Meze EMPYREAN - the First Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone

[Slim1970]

I can see why some people might prefer the Empyrean to the Elite, but I think those people probably have a headphone collection and want a stronger flavour of Meze. Or they simply prefer a thicker, more coloured and hazier/sweeter taste.

This played a big part in my decision for going back to the Empyrean’s. The Elite’s were indeed the upgrade to the Empyrean’s I wanted and you’ve highlighted their differences very well. It turns out, you hear both headphones like I do. After awhile, I noticed that I had a bunch of headphones that did similar things and this created some overlap for me. So I scanned my collection and made some tough choices on want could be traded and what I felt was missing from a sound standpoint.

I wanted headphones that offered different flavors of sound, but also possessed good technical ability to satisfy my needs. I let go the Diana TC, Elites, Audio-Technica ADX5000’s, Kennerton Odin Thridi’s, Focal Celestee’s, and a couple of others. They were replaced with the HE1000 V2’s non stealth, HE-R10P’s, and the Phoenix Empyrean’s.

You also made a great point about how your chain should be considered when deciding on headphones. Synergy between components and headphones is so important and should never be overlooked. I know upgrades to my chain influenced my headphone decisions. Right now, I’m the happiest I’ve been since getting into this hobby. The headphones and components I currently have is what I’ve settled on. This comes after many tryouts, demos and owning many of top flight headphones including the Susvara’s, AB-1266 TC’s, and Solitaire P’s to name a few. I’m highly satisfied for now, but I can’t say I‘m done making changes

 

[LCMusicLover]

Not tried the Plenue but also had an iBasso DX320 … Both of those DAPs are very warm in tonality but with good clarity and great bass as well.

Even though the Empyrean is very warm too - the pairings were excellent imo. The Sony is amazing ...

Feeding the Hugo 2 you don’t get much tonality from the DAP, unless you apply EQ. And I think it’s the brighter tonality (plus detail) I hear from the H2 that made me prefer that pairing.

 

[betula]

This played a big part in my decision for going back to the Empyrean’s. The Elite’s were indeed the upgrade to the Empyrean’s I wanted and you’ve highlighted their differences very well. It turns out, you hear both headphones like I do. After awhile, I noticed that I had a bunch of headphones that did similar things and this created some overlap for me. So I scanned my collection and made some tough choices on want could be traded and what I felt was missing from a sound standpoint.

I wanted headphones that offered different flavors of sound, but also possessed good technical ability to satisfy my needs. I let go the Diana TC, Elites, Audio-Technica ADX5000’s, Kennerton Odin Thridi’s, Focal Celestee’s, and a couple of others. They were replaced with the HE1000 V2’s non stealth, HE-R10P’s, and the Phoenix Empyrean’s.

You also made a great point about how your chain should be considered when deciding on headphones. Synergy between components and headphones is so important and should never be overlooked. I know upgrades to my chain influenced my headphone decisions. Right now, I’m the happiest I’ve been since getting into this hobby. The headphones and components I currently have is what I’ve settled on. This comes after many tryouts, demos and owning many of top flight headphones including the Susvara’s, AB-1266 TC’s, and Solitaire P’s to name a few. I’m highly satisfied for now, but I can’t say I‘m done making changes

BTW I did not check your profile prior my comment, my point about a headphone collection was 100% theoretical. I am glad, we agree though. Nice collection and your approach/decision makes perfect sense.

 

[Slim1970]

BTW I did not check your profile prior my comment, my point about a headphone collection was 100% theoretical. I am glad, we agree though. Nice collection and your approach/decision makes perfect sense.

Thanks, I know your statements were general ones, but they really fit my narrative . At the time, I had too many headphones that performed like the Elite‘s but didn’t necessarily sound like them. The Empyrean’s fills in a gap sonically and offers a sound unlike anything in my collection.

 

[Natarian]

Thanks, I know your statements were general ones, but they really fit my narrative . At the time, I had too many headphones that performed like the Elite‘s but didn’t necessarily sound like them. The Empyrean’s fills in a gap sonically and offers a sound unlike anything in my collection.

In your opinion are vocals more forward in the Elite or Empyrean?

 

[Slim1970]

In your opinion are vocals more forward in the Elite or Empyrean?

I'm not really hearing forward vocals on the Empyrean's. Vocals are out front were they are suppose to be and the sound is very balanced. It was the same way with the Elite's.

 

[betula]

I'm not really hearing forward vocals on the Empyrean's. Vocals are out front were they are suppose to be and the sound is very balanced. It was the same way with the Elite's.

I can confirm this, there is not much difference in vocal forwardness between the Empyrean and the Elite. If anything, vocals feel clearer on the Elite due to the tamed mid-bass and higher resolution. IMO both do vocals exceptionally well when it comes to texture, timbre and colour. Empyrean feels more like a Jazz club in this regard while Elite feels like a bigger chamber music venue with better acoustics.

 

[MasterHead]

Thanks, I know your statements were general ones, but they really fit my narrative . At the time, I had too many headphones that performed like the Elite‘s but didn’t necessarily sound like them. The Empyrean’s fills in a gap sonically and offers a sound unlike anything in my collection.

Have you ever listened to Final D8Kpro?
I bought the Limited Edition and now these are my favorite headphones. All the shortcomings of the Empyrean have been solved. And you get much more. Better resolution. Brilliant bass. The best I've heard. Just perfect. Better separation and clearer treble.
All this without losing all good things of Empyrean's.
I thought I'd never sell my Empyreans, but I did. They went to another happy buyer. Maybe the only downside is the weight, D8Kpro are heavier and after a few hours you can feel the difference. But sometimes you have to sacrifice something to gain something.

 

[Slim1970]

Have you ever listened to Final D8Kpro?
I bought the Limited Edition and now these are my favorite headphones. All the shortcomings of the Empyrean have been solved. And you get much more. Better resolution. Brilliant bass. The best I've heard. Just perfect. Better separation and clearer treble.
All this without losing all good things of Empyrean's.
I thought I'd never sell my Empyreans, but I did. They went to another happy buyer. Maybe the only downside is the weight, D8Kpro are heavier and after a few hours you can feel the difference. But sometimes you have to sacrifice something to gain something.

Yes, I currently own the D8K Pro's. They are better technically than the Empyrean's and I would describe their sound just like you have described the D8K Pro LE's. I'm lucky that I don't have to choose between the Empyrean's and D8K Pro's because I love them both for different reasons.

 

[tradyblix]

Hi
What are people's thoughts on the hybrid pads on the Empyrean? I like the lower end and am not keen on the brighter Alcantara or the angled ones (someone bought them and was not impressed) Just wondering how the hybrids walk the fine line; what do they gain? lose?
Thanks

​

it makes them less muddy in the middle but it also makes the bass change quality and I don't think it's for the best. You can't have it all tho.

Have you ever listened to Final D8Kpro?
I bought the Limited Edition and now these are my favorite headphones. All the shortcomings of the Empyrean have been solved. And you get much more. Better resolution. Brilliant bass. The best I've heard. Just perfect. Better separation and clearer treble.
All this without losing all good things of Empyrean's.
I thought I'd never sell my Empyreans, but I did. They went to another happy buyer. Maybe the only downside is the weight, D8Kpro are heavier and after a few hours you can feel the difference. But sometimes you have to sacrifice something to gain something.

Currawong likes them. But at their price range.... I don't think I can accept not being comfortable. There are too many really comfy headphones at a fraction of those prices that are almost as good.

 

[betula]

it makes them less muddy in the middle but it also makes the bass change quality and I don't think it's for the best. You can't have it all tho.


Currawong likes them. But at their price range.... I don't think I can accept not being comfortable. There are too many really comfy headphones at a fraction of those prices that are almost as good.

D8K, D8KP are fantastic headphones and I do not say this lightly. They are certainly a clear sonic improvement over the Empyrean (even the D8K). That said, comfort and weight is hard to bear longer than 40 mins with these Finals. The Elite IMO clearly beats the D8K in pretty much everything, while the D8K is only a marginal improvement over the Empyrean sonically (little clearer, little more balanced, slightly higher resolution). Comfort-wise of course it is a lost battle for Final.

D8Kpro and Elite is a tougher battle sonically, that IMO is personal preference. I prefer the Elite without a second thought. I find the Elite more engaging, others might find the D8K more pleasing due to its more neutral and linear FR despite the smaller soundstage.

 

[ThanatosVI]

D8K, D8KP are fantastic headphones and I do not say this lightly. They are certainly a clear sonic improvement over the Empyrean (even the D8K). That said, comfort and weight is hard to bear longer than 40 mins with these Finals. The Elite IMO clearly beats the D8K in pretty much everything, while the D8K is only a marginal improvement over the Empyrean sonically (little clearer, little more balanced, slightly higher resolution). Comfort-wise of course it is a lost battle for Final.

D8Kpro and Elite is a tougher battle sonically, that IMO is personal preference. I prefer the Elite without a second thought. I find the Elite more engaging, others might find the D8K more pleasing due to its more neutral and linear FR despite the smaller soundstage.

I could only audition the Finals at a show, but I definitely prefered the Mezes both sonically as well as in terms of comfort.

However the Finale are still nice headphones

 

[betula]

I could only audition the Finals at a show, but I definitely prefered the Mezes both sonically as well as in terms of comfort.

However the Finale are still nice headphones

They are nice headphones but the competition is becoming more fierce every year.

 

[MasterHead]

it makes them less muddy in the middle but it also makes the bass change quality and I don't think it's for the best. You can't have it all tho.


Currawong likes them. But at their price range.... I don't think I can accept not being comfortable. There are too many really comfy headphones at a fraction of those prices that are almost as good.

The new Limited Edition with Washi pads they are quite comfortable. Only weight can be a problematic after 2-3 hours. Not a comfi as Meze but pretty good. Pads adjust in a few minutes and you can forget about them.

Sonically LE for me was better than Elite. I was wondering which one to choose, but I decided that the sound quality speaks in favor of Final D8Kpro LE. These are nuances, but I felt that the Final had a more refined sound signature, a better laid out treble and a more interesting presentation of details.
But I have to carry the weight now...
you can exercise your neck muscles

 

[glpsace]

Hello friends,

Finally, after much research and deliberation, I pulled the trigger on a used Empyrean. I should get it in the next couple of weeks.

I also ordered a used Meze Silver cable and gonna get the Alcantara Angled Pads.

I was looking for an open planar, a different taste and signature to my Grados. More bass focused. I believe it will be awesome for the Instrumental Progressive metal / Rock that I listen too and also for EDM, that I plan to invest more in the future.

My gear is humble in terms of budget but for the price I believe the Rupert Neve, together with the Schiit DAC, will have amazing synergy with the Empyrean. The Valhalla 2 is amazing with my Grados but maybe a little too much, in terms of bass bloating, for the Empyrean. We´ll see.

Very excited about this and after everything I read, it is a blind gamble, since I couldn't test it, but going without too many expectations. I don't care much about technicalities but care a lot about musicality. That is why I love Grado, but I recognize that for my tastes and music it can be a little bass light and treble enhanced (doesn't bother me) with great mids.

Anyway, just wanted to share my excitement about the new purchase, by far the most expensive investment I did.

Cheers.