Meze Audio Empyrean 1 Open-Back Isodynamic Headphones - Jet Black - XLR

One of the Greats of Headphone Design and Manufacture

The Meze Audio Empyrean is an open-back planar magnetic headphone born from a partnership with Rinaro Isodynamics, a driver specialist researching planar technology since the 1980s, built to Meze's cost-no-object flagship ambitions.

At the heart of the Empyrean is a patent-pending Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver combining two independently shaped voice-coil sections on a single diaphragm, one tuned for upper-midrange and highs, the other for mid-bass.

That driver reaches a genuinely startling 8Hz to 110,000Hz frequency response with total harmonic distortion under 0.1% across the whole range, hitting 100dB sensitivity without needing heavy amplification at all.

Where the Hybrid Array Driver Earns Its Keep

Two Coils, Each Targeting a Different Part of the Ear

The switchback coil handles lower frequencies from the upper part of the driver, while the spiral coil sits directly over the ear canal reproducing mid-highs with more direct, less time-delayed sound waves entering the ear canal.

This targeted approach reduces the diffused-field reflections that normally worsen 3D imaging in conventional planar drivers, letting the Empyrean localize instruments with genuinely unusual precision throughout even a densely layered recording.

A Magnetic Coupling That Locks Ear Cups in Place

Meze's Isomagnetic ear cup coupling repurposes the driver's own demagnetizing field to hold the ear cups in place, redirecting that field back into the driver to genuinely improve efficiency at the same time.

A CNC-sculpted chassis milled from a single piece of solid aluminum weighs just 15 ounces, paired with a carbon fiber headband and leather headrest with suspension wings that spread contact pressure evenly.

What Reviewers Are Saying

The Absolute Sound's Chris Martens named the Empyrean Headphone of the Year, praising its "gripping, you-are-there realism that's hard to find in any transducer, regardless of type."

InnerFidelity's Rafe Arnott called it "built to last as one of the greats of headphone design and manufacture," while Hi-Fi Choice's Brent Butterworth found it delivers "loads of detail and a wonderful sense of space."

Who Is the Empyrean Best For?

• You want a genuine flagship planar sound with a proven track record: reviewers have consistently praised this driver since its 2018 debut
• You value hand-assembled, fully serviceable construction: every part, including the earpads, can be replaced rather than discarded
• You want cable flexibility built in: three termination options cover single-ended and balanced amplifiers alike
• You appreciate premium materials that justify a flagship price: solid aluminum, carbon fiber, and genuine leather throughout
• You want Meze's warmer, more organic character — the first-generation Empyrean leans that way

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Dual 4-pin mini XLR connectors at each earcup accept your choice of three cables: a 6.3mm plug, a 3.5mm plug, or a balanced 4-pin XLR connector, all built from OFC copper with a Kevlar jacket.

At 100dB sensitivity, the Empyrean plays plenty loud from modest sources, though a proper headphone amplifier still reveals more of what this driver is genuinely capable of doing.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around an Empyrean:

• Headphone amplifiers — reveals noticeably more detail and control than a portable source alone
• Digital-to-analog converters — a clean digital source feeding your amp matters as much as the amp itself
• Headphone cables — three terminations already ship in the box, covering most desktop setups
• Headphone stands — a proper resting spot for a headphone this substantial between sessions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a headphone amplifier for the Empyrean?

Not strictly. At 100dB sensitivity, it produces plenty of volume from modest sources, though reviewers consistently note it rewards a proper desktop amplifier with more refinement.

How is this different from the Empyrean II?

The II was retuned for a more neutral, revealing character while keeping the original's easy-to-listen-to nature. This original Empyrean leans warmer and more organic overall.

What does open-back mean for everyday use?

Sound leaks freely in both directions — people nearby hear your music, and outside noise comes in. Reserve these for quiet home listening, not a commute.

Are the earpads replaceable?

Yes. The Empyrean ships with two sets, one leather and one Alcantara, and every part is designed to be serviced rather than replaced wholesale over time.

What comes in the box?

The Empyrean headphone, your chosen cable, a high-strength aluminum carrying case with foam inserts, and both earpad sets — leather and Alcantara.

See It in Action

Darko Audio presents The Meze Empyrean are PURE CLASS.

Audio Bacon presents Meze Empyrean review.

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Learn More

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