{"title":"Meze Audio","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"meze-audio-empyrean-open-back-isodynamic-headphones-jet-black","title":"Meze Audio Empyrean Open-Back Isodynamic Headphones - Jet Black","description":"\u003ch3\u003eProduct of The Year Award 2024 - \u003cem\u003eStereoNET\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEditors' Choice Award - \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBest Headphones for Audiophiles 2024 - \u003cem\u003eRobb Report\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEditor's Choice Award - \u003cem\u003eInner Fidelity\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeadphone of the Year - \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eReviewers' Choice - \u003cem\u003eHi-fi Choice\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\"One of the Greats of Headphone Design and Manufacture\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEmpyrean is one of the most technologically innovative planar magnetic headphones in the world. Its blend of premium materials, exquisite craftsmanship, and detailing is unmistakably Meze Audio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyrean is built to last as one of the greats of headphone design and manufacture,\" raves Rafe Arnott at \u003cem\u003einnerfidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e. which honored the Empyrean with an Editor's Choice Award. \"Few headphones have made such an instantaneous sonic impression upon me as the Meze Empyrean did at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest this fall and once I’d received a production model for review here at home, it was déjà vu all over again when I slipped them on with their accuracy, tonal and timbral cloud, 3D-spatial imaging and huge sound stage.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAward-Winning Performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean won a \u003cem\u003eStereoNET\u003c\/em\u003e Product of The Year Award 2024 in the Over Ear (Wired) Headphones category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The high-end headphone market is a unique place where exotic audio engineering appears in very small packages. Into this brave new world of esoteric head-fi, which barely existed a decade or so ago, has stepped Meze Audio. It has recently launched some seriously special designs, such as the new Empyrean v2.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"This is an expensive, open-back planar magnetic ‘phone that uses super light 'isodynamic hybrid array’ drivers to give a startling frequency response of 8Hz to 110kHz. It sounds superb, being effortlessly transparent and breathtakingly fast. Exquisitely built, it fully justifies its hefty retail price.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEditors' Choice Award\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean also grabbed an Editors' Choice Award from \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e magazine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyrean was conceived as Meze’s cost-no-object headphone. At the heart of the Empyrean is a patent-pending, hybrid planar-magnetic driver that combines—on one diaphragm—two independently shaped voice-coil sections: a circular section optimized for upper-midrange and high frequencies; and a larger serpentine section optimized for mid\/bass performance. The result is a headphone that offers a fundamentally natural and organic sound but is also extraordinarily revealing and detailed.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"How Much Better Can Headphones Get?\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"While hardly inexpensive, these Romanian-designed-and-built headphones are as satisfying to listen to as they are comfortable for long listening sessions,\" raves \u003cem\u003eRobb Report\u003c\/em\u003e, March 20, 2024, which handed the Clear Mg the magazine's Best Headphones for Audiophiles 2024 award.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The frequency response is, almost literally, off the charts, extending from a subterranean eight Hz and spiraling to a (literally) unheard of 110,000 Hz. Altogether, the Empyreans hit the headphone sweet spot and beg the question, 'How much better can headphones get?'\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Gripping, You-Are-There Realism\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Stated simply, the Empyrean creates large, believable soundstages and the sort of gripping, you-are-there realism that’s hard to find in any transducer, regardless of type,\" reports Chris Martens in \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e, which honored the Empyrean as Headphone of the Year, 2018. \"If you give the Empyrean time to become all it can be, it will reward you with a rare combination of balance, finesse, and all-around expressiveness.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyreans clearly rank among the very best headphones you can buy,\" notes Brent Butterworth, \u003cem\u003eHi-fi Choice\u003c\/em\u003e, April 1, 2019, which gave the Empyreans a Reviewers' Choice award. \"They deliver loads of detail and a wonderful sense of space, all without skewing the tonal balance toward the treble as so many audiophile headphones do, and they have no quirks or anomalies that would make me warn certain listeners away from them. No matter what kind of music you love, you’ll love hearing it through the Empyreans.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBorn from Passion, Curiosity, and Innovation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Empyrean was born from passion, curiosity, and innovation,\" says Meze Audio's Head Designer and Founder Antonio Meze. \"As a business, we have allowed ourselves the freedom to experiment and take risks in search of the perfect sound. To generate something truly remarkable, one must dare to explore, and that’s what we did with Empyrean. We pushed and refined industry standards and achieved a true game changer for audiophiles.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEmpyrean is the product of two passionate companies coming together to explore what is possible beyond their individual capabilities. The result is a no-compromise headphone embodying Meze’s daring aesthetic and user-centered design approach and Rinaro’s experience in research and development within the field of planar magnetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eRinaro, a progressive audio company, has at the heart of its technology an R\u0026amp;D team that has been at the forefront of planar magnetic development since the 1980s. What originally started as a state-funded initiative with a focus on innovation has now entered into a new chapter of audio progression with the opening of a cutting-edge industrial facility in Ukraine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsodynamic® Hybrid Array Driver\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOver thirty years of research and development has led to the creation of the first Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver, creating a new standard in planar magnetic audio. The technology has resulted in one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOne of the problems with conventional planar magnetic arrays arises from reflected signals entering the ear canal with different time delays, thereby worsening the focus of 3D sound imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean's driver combines individual switchback and spiral-shaped voice coils whose unique shapes allows sound to be targeted with more accuracy around the natural form of the ear. This unique combination generates an increased exposure of direct sound wave frequencies over the 10kHz range and improves imaging and localization by decreasing the impact of time delays caused by diffused field reflections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHybrid Array Driver Advantages\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eCombining two independently shaped voice coils within the same diaphragm delivering more selective acoustic performance to the various areas within the structure of the ear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing lower frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the driver. The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing middle-high frequencies and is positioned directly over the ear canal enabling more direct sound waves to enter the ear without any time delays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Isoplanar® diaphragm is manufactured from a custom developed isotropic thermally stabilized polymer with a conductive layer. Through unique processing methods, an ultralight yet rigid diaphragm has been achieved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eResults of this technology include total harmonic distortion (THD) measuring under 0.1% in the whole frequency range and ultra-high-resolution audio with an upper-frequency limit of 110,000 Hz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAn Ergonomic Approach\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eTo create an audiophile headphone that is powerful yet light, Meze Audio needed the driver to maximize power output while reducing weight as much as possible. Weight was minimized by optimizing a magnet structure around an ovoid shape that fits the ear more closely. Power output was increased through the use of a completely bespoke coil and magnet array design that optimized the active usable area of the driver within its ovoid shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eComfort is supreme with Empyrean. For audiophiles who want to hear what thirty years of design evolution sounds like, Empyrean pairs the advances in audio reproduction with a headphone chassis that delivers extended hours of listening pleasure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe high-precision CNC sculpted chassis, milled from a single piece of solid aluminum, weighs only 15 ounces. A carbon fiber headband and leather headrest form an extremely comfortable support for listening pleasure. Suspension wings increase the leather headrest’s contact surface area with your head, eliminating uncomfortable pressure points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A True High-End Headphone\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Meze has produced a true high-end headphone in the Empyrean,\" observes Dan Worth, \u003cem\u003eHiFi Pig\u003c\/em\u003e, March 5, 2021. \"The level of workmanship is exquisite. Comfort levels, weight on the head and level of clamping are spot-on for me. It’s only when you look in the mirror that you realise that you have something so substantial on your head!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Now I’ve heard the Meze Empyrean headphones probably a dozen times at the shows. And every time I try to nitpick them, I end up just enjoying the music. It didn’t matter which amplifier or DAC it was plugged into. Music just sounded truthful,\" notes Jay Luong, \u003cem\u003eAudio Bacon\u003c\/em\u003e, October 24, 2022. \"Meze was very meticulous and thoughtful when it came to this package. They made damn sure the listener knew this was a flagship headphone.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsomagnetic® Ear Cup to Ear Pad Coupling Technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn innovative feature is the Isomagnetic® ear cup attachment, which utilizes the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to hold the ear cup in place while also redirecting the magnetic field back into the driver and improving driver efficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMagnetic field shielding is one benefit. The ferromagnetic ear pads decrease the magnetic stray field affecting the listeners head. Another benefit is an increase in driver efficiency. Patented ferromagnetic plates channel the magnetic field back into the driver, increasing output. The Hybrid Array Driver achieves 100db @ 1mw \/ 1kHz high performance without the need for amplification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn invisible locking system is an added benefit. The Empyrean features an innovative use of the magnetic field of the drivers to fix the headphone ear cups in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHand Assembled and Fully Serviceable\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio carefully hand assembles each headphone in its facilities in Baia Mare, Romania. One of Meze Audio's core beliefs is to create products that last. From the Empyrean's replaceable earpads to the high-performance materials used, every part on the headphone chassis is available to be serviced if any parts ever need to be replaced. Meze Audio also provides a two-year warranty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCable Options and Other Accessories\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThree cable options include your choice of an 8-ft. (2.5m) cable with 4-pin mini XLR plugs and 6.3mm plug; or a 4-ft. (1.2m) cable with 4pin mini XLR plugs and 3.5mm plug; or an 8-ft. (2.5m) cable with 4-pin mini XLR plugs and a 4-pin XLR connector. All three cables use premium signal conductors made from OFC copper and a Kevlar jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAccessories included with the headphone consist of a high-strength aluminum suitcase carrying case with foam inserts and two sets of earpads: one real leather, one Alcantara.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"3.5mm \/ New","offer_id":45980578971821,"sku":"NEW-MZEMPY-JBLK-35","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZEMPY_JBLK_01_2023__92314.1722027682.1280.1280_ad2bed7f-4448-423b-b8e2-16856c1ce461.jpg?v=1778151502"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-empyrean-real-leather-ear-pads","title":"Meze Audio Empyrean Real Leather Ear Pads","description":"\u003ch3\u003eReal Leather Replacement Ear Pads for Empyrean Headphones\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThese Meze Audio replacement ear pads are made just for Empyrean headphones. They have a real leather interior and exterior, and they are soft and feel pleasant on your ear. They are easy to install, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOuter dimensions are 4.88\" high, 3.75\" wide, and 1.38\" deep. Inner dimensions are 2.95\" high and 1.77\" wide. Happy listening! \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eSold as a pair.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45981530587309,"sku":"NEW-MZLEAEP","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZLEAEP_01-Large__57866.1710876547.1280.1280.jpg?v=1778115836"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-alcantara-ear-pads","title":"Meze Audio Alcantara Ear Pads","description":"\u003ch3\u003eAlcantara Replacement Ear Pads for Elite Headphones\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThese Meze Audio replacement ear pads are compatible with Elite headphones. They have an Alcantara interior and exterior. These ear pads are soft and feel pleasant on your ear. And they are easy to install.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOuter dimensions are 4.88\" high, 3.75\" wide, and 1.38\" deep. Inner dimensions are 2.95\" high and 1.77\" wide. Happy listening! \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eSold as a pair.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45981654384813,"sku":"NEW-MZALCEP","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZALCEP_01-Large__07097.1710876573.1280.1280.jpg?v=1778115841"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-empyrean-ii-headphones-and-premium-silver-plated-cable-with-1-4-inch-connector","title":"Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones and Premium Silver-Plated Cable with 1\/4 Inch Connector","description":"\u003ch3\u003eEditors' Choice Award - \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEditor's Choice - \u003cem\u003ethe-ear.net\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\"Recommended Buy\" Award - \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHighly Recommended - \u003cem\u003eearfidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eYour Gateway to Sonic Paradise\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eFollowing the huge success of the original model Empyrean headphone, Meze Audio's Empyrean II emerges as a symphony of artistry, sound innovation and craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe design goal was to enhance the headphones’ ability to reproduce fine details and achieve a more neutral sound signature, all the while preserving the original 'easy to listen to' character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Path to a Newly Refined Sonic Signature\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"When we first talked about creating the second generation of Empyrean, I knew it would be far from easy,\" observes Alex Grigoras, Acoustic Engineer for Meze Audio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"With many ideas in mind, I reached out to our community, eager to gather their feedback in any way I could. I wanted to dive into their hearts and minds, to understand their expectations, and so their input is what shaped the path toward Empyrean II. What followed was a test of patience and precision. At first, the possibilities seemed endless, but reality showed us that only a few of our plans were feasible. We made a lot of revisions to discover the right proportions and materials that would deliver the sound signature we aimed for.