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: www.nativedsd.com/product/sl1023a-carmen-gomes-sings-the-blues/ ------------ You can buy the Empyrean II directly from Meze via this link, which also supports my channel: www.hear.audio/go/empyrean2 ------------ For the most common questions about my videos, please read the FAQ! hear.audio/faq
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!
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~!
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?
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.
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.
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
what are the actual differences between the Elites and both Empyreans ? just the pads, or are the drivers actually different ? they look identical on the pictures i could find.
@@Currawong most reviewers prefer the Empyrean 2 now over both the Originals, and the Elites, in fact they prefer them over most headphones, the Empyrean 1 uses MZ3, the Empyrean 2 uses MZ3v2, and the Elite (that i don't like) use MZ3SE
hear.audio/faq -- I'll make sure to release it just after Schiit runs out of them, of course, so you have the most regret not having bought one (I bought one on spec alone). 🤣
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.
It's not the amount, it's how the amplification is designed to send that power that is important. How it handles large peaks in the music, which can easily send especially low bass over 100 dB, is important. 110 dB 30 Hz audio doesn't sound that loud, due to the way our ears work, and that will send a lot of amplification into clipping.
@@Currawong Transient handling is more a matter of capacitance, for sure. For the rest, except for 2-3 anomalies, I have never measured more than 500 mW go through the wires to the headphones while playing 2049 on the Blade Runner soundtrack.
Does your friend like the Meze Elite more though? The Elite's sound expands much farther and sounds more luxurious right? Or does the Elite not have the "bubble" effect your friends wants?
I could not do a long test, so it is only impressions I give, but right now, if I had to choose, I would go for the Elite. The sounded "cleaner" to me. However, when Amos puts me on the grill like that, he brings some really top notch gear, and it is hard if not impossible for me to say this one is better or not. It is more a matter of preference just at that moment. I Would love to do a long term trial but somehow Amos does not feel like leaving his beloved headphones for several months. ;) Note that I have the "old" Empyrian... and I keep them!
@@oxomono hey thanks! btw you are super lucky to be able to try these unlike many of us 😅 To clarify, at the moment you prefer Meze Elite > Meze Empyrean 2 > Meze Empyrean OG and they all have the "bubble" effect that you like?
@@Viewer13128 Yes, I would say they all do have this Bubble effect. I also use the upgraded silver coated cables from Mezze and it really makes a difference especially on my OG Empyrean. The fact that the Empyrean II comes with these cables in stock is a smart move.
Hey! I listen to my elite with angled alcantara. Because it has more detail retrieval, better technicalities, and imaging. How are the new pads on elite? From the hybrid pads, I miss the slam impact. Is there a chance to keep some of angled alcantara qualities and have the slam?
That may have been my fault! We had just spend a few hours setting up and listening with the Schiit Syn, and were quite sleepy by the time we got to this part.
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:
www.nativedsd.com/product/sl1023a-carmen-gomes-sings-the-blues/
------------
You can buy the Empyrean II directly from Meze via this link, which also supports my channel:
www.hear.audio/go/empyrean2
------------
For the most common questions about my videos, please read the FAQ! hear.audio/faq
Great timing Amos, the headphones just showed up on some audio retailers. Your reviews are the best.
Meze never disappoint on the build quality❤
For some they never disappoint on audio quality as well
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!
I personally don't like the way the silver upgrade cable sounds, so I'm kind of sad they're including it by default
I may be wrong but I believe you can choose between their copper and silver cable
You know you are a true audiophile when you are listening to multiple-thousand HiFi system wearing socks with holes 21:45
Them priorities...😅
I appreciate Stefan's Sibelius' with the domestic indoor plant treatment. I feel it must warm up the space.
Nice review, as always, Amos.
Thanks!
Grandchild: Grandpa, why do you have such big ears?
Grandpa: It's a Meze Empyrean II you silly child!
First time I remember a mass release of headphone videos from everyone Ala Camera/ Smartphone releases.
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~!
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?
Yes, they HPA-23RM is coming soon!
Great video, appreciate all the helpful analysis...thank you.
For Meze hp, I like the Burson hp amps. I have the Conductor.
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.
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.
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
I own HD800s, do you think the new Empyrean will be a good alternative for music that will sound too bright with 800s?
Thanks for this Andrew/Resolve, appreciate you going over some graphs. Wait a tick, you’re not Andrew!
Amos, your reviews sure have changed.
Resolve understands the science far better than I do.
