An Amazing Redesign - The Meze Empyrean II Headphones

This is the first look at Meze's new US$2999/€2999 Empyrean II headphones, the successor to their first high-end headphones, the Empyrean. With a new tuning, yet the same comfortable, ergonomic, and highly attractive design, have they made another great pair of headphones?

Thanks to NativeDSD for sponsoring this video. You can get the album "Carmen Gomes Sings the Blues" here:
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You can buy the Empyrean II via these links, which support my channel:
Meze Audio:
APOS Audio:
Audio46:
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Music tracks "A Fool For You", "God Bless the Child" and "In the Evenin' Mama" by Carmen Gomes. Permission for use granted by CFMusic.
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00:00 Start
04:03 Music used in this video
05:07 The New Tuning & Measurements
15:39 Listening Impressions
24:00 Amplification
27:13 End

[Currawong]

I didn't quite cover everything I wanted to say about the Empyrean II in this video, so I hope that subsequent videos and reviews will do more of that.
In case you're wondering, reviews of other products seen in the video will be forthcoming.

Don't forget that you can get the album "Carmen Gomes Sings the Blues" here:

You can buy the Empyrean II directly from Meze via this link, which also supports my channel:

[ajuyal]

Great timing Amos, the headphones just showed up on some audio retailers. Your reviews are the best.

[samhor]

Meze never disappoint on the build quality❤

[marcfoss]

Great video, appreciate all the helpful analysis...thank you.

[dasninjastix]

Haven't finished the video yet but I am very pleased to see Meze include the upgraded cable at the price point. It's long overdue and a good decision.

(edit) - Interesting changes by Meze, this seems in line with how the 109 pro and the Liric sound, with greater emphasis on the upper mids/ear gain region. I did own the original Empyrean and liked it just fine, however I didn't like it for 3, 000 USD worth of value. The new one would still be a hard sell over the 2k USD cost of the HEKse, but Meze definitely has the ergonomics advantage and that lovely pad changing system. Great review as always!

[spektrograf]

I appreciate Stefan's Sibelius' with the domestic indoor plant treatment. I feel it must warm up the space.

Nice review, as always, Amos.

[Sper]

First time I remember a mass release of headphone videos from everyone Ala Camera/ Smartphone releases.

[chungang]

I'll have to demo them when they arrive in my country, but I find it hard to imagine I will need them. The original Empyrean appeals to certain people with certain genres, I guess, many of which do not really get better with more detail. Still, great review and thanks for your impressions~!

[lukasjanecka]

You know you are a true audiophile when you are listening to multiple-thousand HiFi system wearing socks with holes 21:45

Them priorities...😅

[MindsEyeKay]

Hey Amos. Really enjoy watching your vids. Your review methodology is amongst my favourite.
Are you planning to release a video review of the Enleum HPA-23RM?

[bobhanuman]

I tried these but found them a bit congested. Ended up with the Diana MR which people hate or love. 😂 I’ve always had issues with the Meze fit too for some reason.

[ixoye]

I own HD800s, do you think the new Empyrean will be a good alternative for music that will sound too bright with 800s?

[iknownothing]

Grandchild: Grandpa, why do you have such big ears?
Grandpa: It's a Meze Empyrean II you silly child!

[jerryodom]

Your taste in music as as fantastic as your well done reviews. If you haven't heard of Kara Jackson you should check out her album "Why Does the Earth Give Us People To Love." It's quite an experience. Thanks again for your top notch content.

[FonzVorselaars]

Thanks for a great review. What dongle would you recommend for the Empyrean 2. I am looking for a dongle that gives it a warm sound and tames the treble. Normally I use a Aune S17 pro amp with a Chord Quest dac but I am looking for something on the go …… Looking forward to your advice. Cheers Fonz

[jaycochran]

Where can I buy these headphones stands? Nice!

[mjjm]

For Meze hp, I like the Burson hp amps. I have the Conductor.

[MegaBlueboi]

Anyone know how these compare to the ZMF Atrium?

[sjqideez]

Thanks for this Andrew/Resolve, appreciate you going over some graphs. Wait a tick, you’re not Andrew!
Amos, your reviews sure have changed.

[el_arte]

So, voltage or current that doesn’t make it across the cable to the headphones makes a difference? I just can’t understand why people insists that you need an amp with watts of power when, no matter what, you won’t be able to push more than a fee 10s of mW into them at reasonable listening levels.