Audio T Verdict
The Meze POET is a fascinating point in the companys range because it brings a remarkable amount of the engineering behind ELITE into a substantially more compact headphone.
At its heart is Rinaros MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, developed exclusively for Meze after more than eight years of work on the companys planar-magnetic platform. It combines ideas from both the MZ4 used in LIRIC and the MZ3SE technology developed for ELITE.
The MZ6 uses Rinaros Parus diaphragm technology, with a huge 3,507mm² active area yet a moving membrane weighing just 0.06g. That extremely low mass allows the diaphragm to accelerate and stop with remarkable speed.
As with Mezes larger Isodynamic models, two differently shaped conductive coils share the diaphragm. A Switchback coil concentrates on the lower frequencies, while the Spiral coil is positioned directly over the ear canal and handles the midrange and treble.
That arrangement helps direct the most efficient part of the diaphragm at higher frequencies towards the ear canal itself, improving localisation and spatial information rather than relying on one conventional trace to reproduce everything equally.
POET also borrows an acoustic idea from some of the most sophisticated modern planar designs: AMTS, or Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System. A carefully shaped metal structure covers selected openings in the driver assembly to attenuate unwanted high-frequency peaks and make the upper registers smoother and less fatiguing.
The result is deliberately musical rather than sterile. Meze describes airy vocals, precise but balanced bass, natural tonality and a touch of upper-frequency sparkle, while Audio T Southampton found POET noticeably more open and spacious than LIRIC II, with excellent separation and particularly convincing vocal and acoustic detail.
Despite being planar magnetic, POET is relatively straightforward to drive. At 55 ohms and 101dB SPL/mW, it can partner with a wide range of good headphone amplifiers rather than demanding an enormous amount of power simply to come alive.
The physical construction is just as interesting. A magnesium chassis is combined with a steel open-back grille, flexible titanium-alloy headband and soft suede-leather headrest, keeping the complete headphone to a relatively manageable 405g.
Meze has also carried over the magnetic earpad system introduced with LIRIC II. High-grade memory foam, PU leather, Alcantara and Mezes Ear Pad Air Flow system form part of the acoustic design, while magnetic attachment makes eventual replacement straightforward.
Add the supplied 2.5m braided Furukawa PCUHD copper cable and protective ABS case and POET makes an unusually compelling argument for anyone who wants much of Mezes flagship planar technology without moving all the way to Empyrean II or ELITE.
Meze POET Open-Back Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphones
Meze POET is a premium open-back circumaural planar headphone built around the Rinaro MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver.
It combines technology derived from Mezes ELITE and LIRIC projects with a more compact magnesium chassis, magnetic earpads and a 405g overall weight.
Compact Flagship-Derived Planar Technology
POET was developed to bring much of Meze and Rinaros flagship planar-magnetic engineering into a smaller form factor.
Meze specifically identifies the driver as a synthesis of technology developed for:
The resulting MZ6 combines the compact dimensions associated with the MZ4 platform with Rinaros ultra-light Parus diaphragm technology.
Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6
Each earcup contains a:
Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6 driver.
The driver was created by Rinaro exclusively for Meze Audio.
More Than Eight Years of Rinaro Development
Meze describes MZ6 as the result of more than eight years of development across its Isodynamic Hybrid Array programme.
The driver is one of Rinaros most compact full-size planar implementations while retaining the core dual-coil architecture used throughout Mezes premium planar range.
Hand-Assembled and Tested in Ukraine
Each MZ6 driver is:
Hand-assembled and tested at Rinaros industrial facility in Ukraine.
92 x 63mm Ovoid Driver
The MZ6 driver measures:
92mm x 63mm.
Its shape is:
Ovoid.
The elongated form more closely follows the outline of the human ear than a conventional circular planar transducer.
73g Driver Weight
The complete driver weighs:
73g / 2.5oz.
Rinaro specifically developed MZ6 to provide flagship-style planar performance in a more compact and comfortable headphone structure.
Rinaro Parus MZ6 Diaphragm
The diaphragm is:
Rinaro Parus MZ6.
It is made from a biaxially oriented semicrystalline polymer film.
0.06g Diaphragm Weight
The complete diaphragm weighs only:
0.06g.
That exceptionally low moving mass allows the membrane to respond very rapidly to changes in the electrical music signal.
3,507mm² Active Area
The active radiating area is:
3,507mm².
This large surface area is driven across the diaphragm by Rinaros Hybrid Magnet Array.
6.5kg/m4 Acoustic Mass
Meze specifies acoustic mass at:
6.5kg/m4.
Fibreglass-Reinforced Polymer Casing
The MZ6 driver casing is made from:
Fibreglass-reinforced polymer.
The structure is designed to remain lightweight while resisting the substantial mechanical load created by the magnet assembly.
Designed for a 10.7N Magnet Load
Meze specifies that the casing is designed to withstand:
10.7N of load generated by the Hybrid Magnet Array.
Hybrid Neodymium Magnet Array
Neodymium magnets are positioned symmetrically on either side of the diaphragm.
Rinaro arranges them into its:
Hybrid Magnet Array.
0.3 Tesla Magnetic Field
The magnet array creates an Isodynamic magnetic field of:
0.3 Tesla.
This provides uniform activation across the complete diaphragm surface.
Dual-Driven Voice-Coil System
Rather than using one identical conductive trace across the whole diaphragm, the Isodynamic Hybrid Array combines:
- Switchback coil
- Spiral coil
Each is optimised for a different part of the frequency range.
Switchback Coil
The:
Switchback coil
is positioned towards the upper section of the driver.
It is optimised for efficient low-frequency reproduction and contributes to POETs precise bass response.
Spiral Coil
The:
Spiral coil
is optimised for middle and higher frequencies.
It sits directly over the listeners ear canal.
Why Position the Spiral Coil Over the Ear Canal?
The geometry allows high-frequency sound to travel more directly into the ear canal rather than first reflecting around the pinna.
Rinaro uses this approach to improve:
- Spatial imaging
- Precise localisation
- Midrange clarity
- High-frequency directivity
Particularly Important Above 10kHz
Meze highlights improved intensity distribution and spatial localisation particularly at:
Frequencies above 10kHz.
AMTS Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System
POET incorporates:
Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System technology, or AMTS.
The system uses a precision-crafted metal component positioned over selected openings within the driver frame.
What Does AMTS Do?
AMTS is designed to attenuate unwanted:
High-frequency peaks.
The intended result is a smoother and less fatiguing upper-frequency presentation.
Licensed from Dan Clark Audio
Meze states that POET incorporates AMTS technology licensed from Dan Clark Audio.
4Hz to 96kHz Frequency Range
Meze specifies:
4Hz–96kHz.
The published upper-frequency limit is therefore:
96,000Hz.
Less Than 0.05% Total Harmonic Distortion
Meze specifies:
THD below 0.05% across the complete frequency range.
55-Ohm Impedance
Nominal impedance is:
55 ohms.
101dB SPL/mW Sensitivity
Meze specifies:
101dB SPL/mW at 1kHz.
This makes POET relatively accommodating for a premium planar headphone.
Do POET Need a Dedicated Headphone Amplifier?
A quality headphone amplifier is recommended for a headphone at this level, but POET is not unusually difficult to drive.
Suitable partners can include:
- Dedicated headphone amplifiers
- DAC and headphone amplifier combinations
- Premium network streamers with headphone outputs
- Integrated amplifiers with high-quality headphone stages
- Selected portable DAC and headphone amplifiers
Its combination of 55-ohm impedance and 101dB SPL/mW sensitivity is considerably more accommodating than many less sensitive planar headphones.
Maximum SPL Above 130dB
Maximum sound pressure level is specified at:
Greater than 130dB.
Maximum SPL Is Not a Safe Listening Level
This is a technical capability figure rather than a recommended volume.
Listening at excessively high sound-pressure levels can permanently damage hearing.
Open-Back Operating Principle
POET is a fully:
Open-back headphone.
Air and sound are able to move through the rear grille rather than being trapped within a sealed chamber.
Advantages of this approach can include:
- A more expansive soundstage
- Natural airflow around the diaphragm
- Reduced enclosed-cup resonance
- Strong image separation
- Greater spatial openness
Open Back Means Sound Leakage
POET provides little isolation from surrounding noise.
People nearby will hear some of your music and outside sounds will remain audible, so these headphones are intended primarily for quieter listening environments.
Audio T Listens to POET
Audio T Southampton compared POET directly with the closed-back Meze LIRIC II using a Bluesound Node and Rotel DX-3 headphone amplifier.
The POET immediately presented a wider and more open soundstage, with particularly strong separation, vocal clarity and fine detail.
Its bass was lighter than LIRIC IIs more extended closed-back presentation, but the POET countered with greater openness and a more clearly exposed view into complex recordings.
Read: Listening Lab - Meze LIRIC II Closed-Back vs Meze POET Open-Back
Balanced Low End
Meze describes POETs low frequencies as:
Precise and balanced.
The aim is impact and definition rather than exaggerating low-frequency quantity.
