High Performance Headphones Handmade in Europe
Meze Audio and Rinaro Isodynamics continue their collaboration with the ELITE Isodynamic Hybrid Array headphone. Combining the outstanding mechanical design and ergonomics from Meze Audio with the signature technology and acoustic engineering of Rinaro, ELITE sets a new standard in top-of-the-line headphone performance.
Antonio Meze, Lead Designer and Founder of Meze Audio, says of the ELITE, "Ten years ago, we made a commitment to break the barriers of the audio industry. Our products were made to amaze, inspire and transform each listening into a multi-sensory experience you can get lost in."
Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver
The ELITE's MZ3SE driver builds on the pioneering technology of the flagship MZ3 driver found in the Empyrean headphone. The innovative Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology delivers a more selective acoustic performance to the various areas within the structure of the ear. Advances in diaphragm materials have opened the doors to even higher resolution and accuracy of the sound reproduction.
The new driver behind ELITE 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.
The polymer is produced with bespoke sequential biaxial lengthening technology, a process that involves stretching the polymer in transverse directions at elevated temperatures to improve structural performance. This result is a complex semi-crystalline micro structure developing in the material, which exhibits remarkable strength, stiffness, and stability, combined with an extremely low acoustic mass.
Dual Coil Arrays
The use of different voice coil configurations found in the Isodynamic Hybrid Array creates 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Revolutionary Earpad Technology
An innovative design feature developed by Rinaro is the Isomagnetic® earpad attachment, which utilizes the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to hold the earpad in place while also redirecting the magnetic field back into the driver and improving driver efficiency.
Ferromagnetic earpads decrease the magnetic stray field affecting the listeners head by 95%. Patented ferromagnetic plates channel the magnetic field back into the driver increasing output by 1db or 12%.
Two Different Earpads Included for Calibrating Your Sound
The Meze Elite headphone comes with two uniquely shaped earpads developed by Rinaro to allow for personal calibration of the sound signature. The first is the well-known 30mm deep Alcantara® ear pad originally developed for the Empyrean headphone in 2018.
The second earpad is a hybrid design with a Perforated Alcantara interior and a real leather exterior. With a soft, yet durable outer finish, the hybrid ear cushions are a new addition to the Meze earpad family that perfectly balances the qualities of Alcantara and leather into a single design. Besides the high wearing comfort, this unique combo lowers the bass pressure and delivers an airy sound signature, in which sound waves appear to transcend the space around you to create an immersive experience.
Comfort and Durability
Materials were chosen not just for the exciting sensory experience their raw texture provides, but also for comfort and durability.
ELITE is hand assembled with care and painstaking attention to detail in Baia Mare, Romania. The process of making a single aluminum frame takes about 20 hours. To that, Meze adds days of inspecting each part of the headphone, assembling the parts and making sure the final product rises up to its high standards.
A carbon fiber headband with a real leather headrest are added to the frame, for an ultra-light feel and maximum durability. The patent-pending suspension wings support system is elongated and curved at both ends, descending further on the side of the head and distributing the weight of the headphone evenly, for an utmost comfortable listening experience.
Designed for Life
Taking 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.
Rinaro Isodynamics
Rinaro originated in today's Ukraine during the Cold War as part of a state-funded acoustic technology research program. With government backing and access to advanced testing facilities, the team was able to focus its efforts on planar magnetics. They have continued to innovate in this field for the last 30 years since the collapse of the USSR.
In the last decade, Rinaro have expanded their capabilities and capacity with the development of state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and Poland. The new facilities have been a driving force in the creation of the revolutionary Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology found in Meze Empyrean and ELITE headphones.
With ELITE, Meze Audio has created "something that transcends all barriers of headphone design and engineering and moves to a new, artistic, graceful level. Following in the footsteps of a successful partnership, together with Rinaro Isodynamics we managed to exceed our expectations once again and create something for the ages," says Antonio Meze. "It's not mass production. It's the craftsmanship that sparks the magic and wonder in ELITE, and these are values that we choose over any shortcuts."
