Meze Audio Liric Headphone, Wired, Isodynamic Hybrid Open‑Back

Meze Audio LIRIC (2nd Generation) — Closed‑Back Planar That Feels Open

Experience the spacious, lifelike soundstage audiophiles crave—without giving up isolation. LIRIC 2 marries Meze Audio’s artisanal build with Rinaro’s Isodynamic Hybrid Array planar technology to deliver an enveloping, natural presentation in a truly portable, closed‑back design. If you’ve ever wished your closed‑backs imaged like open‑backs, this is the one that finally does it, while keeping your music—and your focus—where it belongs.

Why Audiophiles Choose This Product

• The sound you’ve been chasing: A refined, balanced‑to‑warm tuning with smooth, non‑fatiguing treble and excellent spatial imaging for a closed‑back. Reviewers call it “a good improvement over the original with a smoother, more coherent, and relaxed sound signature.”
• Engineering that matters: Powered by Rinaro’s MZ4 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver with Phase‑X for improved spatial accuracy, plus the new Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask (QWRM) to tame high‑frequency peaks above 7 kHz. Translation: immersive space, less glare.
• Built for long sessions: Plush, magnetic earpads, a self‑adjusting headband, and excellent weight distribution help LIRIC feel lighter than the scale suggests—easy comfort over hours.
• Plug‑and‑play versatility: Dual 3.5 mm cup connectors with two premium cables included—balanced 4.4 mm (1.3 m) for portable players and a long 3.5 mm (3 m) for home setups—plus 6.3 mm and airline adapters. No special amplification required.
• Distinctive craftsmanship: Striped ebony wood cups meet a magnesium frame and meticulous Romanian design, with drivers co‑developed with Rinaro. It looks and feels as elevated as it sounds.

What’s Included

• LIRIC (2nd Generation) closed‑back planar headphones — Rinaro MZ4 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, striped ebony cups
• 1.3 m braided Furukawa PCUHD copper cable, 4.4 mm balanced termination
• 3 m soft TPE cable, 3.5 mm single‑ended termination
• 6.3 mm adapter and airplane adapter
• PU leather cable pouch
• Hard EVA carry case with velvet lining
• Documentation: user information and warranty materials from Meze Audio

Technical Specifications

Specification	Value	Notes
Product Type	Wired	Dual 3.5 mm (TS) into cups; 4.4 mm and 3.5 mm terminations included.
Operating Principle	Closed‑back	Isolation with open‑back‑like staging thanks to Phase‑X.
Driver	Rinaro MZ4 Isodynamic Hybrid Array	Scaled for portability; hybrid switchback/spiral coils.
Driver Size	92 × 63 mm (ovoid)	Full‑size planar performance in a compact housing.
Frequency Response	4 Hz – 92 kHz	Extended bandwidth for effortless air and sub‑bass reach.
Impedance	61 Ω	Easy to drive from quality DAPs and dongles; scales with better sources.
Sensitivity	100 dB SPL/1 mW @ 1 kHz	Suitable for portable players; no high‑power amp required.
THD	<0.15%	Low distortion for clean transients and microdetail.
Technologies	Phase‑X, QWRM, Pressure Equalisation System	Spatial accuracy, smoother >7 kHz treble, and bass‑to‑mid integration.
Weight	427 g	Excellent headband ergonomics keep comfort high over long sessions.

How It Sounds

Meze tuned LIRIC 2 to sit between neutral and warm: clear, natural mids; controlled, satisfying bass; and a smoother upper‑treble that avoids sharpness on cymbals or female vocals. Combined with Phase‑X, staging feels wide and well‑layered for a closed‑back—great for acoustic, jazz, indie, film scores, and any track where imaging matters. Multiple reviewers highlight the calmer, more cohesive tonality versus the original model.

And while it’s a closed design, the spatial cues and “out of head” positioning are unusually convincing. QWRM further refines high‑frequency behavior by strategically masking select driver apertures to reduce peaks above 7 kHz, contributing to that easy, extended listen.

Everyday Practicality

• Magnetic earpads snap on/off for fast replacement and easy maintenance.
• Two cables cover your listening life: balanced portable rigs and desktop sources.
• Closed‑back isolation keeps distractions out and your music in—ideal for shared spaces or late‑night sessions.

Professional Recognition

• Reviews
  • “A good improvement… smoother, more coherent, and relaxed sound signature.” — Headfonics.
  • “Warmer, more spacious, more refined, [and] controlled.” — Headfonia.
• Innovation
  • Rinaro’s Phase‑X improves spatial accuracy often compromised in closed‑backs.
  • LIRIC 2 debuts QWRM to attenuate treble peaks for a smoother listen.
• Heritage
  • Meze Audio’s ongoing collaboration with Rinaro Isodynamics underpins the MZ4 driver platform at the heart of LIRIC.

The Bottom Line

If you want the intimacy and privacy of a closed‑back without giving up the dimensional, open feel that makes music come alive, LIRIC 2 nails the brief. Its hybrid planar engine, thoughtful acoustic innovations, and upgraded accessories deliver an effortlessly musical, long‑wear experience that feels as premium as it sounds—at home, at the office, or on the move.

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Note on accuracy: Meze LIRIC (2nd Generation) is a wired, closed‑back planar magnetic headphone using Rinaro’s Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver. It is not open‑back. Specs, included accessories, and technologies above were verified from Meze’s official listings and partner/press materials as of September 26, 2025.