Meze EMPYREAN - the First Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone

[adydula]

So tell me do you own the Empys or have you listened with them???

Elitism???

 

[dRnRcR]

Heres my answer for you. I was considering. I read lots of reviews. I came here to read some more. Then all this hot air and passive aggressiveness came out. Completely turned me off.

Thank you. I remember you as lost33 on the old discord for Tyler and Dex. I thought you were a nice guy. Now i feel like you just want to belittle and discredit people.

 

[Arcayne]

I don't think the hysteria is about driftingbunny's review. That was ok and fair. The hysteria is more about other negative reviews from headphones.com that go against the majority of online positive Empyrean reviews. And their potential bias to Focal and other supporters.
I know nothing just summing up the facts I have seen so far.

Idk, if the recent Clear MG review was paid for to support Focal, Resolve didn't do all that great of a job. Don't forget to include that fact as well.

 

[adydula]

Nothing like airing it out in public!! Thanks!

No discrediting here...just reading a review and stating the opposite opinion to be fair and balanced.

If you let a discussion on the internet that you dont like change your mind about a product well thats just
plain silly.

You might just be missing out on a great product.

Why dont you try them for YOURSELF and make that decision?

Alex

 

[Ichos]

Most of this discussion is going to be deleted by tomorrow so there is no point to keep it going.

Relax and listen to some music!

 

[Hifiearspeakers]

Wouldn't this reversely be a good argument for why these pages would need to focus on providing either accurate or entertaining information? They have something to lose by losing credibility. And providing nothing but awards and praise for every product that is marketed on the sidebar will make the page rather uninteresting. I have not read the reviews, I'm just saying that "they need money from ads" isn't a homerun argument for why a reviewer would be untrustworthy.

Furthermore, hobbyists who have no financial incentive to be accurate (or consider preferences other than their own) have more leeway to make "controversial" statements for attention, or to gain credibility within specific circles. That your statements do not affect your income doesn't make them more trustworthy, it may even make them less trustworthy due to human bias and tribal behaviour.

As an example: “The tour was arranged by headphone.com, a prominent reviewer for which made similar criticism in his review, and when they arrange a tour large parts of their community agrees. Sound like confirmation bias.”

or some feverish nonsense: “headphones.com have a positive review of the Focal Celeste in their review section, and they advertise the headphone on their front-page for sale. They also re-reviewed the Utopias favourably and have a lot of Focal products on their front page. headphones.com are clearly earning higher margin on Focal headphones, they are biased and can’t be trusted!”

Just to be clear, I do not hold either of the above views. I'm just saying that your argumentation can easily be bent to fit a different narrative. And I suggest you focus on articulating your experience with Empyreans rather than slandering publications which are amplifying the joys of this hobby to people outside the forums.

Just to declare my bias:
I like my Empys, they sound good enough for me, the sound signature doesn't irritate my sensitivity to sibilance, and they have an enjoyable sound for the music I listen to (lots of metal and rock (with all their know flaws in recording quality)). I've never compared my Empys against Utopias, Sundaras, Diana's or other similarly priced headphones and have no current plans or interest to do so. I found what works for me, and I’m more interested in improving the speakers throughout my house.

Human bias and tribal error? So only those who post a critical review can be afflicted with those qualities? First of all, ALL reviews are SUBJECTIVE so human bias is inherent at all times, whether you praise or pan something.
How about we start putting a microscope on all positive reviews and see if they can stand up to such intense scrutiny as well? Let’s delve into your background and motivations and see whether your opinion can be trusted? You can be the magistrate over the authenticity of driftingbunnies and I’ll be the magistrate over you!

OR how about everyone just chills the hell out and let people express their opinions in peace? How about just say you disagree, express your differing opinion, and then move on? Live and let live.

 

[adydula]

Finally a voice of reason!

 

[betula]

Heres my answer for you. I was considering. I read lots of reviews. I came here to read some more. Then all this hot air and passive aggressiveness came out. Completely turned me off.

Thank you. I remember you as lost33 on the old discord for Tyler and Dex. I thought you were a nice guy. Now i feel like you just want to belittle and discredit people.

I start to feel I am missing out on the bigger picture. I am just a casual Head-Fi visitor with no other headphone forum experience. It seems bigger constellations than me are in debate.

 

[Fegefeuer]

Be the love generation guys.

I don't know how to copy Qobuz links from Roon and don't understand why Roon just exports a picture but here's an easy song for your Empys.

 

[adydula]

Human bias and tribal error? So only those who post a critical review can be afflicted with those qualities? First of all, ALL reviews are SUBJECTIVE so human bias is inherent at all times, whether you praise or pan something.
How about we start putting a microscope on all positive reviews and see if they can stand up to such intense scrutiny as well? Let’s delve into your background and motivations and see whether your opinion can be trusted? You can be the magistrate over the authenticity of driftingbunnies and I’ll be the magistrate over you!

OR how about everyone just chills the hell out and let people express their opinions in peace? How about just say you disagree, express your differing opinion, and then move on? Live and let live.

Ok let me start then.

