After industrial designer Antonio Meze had a hard time finding headphones that could match his love for both hi-fi audio and visual aesthetic, he launched his namesake Meze Audio in 2011. With its first in-house monitors in 2015 with the award-winning Meze 99 Classics, the Romanian audio firm began dabbling in innovative planar magnetic drivers. However, it wasn’t until the debut of their Empyrean a few years later that they became a major player in the crowded hi-fi arena.
However, with a $3,000 price tag, the Empyrean wasn’t necessarily as accessible for some looking to get into audiophile-quality monitors. Now, with its new model, the POET, Meze offers more affordable — yet still relatively steep — planar magnetic headphones at two-thirds of the price and half the price of Meze’s top-shelf Elite headphones.
What Are Planar Magnetic Headphones?
Unlike your typical dynamic driver technology for hi-fi headphones, planar magnetic drivers place thin diaphragms between a pair of magnets, which creates an electromagnetic field when electrical current passes through the wires embedded within, after which sound is produced from the vibration.
Technical speak aside, this tech, while more expensive than dynamic drivers, produces superb clarity across the frequency range of audio. You’ll also experience lower distortion at high volumes, deeper bass, and highly accurate sound reproduction and instrument distinction.
Meze Audio POET Headphones Basics
Around the same $2,000 price point as Meze’s Liric planar model, their latest POET headphones actually feature an open-back design. They leverage tech from Meze’s longtime partners at Rinaro Isodynamics, but whereas the pricier Empyrean headphones utilize the MZ3 Isodynamic Hybrid Array drivers, the POET features the MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array drivers, which feature a smaller and simpler magnet configuration while still producing a warm sound signature.
The POET is also more compact and lightweight in its design, with premium yet more affordable materials. This means a magnesium chassis with a steel grill, a titanium alloy headband, a suede leather headrest, and magnetic ear pads.
While higher-end models might have more cable length and termination options, the POET’s dual 3.5mm TS jacks certainly get the job done, and feature braided copper material.
Spec Sheet
Model: POET
Type: Open-back wired monitors
Driver: Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6 planar magnetic
Weight: 14.29oz
Frequency Range: 4Hz to 96kHz
Pricing & Availability
For audiophile-grade headphones at a relatively accessible price point, head over to Meze Audio’s website to pre-order the POET Headphones for $2,000, with an expected mid-March delivery.
Recap
Meze Audio POET Headphones
Meze’s new compact POET headphones utilize their planar magnetic driver tech but with a more affordable price tag.
