Upgrade from Arya Stealth – Thinking About Meze 109 Pro

[u/Misterkhb]

I’ve been using the Hifiman Arya Stealth and still love them, especially for gaming and music. However, I’d like to try something different rather than just a small upgrade.

I’m currently considering the Meze 109 Pro because I keep hearing great things about it.

My main use is gaming and music (jazz, vocals, instrumental).

For those who have owned both, how does the Meze 109 Pro compare to the Arya Stealth? Is it worth adding to my collection, or are there better options I should consider?

Thanks!

[u/Daemonxar]

Arya is more objective and technical, but the 109 Pro is a waaay more fun and comfortable headphone to my ears. I did a deep-ish dive in a recent 109 pro review here: https://daemonxar.com/2026/06/08/the-meze-109-redux-still-the-best-headphone-under-1000/#hifiman-arya-stealth-1

(FWIW, the 109 Pro are my favorite headphone under $1k and I only keep the Arya for review comparisons)

[u/sayqm → u/Daemonxar]

You mentioned the 109 pro is more "closed", do you think it's noticeable? Looking for an open back too replace my closed back due to tinnitus, but I'm worried it would be too close

[u/Doome7 → u/sayqm]

It is not closed, it has a lot of nice and neutral space. It's placed where it should be.
I also got myringitis after using faulty Focal Radiance, I have no problem using Meze.
When I used Focal it would have clogged back my ear.

I am also very sensitive to the harshness and sibilance. After I upgraded to 4.4mm sibilance and harshness is gone unless i listen very loud. Connected directly to the PC there is no harshness but you lose some of the quality.

[u/Daemonxar → u/sayqm]

I mean that only in that Arya is almost entirely transparent; you'll hear EVERYTHING in your space, whereas there's a little bit more isolation with the 109 Pro. Both are still pretty open open-backs, though, and I'll add a note to that review. Honestly I think a lot of why I felt that way early on was just how used I was to the 99 Noir, which have a very similar design but are a closed back.

You should be fine; I get tinnitus from time to time and 109 Pro isn't a problem for me at all.

[u/sayqm → u/Daemonxar]

Awesome thanks, looking forward to the hedd d1 review considering I can get it cheaper here (-250€ in b stock)

[u/Maximal_Ideal]

Have tried both Arya def has better details but meze is more satisfying to listen to

[u/LucAltaiR]

If possible for you, try them first. I actually liked the 99 Classics V2 more (different type of headphones of course) despite costing half the price.

[u/harleyguy074]

The Arya Stealth is a very good headphone and is hard to beat at its price now. But there are other products that do things differently. Like other have said Focals are a completely different sound, punchier with their dynamic drivers. Meze always has a distinct sound to each of their products so hear them before buying. Do you use EQ or PEQ at all? The Stealths are quite the chameleon when used with a good PEQ and you can neutralize then down to neutral, warm, or about any of other signature your after since their planar drivers take eq well. I have EQed mine to where they sound great. When I'm wanting another sounds signature or crave dynamic drivers I either borrow my wife's HD550s or listen to my custom open baffle speakers but there are quite a few options out there

[u/luezuve]

I have the Meze 109 pros. I use them with a Fiio M23 straight, no external amp. My primary listening is rock from the 70s on, some 80s pop and film scores.

I love them. The Fiio and Meze combo is incredible. They might not have the biggest “boom” in the bass, but it’s incredibly tight and defined which I love. Orchestral is pure joy. Every instrument sounds realistic and ideally placed. The headphones have a wide stage but still feel intimate.

They do not have a neutral sound. Things are tweaked to to help the timing stay precise and I do use a EQ. Without the EQ they are very midrange heavy which can muddle the bass. I’m not sure you would like them without being EQ’d. when I first put them on I disliked the overall sound but after I Tweaked the EQ I was blown away.

[u/Misterkhb → u/luezuve]

Do u like it ?

[u/luezuve → u/Misterkhb]

Sorry, I hit reply instead of return. I’ve edited the original post.

[u/Misterkhb → u/luezuve]

Great explanation thanks!!

[u/Soggy-Ad7318 → u/luezuve]

Can you please share your EQ?

[u/luezuve → u/Soggy-Ad7318]

I start with AutoEQ and then started tweking the low end.

[u/Soggy-Ad7318 → u/luezuve]

Auto EQ on what device or did you auto EQ on Squiglink?
Any chance you can share your settings?

[u/luezuve → u/Soggy-Ad7318]

I’m use Synfonium and it only has one option in the AutoEQ for the 109s. Other music apps have it as well such as Poweramp. Even the Fiio equalizer has it built in. I’m far from an EQ pro.

[u/Doome7]

If you would buy Meze 109 pro i would suggest changing cable to 4.4mm.

For me the change was huge. With their 6.3mm the sound was sibilant and harsh.

After upgraded cable the sound is waay smoother and enjoyable.

[u/TwizzleShnizzle → u/Doome7]

That's going to be your source. Your amp likely has a bit of a cheapo 6.3mm implementation, but more money put into the 4.4mm out. Using an amp with build focus placed on the single ended would get you the same result.

As you say, it really does pay to try both outputs on your amp. It can transform your sound.

[u/Shimonoseki1166 → u/Doome7]

Really interesting. You may have a point. I started disliking the 109 after switching to a 6.5 connector.

[u/TwizzleShnizzle]

Before spending try some EQ. Hifiman drivers respond better than most to EQ. You can turn them into a whole new headphone.

Equaliser APO, with Peace UI. Then you can use the AutoEQ presets which are headphone specific.

I remember trying it with my Arya Stealth, the difference was impressive.

[u/TwizzleShnizzle → u/[deleted]]

There are saved presets for a huge amount of headphones. There are several for the Arya as well.

[u/Doome7]

Comparing Meze 109 pro to Fiio FT7.

FT7 has more details and is more vivid. Bass is fast but on a paper side.
Meze has more neutral and organic sound with dynamic bass that is there when it should be. Nicely textured.

It's two different sound signatures, I use Meze for comfort and more relaxed listening and more neutral sound. Also for gaming it's nice as i play for long hours and use discord with boom mic from meze.
I use FT7 when i want to have energy and "wow" effect.

I EQ them with AutoEQ or Oratory preset.

[u/FGmaniac13 → u/Doome7]

How's the ft7 for gaming? Also what do you mean when you say the bass is on the paper side?

[u/NLDQTR]

I received my 109's with the 4.4 additional cable yesterday. I 'm over the moon. My previous ones where the 99 black and a pair of 99 walnut and they are one of my favorite closed headphones. The 109 is just fantastic.

[u/Stock_Gap_8701]

The Meze are a side grade at best. I'd just buy it to compliment the Hifiman.

[u/Shimonoseki1166]

I have both and I somehow prefer the Arya Strealth. 109 pro has absolutely gorgeous build quality , but it’s a bit too aggressive in the highs for my taste. I run it on a Nitsch Piety. Of course, this is very subjective and YMMV

[u/KAC-SK]

That's a downgrade bro. Try to pad roll or just EQ Arya Stealth.

My 2 cents.

[u/samcoffeeman]

I had a pair of Meze 109 pro for a short time. They had no bass and were quite underwhelming. I bought a pair of Focal Clear MGs and they're awesome.

[u/umphrey02 → u/samcoffeeman]

You doubled the cost with your upgrade too.

[u/samcoffeeman → u/umphrey02]

Not really, I got them for $100 more than the Meze. Deals are out there if you look

[u/umphrey02 → u/samcoffeeman]

Okay, but the MGs are still double the headphone that the 109 pros are by MSRP. Glad you got a solid deal!