Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Poet
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Driver Type: Rinaro Isodynamic® Hybrid Array MZ6
- Geometrical Shape: Ovoid
- Operating Principle: Open-Back
- Size: 92 mm x 63 mm
- Ear Coupling: Circumaural
- Driver Weight: 73 g (2.5 oz.)
- Frequency Range: 4 Hz – 96 kHz
- Casing: Fiberglass reinforced polymer
- Impedance: 55 Ω
- Diaphragm Type: Rinaro Parus® MZ6
- Sensitivity: 101 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
- Active Area: 3,507 mm2
- Maximum SPL: >130 dB
- Diaphragm Weight: 0.06 g
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.05%
- Acoustic Mass: 6.5 kg/m4
- Weight: 405 g (14.29 oz)
- Lower Frequency Limit: 4 Hz
- Input Connector: Dual 3.5 mm TS Jack
- Upper Frequency Limit: 96,000 Hz
Description
Featuring the top-of-the-line diaphragm technology found in our ELITE model, Meze Audio POET is a compact planar-magnetic open-back headphone that excels on all fronts.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Meze's products exhibit a distinctive aesthetic, often incorporating natural materials like wood and leather, offering a blend of modern and classic design elements.
- The brand prioritizes repairability and longevity in its designs by using screws and metal fixings to facilitate easy disassembly and part replacement.
- Meze headphones consistently receive praise for exceptional comfort, due to features such as self-adjusting headbands, well-designed earcups, and carefully selected padding materials.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Alba
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and portability.
- Description: Offers a balanced sound profile with a touch of warmth, making it ideal for those new to high-fidelity audio. Its standout feature is the inclusion of a USB-C DAC/AMP, which is not found in other Meze products, enhancing its compatibility with modern devices. This makes it perfect for users seeking a portable and budget-friendly option without sacrificing sound quality.
99 Neo
- Positioning: Mid-range closed-back headphones, offering a blend of style and performance.
- Description: Features clear and balanced sound, with a design that emphasizes comfort and durability. Unlike the Alba, it features a self-adjusting headband and medium-density foam ear pads for better sound isolation, making it suitable for home use where noise isolation is important.
105 AER
- Positioning: Versatile open-back headphones, designed for a wide range of musical genres.
- Description: Features lightweight design and premium materials, offering a lush and immersive sound experience. Its unique W-shaped dome and ultra-thin torus provide enhanced clarity and detail, setting it apart from the 99 Neo's closed-back design.
Liric
- Positioning: High-end closed-back headphones, focusing on luxury and advanced acoustics.
- Description: Features isodynamic hybrid array technology, delivering a powerful yet nuanced audio experience. Its closed-back design and detachable magnetic ear pads offer superior sound isolation compared to the open-back 105 AER. The use of premium materials like Macassar ebony wood adds to its luxurious appeal.
Elite
- Positioning: Flagship open-back headphones, representing the pinnacle of Meze's audio engineering.
- Description: Equipped with groundbreaking Rinaro's Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology, providing an ultra-high resolution audio experience. Its open-back design and advanced driver technology offer a wider soundstage and more natural sound compared to the Liric. This makes it the ultimate choice for audiophiles seeking the finest in sound quality and craftsmanship.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
3
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
89
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
16
Founding Year
2011
Our take on the brand
Meze Audio is a hifi brand known for their unique Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver technology, which provides an immersive sound experience with a frequency range of 3 Hz to 112 kHz. Their headphones feature distinctive design elements like black walnut wood ear cups and detachable magnetic ear pads, setting them apart from typical plastic or metal designs in the premium headphone market.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Our strongest differentiator is adding the comfort element to the equation. Most headphone models are focused only on technological advancements, forgetting that comfort and ease of wear are also very important factors when choosing an object that you intend to wear for hours on end.
That is why our headphones are specifically designed to be lightweight and to combat any pressure points that can occur when wearing them for long periods of time.
What's your approach to customer support?
Our clients have the possibility to contact either the dealers/distributors or our support department directly, through our support page: https://mezeaudio.com/pages/contact.