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAward-Winning Performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean grabbed an Editors' Choice Award from \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e magazine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyrean was conceived as Meze’s cost-no-object headphone. At the heart of the Empyrean is a patent-pending, hybrid planar-magnetic driver that combines—on one diaphragm—two independently shaped voice-coil sections: a circular section optimized for upper-midrange and high frequencies; and a larger serpentine section optimized for mid\/bass performance. The result is a headphone that offers a fundamentally natural and organic sound but is also extraordinarily revealing and detailed.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Empyrean II also landed an Editor's Choice award from \u003cem\u003ethe-ear.net\u003c\/em\u003e. According to reviewer Trevor Butler, \"In the Empyrean II, Meze have clearly produced a design capable of extreme clarity, amazing neutrality and fine spaciousness. This is a well-designed and superbly engineered headphone that should be high on the audition list for anyone looking in this price bracket; it’s a top-level headphone in so many ways.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A Remarkable Advancement in Headphone Technology\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Meze Audio Empyrean II represents a remarkable advancement in headphone technology that transcends mere comparison with its predecessor,\" observes Ichos, \u003cem\u003ehead-fi.org\u003c\/em\u003e, February 14, 2025. \"This model not only offers a more neutral tuning and enhanced technical performance than the original but also stands out as one of the most balanced and transparent headphones available today.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"As a flagship offering, the Meze Audio Empyrean II merges outstanding sonic attributes with superior craftsmanship, all at a price point that can be regarded as a bargain in the context of the current high-end audio market.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSonic Mastery Reimagined\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEmpyrean II emerges as the fruitful collaboration of two passionate companies that set out to explore uncharted territories. Meze Audio's engineering team masterfully harnessed the power of Rinaro’s Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver to reach a new world of sound. These efforts revealed new possibilities in terms of resolution and detail retrieval, achieving a cleaner and more accurate representation of sound, when compared to the original Empyrean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eRinaro Isodynamics was founded in Ukraine during the Cold War to research acoustic technology and has been innovating in planar magnetics for over 30 years. They expanded with new R\u0026amp;D and manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and Poland, which were instrumental in developing the patented Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology used in Empyrean, Elite, and Liric headphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Recommended Buy\" Award Winner\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"With the Empyrean 2, Meze Audio is walking into a new direction. In this new tuning, neutrality, clarity, speed and spaciousness are keywords,\" observes Lieven in his August 11, 2023 review for \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e, which honored the Empyrean 2 with a \"Recommended Buy\" award.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"In terms of build quality, comfort and design, Meze still fully delivers and you get what you expect at this price point, a top-level headphone in all possible ways.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Highly Recommended… Best Meze Headphone to Date\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMateusz Chmura calls the Empyrean II \"the best Meze headphone to date\" in his \u003cem\u003eear-fidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e review for April 29, 2024, which awarded the Empyrean II a Highly Recommended listing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Meze Empyrean II’s sound signature is perfect for everyday listening when you choose to relax with your favorite music, with a fun, engaging, but not at all insistent DNA. The perfect single word to describe this pair of headphones is 'Balance' in my book. Fun, yet relaxing, natural, yet technical. It’s a well-priced product, deserving of all the praise it’s currently receiving…. Highly recommended.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A New Cleaner, More Incisive Sound\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Meze Audio Empyrean II takes a huge chunk of what made the original Empyrean headphones so good such as looks and comfort and integrates a new sound signature that should appeal to a much wider audience than before,\" reports Marcus, \u003cem\u003eheadfonics.com\u003c\/em\u003e, December 6, 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"We have a new cleaner, more incisive sound signature closer to a neutral tone with enhanced contrast. It also sounds more open, especially through the mids and highs which in turn delivers an improved perception of clarity and instrument separation.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Tuneful with Bass and a Sense of Authority\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"As we listen to Bob Marley’s Catch A Fire set, the lows come through with punch and power. These headphones sound tuneful with bass and deliver a sense of authority and solidity in this region that many alternatives struggle to match,\" reports \u003cem\u003eWhat Hi-Fi?\u003c\/em\u003e magazine, April 22, 2024. \"If you are after headphones at this high-end level then these Meze models deserve serious consideration.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsodynamic® Hybrid Array Driver\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOver thirty years of research and development has led to the creation of the first Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver, creating a new standard in planar magnetic audio. The technology has resulted in one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOne of the problems with conventional planar magnetic arrays arises from reflected signals entering the ear canal with different time delays, thereby worsening the focus of 3D sound imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean's driver combines individual switchback and spiral-shaped voice coils whose unique shapes allows sound to be targeted with more accuracy around the natural form of the ear. This unique combination generates an increased exposure of direct sound wave frequencies over the 10kHz range and improves imaging and localization by decreasing the impact of time delays caused by diffused field reflections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHybrid Array Driver Advantages\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eCombining two independently shaped voice coils within the same diaphragm delivering more selective acoustic performance to the various areas within the structure of the ear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing lower frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the driver. The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing middle-high frequencies and is positioned directly over the ear canal enabling more direct sound waves to enter the ear without any time delays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eResults of this technology include total harmonic distortion (THD) measuring under 0.05% in the whole frequency range and ultra-high-resolution audio with an upper-frequency limit of 110,000 Hz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsomagnetic® Ear Cup to Ear Pad Coupling Technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eElevate your listening experience to new heights – Empyrean II comes with two sets of ear pads included, allowing the ultimate sound customization. Switch between Duo and Angled ear pads for an auditory journey that is entirely your own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn innovative feature is Rinaro's Isomagnetic® ear cup attachment, which makes witching ear pads a breeze. It utilizes the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to hold the ear cup in place while also redirecting the magnetic field back into the driver and enhancing driver efficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDuo Ear Pads\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe included Duo ear pads are specifically tailored to match Empyrean II. Crafted from a precise blend of premium leather and Alcantara®, they introduce a contemporary dimension to the signature sound profile of Empyrean II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio researched and tested various material ratios to achieve the best there is to offer. The outcome is a flawless fusion: well-sustained bass frequencies owed to the leather, with beautiful refinement and spatiality from Alcantara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAngled Alcantara Ear Pads\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMade of soft foam coated with Alcantara, with a fine protective mesh on the grill, the included Angled ear pads excel at rendering intricate details and nuances in your recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe angled shape creates more space inside the ear pad, which translates to an airier sound signature, with cleaner bass and improved presence in the mid-range frequency, when paired with Empyrean II. The result is a detailed and accurate listening experience, for the classic audiophile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eExceptional Comfort\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eWith Empyrean II, your music takes center stage. Following the highest standard for comfort, with a purpose-built structure that minimizes weight and pressure, this headphone instantly adapts to the shape of your head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThis synergy of ergonomics and premium materials guarantees more than just exceptional sound – it allows you to enjoy uninterrupted hours of music with increased comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eChoose Silver-Plated PCUHD or Copper PCUHD Cables\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean II is available with your choice of either Silver-Plated PCUHD or Copper PCUHD headphone cables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMade to bring out the finest qualities of your headphones, the Silver-Plated PCUHD headphone cables combine the best of two different worlds – the conductive properties of silver with copper’s high durability. Manufactured using state-of-the-art Furukawa Copper wire, coated with pure silver, the cables are an easy upgrade to your listening experience, offering more depth, improving separation and enhancing details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eHand-braided from scratch by the Meze team in Romania, the Copper PCUHD headphone cables are meant to emphasize the sonic performance of your headphone, creating a full-bodied, musical experience. Bass is tighter, imaging and separation are improved and vocals stand out. A state-of-the-art conductor for audiophile cable manufacturing, PCUHD copper offers increased flexibility and is highly resistant to damage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"Silver \/ New","offer_id":45981997236397,"sku":"NEW-MZEMII-SIL","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZEMII-SIL_01_angle_2024__18902.1732639494.1280.1280_987c88a7-f0fa-4ee4-a90d-1f8eecd5afc1.jpg?v=1778159254"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-empyrean-vegan-leather-ear-pads","title":"Meze Audio Empyrean Vegan Leather Ear Pads","description":"\u003ch3\u003eVegan Replacement Ear Pads for Empyrean Headphones\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThese Meze Audio replacement ear pads are made just for Empyrean headphones. They have a vegan interior and exterior (no animal products are used), and they are soft and feel pleasant on your ear. They are easy to install, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOuter dimensions are 4.88\" high, 3.75\" wide, and 1.38\" deep. Inner dimensions are 2.95\" high and 1.77\" wide. Happy listening! \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eSold as a pair.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45982167629997,"sku":"NEW-MZVEGEP","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZVEGEP_01-Large__27849.1719515149.1280.1280_d1fa92ef-23bf-4691-b3a9-fc3da1dafd75.jpg?v=1778115833"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-empyrean-1-open-back-isodynamic-headphones-jet-black-xlr","title":"Meze Audio Empyrean 1 Open-Back Isodynamic Headphones - Jet Black - XLR","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\"One of the Greats of Headphone Design and Manufacture\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEmpyrean is one of the most technologically innovative planar magnetic headphones in the world. Its blend of premium materials, exquisite craftsmanship, and detailing is unmistakably Meze Audio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyrean is built to last as one of the greats of headphone design and manufacture,\" raves Rafe Arnott at \u003cem\u003einnerfidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e. which honored the Empyrean with an Editor's Choice Award. \"Few headphones have made such an instantaneous sonic impression upon me as the Meze Empyrean did at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest this fall and once I’d received a production model for review here at home, it was déjà vu all over again when I slipped them on with their accuracy, tonal and timbral cloud, 3D-spatial imaging and huge sound stage.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Stated simply, the Empyrean creates large, believable soundstages and the sort of gripping, you-are-there realism that’s hard to find in any transducer, regardless of type,\" reports Chris Martens in \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e, which honored the Empyrean as Headphone of the Year, 2018. \"If you give the Empyrean time to become all it can be, it will reward you with a rare combination of balance, finesse, and all-around expressiveness.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyreans clearly rank among the very best headphones you can buy,\" notes Brent Butterworth, \u003cem\u003eHi-fi Choice\u003c\/em\u003e, April 1, 2019, which gave the Empyreans a Reviewers' Choice award. \"They deliver loads of detail and a wonderful sense of space, all without skewing the tonal balance toward the treble as so many audiophile headphones do, and they have no quirks or anomalies that would make me warn certain listeners away from them. No matter what kind of music you love, you’ll love hearing it through the Empyreans.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBorn from Passion, Curiosity, and Innovation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Empyrean was born from passion, curiosity, and innovation,\" says Meze Audio's Head Designer and Founder Antonio Meze. \"As a business, we have allowed ourselves the freedom to experiment and take risks in search of the perfect sound. To generate something truly remarkable, one must dare to explore, and that’s what we did with Empyrean. We pushed and refined industry standards and achieved a true game changer for audiophiles.