Наушники — Meze Audio POET

The POET is a planar magnetic model with open-back cups, made by the Romanian brand Meze Audio, launched in 2025 at USD 2,000. It sits below the ARTA at USD 6,000, the ELITE at USD 4,000 and the EMPYREAN II in the company's planar range, while the dynamic 109 PRO, 105 SILVA and 105 AER cover lower prices with open-back designs, and brings the Rinaro driver work of those models into a more compact frame. The ovoid driver was developed exclusively for Meze by Rinaro Isodynamics.

Key specs that matter

The transducer is the Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6, an ovoid unit of 92 by 63 mm with an active area of 3,507 mm2. Its Parus MZ6 diaphragm weighs just 0.06 g, and the complete driver assembly weighs 73 g. Meze quotes a frequency response of 4 Hz to 96 kHz, an impedance of 55 ohm and a sensitivity of 101 dB SPL per mW at 1 kHz. Maximum level exceeds 130 dB SPL, with THD under 0.05 percent. The full headphone weighs 405 g.

Engineering and use context

The hybrid array layout combines a voice coil pattern with a magnet structure arranged to drive the diaphragm evenly over its surface, which is how Rinaro keeps distortion low at high output. Behind the driver, Meze uses the Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System, licensed from Dan Clark Audio, to damp specific peaks in the response mechanically rather than with foam or felt alone. The earcups are made of fibreglass-reinforced polymer, the frame uses a magnesium chassis and the headband a titanium alloy, keeping mass lower than on the larger models. Ear pads attach magnetically, so they can be swapped without tools. The headphone is circumaural and open at the back, so it leaks sound and suits quiet rooms rather than travel. In the box are a 2.5 m braided cable of Furukawa PCUHD copper ending in a 6.3 mm plug, a PU leather cable pouch and a hard ABS case with foam inserts. Cable entry at the cups uses two 3.5 mm TS plugs, one per side.

Pairing

Being efficient and a moderate load, the POET does not demand a high-voltage amplifier, and most desktop headphone amplifiers or integrated amplifiers with a good headphone output drive it to high levels. Portable players can work too, although the supplied cable with its large plug is aimed at home equipment. A balanced aftermarket cable is possible thanks to the separate left and right sockets.

Alternatives

The Meze EMPYREAN II is the next open planar model above the POET, priced at USD 2,999.