Meze EMPYREAN - the First Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone

[betula]

Gosh, we all hear differently for sure...and there is bias in all of us and we all have our preferences etc..

That said I think we all know the BIG thing in the chain is the actual transducer followed by the source material and how well it was recorded and mastered.
Following this its IMO a path of diminishing returns....

Many folks, reviewers and "normal" people often state with "glittering" generalities and adjectives and then state they often strain to hear these often subtle differences.

I have gone thru 24+ amps in the last few years and several dacs....and played with Eq'ing and other sundry stuff..

In the end the actual headphone and the source material are where its at for the BIG differences all other things are well "meh"...

I had a Chord Hugo TT2 here side by side with a Schiit Bifrost 2 for a week. TBH there was NO real difference in sound quality that I could discern. None that made any sense to spend $5495 vs $699. None whatsoever for the dac part, I dont care how many taps you have....

Having a $20,000 setup isnt necessarily that much better than spending $2000 on a setup....except for ones "ego" and bragging rights.....

:>)

And yes I have an ego as well and like nice stuff, well built etc....but really with a set of Empys and a dac and amp for $1K - $2K is like 99% close to as good as it gets
with the state of transducers, wires, and electronics...

Thats my story and I am sticking to it!

Alex

Sure. Between a 2K and 6K setup there is less difference than there is between a 600 and 2K setup.

 

[bvhme]

I love the Empyrean on my Shanling M6 pro DAP, but when I connect it to my TA-ZH1ES it gets extra space and life. Weirdly enough I almost now find it a waste to listen on my DAP, even though it is still very very good.

I guess I just crave the best...

 

[Hoegaardener70]

In the end the actual headphone and the source material are where its at for the BIG differences all other things are well "meh"...

I had a Chord Hugo TT2 here side by side with a Schiit Bifrost 2 for a week. TBH there was NO real difference in sound quality that I could discern. None that made any sense to spend $5495 vs $699. None whatsoever for the dac part, I dont care how many taps you have....

Well said, and I agree one hundred percent. I listened to the Empy with a Chord Dave (usd11,000). Nice. And I listened to it with a ifi micro black label (usd699). Also nice . But the Dave for sure looks better with its stand (usd2,500).

 

[adydula]

Agree so you have to decide it spending all that more cash on an amp or dac is really worth it?

For me its spending cash on new headphones!! This is where its really at for me....

I often state a Schiit Jot 2, Lyr 3, Asgard, Magnius etc are more than enough to drive most anything out there....except for those
extreme corner cases in headphone land.

A Schiit Bifrost IMO is really a great dac for $699.

That said many other great choices...IMO its the headphones!! First, source second....

Alex

 

[Louisiana]

To be honest, I don't hear a difference when I run my tube amp on the Ares2 or the Hiffiberry.
But that's probably due to my bad ears...

 

[adydula]

To be honest, I don't hear a difference when I run my tube amp on the Ares2 or the Hiffiberry.
But that's probably due to my bad ears...

LOL!

You may be closer to the real truth than you might think!!

:>)

 

[Louisiana]

You may be closer to the real truth than you might think!!

 

[Mike C]

I had a Chord Hugo TT2 here side by side with a Schiit Bifrost 2 for a week. TBH there was NO real difference in sound quality that I could discern. None that made any sense to spend $5495 vs $699. None whatsoever for the dac part, I dont care how many taps you have...

Does not surprise me at all; it's not your ears or lack of appreciation.
Schiit implement multibit very well. I'm sure the Bifrost gives all the benefits of multibit, just not quite to the extent of the best.

Now diminishing returns means, very roughly, a small increment of performance means a doubling of money. Which very roughly means a very good $700 unit, giving say 2 increments over par for the price, shows a nominal value of $2800. This is VERY rough!

I've heard a Chord Hugo in my system, as a dac into my speaker system. I was most unimpressed; my Blacknote CD player was substantially better; not subtle differences. It's a good CD player but definitely not the best I have had.
Which suggests to me that a Chord dac might be giving one increment below par, so a nominal value of .... $2750 ! Again, very rough!

$2800 vs $2750 might suggest no real difference in sound quality.

OK, it's rough and ready, guesswork, WAGs really but perhaps something in it.

 

[adydula]

I don think the performance price curve is linear at all.

There will always be folks that just think that paying more is indeed "better"...

