Meze Cable Connector FAQ: 2 Pin, MMCX and Dual Mono

Quick answer

Meze headphones use three connector families: dual mono 3.5 mm on the 99 and 105 series, MMCX on the LIRIC and POET, and mini XLR on the EMPYREAN, EMPYREAN II, ELITE and ARTA. Check the ear cup socket first, then decide whether you need a single-ended or balanced plug at the source end. The DUAL MONO 3.5 MM 99 SERIES WHITE STANDARD CABLE is the safe pick for the 99 and 105 families, while the MINI XLR SILVER-PLATED PCUHD PREMIUM CABLE covers the flagship planar models.

Most cable mistakes happen before anyone listens to music. The plug looks close enough, it seats halfway, and one channel drops out. Meze uses more than one connector system across its range, so the ear cup socket, not the model name, is the thing to check first.

This FAQ answers the questions that come up most often: what each connector looks like, which models take which plug, how dual mono 3.5 mm differs from a single 3.5 mm cable, and where an upgrade like the silver-plated PCUHD cable actually makes sense.

What are the Meze cable connector types?

There are three families. Dual mono 3.5 mm uses a separate 3.5 mm plug at each ear cup and appears across the 99 and 105 series, including the 99 NEO, 99 CLASSICS, 99 CLASSICS 2ND GEN, 105 AER, 105 SILVA, 109 PRO, STRADA, LIRIC and POET. MMCX is the small push-and-click connector used on the LIRIC and POET. Mini XLR is the larger locking plug used on the EMPYREAN, EMPYREAN II, ELITE and ARTA.

The names describe the plug at the headphone end, not the plug at your amp. That is why two cables with the same 3.5 mm jack at the source can still be completely incompatible with each other.

• Look inside the ear cup before ordering: two round sockets means dual mono, a tiny snap-in ring means MMCX, a chunky three-pin plug means mini XLR.

2 pin vs MMCX: what is the practical difference?

A 2 pin connector pushes two thin pins into a socket and relies on friction plus the housing to stay put. MMCX is a coaxial snap connector: it rotates freely once seated, which is handy if you move around a lot, but it also means the cable can swivel against your collar. Both are detachable, both are replaceable, and neither is inherently better sounding.

The real difference is handling. 2 pin connections tend to feel more rigid and are easier to reseat by feel. MMCX rewards a firm, straight push until you feel the click, and it should never be twisted in or out. If you swap cables often, treat MMCX gently and keep the connector clean.

• Never pull a cable out by the wire. Grip the plug housing, not the braid.

What is a dual mono 3.5 mm cable?

Dual mono means each ear cup gets its own 3.5 mm plug and its own signal path, rather than sharing a common return. On the 99 and 105 series this shows up as two separate plugs at the headphone end, which is why a standard single-entry cable will not fit. The DUAL MONO 3.5 MM 99 SERIES WHITE STANDARD CABLE is built this way, with a straight, highly flexible OFC copper cable in a Kevlar reinforced fabric jacket and gold-plated 3.5 mm plugs with aluminium casing.

At the source end, dual mono cables can be terminated single-ended or balanced depending on the cable. The headphone side looks identical either way, so read the product listing for the source plug before you assume it will work with a balanced output.

• Dual mono describes the headphone end. Balanced or single-ended describes the amp end. They are separate questions.

Which cable fits which Meze headphone?

For the 99 NEO, 99 CLASSICS, 99 CLASSICS 2ND GEN, 105 AER, 105 SILVA, 109 PRO, STRADA, LIRIC and POET, the dual mono 3.5 mm standard cable is the direct match. For the EMPYREAN, EMPYREAN II, ELITE and ARTA, you need a mini XLR cable such as the MINI XLR SILVER-PLATED PCUHD PREMIUM CABLE. If you own headphones from both families, you need two cables, not one adapter.

Do not force a plug that does not seat smoothly. A 3.5 mm plug pushed into an MMCX socket, or the reverse, will damage the connector long before it improves anything.

