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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• MEZE AUDIO 109 — biggest strength: 40 Ohm impedance and 112 dB sensitivity make it genuinely power-efficient, so it works with almost anything you already own. Biggest trade-off: it's a dynamic driver design, so the ultra-fine transient nuance planar fans chase isn't its focus.
• Fostex TH1100RPmk2 — biggest strength: 4th-generation RP planar drivers with double-layered aluminum apertures, built for low distortion and an expansive soundstage. Biggest trade-off: planar drivers are typically more demanding about the source, and it's a flagship open-back intended for a serious desk setup.
• Who the MEZE is for: listeners who want a warm, natural, easygoing open-back with a replaceable-everything build and no amp shopping involved.
• Who the Fostex is for: audiophiles chasing resolution, air and stage width who already have a capable wired chain.
• Frequency-response framing: both are open-back designs reaching for a natural, uncolored presentation — the Meze leans on a dynamic driver and breathable velour, the Fostex leans on planar tech and machined airflow.
The 109 PRO is Meze's first dynamic open-back, and the spec sheet explains why it's such a friendly entry into open-back listening. A 50 mm dynamic driver sits behind a spider-shaped internal structure and an acoustically transparent grill, exposing the driver from both sides. That's the "most open pattern to date" language Meze uses, and it's the mechanical reason the sound feels airy rather than boxed in. The 5Hz–30kHz frequency range and 112 dB SPL sensitivity at 1kHz/1mW tell you this is a headphone designed to be heard clearly without fighting your source.
What it does best is combine that openness with genuine comfort and low-fuss ownership. The velour cushions are softer and more breathable than leather, which matters during the long sessions this headphone is clearly built for — no sweat build-up, no clamping fatigue. The self-adjusting headband uses a manganese spring-steel outer band to spread weight evenly across most head shapes, and at 13 ounces without cables it's a reasonable load for an over-ear.
Buy it if you want a walnut-and-velour open-back you can plug into a laptop, phone or dongle and just enjoy, and you value a design where parts can be swapped instead of replaced wholesale. Skip it if your priority is the specific transient speed and stage geometry that planar-magnetic drivers are known for, or if you want a closed-back for noisy rooms — the 109 PRO is open-back with no noise control.
One honest note on the wood: genuine black walnut earcups mean no two pairs share the same grain, color or texture. If you like the idea of a headphone that's visually yours, that's a feature. If you want identical cosmetics, it isn't.
Fostex TH1100RPmk2: Who It's For
The TH1100RPmk2 is Fostex's open-back flagship, and everything in the spec sheet points at one goal: an expansive, natural soundstage. The headline is the 4th-generation RP planar driver, which Fostex positions around high-resolution playback, low distortion and excellent transient response. That combination is the classic planar pitch — the diaphragm moves more evenly across its surface, so fine detail and fast attack-and-decay come through cleanly instead of smearing.
The double-layered aluminum apertures are the other half of the story. These are precision-machined openings that enhance airflow, which is how Fostex gets a wider, more detailed presentation out of an open-back frame. In practice, that's the kind of design choice you notice on well-recorded acoustic material, live sessions and anything with a lot of spatial information — instruments sit further apart, and reverb tails hang in the air a beat longer.
Comfort gets real engineering too. The magnesium alloy frame cuts overall weight by roughly 20% compared to aluminum, which is meaningful on a flagship over-ear you might wear for hours. The redesigned Mk2 ear pads use a two-layer foam structure with silk-protein leather, a softer fit that Fostex also credits with a refined acoustic seal. A cable and protective case are included, and the headphone carries a 1-year warranty.
Buy it if you're an audiophile with a proper wired chain — a decent DAC and amp — and you want a flagship open-back built around resolution, airflow and stage width. Skip it if you want something to run straight off a phone with zero setup thought, or if you prefer a shorter, more relaxed listen; this is a headphone whose whole identity is precision and space.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for raw resolution and low distortion → Fostex TH1100RPmk2. 4th-gen RP planar drivers are explicitly built for high-resolution playback and excellent transient response.
• Best for soundstage width → Fostex TH1100RPmk2. Open-back flagship design plus double-layered aluminum apertures for enhanced airflow.
• Best for long-session comfort without heat → MEZE AUDIO 109. Breathable velour cushions and an even-pressure self-adjusting headband.
• Best for lightweight flagship comfort → Fostex TH1100RPmk2. Magnesium alloy frame, roughly 20% lighter than aluminum.
• Best for repairability and long-term ownership → MEZE AUDIO 109. Every major component — cups, headband, cables, driver — is replaceable, backed by a 2-year warranty.
• Best for cable flexibility out of the box → MEZE AUDIO 109. Two detachable TPE OFC cables (1.5 m and 3 m) plus a 3.5 mm-to-6.3 mm gold-plated adapter.
• Best for a dedicated desk setup → Fostex TH1100RPmk2. It rewards a good source and a fixed listening position.
If I were buying for myself, I'd take the MEZE AUDIO 109. In my opinion, the 40 Ohm / 112 dB combination is the single most useful spec here, because it means the headphone sounds like itself on the gear I already own — no amp purchase required. I also like that the design is honest about longevity: replaceable drivers, cups, headband and cables, a 2-year warranty, and materials chosen for breathability over long sessions.
The Fostex TH1100RPmk2 is the more specialized tool, and for a listener with a serious wired chain who prioritizes stage width, airflow and planar transient speed, it's the more compelling pick. But it asks more of you. The Meze just works, everywhere, for years. That's the trade I'd make.
FAQ
does frequency response matter in headphones
The driver technology and the intended source. The Meze uses a 50 mm dynamic driver at 40 Ohm and 112 dB sensitivity, so it runs off almost anything. The Fostex uses a 4th-generation RP planar driver in an open-back flagship frame with double-layered aluminum apertures, aimed at resolution and a wider soundstage. One is easygoing and universal; the other is specialized and demanding.
Both are built for it, but differently. The MEZE AUDIO 109 uses breathable velour cushions that prevent sweat and overheating, plus a self-adjusting headband that spreads pressure evenly — and it's light enough to forget about. The Fostex TH1100RPmk2 counters with a magnesium alloy frame about 20% lighter than aluminum and redesigned silk-protein leather ear pads with a two-layer foam structure.
For the MEZE AUDIO 109, no — the low 40 Ohm impedance and 112 dB sensitivity are explicitly designed so amplification isn't necessary. For the Fostex TH1100RPmk2, the spec sheet doesn't state impedance or sensitivity, so I'd plan on a capable wired source rather than assuming a phone will drive a planar flagship properly. If you're unsure, check the current price on Amazon and budget for a DAC/amp alongside the Fostex.
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