Defining that "better" is indeed a discussion that will never end....

Alex

 

[betula]

Let me express my appreciation towards the Empyrean with another post. This thread is supposed to be an Empyrean appreciation thread after all.
Before I dive into my compliments, let me note that I am using a silver plated aftermarket cable and I also think a good amp pairing is important with these headphones.

Why do I like the Empyrean? They offer a friendly FR, an easy but joyful listening experience. Just the right amount of details before reaching fatigue. I found that the Arya's detail representation for example might be a bit fatiguing after some time. Perhaps the slightly dry sound plays a role there as well. I wouldn't call the Empyrean warm, but there is a warmish glow to the sound which just gives it a very 'cosy' feel, like a fireplace on a winter night.

In my opinion there is a thing we can call the 'Empyrean's presentation' of sound. Under the right circumstances (cable, amp, source) it takes you to a pleasant but precise; sweet but not overdone musical world. Somehow, with the right pairing they just reach a sweet spot between the dead neutral analytical technical monsters and the overly warm and thick, plush sounding higher-end headphones.

I personally prefer the Empyrean versus any Audeze (and I do like Audeze), any HiFiMan (except perhaps the Susvara), the HD800S and the Verité open.

I hope one day I can audition Abyss or the D8000pro. That would be an interesting show off for me personally. For sure those headphones are better technically, but so is the LCD4 or the HE1000SE and I still lean towards the Empyrean's comfortable, musical approach.

On another note, the Solitaire headphones are gaining more and more praise. Sure, they are much more expensive than the Empyrean but so is the Susvara or LCD4.
I think, around 2K the Empyrean is a great deal. Even for its retail price it is acceptable, depending on what you are looking for.

Almost all competitors are much more expensive than the Empyrean. I heard the LCD4 and Susvara but haven't heard the Abyss or Solitaire. I would love to read more comparisons of those.

 

[MatW]

In my opinion there is a thing we can call the 'Empyrean's presentation' of sound. Under the right circumstances (cable, amp, source) it takes you to a pleasant but precise; sweet but not overdone musical world.

Yes, this is a great description of how I think I remember it and hope to rediscover it, when it comes in next week.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

I hope one day I can audition Abyss or the D8000pro. That would be an interesting show off for me personally. For sure those headphones are better technically, but so is the LCD4 or the HE1000SE and I still lean towards the Empyrean's comfortable, musical approach.

Ok, I think I can add my summary of what I feel about the ab-1266 tc .... it is quite something. It is monstrous looking (in a weird, a 16year old metalhead designs a headphone sort of way), not very comfortable (but not horrible either) and delivers a sound experience like no other. It is your music on stereoids. The tuning is aggressive, guitars become dominant and pushing with incredible dynamics, and the bass is unrivalled as is its soundstage. The Abyss gives you a fun version of your music. If I take the Utopia as an example, it would be your French sophisticated movie with nuance and sparkling wit versus the Abyss, a triple-aaa blockbuster movie with perfect scenery and effects. It is a fun, unique reinterpretation and for me, this is what this hobby is about. Oh, and I forgot the best - it has a visceral quality, you feel impact of guitars and drums in your head! I decided that the Empy and ab-1266tc are my personal end of the journey, both being rather opposite of each other.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

Oh, and look what arrived yesterday ...

 

[betula]

Oh, and look what arrived yesterday ...

Lovely.

And thanks for the Abyss comparison. Your French movie/Hollywood blockbuster example is spot on. I guess, I will have to try to hear it for myself. There are too many controversial opinions out there (as always). Most people seem to be impressed by the 1266 though.

Out of interest, what draws you to the Empyrean when you own and enjoy the 1266 TC? I have my guesses, but curious to read your words.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

Out of interest, what draws you to the Empyrean when you own and enjoy the 1266 TC? I have my guesses, but curious to read your words.

Ok, here we go:
- I need to sit at my desk with my amp to listen to the ab1266tc. I mostly listen to DAP (M15) nowadays , and the Empy sounds best with it
- Comfort and looks!
- I listen to a lot of older recordings which can often will sound very harsh with the Abyss, but the Empy handles them wonderfully
- Empy is the best for long listening sessions while working

I am sure I can come up with a couple more but that's all I can think of at the moment. Saying this, when the situation is right, the Abyss delivers in spades.