Meze Audio Empyrean Open Back Headphones

CNC’d aluminum, leather, and carbon fiber come together in this hand-crafted headphone

Empyrean is hand assembled with care and painstaking attention to detail in Baia Mare, Romania. The drivers are made specifically for this headphone by Rinaro Isodynamics.

This hybrid planar magnetic driver uses two independently shaped voice coils within the same diaphragm delivering more selective acoustic performance to the various areas within the structure of the ear. This offers extremely accurate reproduction with a vanishingly low THD for a transducer (<0.1%) across the whole frequency range. It is also extremely lightweight, allowing for both dynamic performance and extended wear comfort. The driver stays extremely linear as it is capable of performance up to 110 kHz. It delivers a 100 dB sensitivity, so is easily driven with or without dedicated amplification.

From the complex geometrical imprint accentuated through the silver finish of the CNC aluminum frame, to the carbon fiber headband with leather headrest, this high-end headphone offers comfort as well as stellar sound.   

The patent-pending suspension wings support system is elongated and curved at both ends, descending further on the side of the head and distributing the weight of the headphone evenly, for the most comfortable listening experience.

The Meze Empyrean headphone comes with two uniquely shaped earpads developed by Rinaro to allow for personal calibration of the sound signature. The standard one is the well-known 30mm deep Alcantara ear pad originally developed for the Empyrean headphone in 2018. The other option is the Hybrid, with a perforated Alcantara interior and a leather exterior. 

With a soft, yet durable outer finish, the Hybrid ear cushions are a new addition to the earpad family that perfectly balances the qualities of Alcantara and leather into a single design. Besides the high wearing comfort, this unique combo lowers the bass pressure and delivers an airy sound signature.

The headphones come in a high-strength aluminum suitcase with foam inserts.

Cable options

• Mini XLR to 3.5 mm jack OFC standard cable, 1.2 m
• Mini XLR to 6.3 mm jack OFC standard cable, 2.5 m
• Mini XLR to 4 pin XLR connector standard cable, 2.5 m

Specifications

Type: Open, ear coupling circumaural

Driver: Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array®

Frequency Response: 4-110,000 Hz

Impedance: 31.6 Ω

Weight: 430 g