail.

The headphones themselves stand out as a premium offering. Meze masterfully blends leather, aluminum, magnesium, and steel into a product that feels luxurious and solid. The headband mechanism evenly distributes the weight, making the 391 grams surprisingly comfortable. The open adjustment system feels durable, and the clamping force hits a sweet spot—not too tight, not too loose. However, the plush earcups are quite narrow, so those with larger ears might find the fit snug.

Visually, the Liric offers a much more cohesive style compared to some earlier Meze models, which sometimes mix too many textures and patterns. One notable downside is that the headphones don’t fold, which explains the oversized carrying case. While the closed-back design suits portability, the large case doesn’t.

One more thing: Meze collaborated with renowned planar magnetic specialist Rinaro Isodynamics to design the MZ4 driver for these headphones.

The MZ4 is a 92 x 63 mm elliptical planar magnetic driver with a surprisingly light diaphragm that features two distinct coil configurations. The lower half houses a spiral coil dedicated to mid and high frequencies, positioned almost directly over the ear canal to avoid muddiness and enhance precision. The upper half sports a serpentine coil that handles the remaining bass frequencies.

Unlike many other headphones that require apps or battery management, the Liric keeps things simple and focused on one goal: outstanding sound.

Meze Audio Liric delivers an unprecedented level of detail that rivals almost anything else on the market.

Sound Quality: Detail to the Extreme

• Nearly comical levels of detail
• Expressive emotional conveyance
• Soundstage less powerful than expected

First off, don’t expect these nearly $2,000 headphones to blow you away if you plug them into a mediocre music source. If you’re streaming on free Spotify, using a regular smartphone headphone jack, or just plugging into a laptop with no dedicated DAC or amplifier, look elsewhere and save your money. The Liric demands high-quality sources and proper gear to shine.

For fans of high-res streaming, dedicated digital audio players, or those ready to pair the headphones with a serious DAC and amplifier, the Liric offers a world of reward.

Key Specs

• Acoustic design: Closed-back, full-size
• Weight: 391 g
• Drivers: Planar magnetic
• Cables: 1.5 m and 3 m
• Connection: 3.5 mm jack (6.3 mm adapter included)

What really astonishes is how the Liric reveals every aspect of a recording with room to breathe and shine. Not a single detail in a track escapes their scrutiny. Take PJ Harvey’s “50ft Queenie” — the attack and decay of percussion are packed with so much info it’s almost overwhelming. If it’s on the track, the Liric will bring it out into the open.

Their dynamic range is undeniable, whether it’s the sudden bursts of intensity or the delicate harmonic subtleties in Nils Frahm’s “In the Sky and On the Ground.” Vocals and midrange — where the soul of most music resides — are delivered with such emotional weight and clarity that the headphones transform the listening experience from mere playback to storytelling.

Despite their analytical prowess, the Liric unites every thread of the music into a coherent, compelling whole.

The sound signature is clean and tonally stable across the entire frequency range. The only sticking point? The low end. The bass is well-defined, richly detailed, and musical, but it lacks the weight and visceral punch some listeners crave. So if your vibe leans towards bass-heavy “punch,” you might want to audition the Liric carefully before committing.

For the rest of us, those who savor detail and nuance, the Liric quickly wins over hearts and ears.

The robust headband ensures Meze Audio Liric stay comfortable during long listening sessions.

Consider These Alternatives

Not sure if the Meze Audio Liric fits your audiophile dreams? No worries. Here are three worthy wired headphone contenders that might offer the style and sound balance you crave:

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

This German brand may not be as famous as Sennheiser, but Beyerdynamic has long crafted some of the best audio gear around. The DT 1990 Pro (open-back) sits at the top of their lineup. Simply put, these are some of the finest over-ear headphones if you don’t mind your music being shared with those nearby.

Sennheiser HD 800

A legend in its own right, the HD 800 delivers one of the most balanced and detailed sound experiences on the planet. Audiophile favorites worldwide swear by its incredible resolution and comfort—though the price will make you think twice. With the right setup, these headphones will make you forget your traditional speakers.

Shure AONIC 50

For those leaning towards premium wireless with active noise cancelling, the Shure AONIC 50 offers solid 20-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5 connectivity, and support for aptX HD, LDAC, and aptX Low Latency codecs. While missing some features like touch controls or auto-off, they focus on delivering top-notch sound quality in the noise-cancelling category.

Have you tried the Meze Audio Liric or one of these alternatives? What’s your take on the balance between detail and bass in high-end headphones? Drop a comment and share your thoughts!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What type of driver technology do Meze Audio Liric headphones use?
  They feature planar magnetic drivers designed by Rinaro Isodynamics, offering precise and detailed sound reproduction.
• Are Meze Audio Liric headphones portable?
  While they have a closed-back design and a carrying case, their large size and lack of foldability make them less portable than some other models.
• Do these headphones have active noise cancellation?
  No, the Liric are purely wired, passive headphones with no active noise cancelling or smart features.
• What kind of music sources work best with Meze Audio Liric?
  High-quality digital audio players, high-res streaming services, and setups with dedicated DACs and amplifiers bring out the best in these headphones.
• How comfortable are the Liric for long listening sessions?
  The headband design and weight distribution make them comfortable, but the earcups may feel tight for larger ears.

If you’re inspired by the Liric’s design and sound, why not shop your favorite album cover poster to complete your listening space? Visit Architeg Prints for a tasteful selection that complements your audiophile vibe.