Meze EMPYREAN - the First Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone

[bpiotrow13]

Couldn’t find it. Does anybody by any chance remember which page? I’d really like to read the feedback on this. Thanks

Page 625

 

[MatW]

Couldn’t find it. Do you by any chance remember which page? Thanks

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mez...array-headphone.871859/page-625#post-16288611

I think the discussion that followed was actually about some written review. This video happened to be posted at around the same place in the thread.

 

[ThanatosVI]

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mez...array-headphone.871859/page-625#post-16288611

I think the discussion that followed was actually about some written review. This video happened to be posted at around the same place in the thread.

It's also quite possible that parts of the discussion had to be removed by the Moderators.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

Page 625

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/mez...array-headphone.871859/page-625#post-16288611

I think the discussion that followed was actually about some written review. This video happened to be posted at around the same place in the thread.

Thanks for guiding me there. I read the discussion with great interest. I respect the bad guy, good audio channel for being direct, only making conclusions when giving tracks and an overall attitude which is “I don’t like this, but so what”.

I find some of his points valid, however, they have been made before by metal571 (or whatever the number) and countless before. The utopia is de facto the better headphone although I paid less for it than the Meze, new.

Still, due to reasons unknown to me (joking, I do know) I always gravitate towards the Empy with my DAP. No harshness, no fatigue, more comfort. Not worth 3k to everybody, but to me.

But I will try some eq in the future.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

It's also quite possible that parts of the discussion had to be removed by the Moderators.

Really? And why might this have been... I mean as a reaction to the video review? I know and have seen that some threads are moderated (occasionally quite heavily), but did not expect this here.

 

[MatW]

Really? And why might this have been... I mean as a reaction to the video review? I know and have seen that some threads are moderated (occasionally quite heavily), but did not expect this here.

I think most if not all of it is still there. Btw it was not about the video but some other, written review.

 

[adydula]

Still, due to reasons unknown to me (joking, I do know) I always gravitate towards the Empy with my DAP. No harshness, no fatigue, more comfort. Not worth 3k to everybody, but to me.

This I totally understand, with all the other cans I have had and do have I always find myself listening with the Empys because they just work for me and the 3D live sound is really very, very good. With other good cans the missing element is that full bass and spectacular wide and open soundstage.

$3K is a ton of money to most of us, and $4299, $4000, $5000 and $6000 are as well...and many do buy these things and after awhile arent happy any more....and the hunt goes on for that "thing" that makes us smile.....

Two headphones that IMO dont cost alot in comparison to these TOTL cans are the Hedd headphones, less than $2K and these Empys....with all the dis-satisfaction about these there are several great deals to be had!!!

Spending more than $3K or so IMO is getting well, quite insane....but we all have different tastes, and budgets....

Just Enjoy the Music!

Back to listening with the Empys!!

Alex

 

[Slim1970]

Would it be worth replacing my ifi pro iCan with the soloist 3xp?

Besides that, sorry for the double post of the review, didn’t catch it was a few pages back.

The Soloist 3XP and Pro iCan are really close from a sound standpoint. They do similar things with the soundstage, the dynamics are virtually identical, the treble is smooth, airy, and detailed on both, bass is even, but with the Pro iCan you add more, and both have have clean midranges. The Pro iCan does beat it out from a features standpoint. You cannot beat the xBass on the Pro iCan and the tube flavors although good could have more of a “tubey” sound. To me it would be a side grade at best. Oh, both are outstanding with the Empyrean’s. The Empyrean’s really benefit from their clean sound.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

The Soloist 3XP and Pro iCan are really close from a sound standpoint. They do similar things with the soundstage, the dynamics are virtually identical, the treble is smooth, airy, and detailed on both, bass is even, but with the Pro iCan you add more, and both have have clean midranges. The Pro iCan does beat it out from a features standpoint. You cannot beat the xBass on the Pro iCan and the tube flavors although good could have more of a “tubey” sound. To me it would be a side grade at best. Oh, both are outstanding with the Empyrean’s. The Empyrean’s really benefit from their clean sound.

Thanks a lot, settles it and the iCan stays. By the way, I can definitely recommend the tube upgrade to the WE396A.

 

[bpiotrow13]

Isn't we396a too bright? I remember people saying it has good soundstage but a bit bright (in different gear though).

 

[Hoegaardener70]

Isn't we396a too bright? I remember people saying it has good soundstage but a bit bright (in different gear though).

Not in my opinion. I actually heard complaints that they are too warm .... for me they are just fine, but I do not know about the different variations (60s vs 70s etc). But I know that I heard 0 difference between the iCan's tube and solid state mode before changing to the WE396A, and the tube mode is now decisively warmer and more organic (the good way).

 

[bpiotrow13]

Not in my opinion. I actually heard complaints that they are too warm .... for me they are just fine, but I do not know about the different variations (60s vs 70s etc). But I know that I heard 0 difference between the iCan's tube and solid state mode before changing to the WE396A, and the tube mode is now decisively warmer and more organic (the good way).

I need to try than. I can use it in my dac. It should suit Meze than. Will check.

 

[betula]

Would it be worth replacing my ifi pro iCan with the soloist 3xp?

Besides that, sorry for the double post of the review, didn’t catch it was a few pages back.

I wouldn't rush with that, from what I remember the pro iCan is a nice amp too. I would say the Soloist is a different flavour but technically probably on similar level. Definitely try to audition a 3XP if you have a chance. As @Slim1970 said, I would consider it more of a side-grade from a technical point of view.

 

[camocim]

and the ICan vs the Questyle CMA Twelve ?

 

[betula]

and the ICan vs the Questyle CMA Twelve ?

I don't know about the CMA12, but the iCan is definitely more dynamic and cleaner than the CMA600.