Disclaimer
This headphone was graciously loaned to me by Matthew at Bloom Audio (aka “Crink”) for nothing in exchange other than an honest review to read. How cool is that? Bloom also sent over a pack of Haribo gummy bears that promptly disappeared!
If you would like to purchase a pair of these headphones for yourself, please consider checking Bloom Audio out. They’re based in New Jersey, carry an huge selection of some of the best audio gear available, and they’re just great folks!
Here’s a link to the Liric 2: https://bloomaudio.com/products/meze-liric-2-2nd-generation
Without further ado, let’s jump right in.
Introduction
Meze Audio is a name that commands respect in the high-end headphone world. The Romanian company has built a stellar reputation over the past decade for creating headphones that seamlessly blend artistic design with exceptional sound quality. From their flagship Empyrean series to the budget-friendly 99 Classics, to the recent darlings, the 109 Pro and 105 AER, Meze has consistently delivered products that captivate and enthrall listneners.
Two years ago, Meze released the original Liric, their first closed-back planar magnetic headphones, bringing their signature design philosophy to a form factor designed for active audiophiles who demand flagship sound on the go. While the original Liric was well-received, it occupied a somewhat unique position in Meze’s lineup—distinct from the warmer house sound that made their other headphones so beloved.
Enter the Liric 2. At $2000, it maintains the same price point as its predecessor while incorporating substantial improvements based on community feedback. The Meze Audio Liric II is tangible improvement over the original with a smoother, more coherent, and relaxed sound signature making it a more competitive closed-back planar headphone for a wider range of musical genres. But can these refinements elevate the Liric 2 into true flagship territory? Let’s find out!
Unboxing
From the moment you lift the premium leather-textured box, it’s clear that Meze hasn’t cut any corners on presentation. The packaging exudes quality and sets the stage for what’s inside.
Nestled within a sturdy, velvet-lined EVA case, the Liric 2 makes an immediate visual impact. Everything about the headphones leaves an impact, from the gorgeous Macassar ebony ear cups—each one unique due to the natural wood grain patterns—to the incredibly well crafted headband, the Liric 2 presents a classy and premium aesthetic.
Meze includes two high-quality cables: a 1.3 m braided Furukawa PCUHD copper cable with 4.4 mm jack and 3 m soft TPE cable with 3.5 mm jack, along with a 6.3mm adapter and even an airplane adapter (optimistic, given the size!). The premium copper cable alone typically retails for $249, making its inclusion particularly generous.
The unboxing experience feels every bit as premium as any other headphone in this class. It’s clear that Meze understands the importance of first impressions. Aesthetically, the Liric 2 is stunning. The combination of the black metal frame, copper accents, and rich brown Macassar ebony creates a headphone that’s as much a work of art as it is an audio device.
Build and Comfort
The LIRIC 2 is a substantially hefty headphone but because of the super-efficient and comfortable head band and padding, it disappears on your head. At 427 grams, the Liric 2 sits in the middle range for flagship closed-back planar headphones, but Meze’s engineering prowess shines in how this weight is distributed.
The build quality is exceptional. The magnesium-aluminum alloy frame provides structural integrity while the gorgeous Macassar ebony ear cups add both visual appeal and acoustic benefits. Meze has done an amazing job in getting the pressure distribution from the Liric II just right. The excellent balance allows a secure fit with very little unwanted movement on the head.
One of the most welcome quality of life features is the introduction of magnetically detachable ear pads. The Liric II has true detachable pads and they work in much the same manner as the Empyrean II and Elite pads with an underlying magnet system. This means you just have to gently tug them off to detach and place them, (in the correct orientation), to attach them. This is a feature I wish more manufacturers took note of (I’m looking at you Dan Clark Audio, with your adhesive attached earpads).
The ovoid-shaped ear cups are spacious and accommodate most ear sizes comfortably. The thick memory foam padding with Alcantara lining provides excellent comfort for extended listening sessions. I easily wore these for 6+ hour sessions without any discomfort or hotspots.
Sound
The Liric 2 is a headphone that elicits an emotional response, with it’s engaging sound signature and summit-fi technical prowess, which is more or less what you should expect from $2000 headphones – that said, many headphones cost as much if not more and don’t to this. I would classify the tonality here as U-shaped with emphasis on the lows and highs without having the mids feel too recessed.
Bass
The bass response of the Liric 2 is one of its strongest suits. The warmth introduced due to the mid-bass boost here gives weight to drums and bass guitars without sounding bloated. Surprisingly there is no excessive bloom into the mids, which keeps the tonal balance relatively balanced.