• Match the ear cup socket first, then the source plug, then the length and termination style.

Do I need a balanced cable?

Only if your source has a balanced output and you want to use it. A balanced connection separates the left and right return paths, which can lower noise on long runs and typically raises available power. On efficient headphones the audible difference is often small; on harder-to-drive planar models it can be more noticeable.

Buy the cable that matches your amp, not the cable that sounds most impressive on paper. If your player only has a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, a balanced cable will not help until you change the source.

• Check the amp's output label: 2.5 mm, 4.4 mm and 4-pin XLR are balanced; a plain 3.5 mm or 6.35 mm jack is usually single-ended.

When is a premium cable worth it?

A premium cable makes the most sense when you already like the headphone and want a longer, more comfortable or better-shielded run. The MINI XLR SILVER-PLATED PCUHD PREMIUM CABLE is made with Furukawa copper wire coated in pure silver, combining silver's conductivity with copper's durability, and is intended as an upgrade path for the EMPYREAN, EMPYREAN II, ELITE and ARTA.

If you are still deciding between headphones, spend there first. A cable changes ergonomics, termination options and long-term durability more reliably than it changes the fundamental character of a headphone.

• Buy a premium cable for the fit, length and connector quality you need, and treat sound changes as a bonus rather than a promise.

How do I keep connectors working properly?

Keep the plugs clean and dry, and store cables loosely coiled rather than tightly wrapped around a phone or stand. Repeated tight bends stress the joint where the wire meets the plug, which is the most common failure point. The MANTA headphone stand includes a folding fin for cable management, which keeps the cable supported instead of hanging from the connector.

If a channel cuts out, reseat both ear cup plugs before assuming the cable has failed. A partially seated dual mono plug is a far more common cause than a broken conductor.

• Unplug by the housing, coil at roughly 10 cm diameter, and avoid leaving cables under tension.

Connector quick-check

My ear cups have two round 3.5 mm sockets

You need a dual mono 3.5 mm cable such as the DUAL MONO 3.5 MM 99 SERIES WHITE STANDARD CABLE, not a single-entry cable. Confirm the source plug matches your amp before ordering.

My cable clicks into a tiny rotating socket

That is MMCX, used on the LIRIC and POET. Push straight in until it clicks and pull straight out by the housing. Never twist an MMCX plug to remove it.

My ear cups take a chunky locking plug

That is mini XLR, used on the EMPYREAN, EMPYREAN II, ELITE and ARTA, matched by the MINI XLR SILVER-PLATED PCUHD PREMIUM CABLE. Mini XLR cables will not fit the 99 or 105 series.

One channel keeps dropping out

Reseat both ear cup plugs fully and test again before replacing the cable. A partially seated plug is the usual culprit.

Connector facts at a glance

• DUAL MONO 3.5 MM 99 SERIES WHITE STANDARD CABLE: Compatible with 99 NEO, 99 CLASSICS, 99 CLASSICS 2ND GEN, 105 AER, 105 SILVA, 109 PRO, STRADA, LIRIC and POET, with a detachable straight cable made from highly flexible OFC copper in a Kevlar reinforced fabric jacket and gold-plated 3.5 mm plugs with aluminium casing. This is the direct-fit replacement or spare for most of the current dynamic range, and the fabric jacket resists the tangling that shortens cable life.
• MINI XLR SILVER-PLATED PCUHD PREMIUM CABLE: Compatible with EMPYREAN, EMPYREAN II, ELITE and ARTA, manufactured using Furukawa copper wire coated with pure silver to combine silver's conductive properties with copper's durability. If you own a flagship planar Meze headphone, this is the correct connector family, and the silver-plated copper build is aimed at listeners chasing more depth from an existing pair.
• MANTA HEADPHONE STAND: Sculpted from high-grade materials with a folding fin for cable management. A supported cable suffers less strain at the plug joint than one dangling from the ear cup, which is where most connector wear begins.

Identify the ear cup socket first, then the source plug, then the length and termination you actually need. Get those three right and the rest of the cable conversation becomes much simpler.