Platinum Audio Products · 2023
109 Pro Headphone
by Meze Audio
- Platinum A' Design Award 2023 in Audio Products
- CLIENT: Meze Audio
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 1,621,481
- Verification code 43933ACF21 · Verify this award
Colors
About 109 Pro Headphone
109 Pro is an open-back headphone made for music listening. The design is the first dynamic open-back model from Meze Audio. A 50 mm dynamic driver is housed in a chassis that combines walnut wood, zinc, steel, vegan leather and velour, and each unit is assembled by hand. The self-adjusting headband spreads the weight evenly across different head shapes and sizes. Velour cushions surround the ears and stay soft and breathable during long listening sessions. The headphone can be taken apart and serviced, which extends its useful life.
About the Platinum A' Design Award
109 Pro Headphone is a Platinum A' Design Award winner, an extremely prestigious recognition granted to truly exceptional, elegant, and magnificent designs. Platinum winners are marvels of creation, testaments to the limits of intellectual creativity, and demonstrate the unmatched professionalism and genius of their designers. These designs are expected to be the most renowned works that define the aesthetics of an era, contribute to the well-being of society, and push the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology. 109 Pro Headphone exhibits a transcendent level of excellence and unequivocally makes the world a better place with its advantageous and worthwhile characteristics. 109 Pro Headphone is a Platinum A' Design Award-winning work that triggers desires, inspires, excites, delights, and sparks great joy.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The first dynamic open-back headphone from Meze Audio, 109 Pro goes beyond the faithful reproduction of sound to deliver pure emotion. An artistic take on functionality, the chassis combines premium materials in a comfortable, lightweight, yet highly durable design.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 100 mm Width x 90 mm Depth x 210 mm Height
- Tags
- headphones, audio, woodwork, industrial design, modern design, avant-garde
- Production Technology
- In a world of fast paced technology, the 109 Pro bets on proven fundamentals. With a 50mm dynamic driver and a structure that combines walnut wood, zinc, steel, vegan leather and velour, the headphone is assembled by hand with ultimate precision and attention to detail. Crafted with utmost care for sustainability, the 109 Pro can be taken apart and serviced endlessly if ever needed, which can extend the life of the product beyond limit.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was to deliver the same level of workmanship found in our top of the line products, to create an aesthetically pleasing structure and a sound to match all listening preferences and setups, and still be able to keep the cost of the product low.
- Research
- The 109 PRO was created with one purpose - to create joy, to allow the listener to get lost in sound without any distractions. In order to meet the acoustic goals set for the 109 Pro, we focused our R&D efforts on materials research, looking to build a structure that would maximize the sonic abilities of the headphone. Over a time span of 3 years, various prototypes were tweaked and tuned, until arriving to an ideal form that would be as beautiful looking as it is comfortable.
- Inspiration
- Meze Audio was born out of pure passion for extraordinary sound, timeless aesthetics and good craftsmanship. To this day, the philosophy remains unchanged. Through an integral approach, without cutting short on quality, build or performance, Meze Audio aims to blur the barriers between headphone design and artistry, and create inspiring, meaningful experiences. The 109 Pro is the expression of all of these values.
- Project Duration
- The project started in 2019 and was finalized in May 2022. After a series of teasing events, the product is set to be officially launched in September 2022.
- Operation Flow
- The 109 Pro is all about comfort. Once placed on your head, the headphones have to become unnoticeable, leaving you with nothing but the music. The self-adjusting headband spreads the weight out to deliver even pressure for any head shape and size. Velour cushions comfortably surround the ears, providing the optimal seal to create an emotionally engaging sound. As velour is far softer and more breathable than leather, it also prevents sweat and overheating during lengthy listening sessions.
- Image Credits
- Meze Audio