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEmpyrean is the product of two passionate companies coming together to explore what is possible beyond their individual capabilities. The result is a no-compromise headphone embodying Meze’s daring aesthetic and user-centered design approach and Rinaro’s experience in research and development within the field of planar magnetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eRinaro, a progressive audio company, has at the heart of its technology an R\u0026amp;D team that has been at the forefront of planar magnetic development since the 1980s. What originally started as a state-funded initiative with a focus on innovation has now entered into a new chapter of audio progression with the opening of a cutting-edge industrial facility in Ukraine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsodynamic® Hybrid Array Driver\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOver thirty years of research and development has led to the creation of the first Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver, creating a new standard in planar magnetic audio. The technology has resulted in one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOne of the problems with conventional planar magnetic arrays arises from reflected signals entering the ear canal with different time delays, thereby worsening the focus of 3D sound imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean's driver combines individual switchback and spiral-shaped voice coils whose unique shapes allows sound to be targeted with more accuracy around the natural form of the ear. This unique combination generates an increased exposure of direct sound wave frequencies over the 10kHz range and improves imaging and localization by decreasing the impact of time delays caused by diffused field reflections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHybrid Array Driver Advantages\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eCombining two independently shaped voice coils within the same diaphragm delivering more selective acoustic performance to the various areas within the structure of the ear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing lower frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the driver. The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing middle-high frequencies and is positioned directly over the ear canal enabling more direct sound waves to enter the ear without any time delays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Isoplanar® diaphragm is manufactured from a custom developed isotropic thermally stabilized polymer with a conductive layer. Through unique processing methods, an ultralight yet rigid diaphragm has been achieved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eResults of this technology include total harmonic distortion (THD) measuring under 0.1% in the whole frequency range and ultra-high-resolution audio with an upper-frequency limit of 110,000 Hz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAn Ergonomic Approach\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eTo create an audiophile headphone that is powerful yet light, Meze Audio needed the driver to maximize power output while reducing weight as much as possible. Weight was minimized by optimizing a magnet structure around an ovoid shape that fits the ear more closely. Power output was increased through the use of a completely bespoke coil and magnet array design that optimized the active usable area of the driver within its ovoid shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eComfort is supreme with Empyrean. For audiophiles who want to hear what thirty years of design evolution sounds like, Empyrean pairs the advances in audio reproduction with a headphone chassis that delivers extended hours of listening pleasure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe high-precision CNC sculpted chassis, milled from a single piece of solid aluminum, weighs only 15 ounces. A carbon fiber headband and leather headrest form an extremely comfortable support for listening pleasure. Suspension wings increase the leather headrest’s contact surface area with your head, eliminating uncomfortable pressure points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsomagnetic® Ear Cup to Ear Pad Coupling Technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn innovative feature is the Isomagnetic® ear cup attachment, which utilizes the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to hold the ear cup in place while also redirecting the magnetic field back into the driver and improving driver efficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMagnetic field shielding is one benefit. The ferromagnetic ear pads decrease the magnetic stray field affecting the listeners head. Another benefit is an increase in driver efficiency. Patented ferromagnetic plates channel the magnetic field back into the driver, increasing output. The Hybrid Array Driver achieves 100db @ 1mw \/ 1kHz high performance without the need for amplification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn invisible locking system is an added benefit. The Empyrean features an innovative use of the magnetic field of the drivers to fix the headphone ear cups in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHand Assembled and Fully Serviceable\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio carefully hand assembles each headphone in its facilities in Baia Mare, Romania. One of Meze Audio's core beliefs is to create products that last. From the Empyrean's replaceable earpads to the high-performance materials used, every part on the headphone chassis is available to be serviced if any parts ever need to be replaced. Meze Audio also provides a two-year warranty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCable Options and Other Accessories\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThree cable options include your choice of an 8-ft. (2.5m) cable with 4-pin mini XLR plugs and 6.3mm plug; or a 4-ft. (1.2m) cable with 4pin mini XLR plugs and 3.5mm plug; or an 8-ft. (2.5m) cable with 4-pin mini XLR plugs and a 4-pin XLR connector. All three cables use premium signal conductors made from OFC copper and a Kevlar jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAccessories included with the headphone consist of a high-strength aluminum suitcase carrying case with foam inserts and two sets of earpads: one real leather, one Alcantara.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"XLR \/ New","offer_id":45982196629677,"sku":"NEW-MZEMPY-JBLK-XLR","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZEMPY_JBLK_01_2023__21519.1715188784.1280.1280_84ee05db-dfc1-4049-a64e-d129ebdb95ec.jpg?v=1778151475"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-99-neo-headphone-black","title":"Meze Audio 99 NEO Headphone - Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fresh take on the 99 series for the uptown audiophile, the 99 Neo headphone brings together Meze Audio’s signature sound quality with cutting edge style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45983065669805,"sku":"NEW-MZ99NEO-BLK","price":199.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Demo","offer_id":45983065702573,"sku":"DEMO-MZ99NEO-BLK","price":159.37,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZ99NEO_BLK_01-Large__10657.1716224948.1280.1280_6eaffa83-0178-4007-bca9-075d7f953dc1.jpg?v=1778100454"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-109-pro-headphones","title":"Meze Audio 109 PRO Headphones","description":"\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Component 2025 - \u003cem\u003eStereophile\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeadphone Product of the Year Finalist 2024 – \u003cem\u003eStereophile\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended – \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGold Award – \u003cem\u003esoundnews.net\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExperience the Deepest Emotion of Your Favorite Music\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe 109 PRO is the first dynamic open-back headphone from Meze Audio. It goes beyond the faithful reproduction of sound to deliver pure emotion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eIt all started with a purpose – creating joy. It’s about letting yourself get lost in sound, about that intimate connection you have with your favorite artist, song, or instrument, when all distractions are removed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"At the core of it all, music is an expression of emotion, a celebration of life and a token of everlasting memories,\" notes Antonio Meze, Head Designer and Founder of Meze Audio. \"Every part of the 109 PRO, from the premium materials we used to the intricate engineering, embodies that same emotion our favorite music makes us feel.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Recommended Component\" Honors\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eStereophile\u003c\/em\u003e honored the 109 PRO by awarding it the magazine's coveted Recommend Component status for 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"HR [Herb Reichert] found that these elegant-looking dynamic headphones deliver a major portion of the Romanian company's flagship Elite's \"seductive resolve.\" Source impedance is 40 ohms, and the drivers use a 50mm beryllium-coated polymer, cellulose\/carbon-fiber composite and copper-zinc alloy diaphragm. With every amplifier he tried, HR wrote that the 109 \"exhibited a perfect right-brain\/left-brain balance; beautiful sound and musical insight were celebrated equally.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAward-Winning Performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eStereophile\u003c\/em\u003e chose the Meze Audio 109 PRO as a Headphone Product of the Year Finalist for 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAccording to Herb Reichert in his April 9, 2024 review, \"When the lights are out, and I lay on the floor in my pile of pillows, I want sound that directs my attentions toward dream realms—toward the beautiful and psychedelic. Meze's 109 Pro excelled at that task.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Great Sounding, Won't Kill Your Wallet\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Everything about the new Meze headphone screams quality. From the design, materials and sound quality, it’s very hard to find a weakness in the overall performance of this open-back dynamic,\" reports Berkhan, \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e, September 22, 2022. \"If you ever look out for a life-like, vibrant, musical, resolving and dynamic headphone under $1000, I strongly recommend it.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"In the end, we got a great sounding and great looking headphone that won’t kill your wallet,\" observes Sandu Vitalie, \u003cem\u003esoundnews.net\u003c\/em\u003e, January 8, 2023, handing the 109 PRO a Gold Award. \"Meze’s 109 PRO are poles apart from their closed-back siblings and I don’t know a single headphone that saw such a massive performance gain. For this and many other reasons, they fully deserved our absolute highest, Gold Award.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNew Dual-Composite Diaphragm\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio's new 50mm dynamic driver, assembled and tuned with ultimate precision, pushes the 109 PRO's boundaries of speed, accuracy and dynamic range. The quest for maximizing the sonic abilities of the headphone started with the diaphragm, where Meze engineers focused on finding the perfect balance between mass and stiffness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eTheir research led to developing the 109 series Dual-Composite Diaphragm with its combination of Beryllium-coated polymer and cellulose-carbon fiber composite. Tasked with improving the absorption of the vibrations is the copper-zinc alloy stabilizer ring, where the choice of materials contributes to significant reductions in distortion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAlongside the two lies the light and efficient neodymium magnet and copper coil. Together, they are encased in an exceptionally reliable CNC machined, high precision aluminum frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eW-Shaped Dome\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMade of a carbon fiber enforced cellulose composite, the W-shaped dome is able to reproduce high-frequencies with incredible detail, clarity and definition. More durable than conventional alternatives used in dynamic drivers, yet lightweight, this composite helps reduce resonances that may lead to harmonic distortion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe ultra-thin torus surrounding the dome is composed of Beryllium-coated semicrystalline polymer, measuring 22 microns in thickness. Applying the Beryllium coating through Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) increases the stiffness and durability of the driver, while still keeping it light enough to achieve a fast transient response. These qualities are also enhanced through the corrugations on the torus, which are precisely carved at a 45.5° angle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eBeryllium’s high damping qualities also help suppress unwanted resonances, giving the 109 PRO its neutral, vivid and transparent character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAcoustic Design\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThrough its open-back design, Meze Audio wanted the 109 PRO to be vivid and exciting, empowering the listener to connect with music on a deeper level. Carefully tuned by the in-house engineering team, the 109 PRO offers emotionally engaging sound with great detail, clarity, and just the right amount of punch. Its organic character, paired with superior dynamics, excellent imaging, and full-bodied vocals bring soul-stirring details to life. And it’s easy to drive from most devices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe spider-shaped structure and the acoustically transparent grill inside the earcup expose the driver from both sides, creating Meze's most open pattern to date. Following the principles of anthropometrics, Meze engineers positioned the driver at a precise angle and distance from the ear to achieve the ideal anatomical fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"An Excellent Open-Back Headphone\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Meze 109 Pro is an excellent open-back headphone with a natural and spacious sound that is worth its price. Its slightly warmer sound signature makes it ideal for people who prefer such headphones,\" notes Kamil Owczarz, \u003cem\u003eear-fidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e, March 5, 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"With the Meze 109 PRO, I hope that the company continues on this path and tosses another warm, fun, and bassy sound for us who enjoy musicality over neutrality,\" observes Michael, \u003cem\u003eheadfonics.com\u003c\/em\u003e, November 5, 2022. \"This is a great option for those who enjoy anything vocalist centered.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIt's All About Comfort, Too\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe 109 PRO is all about comfort, from the structural design of the headphone to the choice of materials, all decisions were carefully made to ensure the final product rises to the highest ergonomic standards. With this perspective in mind, Meze combined walnut wood, zinc, manganese steel, and vegan leather in a comfortable, lightweight, yet highly durable structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eVelour cushions comfortably surround the ears, providing the optimal seal to create natural sound. As velour is far softer and more breathable than leather, it also prevents sweat and overheating during lengthy listening sessions. The self-adjusting headband spreads the weight out to deliver even pressure for any head shape and size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSustainably Harvested Wood\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe black walnut wood comes strictly from sources with a certificate of origin, harvested from mature trees that have reached the end of their life cycle. This way, the environment is being protected, leaving room for new life, while the old trees are shining once again, in the shape of a Meze headphone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eBut Meze Audio's commitment to sustainability runs even deeper. Because our choices of today can have a great impact in the world of tomorrow, Meze designs products that last. A longer product lifespan means a smaller footprint. Following this philosophy, the 109 PRO can be taken apart and serviced endlessly if ever needed, which can extend the life of the product almost beyond limit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"It Gets Under Your Skin\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"This is a headphone that doesn’t try to wow you in the first 30 seconds. It’s not tuned for impact or drama. Instead, it quietly gets under your skin, session after session,\" reports tombrisbane, \u003cem\u003ehead-fi.org\u003c\/em\u003e, July 17, 2025. \"And once it’s there, it stays. Since getting this headphone it hasn’t gone for a long period off my head. I always find myself coming back to these to get lost in music for a while.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAccording to Jasper Lastoria, \u003cem\u003esoundguys.com\u003c\/em\u003e, January 12, 2024, \"The Meze Audio 109 Pro are well made and offer something a little less clinical for at-home listening. The tuning highlights treble frequencies, but with more bass that most open-backs. These unique open-back headphones allow you to repair and replace parts as they age, which helps justify the price tag.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45983113281709,"sku":"NEW-MZ109PRO","price":799.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZ109PRO_02-Large__36234.1733334497.1280.1280.jpg?v=1778112856"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-elite-hybrid-ear-pads","title":"Meze Audio Elite Hybrid Ear Pads","description":"\u003ch3\u003eHybrid Material Replacement Ear Pads for Elite Headphones\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThese Meze Audio replacement ear pads are compatible with Elite headphones. The hybrid design consists of an Alcantara interior and a real leather exterior. These ear pads are soft and feel pleasant on your ear. And they are easy to install.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOuter dimensions are 4.72\" high, 3.6\" wide, and 1\" deep. Inner dimensions are 3.15\" high and 2\" wide. Happy listening! \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eSold as a pair.