Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

New Products

Meze Audio’s Empyrean II Headphones Aim to Exceed Some Enormous Expectations

Can the new Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones exceed rather high expectations? We suspect these are going to become a new reference in high-end headphone performance.

Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones

I remember meeting Antonio Meze at CES many years ago and thinking that he was a genius for walking around the show and giving attendees the opportunity to listen to the Meze 99 Classics that quickly became the talk of the Head-Fi community.

With almost no marketing budget, this tiny Romanian company flew across the pond and took a chance; their success has not been a fluke and when you look at the myriad of headphones and IEMs that they have brought to market over the past 7 years, it is clear that they know how to engineer some of the best headphones in the world and that they love what they do.

Meze Audio is a small company and their resilience in the face of the pandemic and Russian invasion of Ukraine which impacted their partners at Rinaro Isodynamics, who are based in Lviv, tells you everything you need to know about their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity.

After almost 25 years in the industry, I can honestly say that they may be the most gracious and decent collection of people I have met in the consumer A/V space.

Meze Audio Empyrean Planar Magnetic Headphones in Black / Copper
Meze Audio Empyrean (original version)

The 99 Classics may have been the product on which they cut their teeth, but the original Meze Audio Empyrean (was $2,999, now $2,229) changed everything in the high-end headphone space for a lot of people.

Audeze and Focal did not see the Empyrean coming and its success forced both to go back to the drawing board and focus on how to build something superior.

Meze pushed forward with customized iterations of the Empyrean and eventually introduced the $4,000 ELITE (read our review here), but an updated version of the award-winning headphones was long overdue according to some.

The Meze Audio Empyrean II are finally here and they come with enormous expectations.

Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones Angle
Meze Audio Empyrean II

For their second-generation model, Meze Audio’s specialists have further refined the exceptional Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver design from Rinaro Isodynamics, delivering a step-change performance.

“When creating Empyrean II, our goal was to enhance the headphones’ ability to reproduce fine details and achieve a more neutral sound signature, all the while preserving the original “easy to listen to” character. With this in mind, our engineers have masterfully harnessed the driver’s power to reveal new possibilities in terms of responsiveness and accuracy and even make the driver more reliable in challenging acoustic environments,” explains Meze Audio’s Managing Director,
Mircea Fanatan.

Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones Earcup

Crafted with precision via CNC milling, Empyrean II’s frame features a sleek black  matte finish with silver accents, and a redesigned aluminium grille inspired by art  deco artistry. With a nod to the past and a vision for the future, the new headphone  is a testament to Meze Audio’s passion for blending classic aesthetics with modern sophistication.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“When we first talked about creating the second generation of Empyrean, I knew it would be far from easy. With many ideas in mind, I reached out to our community, eager to gather their feedback in any way I could,” explained Meze Acoustic Engineer, Alex Grigoras.

“What followed was a test of patience and precision. At first, the
possibilities seemed endless, but reality showed us that only a few of our plans were feasible. We made a lot of revisions to discover the right proportions and materials that would deliver the sound signature we aimed for.”

Empyrean II also comes with two sets of ear pads included, each designed for a  different experience.  

Meze Audio Empyrean II Angled Alcantara Earpads
Angled Alcantara earpads
Meze Audio Empyrean II Duo Earpads
All-new Duo earpads.

Featuring the most advanced ear pads in the Empyrean series to date, the all-new Duo ear pads are bespoke to Empyrean II. Crafted from a precise blend of premium leather and Alcantara, they introduce a contemporary look and tone. With leather forming the base half and Alcantara covering the rest, these earpads deliver a  harmonious tonal balance that resonates across all music genres.  

The benefit of the angled Alcantara ear pads is that it creates more space inside the ear pad, which translates to an airier sound signature, with cleaner bass and improved midrange presence.

Isomagneteic Earcup to Earpad Coupling Technology

Rinaro’s Isomagnetic coupling technology makes switching between the two sets of earpads much easier. It utilizes the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to secure the earcup in place, while simultaneously redirecting the magnetic field  back into the driver, thereby enhancing efficiency.

Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones Back

Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver  

The Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver combines individual switchback and spiral shaped voice coils in one driver, allowing sound to be targeted with more accuracy around the natural form of the ear.

The new driver features total harmonic distortion (THD) that measures under 0.1% across the entire frequency range and the decrease in driver weight has allowed Meze to create a new version of the Empyrean that is easier to wear for longer listening sessions.

Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones Side

Another design element includes the hybrid magnet array; symmetrically placed on each side of the diaphragm, the neodymium magnets are specifically arranged into a hybrid array to create the efficient Isodynamic magnetic field required for a uniform activation across the whole diaphragm surface.

The Rinaro Isoplanar diaphragm weighs only 0.16 grams while having 4650 mm2 of active area. 

