Meze EMPYREAN - the First Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone

[Terozzzz]

My meze empyrean driver died. All the cables are melting away also. Anyone know how much is the driver swap in EU area?

 

[ThanatosVI]

My meze empyrean driver died. All the cables are melting away also. Anyone know how much is the driver swap in EU area?

Unfortunately these are super expensive. I once read about 1k for the Empyrean drivers and 1.5k for Elite. (For the matched pair including the swapping work)

Really expensive

 

[betula]

My meze empyrean driver died. All the cables are melting away also. Anyone know how much is the driver swap in EU area?

Ouch. Sorry to see that.
Best is to reach out to Meze and ask for a quote. Previously someone mentioned $1000 (a pair) for a driver replacement on the Elite. I doubt Meze would swap Empyrean drivers for much less. (Needs to be swapped in pairs.)
The state of those cables suggest some water/moisture or grease impact, at least that's how it seems to me. Good luck with the repair!

 

[Terozzzz]

Ouch. Sorry to see that.
Best is to reach out to Meze and ask for a quote. Previously someone mentioned $1000 (a pair) for a driver replacement on the Elite. I doubt Meze would swap Empyrean drivers for much less. (Needs to be swapped in pairs.)
The state of those cables suggest some water/moisture or grease impact, at least that's how it seems to me. Good luck with the repair!

I bought them as used. Who knows if these are been next to open window or something and gotten moisture in them. I have to fix these, no away around it. Bought expensive cable and angeled pads so i have to do it..

 

[betula]

I bought them as used. Who knows if these are been next to open window or something and gotten moisture in them. I have to fix these, no away around it. Bought expensive cable and angeled pads so i have to do it..

If you are lucky, the problem is just with the wires and the drivers still work. That could be a lot cheaper than a full driver replacement.

 

[razoredge]

If you are lucky, the problem is just with the wires and the drivers still work. That could be a lot cheaper than a full driver replacement.

This was my thought as well. *IF* it’s just the wires, it may not require a full driver replacement, which could be a lot more affordable. That’s probably still a big “if” though. This sucks, but Good luck!

 

[silversurfer616]

My meze empyrean driver died. All the cables are melting away also. Anyone know how much is the driver swap in EU area?

Had a dead driver out of warranty and it’s a cool $1000.- but customer service is perfect as they organise shipping/pickup from your place etc.

 

[Etx1]

After some advice regarding matching, have an Eversolo a6 used as transport via ssd connected to a Pontus ii and to a Cen Grand little silver fox and finally a pair of 109's.
Sound is pretty good and what I would describe as on the warm side.
Looking at upgrading the headphones, unfortunatelly I shall be buying blind so do you guys thing the Empyrean would be good match in my setup ?

 

[betula]

After some advice regarding matching, have an Eversolo a6 used as transport via ssd connected to a Pontus ii and to a Cen Grand little silver fox and finally a pair of 109's.
Sound is pretty good and what I would describe as on the warm side.
Looking at upgrading the headphones, unfortunatelly I shall be buying blind so do you guys thing the Empyrean would be good match in my setup ?

You have a pretty strong chain, so it is certainly a wise step to up your headphone game. The 109 is a great headphone for the price, but your chain could comfortably run some proper TOTL headphones. In order to give some advice we would need to know what experience you have with other headphones. What did you like what did you not like? What do you like/dislike in the 109? What 'upgrades' would you expect?
I consider the Empyrean an upgrade to the 109, but not everyone likes that headphone. (Are we talking about og Empy or Empy 2?) Since we are in the og Empy thread, I assume that is what you are looking at. Og Empy to me sounds thick, lush, euphonic, natural compared to the 109, with a larger soundstage (and a mid-bass hump). 109 sounds thinner, smaller but clean and accurate. From the Meze line up (knowing your gear) I would gently push you towards the Elite. Better tuning and technically more capable than both of the Empyreans.
Also, based on your preference perhaps some other brands could work even better.

 

[btalcox0715]

Unfortunately these are super expensive. I once read about 1k for the Empyrean drivers and 1.5k for Elite. (For the matched pair including the swapping work)

Really expensive

Ooof that's like LCD-4 range (I think last I read it was $1100 or so)

 

[Etx1]

Thanks for the input, regarding other headphones I have no experience whatsoever apart from trying out some Sundaras before I bought the 109's.
It is the OG's I am considering as from what I have read they seem to be the popular choice, also have read they are forgiving headphones which sound about right for myself as I listen to a lot of older rock and blues music with not so good recordings however I do fiddle about with the PEQ and manage to get it sounding reasonable.
I also listen to modern stuff like Jazz and that type of music really stands out as it is mostly well recorded.
I prefer emphasis on the lows and highs and mids not to be so prominent.
Yes the Elite, a bit out of my price range, have considered them but I cannot get myself to spend that type of money on headphones and she would have a fit
Have to say the 109's sound very good however I am open to other makes if need be.

