Romanian headphone producer Meze Audio has been a continuing within the In style Science wired headphones rotation. That pattern will proceed with the POET, a brand new open-back providing that injects high-fun hi-fi into the corporate’s planar-magnetic lineup. It’s one more ultra-low-distortion, ultra-high-style entry with impeccable construct high quality. And with a completely serviceable design—from its metal grille, magnesium chassis, and titanium-alloy headband to its Rinaro Isodynamics Hybrid Array drivers of their fiberglass-reinforced polymer housings—it’s an funding that may proceed paying dividends.

The Meze household resemblance is powerful, with exterior selections that replicate inside traits. The compact earcup form and detachable magnetic ear cushions recall the LIRIC II, launched round this time final 12 months. And, certainly, the POET sits on the identical $2,000 value level because the LIRIC and is offered as equally moveable and simply pushed off dongles or DAPs. The suede suspension headrest, grille sample, and mixture of copper and silver accents, in the meantime, nod to the Empyrean and Elite Tungsten headphones. It’s an amalgam of unmistakable Meze design language that affirms an undeniably Meze home sound. 

Whereas I’ve solely spent just a few days with the POET, it’s been a whirlwind romance. There are headphones you may’t cease fascinated with and headphones you may’t cease considering of—and the POET is the latter sort. I’ve no want to run its technicalities time and again in my head a lot as get pleasure from its presence on my head. However dissect I need to …

Should you outline audiophiles the way in which I do—somebody as, if no more, targeted on their sources as they’re the supply materials—you wouldn’t describe the POET as an audiophile headphone regardless of it deserving its place amongst them. Whereas lots might be measured inside these with their new MZ6 driver topped with a Dan Clark Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS), it’s not bleeding-edge expertise solely obsessive about modern transients. It’s deliberate refinements which might be all about delivering a euphoric, euphonic encounter. Whereas each high-end Meze headphone is an object to treasure, the POET is extra for music lovers than the gear-obsessed. 

There’s plentiful but exactly textured low-end mixing into an intimate, grippy decrease midrange, then a slight recession that flows right into a shimmery however not shouty treble crest. To my ears (and yours might differ), it’s articulate however idyllic—tracing particulars onto your temple, not etching them into your eardrums. The POET wouldn’t be your first alternative if it’s an infinitely spacious expertise you’re after, however these headphones nonetheless supply sufficient flare (aptitude?) with glorious separation and staging. Plus, at a well-distributed 350g, they’re snug for lengthy listening periods. Should you desire brighter, drier, extra studious copy, the $2,999 Empyrean II is your better option. And if you’d like much more resolving, wealthy, and signal-chain reactive, step as much as the $4K Elite Tungsten. But when your temper leans towards lush, the Meze Audio POET is accessible now for $2,000.