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45983118000301,"sku":"NEW-MZHYBEP","price":199.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZHYBEP_01-Large__93169.1710876543.1280.1280.jpg?v=1778115833"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-empyrean-ii-headphones-and-copper-pcuhd-cable-with-1-4-inch-connector","title":"Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones and Copper PCUHD Cable with 1\/4 Inch Connector","description":"\u003ch3\u003eEditors' Choice Award - \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEditor's Choice - \u003cem\u003ethe-ear.net\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\"Recommended Buy\" Award - \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHighly Recommended - \u003cem\u003eearfidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eYour Gateway to Sonic Paradise\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eFollowing the huge success of the original model Empyrean headphone, Meze Audio's Empyrean II emerges as a symphony of artistry, sound innovation and craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe design goal was to enhance the headphones’ ability to reproduce fine details and achieve a more neutral sound signature, all the while preserving the original 'easy to listen to' character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Path to a Newly Refined Sonic Signature\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"When we first talked about creating the second generation of Empyrean, I knew it would be far from easy,\" observes Alex Grigoras, Acoustic Engineer for Meze Audio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"With many ideas in mind, I reached out to our community, eager to gather their feedback in any way I could. I wanted to dive into their hearts and minds, to understand their expectations, and so their input is what shaped the path toward Empyrean II. What followed was a test of patience and precision. At first, the possibilities seemed endless, but reality showed us that only a few of our plans were feasible. We made a lot of revisions to discover the right proportions and materials that would deliver the sound signature we aimed for.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAward-Winning Performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean grabbed an Editors' Choice Award from \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e magazine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyrean was conceived as Meze’s cost-no-object headphone. At the heart of the Empyrean is a patent-pending, hybrid planar-magnetic driver that combines—on one diaphragm—two independently shaped voice-coil sections: a circular section optimized for upper-midrange and high frequencies; and a larger serpentine section optimized for mid\/bass performance. The result is a headphone that offers a fundamentally natural and organic sound but is also extraordinarily revealing and detailed.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Empyrean II also landed an Editor's Choice award from \u003cem\u003ethe-ear.net\u003c\/em\u003e. According to reviewer Trevor Butler, \"In the Empyrean II, Meze have clearly produced a design capable of extreme clarity, amazing neutrality and fine spaciousness. This is a well-designed and superbly engineered headphone that should be high on the audition list for anyone looking in this price bracket; it’s a top-level headphone in so many ways.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A Remarkable Advancement in Headphone Technology\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Meze Audio Empyrean II represents a remarkable advancement in headphone technology that transcends mere comparison with its predecessor,\" observes Ichos, \u003cem\u003ehead-fi.org\u003c\/em\u003e, February 14, 2025. \"This model not only offers a more neutral tuning and enhanced technical performance than the original but also stands out as one of the most balanced and transparent headphones available today.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"As a flagship offering, the Meze Audio Empyrean II merges outstanding sonic attributes with superior craftsmanship, all at a price point that can be regarded as a bargain in the context of the current high-end audio market.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSonic Mastery Reimagined\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEmpyrean II emerges as the fruitful collaboration of two passionate companies that set out to explore uncharted territories. Meze Audio's engineering team masterfully harnessed the power of Rinaro’s Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver to reach a new world of sound. These efforts revealed new possibilities in terms of resolution and detail retrieval, achieving a cleaner and more accurate representation of sound, when compared to the original Empyrean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eRinaro Isodynamics was founded in Ukraine during the Cold War to research acoustic technology and has been innovating in planar magnetics for over 30 years. They expanded with new R\u0026amp;D and manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and Poland, which were instrumental in developing the patented Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology used in Empyrean, Elite, and Liric headphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Recommended Buy\" Award Winner\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"With the Empyrean 2, Meze Audio is walking into a new direction. In this new tuning, neutrality, clarity, speed and spaciousness are keywords,\" observes Lieven in his August 11, 2023 review for \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e, which honored the Empyrean 2 with a \"Recommended Buy\" award.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"In terms of build quality, comfort and design, Meze still fully delivers and you get what you expect at this price point, a top-level headphone in all possible ways.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Highly Recommended… Best Meze Headphone to Date\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMateusz Chmura calls the Empyrean II \"the best Meze headphone to date\" in his \u003cem\u003eear-fidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e review for April 29, 2024, which awarded the Empyrean II a Highly Recommended listing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Meze Empyrean II’s sound signature is perfect for everyday listening when you choose to relax with your favorite music, with a fun, engaging, but not at all insistent DNA. The perfect single word to describe this pair of headphones is 'Balance' in my book. Fun, yet relaxing, natural, yet technical. It’s a well-priced product, deserving of all the praise it’s currently receiving…. Highly recommended.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A New Cleaner, More Incisive Sound\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Meze Audio Empyrean II takes a huge chunk of what made the original Empyrean headphones so good such as looks and comfort and integrates a new sound signature that should appeal to a much wider audience than before,\" reports Marcus, \u003cem\u003eheadfonics.com\u003c\/em\u003e, December 6, 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"We have a new cleaner, more incisive sound signature closer to a neutral tone with enhanced contrast. It also sounds more open, especially through the mids and highs which in turn delivers an improved perception of clarity and instrument separation.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Tuneful with Bass and a Sense of Authority\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"As we listen to Bob Marley’s Catch A Fire set, the lows come through with punch and power. These headphones sound tuneful with bass and deliver a sense of authority and solidity in this region that many alternatives struggle to match,\" reports \u003cem\u003eWhat Hi-Fi?\u003c\/em\u003e magazine, April 22, 2024. \"If you are after headphones at this high-end level then these Meze models deserve serious consideration.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsodynamic® Hybrid Array Driver\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOver thirty years of research and development has led to the creation of the first Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver, creating a new standard in planar magnetic audio. The technology has resulted in one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOne of the problems with conventional planar magnetic arrays arises from reflected signals entering the ear canal with different time delays, thereby worsening the focus of 3D sound imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean's driver combines individual switchback and spiral-shaped voice coils whose unique shapes allows sound to be targeted with more accuracy around the natural form of the ear. This unique combination generates an increased exposure of direct sound wave frequencies over the 10kHz range and improves imaging and localization by decreasing the impact of time delays caused by diffused field reflections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHybrid Array Driver Advantages\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eCombining two independently shaped voice coils within the same diaphragm delivering more selective acoustic performance to the various areas within the structure of the ear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing lower frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the driver. The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing middle-high frequencies and is positioned directly over the ear canal enabling more direct sound waves to enter the ear without any time delays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eResults of this technology include total harmonic distortion (THD) measuring under 0.05% in the whole frequency range and ultra-high-resolution audio with an upper-frequency limit of 110,000 Hz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsomagnetic® Ear Cup to Ear Pad Coupling Technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eElevate your listening experience to new heights – Empyrean II comes with two sets of ear pads included, allowing the ultimate sound customization. Switch between Duo and Angled ear pads for an auditory journey that is entirely your own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn innovative feature is Rinaro's Isomagnetic® ear cup attachment, which makes witching ear pads a breeze. It utilizes the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to hold the ear cup in place while also redirecting the magnetic field back into the driver and enhancing driver efficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDuo Ear Pads\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe included Duo ear pads are specifically tailored to match Empyrean II. Crafted from a precise blend of premium leather and Alcantara®, they introduce a contemporary dimension to the signature sound profile of Empyrean II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio researched and tested various material ratios to achieve the best there is to offer. The outcome is a flawless fusion: well-sustained bass frequencies owed to the leather, with beautiful refinement and spatiality from Alcantara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAngled Alcantara Ear Pads\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMade of soft foam coated with Alcantara, with a fine protective mesh on the grill, the included Angled ear pads excel at rendering intricate details and nuances in your recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe angled shape creates more space inside the ear pad, which translates to an airier sound signature, with cleaner bass and improved presence in the mid-range frequency, when paired with Empyrean II. The result is a detailed and accurate listening experience, for the classic audiophile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eExceptional Comfort\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eWith Empyrean II, your music takes center stage. Following the highest standard for comfort, with a purpose-built structure that minimizes weight and pressure, this headphone instantly adapts to the shape of your head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThis synergy of ergonomics and premium materials guarantees more than just exceptional sound – it allows you to enjoy uninterrupted hours of music with increased comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eChoose Silver-Plated PCUHD or Copper PCUHD Cables\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean II is available with your choice of either Silver-Plated PCUHD or Copper PCUHD headphone cables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMade to bring out the finest qualities of your headphones, the Silver-Plated PCUHD headphone cables combine the best of two different worlds – the conductive properties of silver with copper’s high durability. Manufactured using state-of-the-art Furukawa Copper wire, coated with pure silver, the cables are an easy upgrade to your listening experience, offering more depth, improving separation and enhancing details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eHand-braided from scratch by the Meze team in Romania, the Copper PCUHD headphone cables are meant to emphasize the sonic performance of your headphone, creating a full-bodied, musical experience. Bass is tighter, imaging and separation are improved and vocals stand out. A state-of-the-art conductor for audiophile cable manufacturing, PCUHD copper offers increased flexibility and is highly resistant to damage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"Copper \/ New","offer_id":45983156535469,"sku":"NEW-MZEMII-COP","price":2900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZEMII-COP_01_angle_2024__67204.1732639638.1280.1280_91c936b9-a9f6-4af9-ac87-40344eb7651f.jpg?v=1778159224"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-liric-closed-back-planar-magnetic-headphones-2nd-generation","title":"Meze Audio LIRIC Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones - 2nd Generation","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEditor’s Choice 2023 – Hi-Fi+\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Component 2024 – Stereophile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClosed-Back Excellence, Redefined\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Promise of Privacy and Power\u003c\/strong\u003e The Meze Audio LIRIC 2nd Generation takes everything listeners loved about the original and refines it into a truly reference-class closed-back headphone. Designed for discerning music lovers who want the clarity and dynamics of planar magnetic technology in a portable, private format, the LIRIC 2nd Gen is built to deliver breathtaking sound at home, in the studio, or on the go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSound That Breathes in Silence\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the heart of the LIRIC 2nd Gen lies Rinaro’s advanced Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver technology, scaled and optimized for a closed-back design. The result is bass that’s powerful yet impeccably controlled, mids that are natural and lifelike, and treble that extends smoothly with exceptional detail. The improved acoustic chamber tuning in this second-generation model creates a more spacious soundstage than ever before in a closed-back headphone, making it both immersive and intimate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEngineering That Listens\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe LIRIC 2nd Gen introduces Meze’s new Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask (QWRM), a unique innovation that tamps down high-frequency resonance for a smoother, more natural treble. Combined with Rinaro’s lightweight diaphragm and hybrid magnet array, it achieves extraordinary speed and low distortion. The redesigned ear pads and improved chassis damping reduce internal reflections, unlocking greater clarity and realism in every note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnections Made Easy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeze includes both premium cables and a high-quality carrying case to ensure the LIRIC is ready for any setup. Whether you’re plugging directly into a portable player, a desktop DAC, or a full-size amplifier, these headphones scale effortlessly. Their efficient design means you can drive them with modest gear, yet they shine brightest with high-quality amplification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYour Sound, Anywhere\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese headphones were created for listeners who need closed-back isolation without sacrificing audiophile-grade performance. Perfect for late-night listening sessions, work environments, or travel, the LIRIC 2nd Gen provides an escape into pure music while keeping distractions at bay. For those who want reference-quality sound in a versatile, portable format, it’s a dream come true.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Meze LIRIC 2nd Generation sets a new benchmark for closed-back planar magnetic headphones—portable, powerful, and profoundly musical.