Meze Audio, the renowned Romanian headphone manufacturer, has introduced the latest iteration of its LIRIC planar-magnetic headphones – the LIRIC 2nd Generation. This latest release marks a significant advancement in the company's esteemed LIRIC closed-back headphone series, boasting notable performance enhancements, an elegant striped ebony wood finish, and enhanced modularity for effortless upgrades and extended product lifespan.
One of the key highlights of the LIRIC 2nd Generation is its refined sound profile. Meze Audio has fine-tuned the headphones to offer a compelling blend of clear and accurate audio performance with a touch of warmth, particularly noticeable in the bass frequencies. This enhancement aims to provide listeners with a more immersive and engaging listening experience.
To achieve this, Meze Audio has introduced a new technology called the Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask (QWRM). This precision metal plate strategically covers select openings in the driver frame, effectively taming high-frequency peaks above 7kHz. The result is a smoother listening experience with reduced distortion, allowing for greater clarity and detail in the audio reproduction.
In terms of design, the new LIRIC headphones boast a striking striped ebony wood finish, replacing the leather-clad earcups of the previous model. Not only does this new finish provide a more luxurious feel, but it also offers enhanced durability, ensuring that the headphones stand the test of time.
Antonio Meze, the founder and lead designer of Meze Audio, emphasized the company's commitment to listening to its community and incorporating their feedback into the development process. This customer-centric approach has led to significant improvements in the LIRIC 2nd Generation, making it a standout choice for discerning audiophiles.
“Developing great headphones means listening to a lot of music, but also listening to our community carefully, too. LIRIC was already an impressive headphone but based on feedback from our customers and reviewers we’ve taken its capabilities to new heights with the new LIRIC 2nd Generation,” Antonio Meze said.
Under the hood, the LIRIC 2nd Generation utilizes the latest planar-magnetic technology developed by Rinaro, albeit re-engineered for everyday use. The Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver from Rinaro has been scaled down and tuned to deliver exceptional sound quality, reminiscent of Meze Audio's flagship Empyrean and Elite models.
Moreover, the headphones feature a closed-back design, which, combined with the new driver technology, helps preserve the original clarity and emotion of the music while minimizing external noise interference. Each driver is meticulously hand-assembled and tested in Rinaro's specialist workshops in Ukraine, ensuring the highest level of quality control.
Meze Audio has also placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and flexibility with the LIRIC 2nd Generation. The headphones come with detachable magnetic earpads, allowing for easy repairs and replacements. Additionally, the modular design enables users to upgrade or replace cables effortlessly, with Meze Audio's premium hand-braided copper cable included as standard.
Technical Specifications:
The LIRIC 2nd Generation headphones are now available for purchase from Meze Audio's official website and selected retailers worldwide, with a suggested retail price of $2000/ £1,850/ €2000. With its combination of innovative technology, refined design, and customer-driven improvements, the new LIRIC headphones could set a new standard for high-end audio headphones.
