Meze Empyrean II – New Planar Magnetic Headphones
For the new Meze Empyrean II, the Isodynamic Hybrid Magnet Array Driver design from specialist Rinaro Isodynamics Limited has been further refined to create headphones that deliver nothing less than ground-breaking performance, Meze Audio promises.
- Building on the success of the Meze Empyriean, the new Meze Empyrean II should prove to be particularly outstanding headphones, promises Meze Audio.
With the new Meze Empyrean II, Meze Audio once again wants to present headphones that exemplify what characterises the company, namely the continuous pursuit of perfection. In this specific case, the company is therefore not satisfied with the success of the Meze Empyrean, but rather uses it as the basis for presenting a further improved new generation, as the headphone specialist explains.
Once again, the focus is on the exceptional Isodynamic Hybrid Magnet Array Driver design from specialist Rinaro Isodynamics Limited, which has been further refined so that the new Meze Empyrean II can boast ground-breaking performance.
Meze Empyrean II – A timeless statement
The Meze Empyrean was first presented by Meze Audio in 2018 with great ambitions, as it was clearly intended to be the headphone specialist’s flagship product, boasting the latest technology, outstanding design and exquisite materials.
The company even spoke of a timeless statement, and this is exactly what they want to confirm once again with the current Meze Empyrean II, even though the Meze Elite is now positioned above the Meze Empyrean II, meaning that it is now taking on the role of flagship.
“When developing the Empyrean II, our goal was to improve the headphone’s ability to reproduce fine details and achieve a more neutral sound signature while maintaining the original “easy to listen to” character. With this in mind, our engineers have masterfully harnessed the power of the driver to open up new possibilities in terms of responsiveness and accuracy, making the driver more reliable even in demanding acoustic environments.”
Mircea Fanatan, Managing Director of Meze Audio
Hybrid Magnet Array Driver design based on the Rinaro Isoplanar Diaphragm from Rinaro Isodynamics Limited
As already described, the focus of the headphones is on the MZ3 driver, a hybrid magnet array driver design based on a Rinaro Isoplanar Diaphragm from the specialist Rinaro Isodynamics Limited, which, it should also be explicitly emphasised, is an over-ear headphone with an open design.
The oval-shaped driver measures 102 x 73 mm and has a frame made of fibreglass-reinforced ABS for maximum rigidity and robustness. The special feature of this driver is that it can reproduce a frequency range between 8 Hz and 110 kHz with an impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity of 105 dB.
It is interesting to note that the special Rinaro Isomagnetic Earcup to Earpad Coupling Technology is used here, which should make changing ear pads child’s play, as the manufacturer emphasises. Meze Audio uses this for the new so-called Duo Earpads, which were specially developed for the Meze Empyrean II and are made from a combination of genuine leather and Alcantara. These are intended to provide a modern look, but also contribute significantly to the good sound. As leather forms the base half and Alcantara covers the rest, these ear pads offer a harmonious sound balance that appeals to all music genres, according to the manufacturer’s promise.
Also included are classic angled ear pads made of Alcantara, which are said to offer a particularly detailed sound image with a more airy reproduction of the sound stage with clear, precise bass and improved presence in the mid-range, as the manufacturer itself describes it.
The housing of the headphones is manufactured using CNC milling, with an elegant matt black finish and silver aluminium accents intended to convey the special charm of Art Deco. There is talk of classic aesthetics and modern sophistication.
Various cable and connector options
Customers can choose between a Premium Silver-plated Cable and a Copper PCUHD Cable, with a choice of 2.5 mm jack, 3.5 mm stereo mini jack, 4.4 mm Pentaconn, 6.3 mm stereo jack and 4-pin XLR connectors. The connection to the headphones is made via mini XLR.
Everything is packed in a high-quality transport case made of ABS with foam padding on the inside and leather carrying straps on the outside.
Prices and availability
According to the manufacturer, the new Meze Empyrean II will soon be available from specialist retailers. The recommended retail price is listed at € 2.999,-.
Getting to the point
With the new Meze Empyrean II, Meze Audio is once again making a statement, delivering headphones that, in the opinion of Meze Audio, once again raise the bar for perfection and form the perfect symbiosis of artistry, innovation and craftsmanship.
| PRODUCT | MEZE EMPYREAN II |
|---|---|
| Price | € 2.999,- |
| Brand | MEZE AUDIO |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Meze Audio |
| Distribution Austria | Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH |
| Distribution Germany | Headphone Company |
| Distribution Switzerland | Timeless Products Schweiz AG |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