Our headphones are designed to be fully serviceable, so every part is easy to change, in case there’s an issue. There is no glue, just nuts and bolts, so anyone can change any part of the headphone with just a screwdriver.
We are quick to solve any problem as soon as it occurs and in some instances, we do go above and beyond to help our customers. One time, I remember someone was actually wondering if our 109 PRO model's ear cups are really made of wood, so we disassembled a unit, removed the ear cups, broke them into pieces and sent him pictures with the wood pulp, to show that we do use real wood, haha!
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
My favourites would be (not necessarily in this order): Sevdaliza - Bluecid, Isaac Gracie - Silhouette of you, and lately, Sleep Token - Damocles or Caramel.
What other products pair best with yours?
Thankfully, there are a lot of good products on the market that have strong synergy with our products, and we are fortunate enough to have great partners in the industry to pair our headphones with.
We also received very good feedback from our customers testing the pairings at different trade shows, and they prefer the following: Chord Dave, Feliks Envy, Ferrum Wandla + Oor + Hypsos combo, the DCS Lina stack, Auris Headonia, Linear Tube Audio Aero + Velo combo, and many many more, these is just top of the mind.
From our interview with
Alexandra Rizoiu
.
Brand Page
Used
Meze
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
Meze
Empyrean II
2999
2999
/
13
Reviews
Meze Audio is a hifi brand known for their unique Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver technology, which provides an immersive sound experience with a frequency range of 3 Hz to 112 kHz. Their headphones feature distinctive design elements like black walnut wood ear cups and detachable magnetic ear pads, setting them apart from typical plastic or metal designs in the premium headphone market.
Expand Details
.svg)
Product Strengths
- Top-notch build quality, with premium materials and a comfortable design
- Excellent sound quality with a balanced presentation—no outstanding weaknesses across the frequency spectrum
- Two sets of earpads are included (Duo and Alcantara) for sound customization
- The design has a strong aesthetic, and the magnetic pad swapping system is easy to use
- Wider soundstage and more three-dimensional imaging
Product Considerations
- Sensitivity has dropped compared to the original Empyrean and Elites, requiring slightly more power to drive
- There might be a little bit of extra emphasis around the three to four kilohertz mark, which can make them a little bit fatiguing—a little bit bitey in the treble
- Not the largest soundstage that can be experienced at this price point
- The open design leaks sound and doesn't offer much in the way of isolation
- Those particularly sensitive might hear some spikiness in the lower treble region
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Original Meze Empyrean: Empyrean II has a more neutral tuning, is more defined, and has better detail separation
- Vs Meze Elite: Empyrean II offers stronger bass extension and more of the engaging emotional delivery
- Vs Meze Elite: The Elite seems more expansive than Empyrean 2, though not by a lot
- Vs HIFIMAN HE1000SE: The HE1000SE sound is more spacious, the bass is snappier, and the amount of detail is slightly above the Elite and Empyrean
Takeaway: The Empyrean II is an enjoyable headphone, improving on the original with a more accurate and versatile sound that maintains the core Empyrean identity. The comfort, build quality, and well-balanced sound make it a great choice for a high-end listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Meze Audio is a hifi brand known for their unique Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver technology, which provides an immersive sound experience with a frequency range of 3 Hz to 112 kHz. Their headphones feature distinctive design elements like black walnut wood ear cups and detachable magnetic ear pads, setting them apart from typical plastic or metal designs in the premium headphone market.
