Meze Liric | Closed-Back Isodynamic Hybrid Planar Headphones
Our Take |
Award Winning Technology in a Portable Frame
LIRIC features the state-of-the-art technology developed by Rinaro, re-engineered for day-to-day use. The MZ4 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver was scaled down and tuned to deliver an audio experience in-line with its larger counterparts found in Empyrean and Elite.
Combined with the closed-back design, it helps preserve the original clarity and emotion of your favorite music through enhanced sound and minimized external noise. Each driver is entirely hand assembled and tested 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
LIRIC is 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.
ULTRA LOW DISTORTION
Total harmonic distortion (THD) measures under 0.15% in the whole frequency range.
LIGHTWEIGHT
71g combined driver weight designed to create a headphone that offers comfortable listening on the go.
Phase-X™ SYSTEM
Improved ambience and spatial sound imaging through innovative technology.
Patent pending
ULTRA HIGH RESOLUTION AUDIO
Upper frequency limit of audio reproduction is 92,000 Hz.
EASY-TO-DRIVE
100dB@1mw/1kHz; 30Ω
Can be driven by almost any portable source without needing amplification.
SCALED FLAGSHIP ISODYNAMIC HYBRID ARRAY TECHNOLOGY
One of the most sophisticated and advanced planar magnetic technologies in the world has been scaled down for portable use.
Patented in US, EU, China and other countries.
Advantages of a Dual-Driven System
The MZ4 driver combines individual switchback and spiral shaped voice coils within the same diaphragm, allowing sound to be targeted with more accuracy around the natural form of the ear, for a more selective acoustic performance.
SWITCHBACK COIL
The switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing lower frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the driver.
SPIRAL COIL
The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing middle-high frequencies and is positioned directly over the ear canal, enabling more direct sound waves to enter the ear without any time delays.
ISOPLANAR DIAPHRAGM MATERIAL
The diaphragm is manufactured from a custom developed isotropic thermally stabilized polymer, with a conductive layer. Through unique processing methods, an ultralight yet rigid diaphragm has been achieved.
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.
Phase-X™, A Revolution in Sound Imaging
An innovation to the MZ4 driver is the Phase-X™ system created by Rinaro as a way to minimize phase distortion issues, typically found in closed-back headphone designs. This patent-pending technology helps deliver an immersive spatial sound imaging.
Specs
Overview
Driver Type
Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® MZ4
Operating Principle
Closed
Ear Coupling
Circumaural
Frequency Response
4-92,000 Hz
Impedance
30 Ω
Nominal SPL
100 dB (1 mW / 1 kHz)
Maximum SPL
> 130 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
<0.15%
Weight
391 g
MZ4 Driver Specifications
Geometrical Shape
Ovoid
Size
92mm x 63mm
Driver Weight
71 g
Casing
Fiberglass reinforced polymer
Diaphragm Type
Rinaro Isoplanar® MZ4
Active Area
3507 mm2
Diaphragm Weight
0.08 g
Acoustic Mass
6.5 kg/m4
Lower Frequency Limit
4 Hz
Upper-Frequency Limit
92,000 Hz
In the Box
Case:
- Gift box with foam inserts
- EVA pouch with soft plush interior
Included cables:
- 1.5m soft TPE cable, with aluminum casings, ending with 3.5 mm jack
- 3m soft TPE cable, with aluminum casings, ending with 3.5 mm jack
- 6.3mm gold-plated adapter
- Airplane jack adapter
Don't expect the Liric to sound like an Elite or Empyrean. It has its owns unique tuning which I thoroughly enjoy, especially in mobile use with my Astell&Kern KANN Alpha. I recommend using a copper headphone cable to tame the treble a bit. I find the Liric to have exceptional transparency, detail and imaging. It is my favorite closed-back headphone that I have heard. I prefer it over these headphones that I own or have used in the past: Dan Clark Stealth, DCA Aeon 2/Noire, Focal Radiance, Focal Stellia, Sony Z1R.