Vs the competition
When thinking of planar magnetic closed back headphones a couple of models come to mind. Unfortunately I don’t have any Fostex headphones here with me, but I do have the Audeze LCD-XC (pre-fazor) and the Hifiman HE-R10P. I’m actually wondering why the closed LCD-2 never made it to our HQ, but that unfortunately means we can’t compare these to headphones. Matty is the one who will be doing the Stealth review, so that one at this stage isn’t available either for comparison.
The Audeze LCD-XC is selling for $1,299 USD so that’s quite a bit less than the Liric. The LCD-XC weighs just low of 700g, so that’s quite a bit more than the Liric. As such Liric easily is the more comfortable headphone. Not only because of the weight but also because if the headband, ear pads and side pressure. The LCD-XC was my favorite closed back planar for a long time and I feel it still is very good. Compared to the Liric the XC is more intimate and less spacious. In regards to body and bass they are comparable but the Audeze has a tighter bass and more mid bass presence, where the Liric reaches down lower with more sub rumble. The Audeze for me has more natural vocals and it is more energetic, clean and lively in the upper midrange as well as the higher frequencies. The XC is more v-shaped than Liric is. Liric overall is softer where the Audeze is more pushy and in your face. Both headphones have a very different tuning. In that sense they are more compatible headphones than they are comparable. I can’t possible be say which one I like most as they both have their own strengths.
The $5,499 USD Hifiman HE-R10P probably is one of the most expensive (closed) back planars on the market, but it’s also an incredibly good one. At 460g in weight, it’s a lot closer to the Meze Liric but it’s bulkier and the headband not as good. I still find the Hifiman to have good comfort but the Liric is just better in both weight distribution, side pressure and padding. Sound-wise I find the HE-R10P to be one of the very best closed back planars on the market. Compared to the Liric it is more civilized and balanced, when it comes to body, impact and bass presence. I find the Hifiman to sound most open and it certainly has the best detail retrieval, extension and soundstage. Both headphones reach down low, but it’s far more civilized in the Hifiman and as such the sub rumble is as pronounced. The Hifiman also sounds more natural and it’s less pushy with a more natural delivery from top to bottom. Like with the Audeze, I do prefer the vocals of the Hifiman over those of the Liric. In the end these are very different headphones, with a very different tuning. The Hifiman is the more reference sounding one and here you don’t have the typical closed back feeling at all. So yeah, a big difference, but that also goes for the price.
Conclusion
The Meze Audio Empyrean has won many awards, and rightfully so. As such it’s no surprise that Meze and Rinaro started from there to create the Liric (driver). The higher end planar magnetic closed back headphone market is rapidly expanding, and with the Liric, Meze now has a serious contender in the $2K range.
Higher end headphones aren’t cheap but if you’re comfortable with taking the €2K Liric with you on the go, you will be rewarded with a musical and engaging sound, where spaciousness/airiness, bass impact and an overall heavier bodily presence are the key characteristics. And the good part is that you don’t even need special amplification to make it sound its best. All of the portable DAPs we hooked it up to had more than enough juice to power the Liric, so no heavy extra investment is needed there.
Closed back headphones are not for everyone and if you don’t specifically need one, I still recommend you to go for the Empyrean or Elite. If however you have the money and you really need a closed back headphone for a good reason, than the Meze Audio Liric certainly is one to put on top of your shortlist to audition.
Page 1: Meze Audio, Liric, Specifications
Page 2: Box, Accessories, Price, Design, Build Quality, Comfort, Sound Pt 1
Page 3: Sound Pt 2, Sources & Amplification
Page 4: Comparisons, Conclusion
John
You don’t say what DAP/DAC you used the C9 with as a source? I’m curious, because that will determine the overall synergy with the Liric.
Lieven
That was the R8 in balanced mode.