Product Page
Product Page
Meze
Elite Tungsten
4000
4000
/
5
Reviews
Meze Audio is a hifi brand known for their unique Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver technology, which provides an immersive sound experience with a frequency range of 3 Hz to 112 kHz. Their headphones feature distinctive design elements like black walnut wood ear cups and detachable magnetic ear pads, setting them apart from typical plastic or metal designs in the premium headphone market.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Visually impressive with meticulous attention to detail in its design
- The winged headband system and light weight (~430g) provide a weightless headphone experience
- Amazing clarity, sense of space, and speed
- Extremely comfortable for long listening sessions, thanks to the pressure-distributing wings and soft ear pads
- Impeccable build quality and industrial design
Product Considerations
- The frequency response graph shows a peak at about 350Hz, along with excessive amplitude in the lower mids and slightly in the mid-bass, which makes them sound slightly muddy
- The Alcantara ear pads reduce the fun and rumbly bass
- The upper mids are slightly recessed
- Easy to drive doesn't mean easy to drive well—these headphones require a lot to open up its dynamic range
- Sensitive to where you place them in relation to height around the ears
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Meze is cleaner and more precise than the ZMF Caldera, while the Caldera offers a more romantic sound, a bit wider staging overall, and a bit more weight and impact to the low end
- Sounds good on comparable poor equipment, unlike the Audeze, and gets even better with better equipment
Takeaway: The Elite is comfortable and beautiful with a stunning design and delivers an immersive experience with amazing clarity. It is a fully serviceable product that offers great value.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Meze Audio is a hifi brand known for their unique Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver technology, which provides an immersive sound experience with a frequency range of 3 Hz to 112 kHz. Their headphones feature distinctive design elements like black walnut wood ear cups and detachable magnetic ear pads, setting them apart from typical plastic or metal designs in the premium headphone market.
Product Page
Product Page
Austrian Audio
The Composer
2699
2699
/
10
Reviews
Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Built with premium, high-quality, sturdy materials with a solid feel
- Very comfortable and relatively lightweight, suitable for long listening sessions
- Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity
- Delivers a reference-grade sense of clarity, balance, and vast soundstage
- Excellent instrument separation and imaging
- Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity
Product Considerations
- Some reviewers found the range of headband adjustment limited, making it potentially unsuitable for those with smaller heads
- The banana plug cable connectors are proprietary, limiting third-party cable options
- The stock cable is acceptable, but not particularly premium feeling
- The bass is a little lightweight and might require EQ adjustment for some listeners
- A dip at 2kHz was noted by some reviewers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sennheiser HD800S: The Composer has better bass extension, but the HD800S has better resolution and detail
- Vs HIFIMAN Arya/HE1000 series: The Composer sounds more natural than some HIFIMAN planars, and it may have greater bass depth
- Vs Meze Audio Empyrean II: The Composer goes deeper in the soundstage, with better layering and more sub-bass presence, but the Empyrean II is softer and more relaxed
- Vs ZMF Outure Classic: The Composer has better bass response but is smoother and more tame in the treble
Takeaway: The Austrian Audio Composer is a well-built, comfortable, and easy-to-drive headphone with a balanced, clear, and detailed sound signature. It offers a reference quality that can be great for critical listening and casual enjoyment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
Product Page
Product Page
.png){kind=small}
Abyss
Diana MR
2995
2995
/
8
Reviews
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Delivers a beautifully smooth and refreshingly beefy tuning compared to previous Diana headphones
- The most comfortable planar magnetic set of cans ever worn
- Build quality is very impressive
- Good mid-range
Product Considerations
- Needs additional padding for optimal scalp comfort
- Treble can become problematic
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Diana MR most remind reviewer of a super version of the HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Spatial presentation is better from the HIFIMAN HE1000SE, and the midrange is better balanced as well
Takeaway: The Diana MR is the most accessible set of high-end open-back planar headphones to date from Abyss. It is a fun and impressive listen.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
ZMF
Atrium
2499
/
Released
2022
The ZMF Atrium is our most open design, which features our patent-pending rear damping system that accentuates stage layering, depth, tactile "feel" with realistically natural timbre. The Atrium expands the range of spatial sound experience first incepted with the auteur (now the "auteur classic"), through its shared biocellulose driver heritage and linear ZMF tuning.
