Meze 99 Neo vs STAX SR-5: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Meze 99 Neo vs STAX SR-5, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Meze 99 Neo leads on 3 of 4 measures.

Meze 99 Neo
STAX SR-5

HearWiki score

Sound

8.2

Value

8.5

Price (USD)

$200

$100

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Meze 99 Neo is 42 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 42 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

99 Neo201742 yr newer
SR-51975

Specifications

99 NeoSR-5

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $200; $100
HearWiki score: 82; Not scored
Released: 2017; 1975
Driver: 40 mm dynamic; electrostatic
Driver type: dynamic; electrostatic
Driver size: 40 mm; -
Drivers per side: 1; -
Frequency response: 15 Hz - 25 kHz; -
Impedance: 26 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 103 dB/mW; -
Active noise cancelling: No; -
Controls: buttons; -
Weight: 260 g; 300 g
Detachable cable: Yes; -
USB-C: No; -
Connector: 3.5 mm; -
Balanced connection: Yes; -

Specification comparison of Meze 99 Neo vs STAX SR-5
Spec	Meze 99 Neo	STAX SR-5
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$200	$100
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Great	Not scored
Released	2017	1975
Audio
Driver	40 mm dynamic	electrostatic
Driver type	dynamic	electrostatic
Driver size	40 mm	-
Drivers per side	1	-
Frequency response	15 Hz - 25 kHz	-
Impedance	26 Ω	-
Sensitivity	103 dB/mW	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	-
Controls	buttons	-
Design
Weight	260 g	300 g
Detachable cable	Yes	-
USB-C	No	-
Connector	3.5 mm	-
Balanced connection	Yes	-

What reviewers said

Meze 99 Neo

The Meze 99 Neo is a closed-back, over-ear headphone that delivers a warm, bass-forward sound with easy drivability thanks to its low 26-ohm impedance. It pairs a comfortable, well-built design with a lively, engaging tuning that suits energetic music genres, making it a strong value pick for portable use rather than a neutral reference tool.

Pro:Easy to drive from almost any device
Pro:Comfortable fit for long listening sessions
Pro:Warm, bass-rich sound that stays clear

Con:Upper mids can sound slightly rough
Con:Not a neutral or analytical tuning
Con:Lacks wireless or ANC features

STAX SR-5

No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparison Meze 99 Neo STAX SR-5