Airy Vocal Presentation
One of Mezes principal tuning goals was a:
Lush and airy vocal presentation.
The open-back structure and direct positioning of the Spiral coil contribute to POETs spacious midrange character.
Natural Tonality With Subtle Sparkle
Meze describes the overall balance as natural, with a subtle degree of upper-frequency sparkle designed to provide life and definition without becoming overly aggressive.
Magnesium Chassis
The main headphone structure uses:
Magnesium.
Meze selected magnesium to combine structural rigidity with lower mass in the compact chassis.
Steel Open-Back Grille
The intricate exterior grille is made from:
Steel.
The grille pattern was selected as part of the acoustic tuning rather than being purely decorative.
Titanium-Alloy Headband
The outer headband is made from:
Flexible titanium alloy.
The material provides the spring force required to support the headphone while retaining flexibility.
Soft Suede-Leather Headrest
The head support uses:
Soft suede leather.
It works with the titanium-alloy frame to distribute the headphones mass evenly across the head.
405g Headphone Weight
Meze specifies:
405g / 14.29oz.
This makes POET notably lighter than the larger Empyrean II while still using a substantial full-size planar driver.
Magnetic Earpad System
POET uses the magnetic earpad architecture introduced with the second-generation LIRIC.
The pads can be removed without tools for easier replacement and servicing.
High-Grade Memory Foam
The pad core is made from:
High-grade memory foam.
This helps the cushions conform around the listener while maintaining the intended acoustic geometry.
PU Leather Exterior
The outside surface uses:
PU leather.
Alcantara Interior
The inner surface surrounding the ear is finished in:
Alcantara.
Anthropometric Earpad Design
The pads follow an:
Anthropometric shape.
Rather than using a generic round cushion, the geometry is designed around the shape and proportions of the human ear.
Ear Pad Air Flow System
POET uses Mezes:
Ear Pad Air Flow, or EAF, system.
The system optimises the acoustic volume within the pad and earcup relationship, allowing Meze to reduce overall headphone size and weight.
Official Earpad Dimensions
Meze specifies maximum outer pad dimensions of:
110mm high x 82mm wide x 28mm deep.
Maximum inner dimensions are:
70mm high x 40mm wide x 26mm deep.
Replaceable Earpads
Meze supplies POET replacement earpads separately.
The magnetic system makes eventual servicing considerably easier than designs where cushions are glued permanently in place.
Dual 3.5mm TS Inputs
Each earcup provides an individual:
3.5mm TS input.
The supplied cable therefore uses separate left and right headphone connections.
2.5m Braided Furukawa PCUHD Copper Cable
Mezes current POET package includes a:
2.5-metre braided Furukawa PCUHD copper cable.
This is a premium cable supplied as standard rather than an optional upgrade.
6.3mm Source Termination
The supplied cable terminates in:
6.3mm stereo.
Meze selected the full-size connection to suit the desktop headphone amplifiers and hi-fi systems most likely to partner POET.
Balanced Cable Options
Because POET uses dual 3.5mm mono inputs at the headphones, compatible alternative Meze cables can be used where a different source termination or balanced connection is required.
PU Leather Cable Pouch
A dedicated:
PU leather cable pouch
is supplied for storing the premium cable.
High-Strength ABS Carrying Case
POET is supplied with a:
High-strength ABS plastic suitcase.
Foam inserts hold and protect the headphone during storage and transport.
No Bluetooth
POET is a completely passive wired headphone.
There is no:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- Battery
- Active noise cancellation
- Integrated DAC
- App requirement
Designed to Be Fully Serviceable
Meze describes POET as:
Fully serviceable.
The headphone chassis has been designed so that individual components can be disassembled and serviced rather than treating the whole product as disposable.
Replaceable Earpads Form Part of That Philosophy
Earpads are one of the components most likely to experience wear during long-term ownership.
The magnetic attachment system therefore combines acoustic consistency with straightforward replacement.
POET or LIRIC II?
LIRIC II
- Closed-back
- Rinaro MZ4
- 92 x 63mm driver
- 0.08g diaphragm
- 4Hz–92kHz
- 61-ohm impedance
- 100dB SPL/mW sensitivity
- 427g
- Phase-X spatial system
- QWRM tuning
- Greater passive isolation
- Stronger enclosed low-frequency weight
POET
- Open-back
- Rinaro MZ6
- 92 x 63mm driver
- 0.06g Parus diaphragm
- 4Hz–96kHz
- 55-ohm impedance
- 101dB SPL/mW sensitivity
- 405g
- AMTS tuning
- More open spatial presentation
- Greater sound leakage
- No passive isolation advantage
Audio T Southampton compared the two directly and found LIRIC II delivered the greater sense of bass extension and weight, while POET opened the soundstage considerably and exposed more fine detail through complex music.
