The iconically expressive and heat Meze Empyrean is getting a facelift. Regardless of the unique Empyrean being heralded as one of the crucial expressive and musical headphones ever constructed, some nitpickers have criticized it for being a bit of too sluggish or too heavy or too heat. Transparency is one other space the place critics have steered there may be room for enchancment.
Properly, Meze has heeded the decision of anal audiophiles throughout he world to make an incredible headphone much more spectacular. How completely different is the Empyrean II’s sound signature from the unique mannequin? And what are you able to count on when it comes to ability and efficiency.
What’s within the Field?
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Meze Empyrean II Headphones
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Heavy obligation ABS plastic suitcase with foam inserts and leather-based deal with
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Two units of ear pads
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Selection of cable: Silver-plated or Copper
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Selection of connector sort: 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm, 6.3 mm, 4 pin XLR
Look and Really feel
The construct of the Empyrean II is as detailed and chic because the sound signature suggests. Just like its predecessor, the Empyrean II locations a big emphasis on craftsmanship in its design. The aluminum body, formed by means of CNC milling, reveals off an refined matte black end, elevating its aesthetic attraction. The redesigned grill additional enhances the general visible attract, showcasing Meze’s dedication to each kind and performance. And if the design is just not Meze sufficient for you, the silver accent with the model’s distinguished emblem on the ear cups actually hits it house.
As for match, I bumped into no points. The headphones by no means really feel heavy on my head and the velour ear pads have been tremendous cozy and roomy. So long as I overlook I’m sporting headphones, I’m joyful. And such was the case with the Empyrean II.
Design
For this mannequin, Meze teamed up with Rinaro to combine their Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver, which in line with Meze, “combines particular person switchback and spiral formed voice coils in a single driver, permitting sound to be focused with extra accuracy across the pure type of the ear.” One other Rinaro design is its Isomagnetic coupling know-how, which simplifies the method of adjusting earpads; it makes use of the demagnetizing discipline generated by the driving force to safe the earcup in place, whereas redirecting the magnetic discipline again into the driving force, enhancing general effectivity. Neat.
Sound Impressions
Soundstage
This soundstage will notably attraction to the purists on the market; the stage or scale isn’t exaggerated or whimsical; top and depth really feel lifelike (although the stereo discipline is what appears most expansive). And though the imaging does a strong job of making dimension, it’s a very centered stage that places you smack middle in a deliciously contained area. You’ll nonetheless get an enough sense of depth, for instance, however all the things sits comparatively up shut, enhancing the emotiveness of the music and creating an intimate relationship with the efficiency.
In fact, the pristine stage of separation additionally does wonders for stage, including area between parts and permitting for clear and colourful layering in even essentially the most crowded mixes.
Low-Finish
Though removed from obnoxious, there’s a heft to the low-end that’s each heat and extremely majestic. I notably loved the additional depth and taste that the Empyrean II injects into acoustic devices. On the similar time, listening to strings on this vary, the extent of transparency was excellent. Maybe much more hanging was how pure the timbral qualities of the weather sounded. Cellos and double basses, for example, revealed enhanced subtitles in wooden and bow vibration, presenting it with a wealthy, but pure shade that felt each substantial and unadulterated on the similar time.
Actually, regardless of its uncompromising readability and tidiness, there’s nothing medical or boring about this low-end presentation. Pop tracks have ample punch, and the bass takes the stage when known as upon. I used to be additionally fairly impressed by the velocity of the bass, particularly given previous criticism of the unique Empyrean as being considerably sluggish. However there’s completely nothing lazy concerning the Empyrean’s supply.
Mids
As talked about above, the mids are ridiculously clear and effectively separated, which I didn’t count on to be one of many Empyrean II’s most defining qualities. Nevertheless it’s unimaginable to disregard. The low-mids, whereas not overly weighty, create some heat, appearing as the proper topping to a full, but disciplined and contained bass. And whereas the midrange might not be purely even, there may be sufficient equilibrium created between the low and high-mids to make for a really complete and all encompassing sound. Actually, this isn’t the form of tuning the place the higher mids come out at you. Moderately, this midrange is straightforward, and no component is ever misplaced within the combine. And thanks partially to the intimate soundstage, vocals and different lead devices sound extremely expressive. Nonetheless, the marginally leaner, extra impartial presentation appears to be a slight departure from the unique sound signature.
Highs
It’s been some time since I first listened to the primary Empyrean. However I don’t keep in mind it having any pronounced brightness within the treble. The Empyrean II definitely has that vigorous high quality within the highs, even when notably delicate ears could take into account it a contact sharp on sure tracks (equivalent to hip-hop songs with higher-pitched snares, which sound a bit of sizzly). Personally, I used to be not often bothered by this added radiance, which peeked by means of periodically. In reality, I discovered it completely complemented the heavy decrease frequencies, injecting the impression of velocity and vitality into fashionable music, particularly.
Abstract
The Empyrean II is sort of a scorching and heavy summer time romance that fills you with longing and heartbreak. If that’s going too far, then let me say, on the very least, that no different sound signature can mix this a lot ability with this a lot charisma. Uber-musical and emotive with essentially the most masterful execution I’ve heard in a very long time, it’s finest to not hear to those cans except you propose on shopping for them. The Empyrean II is simply that good.
You should purchase the Meze Empyrean II at Audio 46.