ZMF is a boutique hifi headphone brand that crafts one-of-a-kind wooden headphones from stabilized resin-wood billets, each harvested, processed, and assembled in the USA. Their patented acoustic systems include the Atrium Damping System (ADS) and the Caldera's trapezoidal magnet structure. The brand offers lifetime driver warranties and maintains measurement transparency using professional B&K equipment. They have created a distinct enthusiast culture around their annual "ZMF November" limited-edition sales.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Stunning aesthetics and high-quality craftsmanship with various wood options and grill designs available
- Creates a wonderful sense of space with a great spherical soundstage and natural depth
- Has an amazing ability to be both smooth and detailed at the same time
- Provides a deep reaching and encompassing bass sound with a punchy and impactful profile
- Natural and lifelike tonal quality with vibrant midrange and textured vocals
Product Considerations
- Not ideal for those seeking maximum detail retrieval or a reference-level sound
- May not be the best choice for music that relies heavily on aggressive, distorted electric guitars due to potential mid-range harshness
- Bass extension may not reach as deep as some planar headphones
- The stock cable has shape memory, and some may prefer aftermarket options
- It's a heavier headphone, so comfort may be a concern for some users
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ZMF Verite: The Atrium sits alongside it, and is a significant step above the Auteur, in the sense that it is competing absolutely with the Verite, whereas the Auteur doesn't quite reach the heights of the Verite
- Vs Sennheiser HD650: The Atrium overall tuning is very reminiscent of the Sennheiser HD 650, where it is still fairly neutral, but it tends towards a little bit of warmth
- Vs HIFIMAN HE1000 V2: The HE1000 V2 has a bigger soundstage, but the imaging and the separation handle spatial reproduction much better than the Atrium does
Takeaway: The ZMF Atrium offers a beautiful design and a unique sound signature that combines smoothness and detail, making it a very enjoyable listening experience across many genres. Its ability to create a lifelike and engaging soundstage makes it a worthwhile option for those looking for something special.
Video review
Our take on the brand
ZMF is a boutique hifi headphone brand that crafts one-of-a-kind wooden headphones from stabilized resin-wood billets, each harvested, processed, and assembled in the USA. Their patented acoustic systems include the Atrium Damping System (ADS) and the Caldera's trapezoidal magnet structure. The brand offers lifetime driver warranties and maintains measurement transparency using professional B&K equipment. They have created a distinct enthusiast culture around their annual "ZMF November" limited-edition sales.
Product Page
Product Page
Mod House Audio
Tungsten
1699
/
Released
2023
Introducing Tungsten, Mod House Audio's first headphone designed from the ground up. Tungsten is the crowning achievement of over 3 years worth of work in research and development.
Mod House Audio builds high-impedance planar headphones (≈155 Ω) with sound quality rivalling summit-tier options at far more reasonable prices, though have a reputation for being among the most difficult headphones to power properly, attracting enthusiasts who prioritize performance over efficiency. Offering user-selectable single or double-sided magnet drivers with 24k gold conductors and extensive Cerakote ceramic customization options.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Nice cable made in partnership with Viking Wave
- Attractive design with some components being 3D printed
- Comfortable to wear with well-distributed weight and ZMF earpads
- Stands out with its 'warm yet balanced' sound signature, described as having flat bass extension and an emphasized lower mid-range
- Delivers instrument separation, and sounds reasonably spacious
Product Considerations
- Build quality can feel a little rough around the edges, which may be noticeable
- Requires a dedicated headphone amplifier
- The dual-sided version is more expensive, while the single-sided version is affected by pressure changes inside the pad
- Sound can come across a little bit crunchy and trebly
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Against Audeze MM500, the MM500 has better build quality
- Against Meze Empyrean 2, the Empyrean 2 is more comfortable
- Against Dan Clark Audio E3, the E3s overall sound more competent
Takeaway: The Modhaus Tungsten is a unique headphone built with care. It's enjoyable to listen to, has good bass extension, and the sound can be customized by swapping earpads.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Mod House Audio builds high-impedance planar headphones (≈155 Ω) with sound quality rivalling summit-tier options at far more reasonable prices, though have a reputation for being among the most difficult headphones to power properly, attracting enthusiasts who prioritize performance over efficiency. Offering user-selectable single or double-sided magnet drivers with 24k gold conductors and extensive Cerakote ceramic customization options.