Read: Listening Lab - Meze LIRIC II Closed-Back vs Meze POET Open-Back
Compare the Meze LIRIC II at Audio T.
POET or Empyrean II?
POET
- Rinaro MZ6
- 92 x 63mm driver
- 73g driver
- 0.06g Parus diaphragm
- 3,507mm² active area
- 4Hz–96kHz
- 55 ohms
- 101dB SPL/mW
- 405g
- AMTS
- Compact planar chassis
Empyrean II
- Rinaro MZ3
- 102 x 73mm driver
- 82g driver
- 0.16g diaphragm
- 4,650mm² active area
- 8Hz–110kHz
- 32 ohms
- 90dB SPL/mW
- 449g
- Isomagnetic pad coupling
- Larger flagship chassis
Empyrean II uses a substantially larger driver and sits further up Mezes open-back range, but POET actually has the lighter diaphragm and greater sensitivity on the manufacturers published figures.
The choice is therefore not simply a matter of bigger numbers: the two drivers, chassis designs and acoustic implementations have been developed for different roles.
Compare the Meze Empyrean II at Audio T.
POET or ELITE?
ELITE remains the higher-end implementation of Meze and Rinaros conventional Hybrid Array platform.
POET borrows the ultra-light Parus diaphragm concept from ELITE but scales it into the smaller MZ6 driver and a much more compact headphone.
Compare the Meze ELITE at Audio T.
POET or 109 PRO?
The 109 PRO uses an entirely different 50mm dynamic-driver architecture and costs considerably less.
POET moves into Rinaro planar technology, with its ultra-light diaphragm, Hybrid Array coils, AMTS and a more elaborate chassis and cable package.
Compare the Meze 109 PRO at Audio T.
Who Are the Meze POET For?
Well Suited To
- Premium home headphone listening
- Listeners wanting open-back planar headphones
- Dedicated DAC and headphone-amplifier systems
- Listeners prioritising soundstage and separation
- Vocal and acoustic music
- Complex recordings where fine detail matters
- Customers wanting ELITE-derived diaphragm technology
- Listeners wanting a compact premium planar design
- Customers who value replaceable magnetic earpads
- Systems using full-size 6.3mm headphone outputs
- Long-term ownership and serviceability
Check Before Buying
- Fully open-back construction
- Noticeable sound leakage
- Very little isolation from surrounding noise
- 405g full-size headphone
- No Bluetooth
- No active noise cancellation
- Passive wired operation
- Supplied cable uses 6.3mm rather than a portable 3.5mm termination
- Primarily intended for quiet home listening
Key Features
- Meze POET
- Open-back circumaural headphones
- Planar-magnetic operating principle
- Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6 driver
- 92 x 63mm ovoid driver
- 73g driver weight
- Rinaro Parus MZ6 diaphragm
- Biaxially oriented semicrystalline polymer film
- 0.06g diaphragm weight
- 3,507mm² active area
- 6.5kg/m4 acoustic mass
- Fibreglass-reinforced polymer casing
- 10.7N magnet-array load capability
- Hybrid Neodymium Magnet Array
- 0.3 Tesla magnetic field
- Switchback low-frequency coil
- Spiral mid and high-frequency coil
- Spiral coil positioned over ear canal
- AMTS acoustic tuning
- Dan Clark Audio licensed AMTS technology
- 4Hz–96kHz frequency range
- 55-ohm impedance
- 101dB SPL/mW sensitivity at 1kHz
- Greater than 130dB maximum SPL
- Less than 0.05% THD
- 405g headphone weight
- Magnesium chassis
- Steel grille
- Titanium-alloy headband
- Soft suede-leather headrest
- Magnetic earpads
- High-grade memory-foam earpads
- PU leather earpad exterior
- Alcantara earpad interior
- Anthropometric earpad shape
- Ear Pad Air Flow system
- Dual 3.5mm TS inputs
- 2.5m Furukawa PCUHD copper cable
- Hand-braided premium cable
- 6.3mm source termination
- PU leather cable pouch included
- High-strength ABS suitcase included
- Foam case inserts
- Fully serviceable construction
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Meze POET open or closed back?
They are fully open-back circumaural headphones.
Are POET planar magnetic headphones?
Yes. They use Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array planar-magnetic technology.
What driver does POET use?
The Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6.
What size is the MZ6 driver?
92mm x 63mm.
