Sometimes with our Massdrop Made products, we go pretty far to end up close to where we started. In the case of the 99 Noir, we began 2 years ago with prototypes that had varying reductions in bass—and even prototype drivers aiming for a more neutral sound. But after rounds of testing and community feedback, we realized we had lost a lot of what made the 99 Classics special. In the end, we decided not to change the sound signature at all, so the reviews you see of the 99 Classics are representative of what you’ll hear with the 99 Noir.

As for the colorway, Meze worked hard to provide us with different finishes and colors of wood, hardware, logos, and screws. We then used these samples to mock up further combinations in Photoshop. Images went out to select members of the community, who came back with their opinions. Eventually, we requested a special, community-designed combination to create the final look you see on this page. Lots of care, handiwork, communication, and patience went into this collaboration to get you the revered sound of the 99 Classics with an updated aesthetic. We thank our partners at Meze Audio for making it possible!