Product Page
Product Page
HEDD
HEDDphone TWO
1999
/
Released
2023
HEDD Audio, founded by physicist Klaus Heinz, pioneered Air Motion Transformer (AMT) technology. Typically reserved for tweeters only due to difficulty achieving low frequency output, HEDD was the first to achieve full 20hz-20khz in a headphone design with the HEDDphone, later refined and improved with the HEDDphone 2 and 2 GT. The brand hand-builds their products in Berlin, with their headphones particularly noted for exceptional detail retrieval and natural soundstage, making them suitable for both professional and audiophile use.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Improved ergonomics and comfort compared to the original HEDDphone, largely due to a significant weight reduction and the innovative HEDDband system for adjustable fit
- Highly detailed and resolving sound, particularly in the midrange, with excellent timbral resolution and microdynamic control
- Unique and expansive soundstage that doesn't restrict the sonic image to inside the head, resembling a good pair of speakers in a well-tuned room
- High-quality build with premium materials and a 5-year warranty inspires confidence
- Excellent accessory package including a carrying case, spare earpads, and multiple cable options
Product Considerations
- Can be picky with recording quality, performing best with well-recorded tracks and less impressive with lower-quality productions
- Some reviewers find the clamping force of the headband to be too strong, even on the lowest setting
- Bass response may lack sub-bass extension or 'oomph' for some listeners, especially those craving a strong low-end rumble
- The treble might be perceived as bright or sibilant by some listeners, particularly due to an elevation in the upper treble region
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs HEDDphone One: The Two is lighter, more comfortable, and has a more neutral and technical sound, while the original has more bass impact and a unique timbre
- Vs Audeze MM-500: Both are aimed at professionals with a neutral tuning, but the HEDDphone Two has greater technical performance, microdynamic control, and detail retrieval
- Vs Sennheiser HD800S: The HD800S has a greater sense of soundstage, openness, and instrument separation, while the HEDDphone Two has better low-level detail for individual instruments and microdynamics
- Vs HIFIMAN Arya: The Arya has more midbass punch and upper treble energy, while the HEDDphone Two offers greater technical performance
- Vs Meze Elite: The Elite offers a more rich and entertaining signature, where the HEDDphone Two is more neutral and reference-like
Takeaway: The HEDDphone Two is an innovative headphone with impressive sound and design, offering improvements over the original and it is worth buying if one is looking for excellent sound quality and detail. While its aesthetics may not be its strongest attribute, it delivers on technical sound and offers an enjoyable listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
HEDD Audio, founded by physicist Klaus Heinz, pioneered Air Motion Transformer (AMT) technology. Typically reserved for tweeters only due to difficulty achieving low frequency output, HEDD was the first to achieve full 20hz-20khz in a headphone design with the HEDDphone, later refined and improved with the HEDDphone 2 and 2 GT. The brand hand-builds their products in Berlin, with their headphones particularly noted for exceptional detail retrieval and natural soundstage, making them suitable for both professional and audiophile use.
Product Page
Product Page
Sendy
Peacock
1499
/
Released
2021
Sendy Audio Peacock is an open-back planar magnetic headphone with an 88mm ultra-thin composite diaphragm, designed for natural mids, elastic bass, and extended transparent highs up to 40kHz within a wide soundstage.
