HEDDphone D1 vs Meze 109 Pro: Open-Back Upgrade Comparison

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Now for the portion that everyone is waiting for: the listening! The HEDDphone D1 and the Meze 109 Pro are both excellent for natural sound reproduction and immersive listening, though they highlight different elements to cater to different kinds of listeners. For starters, the HEDDphone D1 offers a very expansive soundstage that has very detailed imaging. The soundstage lies relatively flat, which makes it a good foundation for audio work like mixing or mastering. I appreciated the horizontal space the soundstage gave, though there wasn't a lot of vertical height in the D1. For people using it for mixing, this won't prove to be an issue. If you're looking for a more engaging tuning to hear your tracks through, the D1 may not be the headphone you want to go for. 

The Meze 109 Pro has a similar wide soundstage. It feels much more open because of the separation of instruments, as well as the extended height of higher frequencies. This soundstage sounded three-dimensional with the dynamic height and width, as well as the extended depth. The 109 Pro was a great headphone for people who wanted something more relaxed, as the sound was not as forward as the D1 to make it overly analytical. With the natural sound reproduction across the signature, you could certainly use it for reference if you desired; however, I think the 109 Pro is a better headphone for relaxing and enjoying music with than trying to analyze frequencies with. 

Overall, the two headphones gave two different signatures. The D1 was flat and extremely precise, making it the ideal mixing companion. On the other hand, the Meze 109 Pro was great for relaxing with your favorite tracks and appreciating the warm signature that came from the deep low end. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

The bass response was a highlight on both of these headphones. Both the D1 and 109 Pro prioritized clarity in the bass but didn't compromise on powerful and punchy hits where they were needed. The bass was equally as driving and present in each headphone, so you weren't left searching for that low end. Even in a reference headphone like the D1, the bass was still very forward and present, and kept up with the heavy hits of the 109 Pro. 

Individually, these headphones showed off some slight differences in their bass responses. For one, the bass response in the D1 was far faster than that in the 109 Pro. The 109 Pro kept the bass response relatively slower and more relaxed. It was better for slow-paced genres like smooth jazz or R&B, though it still did keep up in genres like hard rock or metal. Because the 109 Pro had a mellower bass response, it was easier to listen to this headphone for long periods of time. The D1's fast-paced and punchy response was very forward and sometimes became fatiguing if there was too much emphasis on the bass in a track. Bassheads who want that serious punch will certainly be happy; however, if you want something a little more low-key, the 109 Pro is a better choice. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

The midrange comes forward on the 109 Pro and the D1, creating a V-shape signature that is noticeable on both headphones. The D1's midrange doesn't come forward as much and instead stays more in line with the bass and treble to give you a flatter response. The vocals and other melody instruments stay front and center, so you're always facing the main event. The detail in this range is very natural and full of clarity. Instrumental timbres were easy to separate and identify in listening. The midrange of the D1 makes the headphone earn its title as a reference and mixing headphone, where you can definitely hear the naturalness and detail of each 

Like D1, the Meze 109 Pro has a forward midrange that is great for highlighting the melodies and featured instruments in a track. What makes the 109 Pro stand out is that it has a starker separation between the midrange and the bookend ranges. It comes forward more so it has a very frontal sound, and the other frequencies definitely filter backwards. I liked the coloration of the instruments in this range, as they sound honest to their timbres while still being entertaining. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

At the top end, both headphones show off some extensive space and openness. The D1 is great for those ultra-extended highs, as there doesn't appear to be quite the roll-off you'd expect from the top end. This could be a little disorienting for some listeners, but it does make orchestral and instrumental ensembles much more natural and easy to listen to. The treble in the D1 is sharp and precise, and it balances the intensity and depth of the low end. You can hear how the treble carries detail throughout the signature, making sure the D1's powerful bass doesn't get too overwhelming and overtake the signature. 

Similarly, the 109 Pro has a very extended treble response that is light, airy, and full of detail. It was slightly more recessed than that of the D1, but it still provided enough balance with the low end. The 109 Pro gives you a lot of space at the top for those orchestral recordings. There was a noticeable roll-off that kept the signature tight and precise, but it didn't feel unnatural or awkward during listening. Treble frequencies were a little recessed in the 109 Pro as a whole, which contributed to the warmer sound signature. Just like the D1, it was still a great balance and provided detail across the sound signature to keep things clear and precise.