Hi! Are Emperyan 2 better over all then the Hifiman Arya Stealth?
Currawong , Thanks Much !.......
Great review!
what are the actual differences between the Elites and both Empyreans ? just the pads, or are the drivers actually different ? they look identical on the pictures i could find.
The drivers in the Elite are better.
@@Currawong most reviewers prefer the Empyrean 2 now over both the Originals, and the Elites, in fact they prefer them over most headphones, the Empyrean 1 uses MZ3, the Empyrean 2 uses MZ3v2, and the Elite (that i don't like) use MZ3SE
Great video
When are we getting a video on the Schiit MJOLNIR 3?😬
hear.audio/faq -- I'll make sure to release it just after Schiit runs out of them, of course, so you have the most regret not having bought one (I bought one on spec alone). 🤣
I also ordered it on specs alone, mine ships Nov 20th. Just wanted to see what you thought🤓@@Currawong
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.
It's not the amount, it's how the amplification is designed to send that power that is important. How it handles large peaks in the music, which can easily send especially low bass over 100 dB, is important. 110 dB 30 Hz audio doesn't sound that loud, due to the way our ears work, and that will send a lot of amplification into clipping.
@@Currawong Transient handling is more a matter of capacitance, for sure. For the rest, except for 2-3 anomalies, I have never measured more than 500 mW go through the wires to the headphones while playing 2049 on the Blade Runner soundtrack.
Were you able to test the new hybrid Empyrean pads on the Elite?
I didn't, because I don't imagine they'll improve anything, but I'm thinking about what I might do as a followup video about them.
@@Currawongthat would be great! Even if it doesn’t improve anything, it also doesn’t cost anything to try when you got both of them at once :)
I second @jcksnpl thoughts, doesn't hurt and I know a lot of Elite owners, myself included, are curious about the new pads!
Hey can you provide a download to the response curves you got from Meze?
I'd have to ask them for permission. Manufacturers tend to be reluctant to release internal measurements, as they can easily become misleading.
Does your friend like the Meze Elite more though? The Elite's sound expands much farther and sounds more luxurious right? Or does the Elite not have the "bubble" effect your friends wants?
I could not do a long test, so it is only impressions I give, but right now, if I had to choose, I would go for the Elite. The sounded "cleaner" to me. However, when Amos puts me on the grill like that, he brings some really top notch gear, and it is hard if not impossible for me to say this one is better or not. It is more a matter of preference just at that moment. I Would love to do a long term trial but somehow Amos does not feel like leaving his beloved headphones for several months. ;) Note that I have the "old" Empyrian... and I keep them!
@@oxomono hey thanks! btw you are super lucky to be able to try these unlike many of us 😅 To clarify, at the moment you prefer Meze Elite > Meze Empyrean 2 > Meze Empyrean OG and they all have the "bubble" effect that you like?
@@Viewer13128 Yes, I would say they all do have this Bubble effect. I also use the upgraded silver coated cables from Mezze and it really makes a difference especially on my OG Empyrean. The fact that the Empyrean II comes with these cables in stock is a smart move.
Anyone know how these compare to the ZMF Atrium?
Hi Amos..... since you're @ Japan.... any chance to review the Yamaha YH5k?
Both Yamaha and I forgot! But yes, they are on the list, eventually.
can compare with E3 sound wise?
How would these do with movies and gaming?
Hey! I listen to my elite with angled alcantara. Because it has more detail retrieval, better technicalities, and imaging.
How are the new pads on elite? From the hybrid pads, I miss the slam impact. Is there a chance to keep some of angled alcantara qualities and have the slam?
Are you doing a review on the enleum amp I seen? I am looking to add that to my hugo 2
@ 21:49 nice socks 😅😜
Tell Stefan red goes into the right side ;) (23:52)
That may have been my fault! We had just spend a few hours setting up and listening with the Schiit Syn, and were quite sleepy by the time we got to this part.
At one point there were so many cables in my room, I felt lucky I could hear any sound at all. ;) oh well, not my first embarrassing moment anyway. ;)
would you take the utopia over it?
So Saul Goodman is reviewing headphones now?
Is it me or for some reason they now look like a 500$ cans? 🤔
If you would want to see more views of this video, please reply to this message.😮
I own HD800s, do you think the new Empyrean will be a good alternative for music that will sound too bright with 800s?
I'd say so. That, or get a Schiit Loki or Lokius to turn up the bass! I did that recently with good results.