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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-01 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• MEZE AUDIO's biggest strength: it is a purpose-built replacement headband for the Meze 99 Classics, made from soft PU (faux) leather with a self-adjustable fit that works across different head sizes.
• MEZE AUDIO's biggest trade-off: it is a single component, not a headset. It produces no sound, includes no cable and no microphone, and only makes sense if you already own the Meze 99 Classics.
• AOC USB Headset's biggest strength: it is a complete wired headset with a noise-canceling boom mic, USB-A plug-and-play, on-earcup volume rotation and mic mute — everything a call or class needs in one box.
• AOC USB Headset's biggest trade-off: it is wired, USB-A only, and not designed for right-ear wearing, so it locks you to a desk or laptop rather than letting you move around.
• Buy MEZE AUDIO if you own Meze 99 Classics and your headband is worn, stretched or flaking.
• Buy AOC USB Headset if you need a ready-to-use headset for Teams, Skype, Zoom, Webex or online courses.
MEZE AUDIO's replacement headband is about restoration, not upgrade. If your Meze 99 Classics still sound the way you love but the headband has seen better days, this part lets you bring the comfort back without replacing the headphones themselves. The self-adjustable design is the key detail here: rather than a fixed-size band, it flexes to fit different head sizes, so the same part works whether you have a smaller or larger head. It is listed as black faux leather, which keeps the look consistent with the original design rather than turning your headphones into a patchwork.
The measurements are worth noting for anyone wondering how substantial the part is. At roughly 9.84 x 2.76 x 0.2 inches and about 1.09 ounces (31 g), this is a slim, lightweight band — exactly what you want from a component that sits on top of your head all day. Light here is a feature, not a compromise: the less the band weighs, the less pressure you feel over long listening sessions.
Who should skip it? Anyone who does not own Meze 99 Classics. This is not a universal headband, and it is not a headset. There is no driver, no cable and no microphone in the box — just the band. If you are shopping for something that makes sound, this is the wrong product entirely. If you are handy enough to follow a replacement video and you want to keep a favorite pair of headphones alive, it is a very targeted fix.
AOC's USB headset is built for talking, not for audiophile listening. The headline features are a noise-canceling microphone on a boom arm, USB-A plug-and-play, and a 6 ft cable that avoids the latency and pairing headaches of wireless. Volume is adjusted by rotating the right ear cup, and the mic mutes when you lift the boom 90 degrees — small touches that matter a lot when you are mid-meeting and need to mute fast without hunting for a button in software.
Comfort is clearly the design priority. The ear cushions are described as soft, breathable protein memory foam intended to prevent heat and sweat buildup, and the headband is adjustable and retractable to fit most head sizes. At about 5 ounces, it is light enough that the manufacturer positions it for all-day wear. That combination — light weight, breathable pads, retractable band — is exactly what you want if you sit through back-to-back calls, webinars or long online classes.
Two practical notes before you buy. First, the mic needs to sit close: keep it roughly 1 to 2 cm from your mouth for the noise reduction to actually work, and be aware that if it drifts too far from the sound source, pickup and noise reduction both suffer. Second, the headset does not support right-ear wearing — you wear it one way. It is also wired and USB-A, so it lives with your PC, laptop, tablet or Mac rather than traveling with your phone. If your setup is a desk, a monitor and a calendar full of meetings, that is a non-issue. If you need to walk around while talking, it is the wrong tool.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for replacing a worn headband → MEZE AUDIO. It exists for one job: refreshing Meze 99 Classics with a self-adjustable PU leather band.
• Best for making calls and joining meetings → AOC USB Headset. Noise-canceling mic, boom mute and on-earcup volume control are all built in.
• Best for online classes and webinars → AOC USB Headset. It is explicitly positioned for Teams, Skype, Zoom, Webex, online courses and teleconferencing.
• Best for head-size flexibility → a tie, on paper. MEZE AUDIO uses a self-adjustable band; AOC uses an adjustable, retractable one. Both are designed to fit a range of heads.
• Best if you already own Meze 99 Classics → MEZE AUDIO. You are restoring headphones you already like, not buying new ones.
• Best if you own nothing yet → AOC USB Headset. MEZE AUDIO cannot play audio at all; AOC is a complete, working headset out of the box.
• Best for zero-setup connectivity → AOC USB Headset. USB-A plug-and-play with a 6 ft cable, no pairing, no dongle, no charging.
• Best for portability between devices → neither, honestly. Both are fixed to whatever they connect to; MEZE AUDIO is a part, and AOC is a wired desk headset.
In my opinion, this comes down to one question: do you already own Meze 99 Classics? If yes, and your headband is the problem, I would buy the MEZE AUDIO replacement headband — it is a focused, lightweight, self-adjustable fix that keeps a pair of headphones you clearly like in service. If you do not own those headphones, I would buy the AOC USB Headset instead. It is the only one of the two that actually makes sound, and its noise-canceling mic, breathable memory foam pads, USB-A plug-and-play and 6 ft cable make it the more useful purchase for anyone whose day revolves around calls, classes and meetings. Before either, check the current price on Amazon — the button on this page will show you.
how to fix headband on headphones
It depends on whether the band is replaceable. On the Meze 99 Classics, the manufacturer sells a dedicated replacement headband — this MEZE AUDIO part — and provides a step-by-step video titled around replacing the headband on the 99 Classics. The self-adjustable design means the new band fits different head sizes once installed. If your headphones do not have a replaceable band design, replacement is not the route.
Yes, that is precisely what it is designed for. AOC lists compatibility with Teams, Skype, Zoom and Webex, and positions it for call centers, offices, teleconferencing, remote work, online courses and webinars. The noise-canceling boom mic helps filter background noise, provided you keep it about 1 to 2 cm from your mouth.
No — it is the headband only. The listing describes a replacement PU leather headband for Meze 99 Classics, and the product information lists just the band itself, at roughly 9.84 x 2.76 x 0.2 inches and about 1.09 ounces. There is no cable, no microphone and no audio hardware included, so it is only useful if you already own the headphones.
No. AOC states the headset does not support right-ear wearing, so it is designed for one orientation only. Plan your desk and microphone placement around that, and keep the boom positioned close to your mouth for the noise reduction to perform as intended.
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