Meze Audio POET Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones

The Meze Audio POET takes technology developed for Meze's flagship planar magnetic headphones and puts it into a smaller, lighter and exceptionally comfortable open-back design.

At its heart is the Rinaro MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, developed exclusively for Meze and drawing from technologies used in both the ELITE and LIRIC.

The result is a headphone that delivers the detail, separation and spaciousness expected from a high-end planar magnetic design while retaining the natural, musical presentation Meze is known for.

Rinaro MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver

POET uses the Rinaro MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, developed specifically for this headphone.

The MZ6 combines ideas from the MZ4 driver used in LIRIC and the MZ3SE found in the flagship ELITE.

Its compact 92 × 63mm driver uses a Hybrid Magnet Array positioned symmetrically on either side of the diaphragm to create a uniform 0.3 Tesla magnetic field.

The goal is precise control over the diaphragm while keeping the entire headphone compact and comfortable enough for long listening sessions.

Ultra-Light Parus Diaphragm

The MZ6 uses Rinaro's Parus diaphragm, a biaxially oriented semi-crystalline polymer film.

The diaphragm weighs just:

0.06 grams

with an active area of:

3,507mm²

Reducing diaphragm mass allows it to react extremely quickly to changes in the musical signal, helping POET reproduce fine detail, transients and subtle spatial information.

Dual Voice Coil System

Rinaro's Isodynamic Hybrid Array uses two differently shaped voice coils, each optimized for a specific portion of the frequency range.

The switchback coil is positioned in the upper section of the driver and is optimized for lower-frequency reproduction.

The spiral coil is positioned directly over the ear canal and handles the mid and high frequencies.

This placement helps direct higher-frequency information toward the ear while reducing timing delays and improving clarity and imaging.

AMTS Acoustic Tuning

POET incorporates Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System — AMTS — technology licensed from Dan Clark Audio.

A precision metal component selectively covers portions of the driver frame to attenuate unwanted high-frequency peaks.

The idea is straightforward: preserve detail and openness without allowing the upper frequencies to become harsh or fatiguing.

That matters in a headphone designed for long listening sessions.

A Musical Approach to Planar Magnetic Sound

POET isn't designed simply to impress with resolution.

Meze has tuned it around a natural and engaging presentation with airy vocals, precise bass impact, strong separation and a touch of upper-frequency sparkle.

Its open-back architecture allows the soundstage to expand naturally around the listener while the MZ6 driver's low distortion helps preserve individual instruments and spatial cues within that stage.

It's technical when the recording demands it, but still very much a Meze.

4Hz–96kHz Frequency Range

The MZ6 driver has an exceptionally wide specified frequency range:

4Hz–96kHz

Total harmonic distortion remains below:

0.05%

across the frequency range.

Maximum output exceeds 130dB SPL, while sensitivity is rated at 101dB SPL/mW at 1kHz.

55-Ohm Impedance

POET has a nominal impedance of:

55 ohms

That makes it considerably easier to drive than many high-impedance reference headphones.

But a headphone being easy to drive doesn't mean amplification doesn't matter.

POET has enough resolution that moving from a basic headphone output to a high-quality DAC and dedicated headphone amplifier can make a significant difference in soundstage, dynamics, bass control and overall transparency.

Compact & Comfortable

POET weighs just:

405 grams / 14.29 ounces

That's particularly impressive for a full-size planar magnetic headphone.

A magnesium chassis, flexible titanium-alloy headband and soft suede leather headrest distribute the weight evenly across the head.

The result is a headphone designed around extended listening rather than something you'll want to take off after an album.

Magnetic Ear Pads

POET incorporates the magnetic ear pad system Meze originally introduced with the second-generation LIRIC.

The pads simply attach magnetically to the headphone.

That makes replacing or servicing the pads significantly easier and continues Meze's philosophy of designing products around long-term ownership.

Premium Copper Cable Included

POET includes Meze's premium hand-braided copper cable terminated in a 6.3mm connector for use with desktop headphone amplifiers.

The headphones themselves use dual 3.5mm TS connectors, making cable replacement and upgrades straightforward.

Designed to Be Serviced

Meze designs POET to be fully serviceable.

The chassis can be disassembled, while wear components such as the ear pads can be replaced rather than requiring replacement of the entire headphone.

That's an important distinction with a headphone at this level.

POET is designed to remain part of your system for years.

Key Specifications

• Type: Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
• Operating Principle: Open-Back
• Ear Coupling: Circumaural
• Driver: Rinaro MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array
• Driver Shape: Ovoid
• Driver Size: 92 × 63mm
• Driver Weight: 73g
• Diaphragm: Rinaro Parus MZ6
• Diaphragm Weight: 0.06g
• Active Area: 3,507mm²
• Magnetic Field: 0.3 Tesla
• Impedance: 55 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 101dB SPL/mW at 1kHz
• Frequency Range: 4Hz–96kHz
• Maximum SPL: >130dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.05%
• AMTS: Yes
• Headphone Weight: 405g / 14.29 oz.
• Chassis: Magnesium
• Headband: Titanium Alloy
• Input Connectors: Dual 3.5mm TS
• Included Cable: Premium Hand-Braided Copper
• Cable Termination: 6.3mm

POET or ELITE?

This is where POET gets particularly interesting.

The MZ6 driver incorporates technology derived from the MZ3SE driver used in ELITE, but packages that thinking into a smaller and lighter headphone.

At 405 grams, POET is noticeably lighter and more compact than Meze's larger flagship planar designs.

ELITE remains the more ambitious statement headphone, but POET gives someone looking for a serious open-back planar another option—especially if comfort, size and ease of amplification are priorities.

And now that ARTA sits at the very top of Meze's lineup, POET occupies a compelling position between Meze's more accessible dynamic-driver headphones and its flagship planar models.

Experience Meze Audio POET at The Grid HiFi

The Grid HiFi is your Meze Audio and high-performance personal audio expert in Houston, Texas.

A headphone like POET is good enough that the electronics behind it matter.

The right DAC and headphone amplifier can improve dynamics, bass control, soundstage and transparency, while different amplifier designs can subtly change the character of the system.

The Grid can help you compare POET with other Meze models and properly match it with the right DAC, streamer, tube or solid-state headphone amplifier and cabling.

Because when you're buying headphones at this level, specifications can only tell you so much.

You need to listen.

Contact The Grid HiFi to experience the Meze Audio POET and let us help build the right headphone system around it.