Description
Meze Audio LIRIC 2 Headphones
The Meze Audio LIRIC 2 Headphones are the first closed-back headphone to be powered by Rinaro’s Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver.
Created exclusively for Meze Audio, the MZ4 driver offers the same dual shaped voice coil array seen in the Meze Empyrean. Over 30 years of R&D have gone into developing this technology, resulting in one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers on the market.
A new innovation to the MZ4 driver developed in-house by Rinaro is the Phase-X™ system, which improves ambience and spatial sound imaging, often found to be a problem in closed back headphone designs.
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“Design has never been a static practice…
But I don’t believe in revolutions. In fact, nothing is ever truly a revolution and we should be aware of that. The very concept of revolution is as romanticized as the one of disruption is glorified.
What seems a revolution to an untrained eye, is in fact a series of events and factors that determine each other. One only has to zoom in. Those who call it simply a revolution, often don’t see the more granular nature of such events.
Every “new” thing is not only strongly dependent on existing context, it is born out of it to the point that it is in a way incorrect to call it new.
The higher aim of our design and development process has always been to deliver a transformational experience for people, a transformation through emotions and sensations. Every day we try to get just a little bit better at it.”
– Antonio Meze, Lead Designer & Founder
Features
- Driver type: Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® MZ4
- Closed-back, circumaural headphones
- Detachable magnetic ear pads
- Lightweight magnesium frame
- Stainless steel headband with padded cushions with optimal airflow control
- PES System
- Macassar ebony wood earcups
THE ART OF EVOLUTION
Transcending in time is an art form embraced by few, an art of patience and thoughtfulness. LIRIC, our closed-back isodynamic headphone is turning the page on a new chapter, enhancing its essence while introducing a richer sound and refined tuning.
Macassar ebony wood adorns the ear cups, extending an invitation to connect with the feeling of warmth that only Mother Nature can provide. Merging form with function, the ear pads have been re-engineered for effortless maintenance, now adopting a detachable magnetic design.
The art of evolution means to change with a familiar note.
TUNED UP
The sound of the LIRIC has been refined with the help of our community’s feedback, and it now falls in between a balanced and a warm profile. This means you get a mix of clear and accurate audio, with a touch of warmth for added depth.
QWRM
The Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask is a precision-crafted metal component that strategically covers select openings in the driver frame, to effectively attenuate high-frequency peaks above 7kHz for a less fatiguing listening experience.
A FEELING OF WARMTH
Coming from a tradition of Maramures craftsmanship, we decided to preserve the design language of the first generation of LIRIC, but warm it up with the introduction of wood. This journey we embarked on led us to discover the most potent fit in Macassar ebony – a heavy, dense, aesthetically pleasing hardwood known for its deep, rich brown coloration punctuated by intricate golden-brown stripes.
DESIGNED FOR LIFE
In the spirit of natural evolution, the Meze Audio LIRIC 2 Headphones join the Meze Audio family of products with detachable magnetic ear pads. This ultimately translates into enhanced reliability and serviceability, characteristics that audiophiles and music enthusiasts worldwide have grown accustomed to.
QUALITY IN EVERY ASPECT
Our premium hand-braided copper cable now serves as the stock cable for LIRIC. We’ve focused our efforts towards enhancing the listening experience, offering a 4.4 mm termination premium cable suitable for most portable headphone amplifiers, as well as a 3 m soft TPE cable with a 3.5 mm jack, ideal for home headphone setups.
PRESSURE EQUALIZATION SYSTEM
To allow for optimal ear cup chamber pressure and better airflow control, our finely tuned Pressure Equalisation System is present on the LIRIC. It has also been upgraded to achieve a smoother transition from the bass frequency region into the low midrange.
IMPROVED EFFICIENCY AT HIGHER FREQUENCIES
At frequencies above 10kHz, where sound wave length is smaller than the cushions inner cavity, the sound field becomes diffused with an amount of direct and reflected sound waves within the ear canal.
A significant increase of direct sound waves was achieved by positioning the most efficient part of the diaphragm in mid-high frequencies directly over the ear canal, resulting in improved 3D imaging and spatial localization.