The frame is manufactured from fiberglass infused ABS for both weight and structural rigidity.

Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones Side

Specifications

  • Driver Type – Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver 
  • Operating Principle – Open 
  • Ear Coupling – Circumaural 
  • Frequency Response – 8 – 110,000 Hz 
  • Impedance – 32 Ohms 
  • Sensitivity – 105 dB SPL @ 1 V, 1 kHz 
  • Maximum SPL – >130 dB 
  • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) – <%0.5 (in the whole frequency range)
  • Weight – 385 g (without earpads) 

MZ3 Driver

  • Geometrical Shape – Ovoid 
  • Size – 102 mm x 73 mm 
  • Weight – 82 grams 
  • Casing – Fiberglass infused ABS 

Diaphragm

  • Type – Rinaro Isoplanar [MZ3] 
  • Active Area – 4650 mm2 
  • Weight – 0.16 g 
  • Acoustic Mass – 10.7 kg/m4 
  • Lower Frequency Limit – 8 Hz 
  • Upper Frequency Limit – 110,000 Hz 

Magnet 

  • Array Type – Isodynamic 
  • Size – 75 mm x 49 mm 
  • Magnetic Flux – 0.35 T 
Suitcase for Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones

Accessories

  • Case: High-strength ABS plastic suitcase with foam inserts and leather handle 
  • Two sets of earpads included:
    • Duo Earpads
    • Angled Alcantara
  • Cable type: Premium Silver-plated or Copper PCUHD 
  • Connector type: 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm (1/8 in), 4.4 mm, 6.3 mm (1/4 in), 4-pin XLR
Man wearing Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones

Price & Availability

The Meze Audio Empyrean II are available starting November 8, 2023 for $2,999 at Headphones.com, mezeaudio.com, mezeaudio.eu and in selected dealers’ stores worldwide. International pricing is set at €2,999 or £2,749.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Zeitgeist Germany Tree Collection IEMs

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

At $814, Zeitgeist Germany offers bespoke IEMs carved from 4 different types of wood -- Sequoia, Zebrano, Olive and Redheart.

TCL A1 Portable Lifestyle Projector TCL A1 Portable Lifestyle Projector

New Products

At $499, the TCL A1 is a 1080p portable lifestyle projector that lets you bring big screen entertainment wherever you go.

Bose 901 60th Anniversary Edition Speakers Lifestyle Front Bose 901 60th Anniversary Edition Speakers Lifestyle Front

Bookshelf Speakers

Without any public fanfare, Bose has recreated its legendary 901 Direct Reflecting Loudspeakers that we would like to see and hear in person.

Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl Phono Stage Silver Front Angle Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl Phono Stage Silver Front Angle

New Products

Musical Fidelity's new flagship M8x Vinyl Phono Stage is both fully discrete and fully balanced with improved gain stage and more.

Master & Dynamic ME05 Wired Earphones Master & Dynamic ME05 Wired Earphones

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

Are wired earphones coming back? The new $199 Master & Dynamic ME05 in-ear headphones refresh a 10-year old design with added support for hi-res...

McIntosh MSA5500 Integrated Streaming Amplifier (Front) McIntosh MSA5500 Integrated Streaming Amplifier (Front)

Digital Music Systems

At $8,000, the McIntosh MSA5500 streaming integrated amplifier isn't for everybody, but it's hard not to be impressed with its styling and audio technology.

Gift Ideas?

Cyber Monday 2024 Gift Guide

Gift Guides

Cyber Monday 2024 deals you won't want to miss out on from SVS, RSL, THX, Technics, Creative, Denon, Samsung and more.

You May Also Like

Digital Music Systems

At $8,000, the McIntosh MSA5500 streaming integrated amplifier isn't for everybody, but it's hard not to be impressed with its styling and audio technology.

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Amazon introduces top-of-the-line Omni Series Mini-LED QLED 4K TVs in sizes from 55 to 85-inches at affordable price points.

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

At $449, the Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 wireless noise cancelling earbuds drop xMEMS support in favor of a new hybrid 5-driver array.

New Products

At $2,899, the HiFiMAN ISVARNA offers both planar magnetic and dynamic drivers to boost the low frequencies in a closed-back design.

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

Are wired earphones coming back? The new $199 Master & Dynamic ME05 in-ear headphones refresh a 10-year old design with added support for hi-res...

A/V Receivers & Preamp/Processors

The Goerdyna Group has announced the creation of Goer Dynamics B.V. with the acquisition of the AURO-3D technology platform.

Dongle DACs

At $129, the Questyle M15c Mobile Headphone Amplifier with DAC is priced between the M12i and M15i. Find out which one is right for...

Over-Ear Headphones

At $399, the Meze 105 AER open-back headphones feature trickle-down technology from the 109 PRO headphones for half the price.

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers