99 Classics (2nd Gen) vs ARTA: which needs more amplifier?

The Meze 99 Classics (2nd Gen) is 16Ω at 103.0 dB/mW; the Meze ARTA is 225Ω at 98.0 dB/mW. This page is only about what they ask of an amplifier — not how they sound, which no specification on either sheet can tell you.

The ARTA needs 5.0 dB more than the 99 Classics (2nd Gen) to reach the same loudness — 1.6 mW against 0.50 mW.

The numbers that decide it

Specification99 Classics (2nd Gen)ARTA
Impedance16 Ω225 Ω
Sensitivity103.0 dB/mW98.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (voltage)121.0 dB/V104.5 dB/V
Power for 100 dB0.50 mW1.6 mW
Voltage for 100 dB90 mV0.60 V
Current for 100 dB5.6 mA2.7 mA
Highest source impedance
that leaves them alone (one-eighth rule)
2.00 Ω28.12 Ω
Sources that reach 100 dB
out of 280
280280

Where the two part company

Every source in the database that drives one of them drives the other. On power, the choice between these two changes nothing about what amplifier you need.

19 sources are low enough in output impedance for the ARTA under the one-eighth rule but not for the 99 Classics (2nd Gen) (Zoom AMS-22, Arturia MiniFuse 2, Arturia MiniFuse 1, 16 more).

280 of the 280 sources here reach 100 dB on both. That count is about power only — the output-impedance and hiss lines above are separate questions, and a source can pass this one and fail those.

Both pages in full

Each model has a page of its own with the full source list, the hiss estimate and the provenance of every figure above: Meze 99 Classics (2nd Gen) and Meze ARTA. Every figure on this page comes from what Meze published, or is derived from it — what that maker publishes, counted.