Meze Empyrean 2-Improved or Sacrificed Musicality for Technicalities?-Honest Audiophile Impressions

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
  • A BIG thank you to Meze Audio for providing the Empyrean 2 for review, much appreciated.
    The Empyrean 2 follows in the foot-steps of the legendary Empyrean. Does the Empryean 2 improve or sacrifice the musicality of the original Empyrean for more technical abilities? How does it compare to the Audeze LCD-5? Does the Moondrop Para sound similar?
    More Information:
    mezeaudio.com/products/empyre...
    Purchase Apos Audio: apos.audio/collections/brand-...
    Chapters:
    00:00 Introduction/Specs
    01:10 Build/Design/Comfort
    02:50 Accessories
    04:25 Pads
    06:50 Source Pairings
    08:40 Sonic Impressions
    08:50 Bass
    09:50 Mids
    11:20 Treble
    12:12 Technical Abilities
    15:20 vs Moondrop Para
    16:22 vs Audeze LCD-5
    17:45 Conclusion
    19:15 Leaving Slowly
    Meze Empyrean review:
    • Meze Empyrean - End of...
    I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I have not done any scientific research, measurements, or in-depth testing of any kind; just my own listening, comparing and internet reading/research. I have limited, real-life experience with recording, mixing and mastering gear. I have been involved since my teenage years with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.
    Please take these thoughts, opinions and reasonings as just that, my honest audiophile thoughts, opinions and reasonings.
    Instagram: pB4LG7Kqp_...
    Twitter: / talkdbs @TalkDbs
    Website: www.thehonestaudiophile.com
    Patreon : / thehonestaudiophile
    CZcams membership: / @thehonestaudiophile
    The Honest Audiophile research/review process: • Let's Talk - My resear... Tierlist:docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
    Audio Terms/Definitions: www.thehonestaudiophile.com/p...
    Test Tracks: www.thehonestaudiophile.com/p...
    Amazon playlist: music.amazon.com/user-playlis...
    Tidal Playlists:
    Jazz: tidal.com/browse/playlist/ea7...
    Soundtracks: tidal.com/browse/playlist/bd1...
    Bass: tidal.com/browse/playlist/0ba...
    Mids & Treble: tidal.com/browse/playlist/c5b...
    Tone & Timbre: tidal.com/browse/playlist/091...
    Favorites: tidal.com/browse/playlist/4e9...
    Recommended Gear:
    Audeze LCD-5: www.audeze.com/products/lcd-5
    Rosson Audio Design RAD-0: www.rossonaudiodesign.com/
    Meze Empyrean: mezeaudio.com/products/meze-e...
    Hifiman Ananda: hifiman.com/products/detail/290
    Sennheiser HD600: en-us.sennheiser.com/best-aud...
    Sennheiser HD660s: en-us.sennheiser.com/hd-660-s
    Austrian Audio Hi-X60: austrian.audio/headphones/hi-...
    Audeze LCD 2 Closed: LCD-2 Closed Back (audeze.com)
    ADV. M5-12D: www.adv-sound.com/collections...
    CTM Da Vinci X: cleartunemonitors.com/product...
    Tin Hifi T2: www.linsoul.com/products/tinh...
    Sony NW-A105: electronics.sony.com/audio/wa...
    Sony NW-WM-1a: electronics.sony.com/audio/wa...
    Mytek Liberty DAC ii: mytek.audio/shop/lbrt-dac-ii-...
    HeadAmp GSX-Mini: www.headamp.com/products/gs-x...
    Tor Audio Roger: toraudio.com/main.html#
    Schiit Audio BiFrost 2: schiit.com/products/bi-frost-1
    Massdrop THX AAA 789:
    drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-789...
    Massdrop THX AAA One Linear: drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-one...
    If you like the content of this channel and want to see more like this in the future, please
    consider donating. All funds donated to the channel will be used to purchase headphones and audio gear for the channel.
    Paypal: www.paypal.me/dbsylvia
    Venmo: @David-Sylvia-6
    Patreon : / thehonestaudiophile
    If you would like to contact the channel please send an email to: dbstechtalk@gmail.com
    Affiliate links:
    Drop: click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/...
    Apos Audio: apos.audio?sca_ref=45218.8XN5h6dArS
  • Hudba

Komentáře • 31

  • @carminedesanto6746
    @carminedesanto6746 Před 3 měsíci +1

    GM ..been out of touch for a bit…I’m still getting constantly amazed by my LCDX 2021 .. i put the carbon fiber headband on it ..not much weight difference..but the clamp is a lot comfortable.
    The 5 is ENDGAME!
    18:56 Now, if you’ve got the OG Emp’s ..is it worth considering going to the 2.0 🧐
    Great video 👍👍

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Depends on if you want more air, space, brightness, slightly more details and resolving, thinner note weight instead of the more lush, romantic original.
      Glad you enjoy the LCD-X 21, such a good headphone.
      I hope you get opportunity to hear or own Lcd-5 at some point. Look forward to hearing your impressions.

  • @draecath5953
    @draecath5953 Před měsícem +1

    I have the Empyrean 2 and I am wondering what you prefer as a source I'm eying the Aune s9c or k9 akm right now.

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před měsícem

      Hmmm either are good choices. I don't recall which I preferred over the other. I had to return the Empy 2 as it was a loaner tour.

