Meze Empyrean Isodynamic Hybrid Array Headphones

[PHC1]

Empyrean frequency response. HD800 for comparison. I can see how people think it is an HD650 on steroids. Bass response is very linear and there is much less of a peak in the Presence/Brilliance region of the frequency spectrum.

[Poncha]

I have the Meze Empyrean which I bought from Ivan about 8 weeks ago and I couldn't be more pleased with the purchase. My search began with a focus on comfort. For some reason I am very sensitive to the feel of headphones and for me it would be impossible to enjoy any unit regardless of sound quality if it were the least bit uncomfortable. So the quest was for the best feel combined with high quality sound and review opinions clustered around the Meze. Prior to these I was using the Sennheiser HD800 which is very comfortable but the sound is too bright for my taste and lacking in lower registers. The Empyreans are just what I had hoped for as they are very comfy to the point where you're barely aware of them. The sound has a smooth balanced gradation from bass to treble and a large soundstage, though not as big as the HD800. The bass is especially impressive. I don't have an extensive experience with headphones but it's hard to imagine anybody who would not find these delightful.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Poncha

I have the Meze Empyrean which I bought from Ivan about 8 weeks ago and I couldn't be more pleased with the purchase. My search began with a focus on comfort. For some reason I am very sensitive to the feel of headphones and for me it would be impossible to enjoy any unit regardless of sound quality if it were the least bit uncomfortable. So the quest was for the best feel combined with high quality sound and review opinions clustered around the Meze. Prior to these I was using the Sennheiser HD800 which is very comfortable but the sound is too bright for my taste and lacking in lower registers. The Empyreans are just what I had hoped for as they are very comfy to the point where you're barely aware of them. The sound has a smooth balanced gradation from bass to treble and a large soundstage, though not as big as the HD800. The bass is especially impressive. I don't have an extensive experience with headphones but it's hard to imagine anybody who would not find these delightful.

Besides the obvious, the agreeable sonic signature/voicing of the headphone, comfort is indeed one of the top priorities. Especially if extended listening sessions are planned or expected. I listen for hours at a time and unreasonably heavy or uncomfortable headphones are out of the question. Good to know the Empyrean design has taken that into account as well. I had no doubt that would be the case as Meze seems to have covered every aspect of what design parameters are important in a state of the art headphone.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Poncha

I have the Meze Empyrean which I bought from Ivan about 8 weeks ago and I couldn't be more pleased with the purchase. My search began with a focus on comfort. For some reason I am very sensitive to the feel of headphones and for me it would be impossible to enjoy any unit regardless of sound quality if it were the least bit uncomfortable. So the quest was for the best feel combined with high quality sound and review opinions clustered around the Meze. Prior to these I was using the Sennheiser HD800 which is very comfortable but the sound is too bright for my taste and lacking in lower registers. The Empyreans are just what I had hoped for as they are very comfy to the point where you're barely aware of them. The sound has a smooth balanced gradation from bass to treble and a large soundstage, though not as big as the HD800. The bass is especially impressive. I don't have an extensive experience with headphones but it's hard to imagine anybody who would not find these delightful.

[doggiehowser]

I find the Empyreans easy to drive. It worked very well with a Chord Hugo 2 and an Oppo 205.

Didn’t find the dCS Bartok to have as much synergy tho.

[PHC1]

Meze Empyrean - Are these the world's best headphones?

https://youtu.be/rRpElKxalfk

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Meze Empyrean - Are these the world's best headphones?

https://youtu.be/rRpElKxalfk

As great as they are; they’re not better than my Stax $9k combo.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

As great as they are; they’re not better than my Stax $9k combo. :music.

I think the reviewers are stating that for the $3k for the Meze Empyrean, as the headphones stand alone, is a new benchmark, new "standard" or new "best" in the price category.

Otherwise we can just keep going further when taking "systems" into account. How about HiFiMan Shangri-La for $50K or the Sennheiser Orpheus system for $55k, I am sure they will come up with something even grander soon.

[PHC1]

Meze Audio Empyrean Headphone Review - The New Standard


https://youtu.be/qFF3orWEtZs

[bart]

Originally Posted by PHC1

I think the reviewers are stating that for the $3k for the Meze Empyrean, as the headphones stand alone, is a new benchmark, new "standard" or new "best" in the price category.

Otherwise we can just keep going further when taking "systems" into account. How about HiFiMan Shangri-La for $50K or the Sennheiser Orpheus system for $55k, I am sure they will come up with something even grander soon.

I've heard the Orpheus system.
Quite the experience...