These headphones left me disappointed! Meze Empyrean 2

A review of the Meze Audio Empyrean 2 open back planar magnetic headphone including impressions and frequency response measurements of the Duo (hybrid) pads and the angled Alcantara (micro suede) pads. Also includes comparison with the Meze Elites.

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00:00 Introduction
01:57 Testing setup
03:11 Sound quality (Duo pads)
06:59 Angled Alcantara pads
08:12 Understanding frequency response
11:24 Meze Empyrean 2 vs Meze Elites
19:33 Sound conclusions
21:05 Build, accessories & comfort
23:59 Wrap-up

#audiophile #audioreview #headphones

[MrThacke]

Please take some time out and pet the Headphones that you own people! They look good and work hard for you so pet your headphones!

[Rezzznr]

Nice review. I'm still in love with Empyrean OG, although I EQ them quite a lot to get what I like with alcantara pads (which give much more stage than leather pads). Also they are comfy.

[harackmw]

3:46 That is really interesting, and good on you for mentioning this. The hypetrain for these headphones has been a bit over the top, but mostly from reviewers that typically prefer bright neutral tunings.

[chungang]

Great Review! The thing with the original Empy is it was magic with great music that was even recorded poorly and true endgame comfort. Before I got them, I neglected too much of my favorite music because it wasn't audiophile and sounded terrible or boring on neutral headphones. They are also lush and fill out acoustic instruments the way they sound live, especially guitars. I am not sure if they can ever be topped in those regards.

[wooddragon]

read so many great reviews about the Empy II, but unless I find some dirt cheap I know i'll never own them because I have the original Empyrean and I cannot imagine how any headphone could be better, the design, build quality and comfort are incredible and I love their sound. First time I listened to them I knew I had bought my last pair of headphones. I have 4 ZMF's and a Radiance, but the Empyrean is my go to favorite. I am officially out of the headphone market thanks to these.

[Martijn]

I re-purchased a mint pair of OG Empyrean's a couple of weeks ago and it took me a little while to get used to that bass again. After listening to my Susvara's mostly in my main rig they sounded quite muddy initially... After literally two tracks though, once my ears adjusted it was like re-uniting with and old friend - just lovely. They are still my choice for a portable setup where you just want to listen and not analyse. Especially with a Sony DAP.
After reading and looking at a lot of reviews about the Empy 2 - it just didn't seem to have that warm tuning that I love so I already determined i'd give them a miss without even listening to them. It was also odd that they suddenly got rave reviews from all of the people that hated the OG versions though. It's almost as if they had a direct influence on the tuning. It's a shame Meze didn't just refine the OG as you say.
Thanks for the review.

[phil]

Thanks for this. I’ve been loving my Elites more than ever since getting the angled alcantara pads, but have been wondering about the Empy 2. Your comparison is reassuring for me.

[vric]

The Good thing is many are selling their OG to upgrade, so there's a few deals around for the OG!

[BillyKueekSG]

Ahhh! Another one I am waiting for. Thank you Lachlan! From your description of its sound, I was reminded of the Meze 109 Pro. Some one described its 3-4k brightness which stopped me from getting the 109 Pro. Took a very brief look at frequency response graphs online of both headphones without really studying the details or verifying if these graphs are accurate, and both graphs looks similar. I may be wrong but it’s good to know anyway, save some money I can’t afford to waste. Then I saw the graphs of the Meze Elite with the Empyrean 2 and understand why I like the Meze Elite. I don’t own any Meze headphones but if I do, it’ll be the Elite although I like the OG Empyrean too.

[illyth]

Super granular comment here, but the flashing teal ellipses you added at 6:20 are really cool and helpful.

[MisterChibs]

Awesome review Lachlan! My FOMO is now properly quelled owning the original Empyrean. They remain my favourite cans for listening to music (for hours with no fatigue) 😊 You now have me wondering whether I should upgrade my cable to either their copper or silver variant. Good stuff as always!🍻

[gliutubeo]

Thanks for this video, I appreciate it.
Yep, I still love the original Empy and have never managed to hear another Meze. (I'll never part with it.) The original feels like perfect match for digital sound, targeting digital chill. I asked the other day if the new Liric 2 would sound like the original Empy. Somehow, every review I read about the new Liric never compares it to the original Empy.

If you pair the original Empy with a very high resolution digital source (like an EMM Labs XDS1 cdp), you get very high reach into the music extreme speed and detail without fatigue or pain, even at loud levels. It's a great example of synergy.

The original Empyrean is also a fine match for a Chord Dave (with or without the Mscaler). It's a sweet and deep, absorbing listen to my ears.

So, what I'm trying to say through this ramble, it that the original Empryean lets you take full advantage to a super-resolving source but keeps it musical. You can hear everything without anxiety or wincing pain. If you like it loud, you can turn it up and just hear everything louder, not piercing digital noise. It's a good dose of analog from your DAC.

[KristianDowling]

I haven’t heard the elite, but I’ve heard the second version and while it is a great headphone there’s nothing like the OG in my opinion, at least nothing I’ve heard that is as warm and comfortable to listen to with such incredible staging and dynamics. Love the fact that some review has hated as it keeps the resale value down which enabled me to buy the great price and I think that these will go up in value overtime.

[RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

I have been waiting for this review. Terrific descriptions and combined with the honesty which comes from this channel in particular, I really have a good sense now I feel, of what these sound like.

[Joe-uxvy]

It’s a great review. I had the Empy II for a couple of weeks to compare against my Elite. I’m surprised you didn’t try out the Duo pads on the Elite or perhaps you did? For me it adds the bass and fun of the original Empyrean OG.

I’d agree with your review, the Empyrean II are great headphones but for me I’m keeping my Elite and hope that’s Meze do release the Duo pads as I’m still clinging on to my OG Empyrean when I want more fun. I also agree a true successor to the OH Empyrean would have been great as I’m still keeping mine as I don’t want to regret selling them!

[allydea]

Your driving chain early disclosure (400 Euro USB cable, etc.) saved me 23 minutes, so thanks a lot for that!

[aceofspades]

Wow interesting takes on the empy 2. I never tried the empy 1 but always wanted to.

[phantomplastics]

Sounds very clear but I find myself enjoying the Arya Organic more with a Questyle M15, Woo Fireflies 3rd, Bliss etc..

[distinguishedelegance]

I love the Empy 2. I also have the Empy 1 but the left speaker blew out and I never got around to getting them fixed. I prefer the 2s over the 1. The sound signature of the 1 never won me over. Once getting the 2s, I have been obsessively listening for hours. Different strokes for different folks.

[TheMatrixxProjekt]

Unfortunate to see the Empy 1 sound signature not here in Empy 2, but looking forward to demoing this set in the future