From a recent review:

Soundstage and Layering – The soundstage of the Empyreans is average when it comes to headphones. It’s not quite as round and compact as the Utopia but it isn’t that wide either. I found that the layering of the Empyreans needed some work. During busier sections, the headphone felt congested and stuffy. Certain instruments got lost in the mix or details weren’t as present.

I have a totally different experience here. I think the Meze Emperyeans have one of the best soundstages of most any modern day headphone. Up, down, forward, in back and from side to side...very 3d holographic. I can cite several musical examples and have in this thread earlier. I think this is one of the best attributes of these Empyreans.

Alex

 

[dRnRcR]

I start to feel I am missing out on the bigger picture. I am just a casual Head-Fi visitor with no other headphone forum experience. It seems bigger constellations than me are in debate.

There's no history for me here. I never had an issue with Alex. I just think this conversation is childish and really takes away from the product.

 

[adydula]

Then lets talk about the product then...in a positive way.

:>)

 

[Bompah]

I would appreciate it if you read a bit more before singling me out since I made no argument saying that reviewer is untrustworthy. I can state them again since they were missed the first time but the facts are this. I post a review/impression, then another person comes in and tries to belittle my impressions because all of these other publications that review the Empyrean very highly. I state that most of these publications rely on some sort of revenue and it benefits them if they continue to post good reviews because it drives traffic and brings in ad revenue. That is just a general assumption for most publications and that is how most publications work. Therefore, I suggest everyone to read a review with a grain of salt and make their own determination. If my view does not match yours, that is perfectly fine. Same as my view not matching all the various publications that posted to "counter" my impressions.

Not all reviews or impressions are untrustworthy but it has been insinuated that somehow mine is because I posted it on the other forum and that there is a secret Empyrean haters club that all congregate there. I read all the reviews just like everyone else here. Good or bad. Each review is just a data point. When I see a product receive all positive reviews and no negative reviews, I start to get really suspicious of the product. No product is perfect.

I have no issue with your review or where it was posted, I took an issue with you writing a list of publications and insinuating that they are untrustworthy because they are reliant on advertising and footfall. I may have read that wrong (sorry), but that was the impression I was given. That was what I took issue with, that is what I responded to.

I agree with the sentiment that all reviews should be taken with a generous helping of salt, be they negative or positive, affirming or detracting, professional or hobbyist. And I think some of the Empyrean hype is overblown, they are great headphones, but they aren't the second coming.

I have no sympathy for people belittling the reviews and experiences of others, or people attacking experiences which are contrary to their own. If that is what you have been subjected to here (I mostly skim-read these threads so don't have a coherent picture), then on behalf of sensible Empy owners I apologise, I don't support that type of behaviour. Especially when someone has taken the time to write up a comprehensive review.

So no piling on, thank you for taking the time to write up a review of your experience and sharing your findings with us. I'm sorry if some Empy owners have taken to attacking you for that rather than welcoming a discussion about a difference in experience.

 

[Hifiearspeakers]

I have no issue with your review or where it was posted, I took an issue with you writing a list of publications and insinuating that they are untrustworthy because they are reliant on advertising and footfall. I may have read that wrong (sorry), but that was the impression I was given. That was what I took issue with, that is what I responded to.

I agree with the sentiment that all reviews should be taken with a generous helping of salt, be they negative or positive, affirming or detracting, professional or hobbyist. And I think some of the Empyrean hype is overblown, they are great headphones, but they aren't the second coming.

I have no sympathy for people belittling the reviews and experiences of others, or people attacking experiences which are contrary to their own. If that is what you have been subjected to here (I mostly skim-read these threads so don't have a coherent picture), then on behalf of sensible Empy owners I apologise, I don't support that type of behaviour. Especially when someone has taken the time to write up a comprehensive review.

So no piling on, thank you for taking the time to write up a review of your experience and sharing your findings with us. I'm sorry if some Empy owners have taken to attacking you for that rather than welcoming a discussion about a difference in experience.

This is just excellent. I applaud you sir.

 

[betula]

Ok let me start then.

From a recent review:

Soundstage and Layering – The soundstage of the Empyreans is average when it comes to headphones. It’s not quite as round and compact as the Utopia but it isn’t that wide either. I found that the layering of the Empyreans needed some work. During busier sections, the headphone felt congested and stuffy. Certain instruments got lost in the mix or details weren’t as present.

I have a totally different experience here. I think the Meze Emperyeans have one of the best soundstages of most any modern day headphone. Up, down, forward, in back and from side to side...very 3d holographic. I can cite several musical examples and have in this thread earlier. I think this is one of the best attributes of these Empyreans.

Alex

This current debate doesn't seem to lead anywhere, but I have to admit that I also disagree with the quoted review statement.
The Empyrean has a very nice 3 dimensional space. Not HD800S huge but equally expanded to all three dimensions which can't be said about many other headphones. Depth is often missing with other candidates.
Layering and positioning is also a strength of the Empyrean in my opinion. It is definitely better than the Arya or the LCD-X which two are considered the rulers of mid-fi.
Just my opinion. Just another data point.