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45983228035245,"sku":"NEW-MZLIRICG2","price":2000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZLIRICG2_01_angle_2025__22075.1760449173.1280.1280_263be6dd-9a38-45e0-a5d9-b13520be62e7.jpg?v=1778163998"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-105-aer-dynamic-open-back-circumaural-headphones","title":"Meze Audio 105 AER Dynamic Open-Back Circumaural Headphones","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\"Recommended\" Award – \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHighly Recommended – \u003cem\u003eear-fidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiscover a Sanctuary of Clarity, Comfort, and Connection\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio's new 105 AER open-back headphone invites you to discover a sanctuary of clarity, comfort, and connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eRich in detail and versatility, the 105 AER was created for music lovers who value a deeper connection to their sound. This adaptable open-back headphone is perfectly suited for all genres of music. Inspired by what Meze terms \"bio-architecture and nature’s balancing act,\" 105 AER stands at the peak point of tonal equilibrium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Aer\" is the Romanian word for \"air.\" Silent. Unseen. Essential. Air finds expression through invisible vibrations that become audible poetry. The 105 AER is an invitation to let the air in and experience the multi-dimensional depth of music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAward-Winning Performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe 105 AER earned a \"Recommended\" award from \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e. \"Meze Audio kept it simple: They utilised the fantastic design language and premium build, made a tuning appealing to most people, created a headphone that is easy to drive, and priced it competitively. There you have it. The 105 AER is a good option for casual listeners needing good and comfortable headphones. There is no need for complex desktop systems; just a DAP or maybe even a smartphone output, and you’re good to go.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eIt also pulled in a Highly Recommended rating from \u003cem\u003eear-fidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e, which observes, \"To sum up, the Meze 105 AER are, in my opinion, among the most compelling headphones in their price range. They offer a rich, engaging sound with excellent detail retrieval, an interesting and immersive soundstage, and an ease of drivability that makes them accessible to a wide range of setups. On top of that, they boast exceptional build quality and provide a high level of comfort for extended listening sessions.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAn Exceptionally Lush Audio Presentation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eWith its large 2\" dynamic driver tuned by Alex Grigoras – one of Meze Audio's talented acoustic engineers – the 105 AER delivers an exceptionally lush audio presentation. The sound is rich and refined, with a warm and full-bodied quality that envelops you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eA slight emphasis on the bass and sub-bass regions allows for a deeper, more resonant foundation, enhancing the overall sense of immersion and adding a satisfying depth to your music. And the 105 AER is easy to drive with most devices, from portable sources to home gear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A Solid Success\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"When I’m working, I tend to listen to a lot of techno and EDM, and the 105 AERs excelled with those genres, their bass never sounding bloated and the treble never annoying but still clear,\" reports Geoffrey Morrison, \u003cem\u003esoundstagesolo.com\u003c\/em\u003e, December 1, 2024. \"They’re easy to listen to, even over long stretches. I’d call all that a solid success.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"As you might expect from Meze Audio, the 105 AER is another beautifully designed set of headphones. However, importantly, it achieves a good balance in its sound signature, setting itself apart from many of its competitors by prioritizing versatility and compatibility with lower-powered devices,\" notes reviewer James at \u003cem\u003eheadfonics.com\u003c\/em\u003e, November 27, 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eReliable and Versatile Driver Architecture\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio's 2\" dynamic driver architecture has proven to be remarkably reliable and versatile. To keep the 105 AER as accessible as possible, the driver membrane and frame underwent slight modifications. Meze engineers took this opportunity to introduce a unique new headphone voicing that fits all musical genres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMade of a carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite, the W-shaped dome can reproduce high-frequencies with incredible detail, clarity, and definition. More durable than conventional alternatives used in dynamic drivers, yet lightweight, this composite helps reduce resonances that may lead to harmonic distortion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUltra-Thin Torus Helps Every Nuance Come Alive\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe ultra-thin torus surrounding the dome is made of PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), a semicrystalline polymer with excellent mechanical properties. PEEK’s high tensile strength and stiffness ensure the driver membrane maintains structural integrity under high stress, while its lightweight nature allows for quicker movement in response to audio signals. This enhances clarity and detail, making every note and nuance in your music come alive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAdditionally, PEEK boasts superior internal damping characteristics, which reduce unwanted resonances and vibrations. Stiffness and durability are also enhanced through the grooves on the torus, which are precisely positioned at a 45.5° angle. The copper-zinc alloy stabilizer, positioned around the membrane, improves the absorption of vibrations to further reduce distortion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCrafted for Comfort and Durability\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe 105 AER is built with timelessness in mind, with an emphasis not only on sonic excellence, but also on comfort and durability. Every component is made using premium materials. These include cast zinc alloy hardware with PVD coating, stamped manganese spring steel headband, ABS-PC earcups, velour earpads, and a soft PU leather headband.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eCombined with Meze Audio's high standards in terms of ergonomics, the 105 AER is a pair of headphones that is not only extremely resilient but also the company's lightest open-back model to date. These phones are designed to offer a listening experience so comfortable and engaging that you'll forget you're wearing them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe open-back design and self-adjusting headband distribute weight for an ideal fit, while soft velour ear cushions create an optimal seal. This ergonomic design ensures hours of comfortable listening while capturing a natural soundstage, making every session an immersive escape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eImpressive Specifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eWith a frequency range spanning 5 Hz to 30 kHz, an impedance of 42Ω, and a sensitivity of 112 dB SPL at 1 kHz, 1 mW, the 105 AER is compatible with any setup, from portable devices to dedicated home systems. This makes it versatile for any listening journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBeautiful, Intriguing Styling\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe phrase that an audio product \"looks as spectacular as it sounds\" may occasionally be overused, but it is definitely the case with the 105 AER.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The 105 AER carries a feeling of Art Deco opulence, almost like a piece of jewelry masked in a mechanical structure,\" observes Paul Șteț, Senior Product Designer at Meze Audio. \"Certain curves and surfaces are not obvious at first glance; there's an ambiguity to the three-dimensional shape inviting you to discover it over time.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSustainable Through Longevity\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio has never made headphones that are in any sense 'disposable.' Our choices today can greatly impact the world of tomorrow, so Meze designs products that last. A longer product lifespan means a smaller footprint. Following this philosophy, the 105 AER can be taken apart and serviced whenever needed, extending the product's life beyond limit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIncluded Extras\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe 105 AER comes with all the accessories you need to get the maximum enjoyment from such a superb headphone. Included are a hard EVA pouch for storage and transportation, a premium 6 ft. Kevlar OFC cable with 1\/8\" to 1\/8\" (3.5 mm to 3.5 mm) termination and featuring a mic and black aluminum casings, plus a 1\/4\" (6.3 mm) adapter with gold-plated jack, which extends the compatibility with audio gear.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45983449809069,"sku":"NEW-MZ105AER","price":299.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Demo","offer_id":45983449841837,"sku":"DEMO-MZ105AER","price":299.37,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZ105AER_01_angle_2024__58936.1732643222.1280.1280_064fb701-a5fb-4aae-add6-99854999be90.jpg?v=1778158932"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-99-classics-2nd-gen-stereo-headphone-walnut","title":"Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd GEN - Stereo Headphone - Walnut","description":"\u003ch3\u003eEnhanced, Updated Version of an Iconic Industry Classic\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eSince their release in 2015, Meze Audio's 99 Classics have undeniably left a big impact on the headphone cultural landscape. In this sense, they have become iconic, a symbol. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen come with a number of meaningful enhancements, all the while preserving the spirit of the original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe 99 Classics 2nd Generation embodies Meze Audio's ongoing pursuit of timeless sound and design. Built upon a foundation of natural materials and precision engineering, this enhanced headphone continues the legacy that began ten years ago, combining warmth and musicality with enhanced clarity and comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEverything that made the original 99 Classics an instant legend is still present – the magnetic and inviting sound, the seamless comfort, the use of premium materials, the timeless design aesthetic. It’s all here. However, upon closer inspection and audition, the differences become more apparent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePraise for the Original Model 99 Classics\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Meze 99 Classics are simply a great headphone!\" raves Tyll Hertsens, who honored it with a Wall of Fame Award in his \u003cem\u003einnerfidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e review. \"Time after time as I compared these cans against others in its category I found them not only superior in balance and natural sound, but also delivering a far more fun listening experience than competitors.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"I was immediately taken with the 99 Classics' top-to-bottom coherence: a generally even tonal spread, with no part of the audio band dominating the rest,\" reports Ken Micallef at \u003cem\u003eStereophile.com\u003c\/em\u003e. \"Depending on your playback equipment, the 99 Classics should provide hours of sonic sustenance with zero listening fatigue and maximum enjoyment.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWalnut Wood Ear Cups\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe 2nd Generation features genuine, sustainable walnut wood ear cups. Walnut wood is strong and durable, yet lightweight and malleable. For a beautiful look, the cups are CNC-machined, then hand-finished, stained, and polished. You'll love the style as much as you love the sound. The increased earcup volume provides greater internal space for comfort and acoustic depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTwo Tonalities – Classic and 2nd Generation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThese headphones boast a balanced, neutral sound signature. They are carefully tuned to enhance separation, imaging, and soundstage for natural, lifelike presentation. Enhanced acoustic sealing provides improved isolation across key junctions for distraction-free listening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eFor those seeking a sound closer to the original 99 Classics, the 2nd Gen comes with a set of acoustic absorbers, allowing you to shift the balance towards a warmer signature, if that's what you prefer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSelf-Adjustable Headband and Detachable Ear Pads\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe vertically self-adjusting vegan leather headband, in combination with a spring steel band with a large active area, delivers a level of comfort that has been praised throughout the headphones industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eCrafted from medium-density foam and soft vegan leather, the ear pads now feature a secure clip-in system with six clips per pad, making them easier to attach, remove, and replace. Like all Meze Audio headphone components, they are designed for long-term comfort and serviceability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEach Pair is Hand-Assembled\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEach pair of headphones is hand-assembled using walnut wood ear cups, zinc alloy hardware, and a self-adjusting headband for a perfect fit. These enduring design elements meet a new generation of acoustic refinements, ensuring that the 99 Classics remain as iconic today as when they first debuted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThese are ideal headphones for enthusiastic audiophiles and music lovers who value natural, non-fatiguing sound and fine materials. Design-conscious headphone listeners who want performance and aesthetics need look no further than the 99 Classics 2nd Generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCable, Adapters, and Case Included\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eFor convenience and listening flexibility with home and mobile sources, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen come with a carrying case, quality cable, and adapters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eWidened input sockets allow for a wider range of cables and secure connections. The included Dual-Twisted OFC Cable delivers durability and natural tonal transparency. The included adapters are ready for any setup, featuring a USB-C DAC \/ AMP for mobile use and a gold-plated jack for studio or hi-fi playback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSustainable by Design\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eIf we want to slow down replacement cycles and create something to be enjoyed for years, we need to find solutions for anything that could go wrong before it even happens. That’s why Meze Audio makes the 99 Classics fully serviceable. Whether it's the ear cups, headband, cables, or driver, all pieces are replaceable.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45983512330413,"sku":"NEW-MZ99C2-WAL","price":349.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZ99C2-WAL_01_angle_2025__68219.1760449467.1280.1280_506a6546-a710-450d-ade3-4d3927c9cb8e.jpg?v=1778164796"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-empyrean","title":"Meze Audio Empyrean Open-Back Isodynamic Headphones","description":"\u003ch3\u003eProduct of The Year Award 2024 - \u003cem\u003eStereoNET\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEditors' Choice Award - \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBest Headphones for Audiophiles 2024 - \u003cem\u003eRobb Report\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEditor's Choice Award - \u003cem\u003eInner Fidelity\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeadphone of the Year - \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eReviewers' Choice - \u003cem\u003eHi-fi Choice\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\"One of the Greats of Headphone Design and Manufacture\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEmpyrean is one of the most technologically innovative planar magnetic headphones in the world. Its blend of premium materials, exquisite craftsmanship, and detailing is unmistakably Meze Audio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyrean is built to last as one of the greats of headphone design and manufacture,\" raves Rafe Arnott at \u003cem\u003einnerfidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e. which honored the Empyrean with an Editor's Choice Award. \"Few headphones have made such an instantaneous sonic impression upon me as the Meze Empyrean did at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest this fall and once I’d received a production model for review here at home, it was déjà vu all over again when I slipped them on with their accuracy, tonal and timbral cloud, 3D-spatial imaging and huge sound stage.