MEZE AUDIO ELITE - The New Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone - official thread

[Newsee]

Loving the Elite on tubes.
Such a lifelike connection to music. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Literally. Almost.
Obviously you love them on grill. Or grilled?

 

[FooFighter]

Literally. Almost.
Obviously you love them on grill. Or grilled?

"well done" Elite-steak

 

[juannycash]

Loving the Elite on tubes.
Such a lifelike connection to music. Thoroughly enjoyable.

This looks epic!

 

[betula]

Literally. Almost.
Obviously you love them on grill. Or grilled?

Haha! I actually burnt myself the other day, so I am just trying to be a bit more careful.

 

[Bones13]

Listening to a brand new pair of Elites this morning. I use Qobuz - Spring (1) KTE - V281, here at the office. I have been using a pair of Lirics in this location, but as my office has a door, I figure that I can go back to open back headphones, like I used to use in my prior office.

Wonderful headphones, I love the tone, and well balanced presentation with the soft pads. I started with the hard leather pads, and wondered if I had made a mistake. The mid and low bass were so bloated (more and more common these days, with the younger folks frequently looking for that sound). The pseudo suede pads made it wonderful. I imagine they work like sound absorbers in a speaker system room. That, and those pads are taller than the hard leathers ones. Between the thickness, and increased traction from the rougher surface, the headphones feel more secure on my head as well.

How long a burn in? Any more changes I should be looking for?

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Wonderful headphones, I love the tone, and well balanced presentation with the soft pads. I started with the hard leather pads, and wondered if I had made a mistake. The mid and low bass were so bloated (more and more common these days, with the younger folks frequently looking for that sound). The pseudo suede pads made it wonderful. I imagine they work like sound absorbers in a speaker system room. That, and those pads are taller than the hard leathers ones. Between the thickness, and increased traction from the rougher surface, the headphones feel more secure on my head as well.

When you say you started with the "hard leather pads" do you mean the hybrid pads that have leather touching your face and alcantara (suede) lining the interior of the pads? If so, I'm surprised you're finding the bass bloated. If your pair is brand new, maybe burn-in will help, but I don't know since I bought my Elite used. I haven't heard many owners describe the Elite with hybrid pads as sounding bloated in the bass. I know your amp is known for being warm, so that may be contributing as well. I personally didn't like the sound of the alcantara pads. I found them a bit muffled and bass was definitely reduced. You might be a good candidate for the new angled alcantara pads that have just been released by Meze. They are supposed to have the most balanced sound with less mid-bass than the hybrid pads.

 

[turbofeet]

Listening to a brand new pair of Elites this morning. I use Qobuz - Spring (1) KTE - V281, here at the office. I have been using a pair of Lirics in this location, but as my office has a door, I figure that I can go back to open back headphones, like I used to use in my prior office.

Wonderful headphones, I love the tone, and well balanced presentation with the soft pads. I started with the hard leather pads, and wondered if I had made a mistake. The mid and low bass were so bloated (more and more common these days, with the younger folks frequently looking for that sound). The pseudo suede pads made it wonderful. I imagine they work like sound absorbers in a speaker system room. That, and those pads are taller than the hard leathers ones. Between the thickness, and increased traction from the rougher surface, the headphones feel more secure on my head as well.

How long a burn in? Any more changes I should be looking for?

Are you sure you didn't buy the Empyreans?

Only joking of course but I also bought my Elite's new and liked them right out of the box. That said I do think they changed over the following 50hrs or so for the better. I can't recall exactly what changed and some may argue its brain burn but they seemed to open up quite a bit.

 

[Bones13]

Thanks guys, I am liking the deeper alcantera pads. I will be running them in for the next several days, and then I will re-test the pads.

 

[Toonartist]

Ok...curiosity has just proved too much. Just ordered a pair of the angled alcantara from SCV in the UK so should be with me early next week.

They said I got the last pair but they're expecting more to arrive from Meze middle of next week!

 

[Newsee]

I visited my favourite HP shop (k55.ch) to fetch my serviced Empyrean. I could not resist to collect some impressions about some here discussed beauties.

Unfortunately the Lina stack is gone. I "had to" settle for the Dave as dac/amp .

Yamaha YH-5000 : look and feel very plasticky, including headband adjusting system, I was surprised when I touched it after seeing the price label. Then the sound explained the label. Deep, clean bass, layered, detailed, (maybe first time I use these two words for bass), mids as well. Why it would not be my favourite is because 'it stings' - as a young lady described it.

All the other HPs on the picture has a very pleasant tonality that I like and could live with.

 

[Slackaveli]

Loving the Elite on tubes.
Such a lifelike connection to music. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Timeless pick, Mate.

 

[juannycash]

Listening to a brand new pair of Elites this morning. I use Qobuz - Spring (1) KTE - V281, here at the office. I have been using a pair of Lirics in this location, but as my office has a door, I figure that I can go back to open back headphones, like I used to use in my prior office.

Wonderful headphones, I love the tone, and well balanced presentation with the soft pads. I started with the hard leather pads, and wondered if I had made a mistake. The mid and low bass were so bloated (more and more common these days, with the younger folks frequently looking for that sound). The pseudo suede pads made it wonderful. I imagine they work like sound absorbers in a speaker system room. That, and those pads are taller than the hard leathers ones. Between the thickness, and increased traction from the rougher surface, the headphones feel more secure on my head as well.

How long a burn in? Any more changes I should be looking for?

Congrats on the Elites, they are phenomenal headphones. I agree and had a similar experience with the hybrid pads vs the alcantara pads. I much prefer the smoother, more spacious airy soundstage with the softer pads. They are much more comfortable as well. I don’t know if you’re aware or not but they just released new alcantara angled pads and it seems like the reviews are pretty good. If you’re looking for a stand, I have mine paired with a Room stand and it’s great!

 

[betula]

I visited my favourite HP shop (k55.ch) to fetch my serviced Empyrean. I could not resist to collect some impressions about some here discussed beauties.



Unfortunately the Lina stack is gone. I "had to" settle for the Dave as dac/amp .

Yamaha YH-5000 : look and feel very plasticky, including headband adjusting system, I was surprised when I touched it after seeing the price label. Then the sound explained the label. Deep, clean bass, layered, detailed, (maybe first time I use these two words for bass), mids as well. Why it would not be my favourite is because 'it stings' - as a young lady described it.

All the other HPs on the picture has a very pleasant tonality that I like and could live with.

Very nice! Reading a few lines on each headphones would be great, but no pressure.

 

[Toonartist]

Yeah... is that the Caldera & Atrium? I have a feeling it will be one of those two headphones that will be joining my Elites at some point! Any feedback on how they compared to the Elites would be great.

 

[Toonartist]

Well… that didn’t take long. Ordered them 24hrs ago and they’re already here. Along with a long awaited 1960s Siemens Long Plate Triple mica tube.

I have a feeling this evening will be a good one… music, new toys and a dram or two of single malt!