Meze Empyrean II: renewing excellence

Meze is back with the highly awaited successor to the Empyrean: the Meze Empyrean II open-back headphones. Discover the latest hi-fi gem from the Romanian brand, who is ready to redefine high fidelity standards.

By creating the Meze Empyrean 2, Meze promises to meet the expectations of audiophiles looking for neutral sound while preserving ease of use. Meze has continued its collaboration with Rinaro for the development of its transducers, notably using the Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology. Sold for €2,999 like their predecessor, will the new Meze Empyrean II headphones be able to compete with the Meze Empyrean and Meze Empyrean Elite?

Note that the Meze Empyrean II will replace the original Meze Empyrean.

Meze Empyrean II: accessories

The Meze Empyrean II come with a carrying case, which benefits from a significant redesign compared to its predecessor. Made of highly resistant ABS, the case is now more compact but just as solid. It features a foam insert and an elegant leather handle.

Inside the case are the Meze Empyrean II headphones, their audio cable, here the Meze Empyrean 6.35mm jack cable, and a second pair of ear pads. The duo (hybrid) ear pads, lined with leather and Alcantara, are mounted on the headphones at the factory. The second set of ear pads are entirely covered with perforated Alcantara and have an angled design. 

The Y-cable features lockable 4-pin mini XLR balanced connectors. Each connector is identified by a colored ring (red = right side / blue = left side). It’s a shame, however, that a balanced cable isn’t included with the headphones. Note that the Meze Empyrean 3.5mm jack cable (1.2m), Meze Empyrean XLR cable (2.5m), Meze 4.4mm silver plated balanced cable (1.3m) and Meze 2.5mm silver plated balanced cable (1.3m) are all compatible with this second generation.

Meze Empyrean II: presentation

Design

At first glance, the Meze Empyrean 2 headphones have the distinctive aesthetic of the Empyrean series, with a few subtle differences. The ultra-light carbon fiber headband and leather headrest remain the same. The designation “II” has been added, differentiating this model from its predecessor. What’s more, this second iteration adopts a matte black finish, while details such as the gloss black vertical stem and silver accents with the Meze Audio logo add a touch of elegance.

Meze Audio is renowned for the elegant grilles of its headphones’ ear cups. The Meze Empyrean II are no exception, with a variation on the iconic Art Deco inspired “Y” motif. Inside the ear pads, the drivers are concealed behind the ear cup fabric. What’s more, a thin membrane now covers the transducer, ensuring a clean look even when the ear pads are removed.

With the new Meze Empyrean II headphones, Meze Audio has solidified the high-end standards established by the previous model. Every aspect of the headphones’ chassis has been meticulously designed for easy disassembly and maintenance. This characteristic, shared with the Meze 109 Pro Primal limited edition headphones, reflects Meze’s commitment to sustainable headphone design.

Planar Magnetic (Isodynamic) transducers

renewed its partnership with Rinaro, the Ukranian Planar Magnetic (Isodynamic) specialist.  At the heart of the headphones are the advanced MZ3 transducers with Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology. Patented in several countries, this system combines two independent voice coils, shaped like spirals and a zigzag, offering sonic precision calibrated to the ear’s shape. 

The switchback coil is the most effective for low frequency reproduction and is situated on the top part of the transducer. The spiral coil is adapted to mid and high frequency reproduction. It is positioned directly opposite the ear canal, which allows sound waves to enter the ear without any delay.

The isodynamic diaphragm is placed in between two neodymium magnet arrays, ensuring precise movement. They are positioned on either side of the diaphragm, forming a hybrid network and enabling uniform activation across the entire diaphragm surface. The oval-shaped diaphragm hugs the shells of the headphones, preserving an emissive surface area of 4,650mm² and maximizing the diffusion zone to deliver a more enveloping sound.

MZ3 transducer specifications

Measurements

The Meze Empyrean II headphones’ drivers provide an exceptional frequency response of 8Hz to 110kHz, with less than 0.1% of distortion. These headphones have a high sensitivity of 105 dB and an impedance of 32 ohms. They still require a high-quality source, such as a DAP or dedicated headphone amp, with a decent current reserve to deliver their full musical potential.

Comfort

The Meze Empyrean II open-back headphones ensure excellent comfort thanks to their ergonomic design. The height of the ear cups can be adjusted and they can pivot 360° thanks to a metal stem that is mounted on a spring-loaded hinge for a perfect fit on the listener’s head.

Moreover, they are lighter than their predecessors: 385g compared to 430g (without earpads). This weight is evenly distributed across the head. Very comfortable, they’re perfect for long listening sessions at home. Because they’re an open-back model, their limited sound isolation makes them suitable for listening to music in quiet, noise-free environments.

Earpads

The Duo earpads that are pre-mounted on the Meze Empyrean II headphones harmoniously combine premium leather and Alcantara. These materials were chosen to provide an excellent tonal balance that is perfectly suited to diverse musical genres.

The second pair of earpads are made of soft Alcantara-covered foam, incorporating a fine protective mesh on the surface. Their angular structure is designed to enhance the reproduction of the most complex details and nuances of recordings. By offering more space inside the earpiece, this particular shape creates a more spacious sound signature, promising more precise bass and greater presence in the midrange. Unfortunately, our test model was only accompanied by the Duo ear pads, so we were unable to assess the performance of the 100% Alcantara models.

Meze Empyrean II: key specifications

• Open-back over-ear headphones
• Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array transducers: 102 x 73mm
• Frequency response: 8Hz to 110kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 105 dB
• Weight: 385g

Meze Empyrean II: listening conditions

To test these exceptional headphones, we paired them with the FiiO R7 headphone amplifier and network player, as well as with the Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition amplifier. We listened to DSD and 24-bit/192kHz files saved locally, as well as Hi-Res music streamed from Qobuz.

Meze Empyrean II: listening impressions

The Meze Empyrean II open-back headphones impressed us with their ability to uncover a multitude of sonic details. With the track I. Allegro moderato (Live at Wigmore Hell Recital) by Antonio Meneses, we could hear the musician’s fingers skimming the piano keys, the bow on the violin strings, and the violinist’s breathing during his performance. The details were so rich and the spatialization so remarkable that the instruments seemed to come alive in front of us.

With the Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars’ Dream a Little Dream of Me, the bass and low mids were well-defined. The notes of the double bass had impressive impact, and were strikingly precise and controlled, without ever overpowering the other frequencies. The performance of the brass instruments was accurately reproduced, even in the highest notes. In the background, the drums blended harmoniously with the musical performance as a whole. In addition, the singer’s voice took center stage, offering a listening experience that highlighted his distinctive vocal timbre.

With the track “Time” from the Hans Zimmer – Live compilation, the Meze Empyrean II open-back headphones provided a vast soundstage in which the instruments were perfectly positioned. They delivered punchy bass, and the reproduction faithfully conveyed the composer’s intentions.

Meze Empyrean II: compared to…

Meze Empyrean: the second generation stands out for its remarkable accuracy, proving to be the more neutral of the two. Vocals are clearer and more energetic. The bass retains its characteristic presence, but seems to reveal more depth and control.

Meze Empyrean Elite: the ultra-high-end Meze Elite headphones remain the brand’s flagship model, delivering an even wider soundstage and richer midrange. However, it’s clear that the Meze Empyrean II headphones come close to the excellence of the Elite, delivering a highly analytical sound signature with remarkable balance across the entire sound spectrum, from the lowest to the highest frequencies.

Meze Empyrean II: who are they for?

The Meze Empyrean II open-back headphones are suitable for audiophiles and music lovers looking for an exceptional listening experience. Their neutral sound signature, accurate reproduction of recordings and ability to reveal the finest details will suit discerning enthusiasts looking for premium performance. Their comfort, versatility and ability to deliver an immersive experience make them a perfect choice for passionate music lovers.

Meze Empyrean II: conclusion

The Meze Empyrean II headphones are a high-end model unrivalled in many respects. The sound quality is outstanding in every respect, offering an even more exquisite listening experience than their already exceptional predecessor. They surprise with their ability to offer greater detail, clarity and transparency in the mids, while considerably refining their low-frequency performance.

We liked

• The accurate reproduction of recordings
• The reproduction of the slightest details
• The deep, controlled lows
• The comfort
• The high-quality materials and the fact that they can be repaired

We would have liked

• Included balanced and unbalanced cables