Meze Audio has introduced its latest creation, the POET planar magnetic headphones, an open-back design that aims to balance premium craftsmanship with a more accessible price point. With a history of blending high-fidelity sound with visual elegance, the Romanian brand has established itself as a major player in the audiophile market, starting with its award-winning 99 Classics and later redefining planar magnetic technology with the high-end Empyrean and Elite models. While those models set a high bar, their steep price tags placed them out of reach for many enthusiasts. The POET now enters the scene as a more compact and affordable alternative, retaining Meze’s signature quality and attention to detail.
At the core of the POET headphones are the MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array drivers, developed in collaboration with Rinaro Isodynamics. This technology builds on the foundation laid by Meze’s flagship models but features a smaller, more streamlined magnet configuration. The result is a warm and natural tonality with precise bass impact, clear highs, and an immersive listening experience. The drivers are hand-assembled and tested at Rinaro’s facility in Ukraine, ensuring top-tier precision and quality control. The Hybrid Magnet Array design provides a uniform magnetic field across the diaphragm, which, when combined with the Parus diaphragm, ensures ultra-low distortion and high-resolution sound reproduction.
Beyond sound, the POET is crafted with a focus on ergonomics and durability. The headphones feature a magnesium chassis, a steel grill, a titanium alloy headband, and a soft suede leather headrest, balancing weight distribution for comfort during extended listening sessions. The open-back design contributes to a more spacious and natural soundstage, while the magnetic ear pads allow for easy maintenance and replacement. Meze Audio also emphasizes serviceability, ensuring that every component of the POET can be disassembled and replaced if needed.
While high-end models often come with a variety of cable options, the POET keeps it practical with a high-quality braided copper cable featuring dual 3.5mm TS jacks. The package also includes a premium carrying case, a leather pouch, and a hand-braided 2.5m copper cable with 1/4″ jacks for seamless integration with desktop setups. As a testament to Meze’s meticulous craftsmanship, every detail of the POET is designed to appeal to audiophiles who demand both technical excellence and aesthetic refinement.
Meze Audio positions the POET as an entry into the high-end planar magnetic category without the extreme pricing of its flagship models. Priced at $2,000, it sits alongside the Liric in Meze’s lineup but offers an open-back alternative for those seeking a more expansive soundstage. Enthusiasts attending CanJam NY and the Florida Audio Expo this weekend will have the first chance to experience the POET before its expected mid-March delivery. For those eager to secure a pair, pre-orders are available now through Meze Audio’s official website.
