[Fernando Goñi]

So why the leather pads?

Well, I felt with Alcantara pads the bass was a bit too much and the sound was darker overall.

 

[paul2qute]

Well, I felt with Alcantara pads the bass was a bit too much and the sound was darker overall.

Think I'll give the leather pads a miss then

 

[JamieMcC]

Well, after some listening I decided to pull the trigger. I will return the demo unit in exchange for a brand new one. I use leather pads as I much prefer the sound with them: My test was with the HP output of the Marantz NA11-S1 and today with the SE output of my DX200 (AMP1) with an adaptor from 6.3 into 3.5. And in all cases the musicality of the Empyreans made me listen and listen while enjoying the music. I can't imagine what it could be once it get the balanced cable I ordered from Norne Audio to connect it to AMP4 (which is the most musical AMP of all in the DX200).
It's expensive? Perhaps, but it is sooo good it's almost addictive. This is what I always thought a TOTL headphone should be like
How it sounds? With Leather pads, excellent bass (but I am not a basshead) not bleeding into the mids. Detailed mids, clear highs but not too bright. You can hear and distinguish the layers and components of the music, but at the same time you feel like immersed on it. Don't think the Soundstage is small at all, but most of the music I hear, Jazz, Rock, hasn't got big soundstage. I will listen later to Mahler 3rd (SFO, Michael Tilson Thomas) in DSD128 to check it.
Oh, and BTW, they are crafted like a jewel.

Been very tempted by the Marantz NA11-S1 on several occasions now, how are you getting on with it?

 

[Fernando Goñi]

Been very tempted by the Marantz NA11-S1 on several occasions now, how are you getting on with it?

I have it connected to a NAS(Synology) that is running Minix Server + Bubble Upnp so I can access both my library and Qobuz (CD Quality) in my android phone. With this versatility I enjoy a huge library at the tip of my fingers.
The sound is full and very detailed. Audio conversion is excellent and with plenty of power to feed my BAT VK300x.
At this moment I do not feel I need anything more

 

[Fernando Goñi]

Well, after some listening I decided to pull the trigger. I will return the demo unit in exchange for a brand new one. I use leather pads as I much prefer the sound with them: My test was with the HP output of the Marantz NA11-S1 and today with the SE output of my DX200 (AMP1) with an adaptor from 6.3 into 3.5. And in all cases the musicality of the Empyreans made me listen and listen while enjoying the music. I can't imagine what it could be once it get the balanced cable I ordered from Norne Audio to connect it to AMP4 (which is the most musical AMP of all in the DX200).
It's expensive? Perhaps, but it is sooo good it's almost addictive. This is what I always thought a TOTL headphone should be like
How it sounds? With Leather pads, excellent bass (but I am not a basshead) not bleeding into the mids. Detailed mids, clear highs but not too bright. You can hear and distinguish the layers and components of the music, but at the same time you feel like immersed on it. Don't think the Soundstage is small at all, but most of the music I hear, Jazz, Rock, hasn't got big soundstage. I will listen later to Mahler 3rd (SFO, Michael Tilson Thomas) in DSD128 to check it.
Oh, and BTW, they are crafted like a jewel.

Well, I have heard some Mahler (also 1st by Ivan Fischer at 24/192) and it has bigger soundstage than any of my previous Headphones. You hear the bass chords supporting the metals and in a different layer the flutes, everything together creating different music as they rose and dissapear. Compared with real life, the instruments are bit more closer together, but this is to be expected, these are headphones afer all.
I can confirm they are very comfortable

 

[Hifiearspeakers]

Well, I have heard some Mahler (also 1st by Ivan Fischer at 24/192) and it has bigger soundstage than any of my previous Headphones. You hear the bass chords supporting the metals and in a different layer the flutes, everything together creating different music as they rose and dissapear. Compared with real life, the instruments are bit more closer together, but this is to be expected, these are headphones afer all.
I can confirm they are very comfortable

Thanks for the impressions!!! Would you mind listing some of your other headphones so we can get a good idea about what soundstages you’re comparing the Empyrean to?

I know some don’t care about soundstage at all, but it’s important to me.

 

[Deftone]

I've really enjoyed the Empyean for low level listening - Excellent stage, detail and dynamics at low volumes

When people generally say low level listening, how quiet are we talking?

 

[Dobrescu George]

When people generally say low level listening, how quiet are we talking?

Whispers and ASMR

 

[Fernando Goñi]

Thanks for the impressions!!! Would you mind listing some of your other headphones so we can get a good idea about what soundstages you’re comparing the Empyrean to?

I know some don’t care about soundstage at all, but it’s important to me.

It's all in my signature.
Discounting IEMs I currently own Aeon Flow Closed, Hifiman Edition X v2, Sennheiser HD600 and NAD Viso HP50
I know they are not Soundstage Kings like HD800/S though

 

[revand]

Thank you for sharing your impressions. Much appreciated.

Just wondering if the Empyrean leaks a lot of sound (out the back) compared to the Utopia. Or is the leakage controlled, more like a semi-open phone?

During running in the Empyrean (I recommend minimum 4 days) I found that Empyrean was leaking quite a considerable amount of sound. If you use it on a train, your traveling companions will hear what you are listening even at normal volume...

 

[Nomax]

Cheers mate I really appreciate that message, be nice to meet up, nice to meet ppl with similar interests.Black hugo TT 2 and M scaler due this week but not sure on the Meze audio Empyrean mate

I am sure you will love this combo....TT2+EMPYREAN

NOMAX

 

[7onyMustDive]

During running in the Empyrean (I recommend minimum 4 days) I found that Empyrean was leaking quite a considerable amount of sound. If you use it on a train, your traveling companions will here what you are listening even at normal volume...

Thanks! This is great to know. I was thinking of using them in the office, but it seems they might leak too much sound.

 

[Nomax]

....very nice this Combo

NOMAX

 

[paul2qute]

Alca

....very nice this Combo




NOMAX

Wow looks fantastic that mate, can't wait now

 

[tunes]

Alca

Wow looks fantastic that mate, can't wait now

Can someone compare the DAVE (+) (-) HUGO Mscaler directly driving the Empyrean to the Hifiman HE 1000se, build quality aside? And then to the Abyss and Stax 009 (with Carbon)?