Tony WareShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more Romanian headphone manufacturer Meze Audio has been a constant in the Popular Science wired headphones rotation. That trend will continue with the POET, a new open-back offering that injects high-fun hi-fi into the companys planar-magnetic lineup. Its yet another ultra-low-distortion, ultra-high-style entry with impeccable build quality. And with an entirely serviceable designfrom its steel grille, magnesium chassis, and titanium-alloy headband to its Rinaro Isodynamics Hybrid Array drivers in their fiberglass-reinforced polymer housingsits an investment that can continue paying dividends. The Meze family resemblance is strong, with external choices that reflect internal characteristics. The compact earcup shape and removable magnetic ear cushions recall the LIRIC II, released around this time last year. And, indeed, the POET sits at the same $2,000 price point as the LIRIC and is presented as similarly portable and easily driven off dongles or DAPs. The suede suspension headrest, grille pattern, and mix of copper and silver accents, meanwhile, nod to the Empyrean and Elite Tungsten headphones. Its an amalgam of unmistakable Meze design language that affirms an undeniably Meze house sound.While Ive only spent a few days with the POET, its been a whirlwind romance. There are headphones you cant stop thinking about and headphones you cant stop thinking ofand the POET is the latter type. Ive no desire to run its technicalities over and over in my head so much as enjoy its presence on my head. But dissect I must Meze Audio If you define audiophiles the way I dosomeone as, if not more, focused on their sources as they are the source materialyou would not describe the POET as an audiophile headphone despite it deserving its place among them. While plenty can be measured inside these with their new MZ6 driver topped with a Dan Clark Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS), its not bleeding-edge technology solely obsessed with leading-edge transients. Its deliberate refinements that are all about delivering a euphoric, euphonic encounter. While every high-end Meze headphone is an object to treasure, the POET is more for music lovers than the gear-obsessed.Theres plentiful yet precisely textured low-end blending into an intimate, grippy lower midrange, then a slight recession that flows into a shimmery but not shouty treble crest. To my ears (and yours may differ), its articulate but idyllictracing details onto your temple, not etching them into your eardrums. The POET wouldnt be your first choice if its an infinitely spacious experience youre after, but these headphones still offer enough flare (flair?) with excellent separation and staging. Plus, at a well-distributed 350g, theyre comfortable for long listening sessions. If you prefer brighter, drier, more studious reproduction, the $2,999 Empyrean II is your better choice. And if you want even more resolving, rich, and signal-chain reactive, step up to the $4K Elite Tungsten. But if your mood leans toward lush, the Meze Audio POET is available now for $2,000.