Meze Audio 99 Classics (2nd Gen) vs Sennheiser HD 550
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| Meze Audio99 Classics (2nd Gen) | SennheiserHD 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2025 | April 2025 |
| Sound | ||
| Type | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Noise cancelling | No | No |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 38 mm |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 150 ohms |
| Bluetooth codecs | None (wired) | None (wired) |
| Drivers | 40 mm dynamic; 15 Hz – 25 kHz; 103 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz; THD < 0.1% at 1 kHz | Dynamic, open; custom 38 mm 150-ohm transducers made in Tullamore, Ireland, angled towards the ears; 6 Hz – 39.5 kHz; 106.7 dB SPL (1 Vrms); THD < 0.2% (1 kHz, 90 dB SPL) |
| Battery | ||
| Listening time (maker's claim) | No battery (wired) | No battery (wired) |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 290 g | 237 g (better) |
| Headphone cable | Yes | Yes |
| Fit and ear tips | Over-ear, closed-back; self-adjusting vegan leather headband on a spring steel frame; detachable vegan leather and memory foam ear pads with a six-point clip-on mount; walnut wood cups and cast zinc hardware | Over-ear, open-back; synthetic velour ear pads; synthetic leather headband with soft foam; lower clamping force than other HD 500-series models; metal mesh ear cup covers |
| Works with | Dual 3.5 mm TS inputs (7 mm sockets); 1.8 m dual-twisted, Kevlar-sheathed OFC cable with 3.5 mm jack; 6.3 mm gold-plated adapter; 3.5 mm to USB-C adapter with integrated DAC/amp | Detachable 1.8 m cable with 3.5 mm plug; 3.5 to 6.35 mm screw-on adapter; balanced and microphone cables sold separately |
| Colours | Walnut and gold | – |
| In the box | Headphones, 1.8 m twisted OFC cable with 3.5 mm jack, cable pouch, 3.5 mm to USB-C adapter, hard EVA carrying pouch, acoustic absorbers, 6.3 mm gold-plated adapter | HD 550 open-back headphones, 1.8 m cable with 3.5 mm plug, 3.5 to 6.35 mm screw-on jack adapter, drawstring bag |
