Meze Audio Empyrean 2 Review

Sound

For this section we used the Empyrean 2 in balanced mode with a whole selection of portable and desktop amplifiers (see later). Unless differently mentioned, the DAC used was the Musician Audio Aquarius.

“When creating Empyrean II, our goal was to enhance the headphones’ ability to reproduce fine details and achieve a more neutral sound signature, all the while preserving the original “easy to listen to” character. With this in mind, our engineers have masterfully harnessed the driver’s power to reveal new possibilities in terms of responsiveness and accuracy and even make the driver more reliable in challenging acoustic environments.”

The part on sound is a bit split up, as we have two different sets of pads that impact the sound signature of the Empyrean 2. We in this review will not go into detail on the cable differences. I mostly used a selection of copper based cables from different aftermarket brands.

Signature – Duo Pads

The dual pads produce a very rich and nicely bodied sound (in a neutral way) and they are the more dynamic and balanced sounding set of pads to my ears. Vocals blend in better here and I just find the overall resolution with the hybrid pads to be better audible. These are the smoothest and warmest sounding pads of both and they’re also the most musical sounding to me.

The Empyrean 2 is quite different sounding and neutrally tuned compared to the original Empyrean, but with these pads you are closest to that sound signature (but still far). Sound stage wise the Empyrean never was the ultimate headphone and that is no different this time. The Empyrean 2 however is more spacious and airy sounding, and mostly so in the mids section. While the Empyrean 2 with these pads has the most body and weight, it still has a lighter (neutral) presence and the overall impact is smaller.

The detail retrieval aka the resolution is good and because of the added spaciousness, the note extension really is more audible and mostly in the mids and top end. The timbre in the Empyrean 2 is excellent and you get a rich sound. In regards to depth there to me haven’t been many changes and there still is room for improvement for depth and layering from top to bottom.

With these hybrid pads the bass is fullest and comes delivered with a bigger punch. That said, it isn’t as tight or controlled sounding as on the Angled pads. The mids are really nice here (spacious and rich) and also the treble end is energetic with excellent precision and spaciousness. It are the most balanced pads of both.

Signature – Angled Pads

These full Alcantara pads are nicely angled and they produce an overall lighter bodied sound, elevating the clarity and airiness, while putting more focus on the vocals and upper mids. The treble section is livelier here with more upper energy and sparkle. The bass presentation is lighter but it is cleaner, tighter and better controlled. The overall amount of body and presence is lighter from top to bottom with the angled pads, but you do get improved mid resolution.

Apart from the improved airiness, the angled pads don’t have a special effect on the sound stage width, depth or layering. As such they’re the exact same as mentioned above. The angled pads probably give you a more refined midrange and lower treble section where the note extension is more clearly audible.

So the bass presence is clearly lighter here, but it sounds tighter and more controlled. The midrange has additional airiness but is fairly light in presence. It does however improve the resolution in this section. The vocals have a bit more focus and energy here, you like this or you don’t. The top end isn’t very different.

Pads conclusion

It’s good that Meze Audio is continuing to play and shape their headphone tuning by using different styles and types of ear pads. For me, the hybrid aka Duo pads are the best performing. You get a nicely bodied, dynamic and rich sound, with a musical delivery and a somewhat smoother and slightly warmer tuning. Bass is a bit fuller here though it isn’t as tight and controlled as with the angled pads. If a lighter body and midrange presence is your thing, the angled pads will be the better ones for you. These pads overall produce the most neutral signature.

Sound conclusion

With the new Empyrean 2 Meze Audio has created a completely new headphone, with a tuning that is far from what they had up to now.

Neutrality, lighter body, clarity and speed now are key characteristics. In this neutral tuning bass and body are less present and it’s more about the quality than the quantity. The additional airiness, spaciousness and clarity are really nice to hear.

The good thing also is that Meze Audio and Rinaro have stuck to an ear pleasing and musical sound which is easy to like. If you’re a fan of the weightier and fuller sounding ELITE or original Empyrean, then you will be in for a surprise. The new Empyrean with its particular tuning to me isn’t a competitor of the ELITE or original Empyrean, and they can perfectly coexist in your collection as they’re so very different.

The part on sound continues on Page 3, with Sources & Amplification. Click here.

Page 1: Meze Audio, Intro, Empyrean 2, Box & Accessories & Price, Design & Build Quality & Comfort, Pads

Page 2: Sound, Sound general, Pads

Page 3: Sound: Sources & Amplification

Page 4: Sound Comparisons, Conclusion, Summary

Page 5: Full Specifications