Sendy is a hifi headphone brand known for its Quad-Former planar driver architecture that uses four coils to drive the diaphragm, reducing distortion and enhancing transient response across models like Apollo and Peacock.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Peacock uses long-lasting, high-quality materials in its construction, with minimal plastic, and has a handmade feel
- Comfortable to wear for long listening sessions due to its soft leather headband, memory foam earpads, and suspension strap system
- Good left-to-right soundstage and spatial qualities, with precise imaging
- Natural sound, focusing on the bass and midrange regions
- Easy to drive and has high sensitivity (103 dB per milliwatt), meaning it sounds good even with ordinary headphone jacks
Product Considerations
- Some reviewers describe the treble as metallic and unnatural, with an unwanted ringing or resonance that can be fatiguing
- Soundstage depth and imaging are not as impressive as its width, creating a 'tunnel-like vision' or 'b-dimensional' sound
- Detail retrieval and transparency are lacking compared to other headphones in its price range
- Heavy (578-580g), which may be a challenge for some listeners
- Aesthetics may not appeal to everyone due to mismatched design elements, resulting in a lack of cohesion in its appearance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audeze LCD-X: Has a wider soundstage, but the LCD-X is more resolving, detailed, and technically proficient
- Vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth: Has more impactful bass and a fuller midrange, while the Arya has clearer treble and greater detail retrieval
- Vs Audeze LCD-2: Vocals are more emphasized and engaging, but the LCD-2 is clearer and more detailed
- Vs Focal Clear MG: The Clear MG's are warmer with more bass impact, more even and forward mids, and darker, less peaky treble
- Vs Sendy Audio Aiva: Offers better looks, build quality, comfort, clarity, transparency and more details compared to the Aiva
Takeaway: The Peacock is a stylish and comfortable headphone that offers a warm, smooth, and enjoyable listening experience, especially for those who prioritize musicality over technical precision. Its easy-to-drive nature and wide soundstage make it a good option for relaxed listening sessions.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sendy is a hifi headphone brand known for its Quad-Former planar driver architecture that uses four coils to drive the diaphragm, reducing distortion and enhancing transient response across models like Apollo and Peacock.
Product Page
Product Page
Warwick Acoustics
Bravura
2190
/
Released
2021
From the Italian for brilliant performance, the BRAVURA headphone system brings you the music you love in the most exquisite detail.
Warwick Acoustics specializes in electrostatic headphones featuring patented HPEL transducers that use a 15μm laminated film with no obstructive front grid, reducing diffraction and coloration. Unique also for their drastically higher bias voltage of 1800V compared to 230V or 580V in most other electrostatic headphones. Their BD-HPEL diaphragms use multilayer film with vapor-deposited 24-karat gold conductors and gold-plated stators. Each driver is built into rigid polycarbonate cassettes and software-tuned for precise resonances, delivering electrostatic speed with atypically physical bass and grounded imaging that departs from the usual airy electrostatic presentation.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Comfortable to wear for extended periods, thanks to plush, soft earpads and a generously padded headband, although some found the clamping force substantial
- Delivers a natural, transparent, and detailed sound, a hallmark of electrostatic headphones
- Good bass response, with impact that is noticeably improved compared to the Sonoma M1
- Excellent instrument separation is highlighted, creating a sense of sounds floating around the listener's head
- The mids are a standout feature, with vocals presented right up front
Product Considerations
- The complete system (headphones and amplifier) is required because of the unique voltage requirements, it's not possible to mix-and-match components with other systems
- Some reviewers found the cable to be stiff and microphonic, although its unique character and design are a result of the system's electrostatic nature
- The volume control on the Sonoma M1 energizer/amp offers only stepped adjustments, making fine-tuning volume levels difficult for some users
- The power switch is located on the back of the Sonoma M1 amplifier, which is considered less convenient than a front placement
- The headphone still retains some excess clamping force
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sonoma M1: The Bravura offers enhanced SPL, more robust bass, and increased resolution compared to its predecessor, the Sonoma M1
- Vs Dan Clark Audio VOCE: The Bravura offers more impactful bass
- Vs HiFiMan Shangri-La Jr.: The Bravura offers a smoother sound
Takeaway: The Bravura headphone system is a great option for those who value detailed and natural sound, especially for genres like classical, jazz, and vocals. It offers a complete listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Warwick Acoustics specializes in electrostatic headphones featuring patented HPEL transducers that use a 15μm laminated film with no obstructive front grid, reducing diffraction and coloration. Unique also for their drastically higher bias voltage of 1800V compared to 230V or 580V in most other electrostatic headphones. Their BD-HPEL diaphragms use multilayer film with vapor-deposited 24-karat gold conductors and gold-plated stators. Each driver is built into rigid polycarbonate cassettes and software-tuned for precise resonances, delivering electrostatic speed with atypically physical bass and grounded imaging that departs from the usual airy electrostatic presentation.
Product Page
Product Page
How to buy
Headphones
Search all hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