  • @anubdaniel9649
    @anubdaniel9649 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Bro i dont know if u read this but if u do please tell me i am new to iem and iam planning on purchasing a entry level iem after seeing ur videos i am confused on wheather to buy 7hz salnotes zero or blon bl 03 i listen to more of melody and sad piano music i want a smooth and balanced sound so please sir tell me which u suggest me.

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Between those two mentioned, I'd pick the 7hz Salnotes Zero. But honestly, I'd get a Tangzu Wan'er or Simgot EW200 instead.

  • @ginom407
    @ginom407 Před 3 měsíci

    Thanks Dave! I might have to take another look at the Para...

  • @chungang7037
    @chungang7037 Před 3 měsíci +2

    Wow, hype train derailed! Other reviewers saw this thing as the second coming. Isn't the Moondrop Para $299? I demoed the Elite side by side with the Empy, and felt the Elite was going too far and stripping the lushness of acoustic instruments and my ability to enjoy the music. For those wanting more soundstage and technicalities, I guess it was a trade off. I will have to demo the Empy 2 with the Empy later, but something tells me your take is going to be spot on. Thanks for the review~

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před 3 měsíci +1

      I didn't say the Para is on the same level. I said the Para is similar presentation at a lesser price. Depending on what you value, the Para is a solid performer for it's price. The Empy 2 is an improvement in technical abilities.

  • @NeoGaming666
    @NeoGaming666 Před 3 měsíci +1

    I have heard Empereyan 2 with a desktop R2R DAC at an event. It was the best sound that has ever touched my eardrums. I own a LCD2C, ATHR70X and HD6XX but this was sth else

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před 3 měsíci

      Glad you enjoyed the Empyrean 2. It's for sure a good quality headphone.

  • @SnobAudiophile
    @SnobAudiophile Před 3 měsíci +2

    This sounds like the upgrade I have been waiting for. I owned the original but sold it because it was too stuffy and lacking details. Thanks for your honest review.

  • @ReverendDr.Thomas
    @ReverendDr.Thomas Před 3 měsíci +2

    I didn't like the Empyrean 2 when I compared them to other high-end headphones like the HEDDphone 2 and Susvara.

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před 3 měsíci

      I've not heard Headphone 2, hope to at Axpona. Haven't heard Susvara but once at an audio show.

  • @nick62876
    @nick62876 Před 3 měsíci +1

    you sold your endgame for the lcd5 why? you convinced all of us you found your endgame headphone and no longer cgoing to review headphones ? what happened . glad your back tho .

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před 3 měsíci +2

      Here's a link to my Audeze LCD-5 review.
      czcams.com/video/wCU5kxkqxf8/video.html
      I didn't say I wasn't going to review again, I said I wasn't doing video reviews and was moving to written content. But the community spoke and my website struggled so I returned to CZcams.
      I really enjoyed the Empyrean and still think it is a great headphone. But the Audeze LCD-5 is just superior for what I believe to be a natural, neutral presentation and matches my preference better than the Empyrean.
      Opinions change with time and experience and that is why I moved on from the Empyrean.

    • @nick62876
      @nick62876 Před 2 měsíci

      @@TheHonestAudiophile lol there is no endgame we all know that my friend it never ends always getting the itch we are never happy .😁

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před 2 měsíci +1

      @nick62876 I'm very happy with my gear. I have no desire to upgrade even with all the stuff I get in to review.
      I can see myself using the Audeze LCD-5 for a very long time along with my Mytek stack.

  • @kentbergstrom3020
    @kentbergstrom3020 Před 3 měsíci +3

    I thought Empyrean 1 was your end-game?

  • @Mr1stcat
    @Mr1stcat Před 3 měsíci +2

    Lcd5 and the empy 2 sound like hot garbage I thought this hobby was about enjoying music, not torturing yourself with sharp treble and calling it "highly resolving" why do I wanna analyze every sound and hear the pianist scratching his junk that's not audiophilila that's just ridiculous 😆 the graphification and sterilization of this fun hobby will be the end of it 🤷‍♂️ I wanna tap my toes not examine everything I'll leave that to the sound engineers and musicians that actually produce the music 😎

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Don't judge a product until you've heard them.
      The LCD-5:doesn't have elevated, sharp treble. The LCD-5 is a neutral and natural presentation with an accurate tone and timbre as well as being detailed and resolving. The Empyrean 2 has elevated mids that have moments of shouty, sharp, don't have as good tone and timbre and aren't as detailed and resolving. Both are good headphones but the LCD-5 is significantly better in my opinion. I enjoy every moment of listening with my LCD-5 not so much with the Empyrean 2.
      Thanks for your comment.

    • @chungang7037
      @chungang7037 Před 3 měsíci +3

      I feel you... it is the nature of the hobby it seems. Audiophiles want to be tortured by how badly recorded their music is, and then be tortured again by well recorded music they don't enjoy. 🤣

    • @BS99999
      @BS99999 Před 3 měsíci

      @@chungang7037 this so called audiophile is deaf, fat and old which is why he likes sharp treble. Sharur was damn accurate with his criticisms of him.

    • @hartyewh1
      @hartyewh1 Před 3 měsíci

      It's called EQ. Almost no headphone is well tuned. LCD-5 with EQ sounds absurdly good and very natural and effortless.

    • @TheHonestAudiophile
      @TheHonestAudiophile  Před 3 měsíci

      LCD-5 sounds amazing without EQ on a quality DAC and amplifier in my opinion.