Packaging and Accessories

I've mentioned already that the Meze 99 Neo isn't the most expensive set of headphones out there, yet the unboxing section left me impressed. The product box ships inside a plastic wrap to keep it clean from the get-go, removing which we see a predominantly white cardboard box acting as a neutral base for everything else on it. On the front is the company logo and product name, which also tells us the 99 Neo is part of Meze's Classics Series. There is a single color option, and it is shown with its black and silver color scheme alongside a render of a section of the headphones from the front. The back swaps colors with a black base and white lettering, and we now see an illustration of the headphones as a whole, too. This continues on the sides with more renders, marketing features, and even a factory frequency response curve.


Instead of seals, two small magnets secure the box, which unfurls from the side, opening like a book or gift box. A foam sheet lines the underside of the top, which adds further protection to the headphones themselves, although it actually prevents scratches to the protective carry/storage case the headphones are inside. The accessories are all underneath in a cutout which holds the case snugly, and these include a manual as well as two stickers.


The case is impressive, molded to fit the headphones snugly without taking up more room than necessary. It is made out of hard ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), making it a quite durable case—it certainly does not need to be babied at all. It is all black to match the color scheme of the headphones and has the Meze Audio logo badge on the bottom at the front. Zippers all around are used to open the lid, which in turn reveals the headphones placed inside without any wiggle room. The gap between the ear cups and headband is taken up by a softer, smaller pouch for some box-in-box-in-box inception.


This pouch does not open all the way around, but is deep enough to easily store and access the cable in addition to two other accessories. These are a gold-plated 3.5 mm to 1/4" (6.35 mm) single-ended stereo adapter for more prosumer/professional sources and an airline adapter for when you want to flaunt to the airplane staff that you would indeed not like their disposable, terrible earbuds after all.