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAward-Winning Performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean won a \u003cem\u003eStereoNET\u003c\/em\u003e Product of The Year Award 2024 in the Over Ear (Wired) Headphones category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The high-end headphone market is a unique place where exotic audio engineering appears in very small packages. Into this brave new world of esoteric head-fi, which barely existed a decade or so ago, has stepped Meze Audio. It has recently launched some seriously special designs, such as the new Empyrean v2.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"This is an expensive, open-back planar magnetic ‘phone that uses super light 'isodynamic hybrid array’ drivers to give a startling frequency response of 8Hz to 110kHz. It sounds superb, being effortlessly transparent and breathtakingly fast. Exquisitely built, it fully justifies its hefty retail price.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEditors' Choice Award\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean also grabbed an Editors' Choice Award from \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e magazine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyrean was conceived as Meze’s cost-no-object headphone. At the heart of the Empyrean is a patent-pending, hybrid planar-magnetic driver that combines—on one diaphragm—two independently shaped voice-coil sections: a circular section optimized for upper-midrange and high frequencies; and a larger serpentine section optimized for mid\/bass performance. The result is a headphone that offers a fundamentally natural and organic sound but is also extraordinarily revealing and detailed.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"How Much Better Can Headphones Get?\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"While hardly inexpensive, these Romanian-designed-and-built headphones are as satisfying to listen to as they are comfortable for long listening sessions,\" raves \u003cem\u003eRobb Report\u003c\/em\u003e, March 20, 2024, which handed the Clear Mg the magazine's Best Headphones for Audiophiles 2024 award.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The frequency response is, almost literally, off the charts, extending from a subterranean eight Hz and spiraling to a (literally) unheard of 110,000 Hz. Altogether, the Empyreans hit the headphone sweet spot and beg the question, 'How much better can headphones get?'\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Gripping, You-Are-There Realism\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Stated simply, the Empyrean creates large, believable soundstages and the sort of gripping, you-are-there realism that’s hard to find in any transducer, regardless of type,\" reports Chris Martens in \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e, which honored the Empyrean as Headphone of the Year, 2018. \"If you give the Empyrean time to become all it can be, it will reward you with a rare combination of balance, finesse, and all-around expressiveness.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyreans clearly rank among the very best headphones you can buy,\" notes Brent Butterworth, \u003cem\u003eHi-fi Choice\u003c\/em\u003e, April 1, 2019, which gave the Empyreans a Reviewers' Choice award. \"They deliver loads of detail and a wonderful sense of space, all without skewing the tonal balance toward the treble as so many audiophile headphones do, and they have no quirks or anomalies that would make me warn certain listeners away from them. No matter what kind of music you love, you’ll love hearing it through the Empyreans.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBorn from Passion, Curiosity, and Innovation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Empyrean was born from passion, curiosity, and innovation,\" says Meze Audio's Head Designer and Founder Antonio Meze. \"As a business, we have allowed ourselves the freedom to experiment and take risks in search of the perfect sound. To generate something truly remarkable, one must dare to explore, and that’s what we did with Empyrean. We pushed and refined industry standards and achieved a true game changer for audiophiles.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEmpyrean is the product of two passionate companies coming together to explore what is possible beyond their individual capabilities. The result is a no-compromise headphone embodying Meze’s daring aesthetic and user-centered design approach and Rinaro’s experience in research and development within the field of planar magnetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eRinaro, a progressive audio company, has at the heart of its technology an R\u0026amp;D team that has been at the forefront of planar magnetic development since the 1980s. What originally started as a state-funded initiative with a focus on innovation has now entered into a new chapter of audio progression with the opening of a cutting-edge industrial facility in Ukraine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsodynamic® Hybrid Array Driver\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOver thirty years of research and development has led to the creation of the first Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver, creating a new standard in planar magnetic audio. The technology has resulted in one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOne of the problems with conventional planar magnetic arrays arises from reflected signals entering the ear canal with different time delays, thereby worsening the focus of 3D sound imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean's driver combines individual switchback and spiral-shaped voice coils whose unique shapes allows sound to be targeted with more accuracy around the natural form of the ear. This unique combination generates an increased exposure of direct sound wave frequencies over the 10kHz range and improves imaging and localization by decreasing the impact of time delays caused by diffused field reflections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHybrid Array Driver Advantages\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eCombining two independently shaped voice coils within the same diaphragm delivering more selective acoustic performance to the various areas within the structure of the ear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing lower frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the driver. The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing middle-high frequencies and is positioned directly over the ear canal enabling more direct sound waves to enter the ear without any time delays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Isoplanar® diaphragm is manufactured from a custom developed isotropic thermally stabilized polymer with a conductive layer. Through unique processing methods, an ultralight yet rigid diaphragm has been achieved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eResults of this technology include total harmonic distortion (THD) measuring under 0.1% in the whole frequency range and ultra-high-resolution audio with an upper-frequency limit of 110,000 Hz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAn Ergonomic Approach\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eTo create an audiophile headphone that is powerful yet light, Meze Audio needed the driver to maximize power output while reducing weight as much as possible. Weight was minimized by optimizing a magnet structure around an ovoid shape that fits the ear more closely. Power output was increased through the use of a completely bespoke coil and magnet array design that optimized the active usable area of the driver within its ovoid shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eComfort is supreme with Empyrean. For audiophiles who want to hear what thirty years of design evolution sounds like, Empyrean pairs the advances in audio reproduction with a headphone chassis that delivers extended hours of listening pleasure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe high-precision CNC sculpted chassis, milled from a single piece of solid aluminum, weighs only 15 ounces. A carbon fiber headband and leather headrest form an extremely comfortable support for listening pleasure. Suspension wings increase the leather headrest’s contact surface area with your head, eliminating uncomfortable pressure points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A True High-End Headphone\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Meze has produced a true high-end headphone in the Empyrean,\" observes Dan Worth, \u003cem\u003eHiFi Pig\u003c\/em\u003e, March 5, 2021. \"The level of workmanship is exquisite. Comfort levels, weight on the head and level of clamping are spot-on for me. It’s only when you look in the mirror that you realise that you have something so substantial on your head!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Now I’ve heard the Meze Empyrean headphones probably a dozen times at the shows. And every time I try to nitpick them, I end up just enjoying the music. It didn’t matter which amplifier or DAC it was plugged into. Music just sounded truthful,\" notes Jay Luong, \u003cem\u003eAudio Bacon\u003c\/em\u003e, October 24, 2022. \"Meze was very meticulous and thoughtful when it came to this package. They made damn sure the listener knew this was a flagship headphone.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsomagnetic® Ear Cup to Ear Pad Coupling Technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn innovative feature is the Isomagnetic® ear cup attachment, which utilizes the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to hold the ear cup in place while also redirecting the magnetic field back into the driver and improving driver efficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMagnetic field shielding is one benefit. The ferromagnetic ear pads decrease the magnetic stray field affecting the listeners head. Another benefit is an increase in driver efficiency. Patented ferromagnetic plates channel the magnetic field back into the driver, increasing output. The Hybrid Array Driver achieves 100db @ 1mw \/ 1kHz high performance without the need for amplification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn invisible locking system is an added benefit. The Empyrean features an innovative use of the magnetic field of the drivers to fix the headphone ear cups in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHand Assembled and Fully Serviceable\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio carefully hand assembles each headphone in its facilities in Baia Mare, Romania. One of Meze Audio's core beliefs is to create products that last. From the Empyrean's replaceable earpads to the high-performance materials used, every part on the headphone chassis is available to be serviced if any parts ever need to be replaced. Meze Audio also provides a two-year warranty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCable Options and Other Accessories\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThree cable options include your choice of an 8-ft. (2.5m) cable with 4-pin mini XLR plugs and 6.3mm plug; or a 4-ft. (1.2m) cable with 4pin mini XLR plugs and 3.5mm plug; or an 8-ft. (2.5m) cable with 4-pin mini XLR plugs and a 4-pin XLR connector. All three cables use premium signal conductors made from OFC copper and a Kevlar jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAccessories included with the headphone consist of a high-strength aluminum suitcase carrying case with foam inserts and two sets of earpads: one real leather, one Alcantara.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"3.5mm \/ New","offer_id":45980578971821,"sku":"NEW-MZEMPY-JBLK-35","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"XLR \/ New","offer_id":45982196629677,"sku":"NEW-MZEMPY-JBLK-XLR","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZEMPY_JBLK_01_2023__92314.1722027682.1280.1280_ad2bed7f-4448-423b-b8e2-16856c1ce461.jpg?v=1778151502"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-empyrean-ii-headphones-and","title":"Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones","description":"\u003ch3\u003eEditors' Choice Award - \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEditor's Choice - \u003cem\u003ethe-ear.net\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\"Recommended Buy\" Award - \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHighly Recommended - \u003cem\u003eearfidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eYour Gateway to Sonic Paradise\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eFollowing the huge success of the original model Empyrean headphone, Meze Audio's Empyrean II emerges as a symphony of artistry, sound innovation and craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe design goal was to enhance the headphones’ ability to reproduce fine details and achieve a more neutral sound signature, all the while preserving the original 'easy to listen to' character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Path to a Newly Refined Sonic Signature\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"When we first talked about creating the second generation of Empyrean, I knew it would be far from easy,\" observes Alex Grigoras, Acoustic Engineer for Meze Audio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"With many ideas in mind, I reached out to our community, eager to gather their feedback in any way I could. I wanted to dive into their hearts and minds, to understand their expectations, and so their input is what shaped the path toward Empyrean II. What followed was a test of patience and precision. At first, the possibilities seemed endless, but reality showed us that only a few of our plans were feasible. We made a lot of revisions to discover the right proportions and materials that would deliver the sound signature we aimed for.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAward-Winning Performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean grabbed an Editors' Choice Award from \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute Sound\u003c\/em\u003e magazine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Empyrean was conceived as Meze’s cost-no-object headphone. At the heart of the Empyrean is a patent-pending, hybrid planar-magnetic driver that combines—on one diaphragm—two independently shaped voice-coil sections: a circular section optimized for upper-midrange and high frequencies; and a larger serpentine section optimized for mid\/bass performance. The result is a headphone that offers a fundamentally natural and organic sound but is also extraordinarily revealing and detailed.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Empyrean II also landed an Editor's Choice award from \u003cem\u003ethe-ear.net\u003c\/em\u003e. According to reviewer Trevor Butler, \"In the Empyrean II, Meze have clearly produced a design capable of extreme clarity, amazing neutrality and fine spaciousness. This is a well-designed and superbly engineered headphone that should be high on the audition list for anyone looking in this price bracket; it’s a top-level headphone in so many ways.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A Remarkable Advancement in Headphone Technology\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Meze Audio Empyrean II represents a remarkable advancement in headphone technology that transcends mere comparison with its predecessor,\" observes Ichos, \u003cem\u003ehead-fi.org\u003c\/em\u003e, February 14, 2025. \"This model not only offers a more neutral tuning and enhanced technical performance than the original but also stands out as one of the most balanced and transparent headphones available today.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"As a flagship offering, the Meze Audio Empyrean II merges outstanding sonic attributes with superior craftsmanship, all at a price point that can be regarded as a bargain in the context of the current high-end audio market.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSonic Mastery Reimagined\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEmpyrean II emerges as the fruitful collaboration of two passionate companies that set out to explore uncharted territories. Meze Audio's engineering team masterfully harnessed the power of Rinaro’s Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver to reach a new world of sound. These efforts revealed new possibilities in terms of resolution and detail retrieval, achieving a cleaner and more accurate representation of sound, when compared to the original Empyrean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eRinaro Isodynamics was founded in Ukraine during the Cold War to research acoustic technology and has been innovating in planar magnetics for over 30 years. They expanded with new R\u0026amp;D and manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and Poland, which were instrumental in developing the patented Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology used in Empyrean, Elite, and Liric headphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Recommended Buy\" Award Winner\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"With the Empyrean 2, Meze Audio is walking into a new direction. In this new tuning, neutrality, clarity, speed and spaciousness are keywords,\" observes Lieven in his August 11, 2023 review for \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e, which honored the Empyrean 2 with a \"Recommended Buy\" award.