Extension is excellent, reaching down to the lowest audible frequencies with authority. The planar magnetic driver delivers the characteristic speed and control you’d expect, with excellent texture and definition. When listening to tracks that call for deep sub bass rumble, like Hans Zimmer’s Why So Serious, the Liric 2 does not disappoint.
The bass shelf does extend into the midbass, adding fun and warmth to the whole experience. This tuning choice makes the Liric 2 engaging with a wide variety of genres, from electronic music to acoustic performances. The bass has genuine impact and slam when called for, but never oversteps its boundaries.
Mids
The Liric 2 generally has good midrange tonality. Vocals sit relatively naturally in the mix with excellent clarity and presence. Interestingly enough, even with the U-shaped presentation, I don’t get the sense that any instruments or voices are recessed.
Both male and female vocals are rendered with convincing timbre and emotional weight. Instruments sound natural and well-separated, creating a cohesive presentation. There’s enough warmth to make the midrange inviting while maintaining sufficient clarity to reveal fine details in complex passages.
The midrange strikes an excellent balance between being engaging and analytical—you can focus on the details when desired, but the tuning is very far from being clinical or cold.
Treble
Thanks to Meze’s QWRM (Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask) technology, the treble of the Liric 2 is smooth. QWRM standing for quarter wavelength resonator mask is a new innovation exclusive to the Liric 2. It comprises of a precision-milled metal filter placed in front of the driver that attenuates peaks at 7kHz and above to produce a smoother and more linear frequency response.
The result is a treble that maintains excellent extension and detail retrieval while avoiding being fatiguing. Cymbals have a nice shimmer, strings texture and bite, but there’s no harshness or sibilance even during extended listening sessions.
High-frequency detail retrieval is impressive, revealing subtle ambient cues and micro-details that add to the sense of realism. The treble provides excellent air and sparkle without ever becoming aggressive or analytical.
Technical Capabilities
The Liric 2 excels in technical performance across the board. Soundstage is impressive for a closed-back design, with pretty good spatial imaging and while it still can’t compete with the best open-back headphones, it is quite commendable.
Imaging is precise and three-dimensional. Individual instruments are easy to locate within the soundstage, and there’s excellent layering and depth. The closed-back design provides excellent isolation while the advanced driver technology minimizes the typical phase issues that plague many closed-back headphones.
Dynamics are excellent, with great micro and macro-dynamics. The headphone responds beautifully to dynamic swings in music, from delicate piano passages to full orchestral crescendos.
Drivability
The Meze Audio Liric 2 has an impedance of 61Ω with 100dB SPL/mW of sensitivity so it is quite easy to drive from high quality portable sources, though more power is needed to achieve the same sound pressure level compared to the original Liric due to the increased impedance.
While it can be driven from smartphones and laptops at reasonable volumes, the Liric 2 truly shines when paired with quality amplification, like my trusty SMSL SP200 headphone amp.. That said, I was able to drive it fine off of my MacBook Pro’s headphone jack and my tiny Fiio JM21 and M21 DAPs.
Comparison with the DCA E3
At $2000, the Liric 2 faces stiff competition from headphones like the Dan Clark Audio E3. If you’re looking for a closed-back, planar magnetic headphone, and your budget is around $2000, there are two clear front runners for your money now: the Dan Clark Audio E3 and the Meze Liric 2.
The E3 offers more neutral tuning and noticeably better technical performance and significantly larger soundstage – even outperforming many of the best open-back headphones, but the Liric 2 counters with a more engaging and emotional tuning that will likely appeal to many. In terms of build quality, both trade blows and which one is the winner here will likely depend on personal tastes.
The Liric 2 truly excels is in being a complete package—exceptional sound, gorgeous design, outstanding comfort, and excellent build quality all wrapped into one cohesive product. There is no question that it belongs in the same arena as the DCA E3. The E3 still remains my personal favorite headphone but I would not be dissatisfied with the Liric 2.
Conclusion
What strikes me most about Liric 2 is how it it is able to evoke an emotional experience when listening. With its rich and full sound signature, the Liric 2 draws you into the music. There is no question that the Liric 2 is one of the best closed back headphones available today—it is a headphone that successfully marries form and function.
While $2000 remains a significant cost, the Liric 2 more than justifies its price through exceptional build quality, gorgeous design, outstanding comfort, and most importantly, a refined and engaging sound that works beautifully across virtually all genres of music.
For those seeking a closed-back planar magnetic headphone that can serve as both a daily driver and a special centerpiece for any display, the Liric 2 deserves serious consideration. It’s a headphone that makes you want to rediscover your music collection, and in my book, that’s among the highest praise any audio product can receive.
Meze has created something special with the Liric 2—consider me thoroughly impressed.
