Meze Audio Empyrean 2 Review

Comparisons

For this section I have used the Duo pads. The comparison part is done with the Musician Aquarius DAC and the SAEQ PDA-1b headphone amplifier. The beauty of the SAEQ is that you can connect up to 4 headphones without any loss of quality or power, it’s the perfect neutrally tuned amplifier for comparisons.

In this first Empyrean 2 article we – because of the short deadline – will focus on Meze’s other high-end headphones but do let us know in the comments which other headphones you want to see the Empyrean compared to in the future.

The first headphone we all want to see the MKii compared to of course is the original Empyrean (original pads), and that comparison is pretty easy as they are quite different sounding. The original Empyrean dates back to 2018 already but it’s still a very popular headphone, even if the ELITE stole some of its fans. I have to say I am quite surprised to hear that Meze will no longer be offering the original Empyrean. If you really like the typical weightier and warmer tuning of that headphone, you now have no more Meze headphone to go to. So make sure you stock up on the original Empyrean, you can do so here. But back to the comparison.

As you read earlier the Empyrean2 is the more neutral tuned headphone and that translates in less warmth, overall body and softness. The vocals are also more clear and energetic, and they are less weighty. In fact the clarity of the Empyrean 2 sounds improved but that’s mainly because it is lighter sounding. In regards to resolution and precision I wouldn’t say the difference is very big, but the MKII’s PRaT is better and the note extensions seems improved.

Bass is present now in a more neutral way but it is tight and controlled. The mids are now more straight to the point where the mid timbre in the original Empyrean was more lush and more romantic. The Empyrean 2 does sound more spacious in the mids and it improves the sound stage width a little. The top end is more clear, and it has a higher resolution and extension. The Empyrean 2 is in better control of basically everything.

If it’s the fullness and smoothness of the original Empyrean that won you over, you will find this missing here. If you feel the original was too thick and warm and you like a better clarity and speed, then this new Empyrean 2 could be the one for you. And that brings us to the ELITE.

The Meze Audio ELITE is the Meze headphone I use most myself and it actually is Meze’s best selling reference headphone. As such it can’t come as a surprise that the Empyrean 2 builds on that direction. Basically everything we said above is also valid compared to the ELITE (standard pads). You with the Empyrean 2 get a more neutral tuning with lighter body and weight. There also is a faster presentation with improved clarity and the better control overall.

The improved clarity lets the detail come out better and shows you the better note extension and spaciousness in the midrange. Also compared to the ELITE, the vocals are lighter and as such more energetic. Besides the more spacious mids I don’t really feel the top end here is more extended in this comparison. Like with the Empyrean, the ELITE’s midrange timbre is richer and more romantic.

So if you like the ELITE but you still want more neutrality, less weight and a faster pace, then the Empyrean 2 is the one for you. If you still want some of Meze’s house sound (well up to now) with a high resolution and spacious rendering, than the ELITE will be the one for you. 

Compared to the OG Empyrean and the ELITE, I personally don’t feel that there is a direct improvement in depth and layering. So don’t be expecting any considerable change there. I find all 3 of Meze’s headphones to be easy to listen to from a tonal aspect, and they all are musical, engaging and entertaining. It’s a bit strange to see the elevated $1K price tag of the ELITE now, so I do wonder how that will evolve.

Conclusion

With the Empyrean 2, Meze Audio is walking into a new direction. In this new tuning, neutrality, clarity, speed and spaciousness are keywords. Gone are characteristics such as warmth, body and lushness. The Empyrean 2 is very different from the original as well as their ELITE headphone. Some will welcome this, others will still prefer the old style original tuning. Or you can just like all 3 of them.

In terms of build quality, comfort and design, Meze still fully delivers and you get what you expect at this price point, a top-level headphone in all possible ways.

Before the Empyrean 2 was announced, the ELITE was a Recommended Buy Award winner and it still is on our Recommended Headphone Buy list. The new Empyrean 2 will not replace the ELITE on that list, but it is joining it.

The new Empyrean 2 headphone is so different that they both can coexist and deserve a spot on our Best Headphone list. The Meze Audio Empyrean 2 is a new recommended buy. Again, if you are after the original Empyrean sound and you don’t have one yet in your collection, now is the time to get it, before they all are gone.

Summary

Pros:

• Great design
• Top level Build Quality
• Comfort
• New tuning
• Sound quality

Cons:

• No more a TOTL Meze headphone with a warmer tuning

On the last page of this article you can find the Empyrean 2’s full specifications. 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