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"In terms of build quality, comfort and design, Meze still fully delivers and you get what you expect at this price point, a top-level headphone in all possible ways.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Highly Recommended… Best Meze Headphone to Date\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMateusz Chmura calls the Empyrean II \"the best Meze headphone to date\" in his \u003cem\u003eear-fidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e review for April 29, 2024, which awarded the Empyrean II a Highly Recommended listing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Meze Empyrean II’s sound signature is perfect for everyday listening when you choose to relax with your favorite music, with a fun, engaging, but not at all insistent DNA. The perfect single word to describe this pair of headphones is 'Balance' in my book. Fun, yet relaxing, natural, yet technical. It’s a well-priced product, deserving of all the praise it’s currently receiving…. Highly recommended.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A New Cleaner, More Incisive Sound\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Meze Audio Empyrean II takes a huge chunk of what made the original Empyrean headphones so good such as looks and comfort and integrates a new sound signature that should appeal to a much wider audience than before,\" reports Marcus, \u003cem\u003eheadfonics.com\u003c\/em\u003e, December 6, 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"We have a new cleaner, more incisive sound signature closer to a neutral tone with enhanced contrast. It also sounds more open, especially through the mids and highs which in turn delivers an improved perception of clarity and instrument separation.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Tuneful with Bass and a Sense of Authority\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"As we listen to Bob Marley’s Catch A Fire set, the lows come through with punch and power. These headphones sound tuneful with bass and deliver a sense of authority and solidity in this region that many alternatives struggle to match,\" reports \u003cem\u003eWhat Hi-Fi?\u003c\/em\u003e magazine, April 22, 2024. \"If you are after headphones at this high-end level then these Meze models deserve serious consideration.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsodynamic® Hybrid Array Driver\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOver thirty years of research and development has led to the creation of the first Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver, creating a new standard in planar magnetic audio. The technology has resulted in one of the lightest and most advanced planar magnetic drivers on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOne of the problems with conventional planar magnetic arrays arises from reflected signals entering the ear canal with different time delays, thereby worsening the focus of 3D sound imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean's driver combines individual switchback and spiral-shaped voice coils whose unique shapes allows sound to be targeted with more accuracy around the natural form of the ear. This unique combination generates an increased exposure of direct sound wave frequencies over the 10kHz range and improves imaging and localization by decreasing the impact of time delays caused by diffused field reflections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHybrid Array Driver Advantages\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eCombining two independently shaped voice coils within the same diaphragm delivering more selective acoustic performance to the various areas within the structure of the ear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing lower frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the driver. The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing middle-high frequencies and is positioned directly over the ear canal enabling more direct sound waves to enter the ear without any time delays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eResults of this technology include total harmonic distortion (THD) measuring under 0.05% in the whole frequency range and ultra-high-resolution audio with an upper-frequency limit of 110,000 Hz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIsomagnetic® Ear Cup to Ear Pad Coupling Technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eElevate your listening experience to new heights – Empyrean II comes with two sets of ear pads included, allowing the ultimate sound customization. Switch between Duo and Angled ear pads for an auditory journey that is entirely your own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn innovative feature is Rinaro's Isomagnetic® ear cup attachment, which makes witching ear pads a breeze. It utilizes the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to hold the ear cup in place while also redirecting the magnetic field back into the driver and enhancing driver efficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDuo Ear Pads\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe included Duo ear pads are specifically tailored to match Empyrean II. Crafted from a precise blend of premium leather and Alcantara®, they introduce a contemporary dimension to the signature sound profile of Empyrean II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMeze Audio researched and tested various material ratios to achieve the best there is to offer. The outcome is a flawless fusion: well-sustained bass frequencies owed to the leather, with beautiful refinement and spatiality from Alcantara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAngled Alcantara Ear Pads\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMade of soft foam coated with Alcantara, with a fine protective mesh on the grill, the included Angled ear pads excel at rendering intricate details and nuances in your recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe angled shape creates more space inside the ear pad, which translates to an airier sound signature, with cleaner bass and improved presence in the mid-range frequency, when paired with Empyrean II. The result is a detailed and accurate listening experience, for the classic audiophile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eExceptional Comfort\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eWith Empyrean II, your music takes center stage. Following the highest standard for comfort, with a purpose-built structure that minimizes weight and pressure, this headphone instantly adapts to the shape of your head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThis synergy of ergonomics and premium materials guarantees more than just exceptional sound – it allows you to enjoy uninterrupted hours of music with increased comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eChoose Silver-Plated PCUHD or Copper PCUHD Cables\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Empyrean II is available with your choice of either Silver-Plated PCUHD or Copper PCUHD headphone cables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eMade to bring out the finest qualities of your headphones, the Silver-Plated PCUHD headphone cables combine the best of two different worlds – the conductive properties of silver with copper’s high durability. Manufactured using state-of-the-art Furukawa Copper wire, coated with pure silver, the cables are an easy upgrade to your listening experience, offering more depth, improving separation and enhancing details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eHand-braided from scratch by the Meze team in Romania, the Copper PCUHD headphone cables are meant to emphasize the sonic performance of your headphone, creating a full-bodied, musical experience. Bass is tighter, imaging and separation are improved and vocals stand out. A state-of-the-art conductor for audiophile cable manufacturing, PCUHD copper offers increased flexibility and is highly resistant to damage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"Silver \/ New","offer_id":45981997236397,"sku":"NEW-MZEMII-SIL","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Copper \/ New","offer_id":45983156535469,"sku":"NEW-MZEMII-COP","price":2900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZEMII-SIL_01_angle_2024__18902.1732639494.1280.1280_987c88a7-f0fa-4ee4-a90d-1f8eecd5afc1.jpg?v=1778159254"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-arta-headphones","title":"Meze Audio ARTA Headphones","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:0 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eA New Flagship Planar Headphone Built to Sound Like a Speaker System\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe ARTA is Meze Audio's new reference open-back planar magnetic headphone, developed over several years with driver specialist Rinaro Isodynamics. It sits above the ELITE and Empyrean II at the top of Meze's lineup, built for listeners who want the scale and dimensionality of a high-end speaker system from a pair of headphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAt the center of ARTA is the MZ5 HΩ driver, a newly developed High Impedance Isodynamic Hybrid Array. Meze and Rinaro describe it as the highest-impedance planar magnetic driver made to date, at an average of 225 ohms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eA High-Impedance Driver Built for Linearity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eMost planar magnetic drivers operate in a low-voltage, high-current mode. The MZ5 HΩ instead runs on high voltage and low current, which Meze says improves electrical linearity across the audible range while reducing heat and stress on the diaphragm. The result, per the manufacturer, is very low distortion (THD under 0.05%) and consistent performance even at higher listening volumes, rated for a frequency range of 3Hz to 115kHz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eOpen-Back Design Tuned for Space\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eARTA's earcup grilles use angled acoustic blades designed to diffuse rear-wave reflections, aiming for cleaner transients and a more open, natural soundstage. Meze describes the overall tuning as warm-neutral, with a presentation intended to place instruments and vocals in distinct positions rather than compressing them together, similar in spirit to a well-set-up speaker system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eTwo Earpad Sets for Two Presentations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eARTA ships with two magnetically attached earpad sets: Duo Angled pads, combining perforated lambskin leather and Alcantara for a richer, more impactful presentation, and Slim Alcantara pads, using inner-chamber perforations for a smoother, more neutral upper-frequency balance. Swapping between them takes seconds and lets you tailor the sound without changing headphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eBuilt to Be Serviced, Not Replaced\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eARTA is hand-assembled in Baia Mare, Romania, from precision metals, carbon fiber, and leather, with a fully modular construction Meze states can be disassembled, serviced, or have parts replaced over time rather than discarded. It ships with a 2-year warranty, extendable to 4 years total when registered through My Meze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eIs the Meze Audio ARTA Right for You?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want a true reference headphone, not a portable one.\u003c\/strong\u003e ARTA is an open-back, desktop-focused design built for dedicated critical listening.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou already own, or plan to buy, a capable desktop headphone amplifier.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 225 ohms and 98dB sensitivity, Meze recommends at least 200mW and ideally 500mW+ to drive it properly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want tuning flexibility without buying aftermarket pads.\u003c\/strong\u003e Two earpad sets are included, giving you a richer or more neutral presentation on demand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou value long-term serviceability over disposable gear.\u003c\/strong\u003e ARTA's modular design and extendable 4-year warranty are built around keeping the headphone, not replacing it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne honest limitation:\u003c\/strong\u003e ARTA is brand new as of mid-2026, so independent, hands-on reviews are still limited; the sonic claims here reflect Meze's own description and early impressions from its High End Vienna debut rather than a wide body of independent testing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eSetup, Compatibility \u0026amp; What's Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eARTA connects via dual 4-pin mini-XLR connectors at the earcups. Two 2-meter silver-plated LC-OFC cables are included: one terminated in a 6.3mm single-ended plug, and one in a balanced 4-pin XLR connector, so it works with both single-ended and balanced headphone amplifiers. Included in the box: the ARTA headphones, both cables, the Duo Angled and Slim Alcantara earpad sets, and a high-strength ABS carrying case with foam inserts and a leather handle. A desktop DAC\/headphone amplifier is required and sold separately; Meze recommends a high-voltage-capable amp to get the most from the 225-ohm driver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.45em 0;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMZ5 HΩ High-Impedance Driver\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA newly developed 225-ohm planar driver designed for exceptional linearity, low distortion, and thermal stability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.45em 0;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAngled Acoustic Blade Grille\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiffuses rear-wave reflections in the open-back design for cleaner transients and a more spacious soundstage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.45em 0;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwo Included Earpad Sets\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSwap between Duo Angled (richer) and Slim Alcantara (more neutral) pads to tune the sound to your taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.45em 0;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBalanced and Single-Ended Cables Included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTwo 2m silver-plated LC-OFC cables cover both 6.3mm single-ended and 4-pin XLR balanced connections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.45em 0;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFully Modular, Serviceable Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery component can be disassembled, serviced, or replaced, backed by an extendable 4-year warranty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.45em 0;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Assembled in Romania\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBuilt from precision metals, carbon fiber, and leather at Meze's Baia Mare workshop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: open-back, over-ear planar magnetic headphone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDriver: Rinaro MZ5 HΩ High Impedance Isodynamic Hybrid Array\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImpedance: 225 Ω average\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSensitivity: 98dB SPL\/mW (at 1kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaximum SPL: greater than 130dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency range: 3Hz – 115kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTHD: less than 0.05%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended amplification: minimum 200mW @ 225Ω, 500mW+ recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInput connector: dual 4-pin mini-XLR\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCables included: 2m (6.6ft) silver-plated LC-OFC, 6.3mm single-ended and 4-pin XLR balanced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarpads included: Duo Angled (lambskin\/Alcantara), Slim Alcantara\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 495g (without cables)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConstruction: precision metals, carbon fiber, leather; fully modular and serviceable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncluded: headphones, 2 cables, 2 earpad sets, high-strength ABS carrying case, manual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty: 2 years standard, extendable to 4 years when registered via My Meze\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: hand-assembled in Baia Mare, Romania\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrice: $6,000\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eDo I need a special amplifier for the ARTA?