

Sony WH-1000XM5
2 of 3 would buy again
3 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
Expected more from comfort
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1 / 8A 6.8 puts its noise isolation in the top half of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 92 of the 241 we've cataloged.
A 4.8 puts its audio quality in the top 10% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 47 of the 241 we've cataloged.
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Wired-3.5mm is the most common — on 47% of the 249 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 241).
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 198 of 241 we've cataloged.
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -0.7 |
| 25 | -0.1 |
| 32 | 0.3 |
| 40 | 0.7 |
| 50 | 0.8 |
| 63 | 0.8 |
| 80 | 1.9 |
| 100 | 1.0 |
| 125 | -1.2 |
| 160 | -3.0 |
| 200 | -3.7 |
| 250 | -4.1 |
| 315 | -4.4 |
| 400 | -3.7 |
| 500 | -3.7 |
| 630 | -2.2 |
| 800 | -1.3 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 0.1 |
| 1600 | -0.7 |
| 2000 | 3.0 |
| 2500 | 6.3 |
| 3150 | 7.8 |
| 4000 | 6.1 |
| 5000 | 5.0 |
| 6300 | 5.3 |
| 8000 | 2.4 |
| 10000 | 1.8 |
| 12500 | -5.5 |
| 16000 | 1.3 |
| 20000 | -26.7 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -0.0 |
| 26 | -0.0 |
| 33 | -0.0 |
| 41 | -0.0 |
| 52 | -0.8 |
| 65 | -1.6 |
| 82 | -2.0 |
| 103 | -0.2 |
| 130 | 3.1 |
| 163 | 6.4 |
| 205 | 8.4 |
| 259 | 9.6 |
| 325 | 9.3 |
| 410 | 10.5 |
| 516 | 12.1 |
| 613 | 13.6 |
| 772 | 16.5 |
| 972 | 20.6 |
| 1220 | 21.3 |
| 1540 | 16.2 |
| 1940 | 16.6 |
| 2440 | 19.5 |
| 3070 | 28.5 |
| 3870 | 37.6 |
| 4870 | 38.0 |
| 6130 | 41.8 |
| 7720 | 36.2 |
| 9720 | 34.3 |
| 12200 | 33.0 |
| 15400 | 34.3 |
| 19400 | 43.9 |
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
The verdict
The Meze Audio Liric (2nd Generation) is an excellent set of headphones that comes at an eye-watering cost. While it's every bit a high-end set of cans, it's mainly for those looking for a set piece or an endgame option for a dedicated setup. Two grand might be a rough price tag to justify, but sometimes price isn't an object.
✓Liked: Sound quality, Attractive design, Isolation, Removable cables
✕Could be better: Price, No mic
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What readers ask about the MEZE AUDIO LIRIC 2, answered by the people who own it.
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2 of 3 would buy again
3 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
Expected more from comfort


1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort


0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The noise cancelling beat their expectations



0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort


0 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · 2 photo-verified
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations

