ThanatosVI
Headphoneus Supremus
I own both and both receive ample playtime.
Meze EMPYREAN - the First Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphone
- Thread starter MezeTeam
- Start date
I got the new pads a few weeks ago, and i’m very impressed. They seem to maintain the deep punchy bass of the stock leather pads and improve upper midrange detail, without the sometimes ‘closed-in’ or ’boxy’ kind of feeling I would get with the leather. Anyone who has an Empyrean really should get these pads, you definitely get your money’s worth for the improvement to SQ.
It’s nearly 2 years since getting my Empy, and I’m still not really looking for any other headphone.
ThanatosVI
Headphoneus Supremus
4 years for me. Overall they are by far my most used headphones.
The only time I ever thought about selling them, was in order to get a limited Empyrean instead. However turned out that by SO really likes the copper color and talked me out of it.
Unterstuffz
100+ Head-Fier
Japp since i got the Angled Pads i think it is currently my perfect headphone since you can switch between "thiiiick warm and lush" and "more neutral detailed an airy " with the pads.
How many different pad options are there now ? Someone should do a run down on all of them. I think someone did in this thread a while back actually.
I agree, you only need 2 pairs of (hopefully contrasting) high end headphones. If you keep more because they're still good, you'll end up not using them. I still have a quite a few that I need to get around to selling, but selling is a bit of a hassle sometimes. And also sometimes I regret selling headphones, like I regretted selling the HD800, even though I knew I'd never listen to it much.
I've placed my Empyreans in the classifieds with the angled pads.
I am sellinbeas I do not need 3 pairs of headphones. I was very close to keeping them as I do still love them but I cant justify it.
https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/meze-empyrean-with-angled-pad.49531/
Cheers all
I agree, you only need 2 pairs of (hopefully contrasting) high end headphones. If you keep more because they're still good, you'll end up not using them. I still have a quite a few that I need to get around to selling, but selling is a bit of a hassle sometimes. And also sometimes I regret selling headphones, like I regretted selling the HD800, even though I knew I'd never listen to it much.
I still find empyrean shines out of the Hugo2 tho. It's much harsher with most hifimans.
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ThanatosVI
Headphoneus Supremus
There are 4/5 different pads right now.
Original Leather:
Warm, lush, thick.
Vegan leather:
Sounds the same as original leather. Less comfortable imo though.
Angled Alcantara:
More spacious, less thick, airy, detailed
"Old" Alcantara:
A worse version of angled Alcantara. Imo they bring nothing over the other pads.
Elite Hybrid:
More spacious than thick leather, less than angled Alcantara.
Less bass than thick leather more than angled Alcantara.
More energetic than Angled Alcantara.
They are not as deep and ears might touch the the Cover.
That's a great summary!
My Angled Alcantara pads just arrived and I'm giving them a go now. I am hearing them like you are. The overall sound isn't as thick as it was with the leather pads. The upper mids and treble frequencies are coming through clearer with more details and clarity. The bass sounds more controlled with less of a mid bass hump. There's also better separation between the bass and mid bass which is letting the midrange shine more. I appreciate the uptick in a cleaner overall sound. I think these will be staying on.
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Can't stop thinking about pads and burn in time 
It is at least 50 hours, but with 256 you are more on the safe side.Can't stop thinking about pads and burn in time
My Empyrean's are sounding like a different headphone with the angled alcantara pads equipped. Dare I say a more technical headphone?? Maybe it's because the slightly lighter sound is letting more of the music through. There is hardly any bass loss with the angled alcantara pads. However, I am noticing the bass emphasis has changed from mid bass to sub bass making the Empyrean's sound much more balanced than ever before. This is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. Whatever the case, it's great to rediscover the sound of my Empyrean's with the angled alcantara pads. It's an incredible listen.
I always get pushback for this but I really think when people get brighter headphones they think it's more detail. That's all it is.
Ugh. You guys have me seriously considering buying $200 ear pads.
I love the Empyreans for their lush, warm and organic tonality but a bit more clarity and space wouldn't be a bad thing. My go-to's currently are the OG Leathers.
I love the Empyreans for their lush, warm and organic tonality but a bit more clarity and space wouldn't be a bad thing. My go-to's currently are the OG Leathers.
ThanatosVI
Headphoneus Supremus
Well gaining a 2nd flagship headphone for 200,- doesn't sound like a bad deal
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