What shape is the driver?
Ovoid.
How much does the MZ6 driver weigh?
73g or 2.5oz.
Where is the MZ6 made?
Meze states that each MZ6 is hand-assembled and tested at Rinaros industrial facility in Ukraine.
What diaphragm does POET use?
The Rinaro Parus MZ6 diaphragm.
How much does the diaphragm weigh?
0.06g.
What is the active diaphragm area?
3,507mm².
What is the acoustic mass?
6.5kg/m4.
What is the driver casing made from?
Fibreglass-reinforced polymer.
What magnetic field does the MZ6 use?
Meze specifies 0.3 Tesla.
What is the Switchback coil?
It is the voice-coil section optimised for efficient low-frequency reproduction.
What is the Spiral coil?
It is the coil section optimised for the middle and higher frequencies and positioned directly over the ear canal.
Why does POET use two coil shapes?
The Hybrid Array architecture allows different sections of the diaphragm to be optimised for different frequency ranges and directs the mid and high-frequency section towards the ear canal.
What is AMTS?
AMTS stands for Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System.
What does AMTS do?
A precision metal component covers selected driver openings to attenuate unwanted high-frequency peaks and produce a smoother upper-frequency presentation.
Who developed AMTS?
Meze states that POET uses AMTS technology licensed from Dan Clark Audio.
What is the frequency range?
4Hz to 96kHz.
What is the impedance?
55 ohms.
What is the sensitivity?
101dB SPL/mW at 1kHz.
What is the maximum SPL?
Greater than 130dB.
What is the total harmonic distortion?
Meze specifies less than 0.05% across the complete frequency range.
Do POET need a dedicated headphone amplifier?
A good headphone amplifier is recommended to make the most of POET, although the 55-ohm impedance and 101dB SPL/mW sensitivity make them relatively straightforward to drive for a premium planar headphone.
How much do POET weigh?
405g or 14.29oz.
What is the chassis made from?
Meze specifies a magnesium chassis.
What is the grille made from?
Steel.
What is the headband made from?
The flexible outer headband uses titanium alloy.
What is the headrest made from?
Soft suede leather.
Are the earpads magnetic?
Yes. POET inherits the detachable magnetic earpad system introduced with LIRIC II.
What are the earpads made from?
High-grade memory foam with a PU leather exterior and Alcantara interior.
What is EAF?
EAF stands for Ear Pad Air Flow and is used to optimise the acoustic volume around the ear while helping reduce overall headphone size and weight.
Are the earpads replaceable?
Yes. Meze offers POET replacement pads separately.
What are the headphone inputs?
Dual 3.5mm TS jacks.
What cable comes with POET?
Mezes current package includes a 2.5m braided Furukawa PCUHD copper cable.
What plug is fitted to the supplied cable?
A 6.3mm stereo jack.
Why does POET come with a 6.3mm cable?
Meze selected the full-size termination for broad compatibility with desktop headphone amplifiers and conventional hi-fi equipment.
Can POET use a balanced cable?
Yes, provided a compatible dual 3.5mm cable and suitable balanced headphone amplifier are used.
Is a carrying case included?
Yes. A high-strength ABS plastic suitcase with foam inserts is supplied.
Is there a cable pouch?
Yes. Meze supplies a PU leather cable pouch.
Do POET have Bluetooth?
No.
Do they have active noise cancellation?
No.
Do they leak sound?
Yes. Sound leakage and minimal environmental isolation are normal characteristics of the open-back design.
Are POET current or discontinued?
POET remains part of Mezes current open-back headphone range.
How do POET compare with LIRIC II?
LIRIC II is closed back and provides greater isolation and stronger enclosed bass weight. POET is open back and Audio Ts direct comparison found a wider, airier soundstage with greater fine-detail exposure.
Is POET cheaper than Empyrean II?
POET sits below Empyrean II within Mezes current open-back planar range.
Can Audio T arrange a demonstration?
Yes. Where demonstration stock is available, contact your local Audio T store to arrange a listen and discuss suitable headphone amplification.
Related Meze Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Reference headphone demonstrations where available
- POET versus LIRIC II comparisons
- POET versus Empyrean II comparisons
- Open-back versus closed-back advice
- Planar headphone amplifier matching
- DAC and headphone amplifier demonstrations
- Balanced cable guidance
- 6.3mm desktop connection advice
- Fit and comfort demonstrations
- Replacement earpad guidance
- Meze serviceability advice
- Part-exchange options
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store for advice on Meze POET, arranging a demonstration or matching the headphones with a suitable DAC, headphone amplifier and cable configuration.