Meze Audio Empyrean Review | 93 Data compared

This review evaluates four high-end, open-back headphones in the €2,400 to €3,500 price range, specifically assessing their build and sound signatures. The Meze Empyrean (€2,999) stands out for its exceptional carbon and titanium build, premium Rinaro planar driver, and a highly engaging sound with a touch of pleasant warmth, though measurements show slightly higher distortion in the lower frequencies. In contrast, the Audeze LCD-3 (€2,399) features a luxury wood and leather design with excellent linear response and rich bass, but it falls short in soundstage refinement compared to its competitors and is heavily penalised for its fatiguing, bulky weight. The other half of the test features options optimized for speed and precise studio-level neutrality. The Hifiman HE1000se (€跨3,499) delivers electrostatic-like speed, robust dynamics, and a comfortable, highly open design, but it displays sub-optimal impulse behavior and a sharp measurement peak around 8,000 Hz. Lastly, the Final D8000 (€3,499) utilises a proprietary Air Film Damping System to achieve a highly defined bass and an extremely clean, neutral sound signature ideal for professional studio environments. While it boasts exceptional impulse response and...

The Meze Audio Empyrean is a highly ambitious, luxury flagship headphone from Romania that retails for €2,999. Designed by industrial designer Antonio Meze, it boasts an exquisite, luxury watch-like build quality paired with exceptional physical comfort. Despite weighing 430 grams, its excellent weight distribution and thick, oval ear cushions make it feel remarkably light and cozy on the head while providing effective passive noise isolation. Performance-wise, the headphone is incredibly easy to drive due to its low 32-ohm impedance and 100 dB sensitivity, meaning it performs beautifully even with affordable portable DAC/amps. Sonically, the Empyrean utilizes a unique variant of planar magnetic drivers to deliver a vast, powerful, and cohesive "wall of sound" that resembles a high-end loudspeaker experience. Unlike some open-back alternatives that sound cold, it offers deep, clean, and physically impactful bass alongside smooth woodwinds and strings. However, the review notes that the drivers seem to miss a tiny bit of absolute resolution, resulting in a sound that leans more towards a rich, natural warmth rather than an analytical presentation. Ultimately, its main drawbacks are its steep price...

The HVT review written by Ernst Neve praises the Meze Audio RAI Penta (€1,099) as a high-end masterpiece that highlights the Romanian brand's growth since its 2015 inception. In terms of pros, the reviewer highlights the premium build, organic ergonomics, and an incredibly natural sound signature that excels in delivering an emotionally engaging, musical performance without causing ear fatigue. The in-ear monitor (IEM) cleverly utilizes a five-driver configuration (four balanced armatures and one dynamic driver) to achieve brilliant clarity, excellent instrument separation, and a balanced, mid-bass focused sound profile. YouTube· However, the review and broader industry testing also reveal notable cons, particularly regarding its steep retail price of €1,099 and a lack of sub-bass extension, meaning it may struggle to satisfy listeners who crave deep, sub-bass rumble. Additionally, while the smooth, rolled-off treble is exceptionally comfortable for long-term sessions, it occasionally lacks the top-end sparkle and ultra-wide soundstage found in rival flagship IEMs, and it can become overly dependent on a high-quality audio source to sound its best.