 

[betula]

Thanks for the input, regarding other headphones I have no experience whatsoever apart from trying out some Sundaras before I bought the 109's.
It is the OG's I am considering as from what I have read they seem to be the popular choice, also have read they are forgiving headphones which sound about right for myself as I listen to a lot of older rock and blues music with not so good recordings however I do fiddle about with the PEQ and manage to get it sounding reasonable.
I also listen to modern stuff like Jazz and that type of music really stands out as it is mostly well recorded.
I prefer emphasis on the lows and highs and mids not to be so prominent.
Yes the Elite, a bit out of my price range, have considered them but I cannot get myself to spend that type of money on headphones and she would have a fit
Have to say the 109's sound very good however I am open to other makes if need be.

It would be great if you could audition a few headphones somewhere, at CanJam, or just in a shop, to get an idea what is out there and which one you prefer. Elite can be found second-hand under $2000 these days, and it is simply a better headphone than the og Empy. Og Empy has a more coloured, more flavoured sound with a mid-bass emphasis, but many like that flavour too, so you might as well. But it is hard to tell without auditioning.

 

[CulturedNerd]

I recently got my hands on a new pair of the OG Empyrean (probably one of the last demo models floating around out there?). I don't know how many hours they had on them when they arrived and have only had the time to put about 15-20 on them so far, so they may still be breaking in. But so far all break-in has been happening on my head and actually listening to music on them. So, early days yet, but first impressions are very positive to say the least!

From my experience so far seeing how people seem to describe headphones I've had the opportunity to get my hands on, I get the sense I'm more sensitive to treble than the average person, so keep that in mind. That being said, I've been listening to a range of music and so far I hear plenty of detail and air, overall a very natural sound. I think I'm beginning to get the concept people are trying to convey with that infamously vague term "musical". Bass seems nice and rich but doesn't seem to be overpowering as some have reported - at least not to me.

So far I've only tried the leather pads, using the original meze included cable with 1/4" connection into my old Topping D3. Probably a pretty hilarious combination around here, but I sort of blew the hobby budget on that Empyrean deal and will have to save (and research) a little before upgrading the amp. No doubt the process will include listening to a lot of music so it's all good.

 

[mcemce13]

I recently got my hands on a new pair of the OG Empyrean (probably one of the last demo models floating around out there?). I don't know how many hours they had on them when they arrived and have only had the time to put about 15-20 on them so far, so they may still be breaking in. But so far all break-in has been happening on my head and actually listening to music on them. So, early days yet, but first impressions are very positive to say the least!

From my experience so far seeing how people seem to describe headphones I've had the opportunity to get my hands on, I get the sense I'm more sensitive to treble than the average person, so keep that in mind. That being said, I've been listening to a range of music and so far I hear plenty of detail and air, overall a very natural sound. I think I'm beginning to get the concept people are trying to convey with that infamously vague term "musical". Bass seems nice and rich but doesn't seem to be overpowering as some have reported - at least not to me.

So far I've only tried the leather pads, using the original meze included cable with 1/4" connection into my old Topping D3. Probably a pretty hilarious combination around here, but I sort of blew the hobby budget on that Empyrean deal and will have to save (and research) a little before upgrading the amp. No doubt the process will include listening to a lot of music so it's all good.

I "downgraded" from the Elite to the OG Empy, and couldnt be happier. I know that Elite is technical superior, but for the type of music I listen and how many hours a day the Empy is perfect and super enjoyable. I am also treble sensitive so I prefer warmer headphones.

They are an amazing pair of of headphones, pity that with the Empy II (which I demo) they took a different direction in signature making them too bright for my taste.

 

[feank]

I owned the OG Empys and sold it, didn’t be better than my Monoliths M1570, 1570 are better all around, more musical, holographic sound and you really feels the music like you was there, treble also is airy and no piercing at all. The Meze 109 that owns also has better emotional feelings than Emory’s at least for me and my ears.
Empys are great design , quality materials , etc. But in sound terms don’t give me the click for usd1800 headphone.