If you’ve been around the headphone scene for a while, chances are you’ve heard of the Meze 99 Classics — the wood-cupped over-ears that helped put the Romanian brand on the map. And if you’ve been following our reviews, you’ll know we recently gave the Meze 105 SILVA our Editor’s Choice Award. That’s why the arrival of the second-generation 99 Classics is something worth paying attention to, especially for those who missed out the first time.

So what’s changed? Quite a bit, though you might not notice it at first glance.

The overall design still screams “99 Classics.” You’ve got the same floating headband, real walnut ear cups, and minimalist frame that defined the original. But this second-gen version has gone through 10 key updates, many of which are hidden in the details.

First up is the sound. Meze has nudged the tuning closer to neutral, with tighter bass and a more open midrange and treble. The low-end is still present, but it no longer dominates the sound the way it did in the original. Whether you’re into jazz, hip-hop, or movie scores, the goal here is balance, without making things too clinical.

One of the more interesting updates is how Meze is now using algorithms to match the drivers more precisely. That might sound technical, but what it really means is that the stereo imaging should feel tighter, and left/right consistency between units should be improved. If you've ever listened to headphones and thought one side sounded slightly different than the other, this is meant to address that.

The ear cups are a bit larger now too, which has subtle effects on how sound resonates inside the enclosure. Meze also redesigned the baffle (the internal support behind the driver) with a more open grille and sleeker structural beams. These changes aim to reduce high-frequency artifacts and give the sound a cleaner, more natural character.

Comfort was already a strong point with the original 99 Classics, and Meze didn’t mess with the core formula. You still get a self-adjusting headband with a spring steel frame, vegan leather earpads filled with medium-density foam, and a headphone that weighs just 290 grams, light enough for extended listening without pressure points.

The new earpads now clip in at six points, which helps keep them properly aligned for better sound. They’re also easier to swap out if they wear down over time.

One of the more welcome updates: everything is replaceable. From the cables to the ear cups to the headband, you can take these headphones apart and keep them going for years. And when you do buy them, they come in fully recyclable cardboard packaging, no plastic trays or foam inserts.

Meze didn’t forget about modern devices either. Alongside the 1.8-meter Kevlar-wrapped OFC cable (with a standard 3.5mm plug), you also get a USB-C DAC/AMP dongle — handy if your phone or laptop ditched the headphone jack. There’s a 6.3mm adapter too for plugging into amps or audio interfaces.

Another small but useful change: the input socket on the headphone has been widened to 7mm, which means you can use more types of third-party cables without issue. If you’re the kind of listener who likes customizing your gear, that’ll be appreciated.

At $349, the 99 Classics Gen 2 sits in a pretty crowded space. It’s up against familiar names like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic which have strong offerings in a similar price range.

But Meze is doing something a little different here. Instead of chasing super-high specs or chasing wireless trends, they’ve doubled down on craftsmanship, modularity, and a tuning that feels a bit more refined than the original.

There’s also something to be said for the appeal of wooden headphones that don’t feel fragile, look great in any setup, and can be fixed instead of tossed when something breaks.

Technical Specifications:

• Driver: Dynamic.
• Driver size: 40mm.
• Frequency range: 15Hz – 25kHz.
• Impedance: 16Ω.
• Sensitivity: 103dB SPL/mW @ 1 kHz.
• Input connector: Dual 3.5 mm TS jack.
• Total harmonic distortion: <0.1% at 1kHz.
• Ear cups: Walnut wood.
• Weight: 290g / 10.23oz.

The 99 Classics Gen 2 isn’t about reinventing a legend. It’s about refining what worked and making it more in tune with today’s listeners. From the more balanced sound and improved driver matching to the modern accessories and sustainable packaging, it’s a thoughtful update for a headphone that many people already loved.

If you missed out on the first run or you’ve been waiting for Meze to give it a refresh, the 99 Classics Gen 2 is available now for $349 at Crutchfield and other authorized retailers.