Meze EMPYREAN - the First Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone

[Wladimir]

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of length of time for burn in. Reason I am thinking of this is so I know when to switch out the leather ear pad.

Has anyone had any experience with the cable upgrades offered by Meze? I currently have the stiff stock cable. I am not so bothered by the stiffness but was wondering what the copper and the SPC cables bring to the table.

Thanks in advance!

I'm making a scrupulous tracking of how my pair gets the burn-in and I considered 150 hrs as a minimum, now clocking 200hrs and up till recently they're still making progress.

Interestingly this discussion has rekindled my interest in the Empyrean. It was my first high end headphone. I loved it, but at the time, I was looking for more resolution/details, and I moved on to the TC, Susvara, LCD 4. Now that I have better gear and the ability to EQ, I'd like to try it again and maybe add it back to the stable for a complementary sound signature. When I see a good deal I may go for it.

Just make sure to use some good silver cable, as it really lifts resolution/details/treble energy to completely different level.

 

[bpiotrow13]

I am thinking on changing my streamer (bluesound node 2i, i am only using it as a streamer). I understand digital streaming may have significant impact on sound so would like to upgrade it. I am contemplating Lumin u1 mini or Moon Neo Mind 2. Has anybody any experience with those, in particular their synergy with Empys? I wonder which would be better.

 

[saudio7]

Interestingly this discussion has rekindled my interest in the Empyrean. It was my first high end headphone. I loved it, but at the time, I was looking for more resolution/details, and I moved on to the TC, Susvara, LCD 4. Now that I have better gear and the ability to EQ, I'd like to try it again and maybe add it back to the stable for a complementary sound signature. When I see a good deal I may go for it.

For me Meze are very good for log sessions you can have your music in background with very good quality and do other things, but when you want to go to concert there are much better choices.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Interestingly this discussion has rekindled my interest in the Empyrean. It was my first high end headphone. I loved it, but at the time, I was looking for more resolution/details, and I moved on to the TC, Susvara, LCD 4. Now that I have better gear and the ability to EQ, I'd like to try it again and maybe add it back to the stable for a complementary sound signature. When I see a good deal I may go for it.

I recommend a silver cable, they really benefit from it in terms of detail retrieval.
Just something to keep in mind when reevaluating them

 

[lumdicks]

I am thinking on changing my streamer (bluesound node 2i, i am only using it as a streamer). I understand digital streaming may have significant impact on sound so would like to upgrade it. I am contemplating Lumin u1 mini or Moon Neo Mind 2. Has anybody any experience with those, in particular their synergy with Empys? I wonder which would be better.

I am going to get the Lumin U1 Mini tomorrow to replace my iMac as source, feeding into Chord Hugo 2 as DAC and Audio-Technica AT-BHA 100. Shall share my view with pairing of Empyrean.

 

[BowWazoo]

@BowWazoo Oh wow, what does the emp do for you now with EQ vs the utopia ? Who does the better bass and sound stage ?

I hired both of them after Harman and compared them directly over many days.

Thee Utopia soundstage is something special. Many say its small.
I do not agree with it.
The positioning of the instruments is ultra-precise with the Utopia.
This creates a lot of room information.
At the same time, the sound of the utopia is very intimate, presumably many people perceive it as a small soundstage.
EDM, for example, does not benefit from this.. The Empyrean has an advantage here, as it seems to have more reflections in front of the driver due to its design.
The Utopia's bass has more kick / pressure while the Empyrean has more slam in the bass. In addition, the bass of the Utopia is very precise, while that of the Empyrean acts more freely and detached.

 

[BowWazoo]

if anyone wants to try my B&W signature cable, they are welcome to get in touch

 

[Arcayne]

Interestingly this discussion has rekindled my interest in the Empyrean. It was my first high end headphone. I loved it, but at the time, I was looking for more resolution/details, and I moved on to the TC, Susvara, LCD 4. Now that I have better gear and the ability to EQ, I'd like to try it again and maybe add it back to the stable for a complementary sound signature. When I see a good deal I may go for it.

With a Formula S and Euforia and an uncompromised source, you've pretty much got the best of both worlds for Empy.

 

[BowWazoo]

With the leather pads,
1-2 db from 50hz is actually a blessing.
I added an extra Band:
50hz
2db
Q 1

Adjusted like this, even this average recording reely rocks...

 

[NOMOS]

@ Mike C

The Sennheiser HE1 was voted to sound how very good speakers in a room
plays Music. And this vote is covering up with the Harman Target Curve,
which was created in other ways, pretty precise !

So simplified ,when headphones are this Harman's curve is approaching, sounds like
very good speakers in a room.

Now we have two very different headphones here. But both are far from the optimal sound. The Empy on the one hand with too much basic tone in the area 200 -350 hertz and also too little energy in the 2000-10,000 hertz. The 8000 Pro has other problems, such as too little energy at 2500 to 3200 hertz and too much energy in the area of 7800 -15000 Hertz . Both headphones have too little bass in the area unter
100 hertz. But with EQ does the Empy play more better than without EQ .In short, it is a completely NEW World of sound . On the other hand, the differences between Wires , Amplifier ,and DAC, is small .

And a certain deviation from the Harman curve is desirable and gives every headphones his own,irconfused sound,
but it must be measured and objective, it just doesn't sound right.

And I'm not just writing it out of a mood, I've been with it for months ,
Empy and EQ are working , making the best of the Sound .

If you look at the two diagrams, i think you don't need anything more
to say that. That's it.
And no, the Empy is not a bad Headphone , on the contrary, the sum is off
Material quality, comfort and sound characteristics make the Empyrean
a very good overall package !
And not only Empy has sound problems, EVERY Headphone has here and there
his sound weaknesses, EVERYONE !
And all costs much money, why not continue to improve the Sound of all the funds
I have available to me. ( EQ )

Audiophile Greetings , Nomos

D

 

[adydula]

This assumes that the Harmon curve is to your "liking".

From another site there is a deep discussion on the Harmon curve and many varying opinions to its usage for the general population.

"The meeting I was in with Mr. Olive that sparked this discussion, he seemed pretty honest about what the curve was. He said it was designed to please 64% of the population, never used the word neutral or anything."

I dont bring this up to contest your findings or experiences, just to make all aware that there are varying opinions of using this curve in tuning for a certain
consumer preference sound.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[NOMOS]

Sennheiser is in the development of the HE1 pretty much the same result

as the Harman Curve, I think that says enough.

And Sennheiser has NEUTRAL Studio monitors in the room compared to the HE1 !

And as I said, it doesn't have to be 100% the Harman Curve, and I'm

going to be 2 or 3 decibels off the curve in some area too .

Everyone must be in for his taste and find for his personal hearing the optimum !

Enjoy the Music

 

[adydula]

Thats for sure!!

Very interesting.

Enjoy the Music!!

 

[adydula]

Take a listen to this and think about the soundstage, imaging and seperation...and all those micro-details that are present and not getting lost at all:

https://open.qobuz.com/track/13756696

Many great tracks here...try "Aruba" ....

Enjoy the music!

 

[Ichos]

You will be happy to know the false motive you attributed to me is of your own creation. The rest of what you said is irrelevant to what I asked....I read it on the brochure /s

I wasn't quoting you.