Meze Audio POET Headphones

Flagship Driver Technology, Scaled Down to Fit

The Meze Audio POET is a compact open-back planar magnetic headphone built to be every bit as capable as Meze's larger flagship models, synthesizing genuine driver technology from both the LIRIC and Elite headphones.

At its core is the Rinaro MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, a genuine synthesis of the drivers found in those two award-winning headphones, hand-assembled and tested individually at Rinaro's own manufacturing facility.

Total harmonic distortion measures under 0.05% across the whole frequency range, with an upper limit of 96,000Hz for genuinely ultra-high-resolution reproduction from a surprisingly compact overall driver package indeed.

Where the Rinaro Parus Diaphragm Earns Its Keep

A Diaphragm Weighing Just 0.06 Grams

The Rinaro Parus diaphragm is built on an ultra-thin, biaxially oriented semi-crystalline polymer film, weighing a genuinely remarkable 0.06 grams across a 3,507 square millimeter active surface area in total.

Dual switchback and spiral coil arrays target sound more accurately around the shape of the ear, improving definition and speed across the entire frequency range in the process, from top to bottom.

A Metamaterial Tuning System, Licensed From Dan Clark Audio

POET's Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System uses a precision-crafted metal component covering select openings in the driver frame, effectively attenuating high-frequency peaks for genuinely less fatiguing extended listening over a long session.

At just 73 grams total driver weight, housed in a magnesium chassis with a soft suede headrest and titanium alloy headband, POET stays genuinely comfortable through long, uninterrupted listening sessions.

What Reviewers Are Saying

EISA named POET Best Premium Headphones 2025-2026, praising its "objet d'art looks" and how it "delivers airy detail and an engaging bass performance" throughout testing.

T3's Simon Lucas called it "a direct, confident and impressively musical listen," awarding it a Platinum rating and Five Stars for its build and comfort alike.

Who Is the POET Best For?

• You want flagship planar technology in a genuinely compact form: the MZ6 driver synthesizes technology from Meze's LIRIC and Elite
• You want an open-back headphone you can still take with you: reviewers note it's quite easy to drive and reasonably portable
• You prefer a smoother, more relaxed tuning: Headfonics found it more relaxed than the more aggressive LIRIC II and Empyrean II
• You value premium materials in a lightweight package: a magnesium chassis and titanium headband keep total weight impressively low
• You want Meze in a compact, portable form — POET carries the flagship thinking in a smaller frame

How Does It Connect to Your System?

A premium hand-braided copper cable with a 6.3mm termination is included, chosen specifically for wide compatibility with desktop headphone amplifiers and DAC/amp combos.

Reviewers describe POET as quite easy to drive despite its open-back design, though a dedicated amplifier still reveals more of what this driver can genuinely do.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around a POET:

• Headphone amplifiers — reveals noticeably more detail and control than a portable source alone
• Digital-to-analog converters — a clean digital source feeding your amp matters as much as the amp itself
• Headphone cables — the magnetic ear pad system also accepts Meze's other cable options
• Headphone stands — a proper resting spot between listening sessions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a headphone amplifier for the POET?

Not strictly. Reviewers consistently describe it as easy to drive, though a dedicated amplifier still reveals more of what this driver is genuinely capable of.

How does this compare to the Empyrean II?

Reviewers describe POET as a spiritual successor to the original Empyrean with a stronger treble fill and a slightly flatter, more relaxed bass response overall.

What does open-back mean for everyday use?

Sound leaks freely in both directions — people nearby hear your music, and outside noise comes in. Reserve these for quiet home listening, not a commute.

Are the ear pads easy to swap?

Yes. POET uses the same magnetic ear pad system introduced on the LIRIC 2nd Generation, making pad swaps and servicing genuinely quick and tool-free.

Is POET portable enough to take with me?

Reasonably. At just 73 grams of total driver weight, it's genuinely lightweight for an open-back design, though the open construction still suits quiet spaces best.

See It in Action

Meze Audio presents Meze Audio POET - Rediscover What Music Is About #shorts #mezeaudio #headphones.

The Headphone Show presents Meze Poet Review - Shockingly beautiful... but does the sound match the looks?.

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Learn More

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