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes, a capable one. At 225 ohms impedance, ARTA is designed for desktop DAC\/amp setups and performs best with a high-voltage-capable headphone amplifier delivering at least 200mW, ideally 500mW or more, at 225 ohms. It is not intended to be driven well from a phone or basic dongle DAC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eWhat's the difference between the two included earpads?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe Duo Angled pads combine perforated lambskin leather and Alcantara for a richer, more impactful presentation. The Slim Alcantara pads use inner-chamber perforations for a smoother, more neutral upper-frequency balance. Both attach magnetically, so switching between them is quick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eCan I use both a balanced and single-ended amplifier?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes. ARTA includes one 6.3mm single-ended cable and one balanced 4-pin XLR cable, both terminating at dual 4-pin mini-XLR connectors on the headphone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eIs this an open-back or closed-back headphone?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eOpen-back. This supports the spacious, speaker-like soundstage ARTA is built around, but it also means sound leaks in both directions, so it's best suited to a quiet, dedicated listening space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eAre independent reviews available yet?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eARTA is a newly launched flagship, first shown at High End Vienna 2026, so independent long-term reviews are still limited at this time. Early hands-on impressions from the show have been positive, but we'd recommend checking for updated reviews as more become available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;\"\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e40+ Years of Expertise\u003c\/strong\u003e – Helping music lovers build better systems since 1981.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e – Hear it in your own system with confidence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal Product Experts\u003c\/strong\u003e – Friendly advice before and after your purchase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e – On qualifying orders over $49.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible Financing\u003c\/strong\u003e – Convenient payment options available.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":47175444660397,"sku":"NEW-MZARTA","price":6000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZARTA_2.jpg?v=1786732247"},{"product_id":"meze-audio-poet-headphones","title":"Meze Audio POET Headphones","description":"\u003ch3\u003eWinner, Best Headphones, 2026 - \u003cem\u003ehi-fi+\u003c\/em\u003e Magazine\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBest Premium Headphones Award 2025-2026 – EISA\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBest Headphones for Audiophiles 2025 - \u003cem\u003eRobb Report\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlatinum Award – \u003cem\u003et3.com\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLightweight Planar Magnetic Design with Award-Winning Hybrid Driver Array\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe new POET headphone from Meze Audio caresses your audio palate with lush, airy vocals and precise bass impact for a balanced low-end. Its natural tonality is delicately enhanced by subtle hints of sparkle, adding a lively character. Excellent detail retrieval and separation bring your music to life, making POET a harmonious blend of technical finesse and emotive expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAt its core, life is a journey of constant transformation. We navigate its peaks and valleys, either looking for purpose or being driven by it. Some events may seem perplexing, noisy. But others possess an unexplainable, ethereal quality that makes you feel complete. Time spent listening to music can be one of these events, so make the most out of each moment with the POET headphone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"From the very beginning of our POET journey, we knew we wanted to create something unique – a more compact planar-magnetic open-back headphone that is every bit as capable as our flagship models,\" observes Alex Grigoras, Meze Audio Acoustic Engineer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Well then, what better place to look than at the very apex? In collaboration with our friends at RINARO ISODYNAMICS, we synthesized the essence of ELITE’s driver technology and gave it new life. I believe POET turned out to be more than just a headphone; it’s a nod to a huge stepping stone in our development as a team and a testament to how far we’ve come.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBest Premium Headphones Award\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe POET won an award for Best Premium Heaphones 2025-2026 from EISA, the Expert Imaging and Sound Association.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"A premium high-fidelity headphone with objet d’art looks, the finely crafted Meze Audio POET brandishes an open-back design to deliver airy detail and an engaging bass performance.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Going hand in hand with the POET’s refined, immersive performance is an all-round design packed with attention to detail, from the magnetically attached earpads and lightweight headband to the robust carry case and braided 6.35mm cable. A marriage of sound quality, style and ergonomics, Meze Audio’s POET will delight headphone enthusiasts.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAward-Winning Performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe POET grabbed the Best Headphones for Audiophiles Award 2025 from the \u003cem\u003eRobb Report\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"At $2,999, the Meze Empyrean II was last year’s choice, and POET brings the same natural, detailed sound a little closer within reach. Voices and instruments are lifelike, bass is subterranean, and highs soar but are never harsh, thanks to planar-magnetic drivers using patented Hybrid-Array technology from Meze engineering-partner, Rinaro Isodynamics. Magnetic ear pads and a lightweight open-back design make these some of the most comfortable headphones around.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAdditionally, the POET won the award for Best Subwoofer 2026 from \u003cem\u003ehi-fi+\u003c\/em\u003e magazine, which reports, \"The POET kicked out a balanced, detailed, and remarkably articulate sound characterised by a smooth frequency response and a tangible sense of cohesion…. 'Even if a recording is filled with individual elements, there is always enough space for each one to stretch its wings.'\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe POET also won a Platinum Award and a top rating of Five Stars from \u003cem\u003et3.com.\u003c\/em\u003e \"These headphones are a direct, confident and impressively musical listen, are beautifully constructed from tactile materials, and comfortable no matter how long you intend to listen for,\" according to Simon Lucas. \"The roll that Meze Audio is currently on shows no signs of slowing.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Gorgeous, Comfortable, Easy to Listen to\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The team from Meze Audio has once again succeeded in making a gorgeous, comfortable and easy to listen to headphone. The POET isn’t the smallest headphone for on the go, but if you want to take an open-back headphone with you, this one will do just fine as it is quite easy to drive,\" reports reviewer Lieven, \u003cem\u003eheadfonia.com\u003c\/em\u003e, February 22, 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"This is a smooth-sounding, relatively balanced sound signature, easy on the ear and relatively easy to drive. It has some nuanced adjustments to the bass response and the highs to give it a more relaxed tuning than the more aggressive Liric II and Empyrean II,\" observes Marcus, \u003cem\u003eheadfonics.com\u003c\/em\u003e, March 26, 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The POET also avoids being labeled a ‘lesser Empyrean’ with a stronger treble fill and a slightly flatter bass response. It provides a little more midrange contrast while retaining a good sub-bass response free of excessive upper-bass bloat.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eState-Of-the-Art Design in a Compact Frame\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003ePOET represents Meze Audio's dedication to crafting and refining headphones to perfection. It features a blend of high-performance materials that elevates both form and function and includes the top-of-the-line diaphragm technology used in Meze Audio's far more expensive ELITE. The result is a compact planar-magnetic open-back headphone that excels on all fronts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eImplementation of the Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System technology licensed from Dan Clark Audio relies on a precision-crafted metal component that strategically covers select openings in the driver frame. This technology effectively attenuate high-frequency peaks for a less fatiguing listening experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAward-Winning Technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eRINARO ISODYNAMICS has been at the forefront of planar magnetic technology for over 30 years, with a state-of-the-art R\u0026amp;D and manufacturing facility in Ukraine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003ePOET features the RINARO MZ6 Isodynamic® Hybrid Array driver – a synthesis of the MZ4 and the MZ3SE drivers featured in the award-winning Meze Audio LIRIC and ELITE headphones. This new design aims to deliver a compact yet high-performance experience akin to the ELITE series. Each MZ6 driver is meticulously hand-assembled and tested at RINARO’s industrial facility in Ukraine, ensuring exceptional quality and precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"A Strikingly Beautiful Type of Sound\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"Overall, the Meze Audio POET offers a strikingly beautiful type of sound that is just so easy to fall in love with. It’s refined and rich, with no compromises on technical aspects. It’s a spiritual heir of the original Empyrean, but better. Again, big words, but I stand by them, notes Pawel Szachno, \u003cem\u003eear-fidelity.com\u003c\/em\u003e, March 31, 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eExclusive MZ6 Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eCreated exclusively for Meze Audio, the MZ6 driver is a celebration of more than eight years of extensive R\u0026amp;D. It is one of the most advanced and lightweight full-size planar magnetic drivers available to date, boasting Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) that measures under 0.05% in the whole frequency range. The upper frequency limit is an incredible 96 kHz for ultra high-resolution audio reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eSymmetrically placed on either side of the diaphragm, powerful neodymium magnets are arranged into a Hybrid Array to create a 0.3 Tesla Isodynamic magnetic field required for a uniform activation across the whole diaphragm surface. The reinforced polymer housing is designed to withstand the demanding 10.7 N load generated by the Hybrid Magnet Array.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRinaro Parus Diaphragm\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThis new driver features Rinaro Parus®, an innovative low mass acoustic diaphragm built on an ultra-thin biaxially oriented semi-crystalline polymer film. This, combined with the signature Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver technology, allows sound waves to be targeted with more accuracy around the shape of the ear, producing natural sound transparency and a wide, articulate soundstage. This results in improved definition and speed over the entire frequency range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe Parus diaphragm has a remarkably low weight of 0.06 g and an expansive active area of 3507 mm², contributing to the superior detail retrieval and extended frequency response.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\"Beautiful, Well-Constructed, Exceptional Sounding\"\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The POETs are a beautiful, well-constructed, exceptional sounding piece of audio jewelry. They are without a doubt a very worthy contender in the $2K headphone market,\" reports longtime reviewer mikaik, \u003cem\u003ehead-fi.org\u003c\/em\u003e, August 27, 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\"The Meze POET features an intricate, high-quality design that might make you mistake it for a closed-back headphone,\" observes Delaney Czernikowski in his review for \u003cem\u003eaudio46.com\u003c\/em\u003e, May 27, 2025. \"The craftsmanship is exceptional, and the build quality feels premium. Comfort is well-balanced, with an over-ear design that provides a secure fit without excessive clamping force. The adjustability ensures long listening sessions remain fatigue-free.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDual Coil Arrays\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eTwo different voice coil configurations found in the Isodynamic Hybrid Array create the opportunity to improve the sound intensity distribution at high frequencies when directed at the auricle and ear canal. This solves a common problem with conventional planar magnetic arrays whereby reflected signals enter the ear canal with different time delays, thereby worsening the focus of 3D sound imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe use of dual coil arrays – a switchback coil and a spiral coil –not only creates a balanced frequency response around the whole range, but it also allows for better frequency targeting within different areas of the ear, improving acoustical perception on the upper frequency range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing lower frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the driver. The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing middle-high frequencies and is positioned directly over the ear canal, enabling more direct sound waves to enter the ear without any time delays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHigh-Quality Materials, Enveloping Comfort\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eOne of the most sophisticated and advanced planar magnetic technologies in the world has been scaled down for a compact form factor. The super-lightweight 2.5 oz. (73 g) total driver weight creates a headphone that offers comfortable prolonged listening sessions in a compact form factor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe intricate patterns featured in the steel grille were carefully selected to elevate the fine audio tuning that we were aiming for. Combined with the magnesium chassis, POET is visually striking and highly durable. The soft suede leather headrest and flexible titanium alloy headband promote exceptional ergonomics, distributing weight evenly for a snug fit that envelops you in comfort, making every listening session a delight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePremium Cable Included\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eA luxurious pair of high-end open-back headphones is never complete without the right cable. That’s why our premium hand-braided copper cable is included with your POET headphones, featuring a 1\/4\" (6.3 mm) termination to ensure the widest compatibility with desktop setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMagnetic Ear Pads\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eTo make your serviceability and pad-swapping experience as easy and accessible as it can be, Mez has integrated the magnetic ear pad system from its 2nd Generation LIRIC into POET as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDesigned for Life\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eTaking long-term sustainability to a new level, ELITE is also fully serviceable. From the replaceable earpads to the high-performance materials used, every part on the headphone chassis is available to be easily disassembled and serviced.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":47229119070381,"sku":"NEW-MZPOET","price":2000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Demo","offer_id":47229119103149,"sku":"DEMO-MZPOET","price":1499.37,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/MZPOET_01_angle_2025__77432.1741013239.1280.1280.jpg?v=1786892635"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/meze-audio.oembed","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}