ROBUST BUILD, SUPREMELY COMFORTABLE
To the already optimal blend of materials came the striped ebony wood, solidifying LIRIC’s role in the world as a refined work of art in the chapter of material choices alone. Gradual development was the key to achieving this formidable fusion of leather, wood, and metal. Staying true to our ‘no-compromise’ mindset, this new build is just as flexible and resistant to shock, wear, and oxidation.
The effect of this premium selection echoes across multiple sensory dimensions: a lightweight, lovely-to-the-touch, easily adjustable headphone that will stand the test of time for generations.
OVER THIRTY YEARS OF AUDIO INNOVATION
Rinaro Isodynamics was founded in Ukraine during the Cold War to research acoustic technology and has been innovating in planar magnetics for over 30 years. They expanded with new R&D and manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and Poland, which were instrumental in developing Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology used in Empyrean, Elite and Liric headphones.
AWARD-WINNING TECHNOLOGY
The Meze Audio LIRIC 2 Headphones feature the state-of-the-art technology developed by Rinaro, re-engineered for day-to-day use. The MZ4 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver was purposefully scaled down and tuned to deliver a similar audio experience with its larger counterparts found in the Empyrean II and Elite.
Combined with the closed-back design, it helps preserve the original clarity and emotion of your favorite music through enhanced sound and minimised external noise. Each driver is entirely hand-assembled and tested by in Rinaro’s industrial facility in Ukraine.
- [MZ4] CASING – Reinforced polymer housing designed to withstand the demanding 10,7N load generated by the Hybrid Magnet Array.
- [MZ4] ISOPLANAR DIAPHRAGM – Weighing only 0.08g with a large active area of 3507mm2.
- [MZ4] HYBRID MAGNET ARRAY – Symmetrically placed on either side of the diaphragm our neodymium magnets are arranged into a Hybrid Array to create a 0.3 Tesla Isodynamic magnetic field required for a uniform activation across the whole diaphragm surface.
- MZ4 ISODYNAMIC HYBRID ARRAY DRIVER – Created exclusively for Meze Audio, the MZ4 driver has already seen successful implementation in the first generation of LIRIC. Over 30 years of R&D have gone into developing this technology, resulting in one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers on the market. An innovation to the MZ4 driver developed in-house by Rinaro is the Phase-X™ system, which improves ambience and spatial sound imaging, often found to be a problem in closed-back headphone designs.
- PHASE-X™, IMMERSIVE SPATIAL SOUND IMAGING – An innovation to the MZ4 driver is the Phase-XTM system created by Rinaro as a way to minimise phase distortion issues, typically found in closed-back headphone designs. This patent-pending technology helps deliver immersive spatial sound imaging. The Phase-X™ system improves the accuracy of spatial imaging, in line with its open-back counterparts, especially noticeable on binaural recordings.
Accessories Included
- Premium PU leather box with foam inserts
- Hard EVA pouch with velvet lining
- Included adapters : 6.3 mm gold-plated jack
- Airplane jack
Two cables included:
- mono 3.5 mm to 4.4 mm, 1.3 m (4.2 ft) balanced copper PCUHD premium cable,
- mono 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm (1/8 in), 3 m (9.8 ft) soft TPE cable with copper aluminium casings
Specifications
| OVERVIEW | |
| Driver Type | Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® MZ4 |
| Operating Principle | Closed-back |
| Ear Coupling | Circumaural |
| Frequency Response | 4 – 92,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 61 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL @ 1 kHz, 1 mW |
| Maximum SPL | >130 dB |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) | <0.15% |
| Weight | 427 g |
| MZ4 DRIVER | |
| Geometrical Shape | Ovoid |
| Size | 92 mm x 63 mm |
| Driver Weight | 71 g |
| Casing | Fibreglass reinforced polymer |
| Diaphragm Type | Rinaro Isoplanar® MZ4 |
| Active Area | 3.507 mm2 |
| Diaphragm Weight | 0.08 g |
| Acoustic Mass | 6.5 kg/m4 |
| Lower Frequency Limit | 4 Hz |
| Upper Frequency Limit | 92.000 Hz |
