Meze Audio Empyrean II Headphones

A Cleaner, More Neutral Take on Meze's Flagship Sound

The Meze Audio Empyrean II refines the acclaimed original Empyrean's Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver toward a more neutral, revealing tuning, while deliberately preserving the easy-to-listen-to character that made the original a success.

Meze and driver partner Rinaro Isodynamics pushed total harmonic distortion down to under 0.05% across the frequency range, a genuine improvement over the original Empyrean's already excellent 0.1% figure across the whole audible range.

This open-back planar magnetic headphone reaches an upper frequency limit of 110,000Hz, with the same hybrid switchback-and-spiral coil array retuned for genuinely cleaner separation and more precise instrument placement throughout a recording.

Where the Retuned Driver Earns Its Keep

Two Ear Pad Sets for Two Sonic Flavors

The included Duo ear pads blend premium leather and Alcantara for well-sustained bass with refined spatiality, while the Angled Alcantara pads open up the sound further for a detailed, airier presentation.

Meze's Isomagnetic ear cup coupling makes switching between the two genuinely effortless, using the driver's own magnetic field to hold each pad securely in place without any tools or extra hardware required at all.

Comfort Built Around a Purpose-Built Structure

A purpose-built structure minimizes weight and pressure so the Empyrean II instantly adapts to the shape of your head, supporting genuinely uninterrupted hours of listening without any real fatigue setting in over time.

This synergy of ergonomics and premium materials carries over the original Empyrean's comfort standard while housing the newly retuned driver underneath it all, largely unchanged from before this particular revision arrived.

What Reviewers Are Saying

What Hi-Fi? found the Empyrean II "tuneful with bass" that "deliver[s] a sense of authority and solidity in this region that many alternatives struggle to match."

Ear-fidelity.com's Mateusz Chmura called it "the best Meze headphone to date," praising a signature that's "fun, yet relaxing, natural, yet technical," and awarded it a Highly Recommended rating.

Who Is the Empyrean II Best For?

• You want a more neutral, revealing tuning than the original Empyrean: Meze specifically retuned this driver toward cleaner, more accurate reproduction
• You want tuning flexibility without buying aftermarket pads: two included ear pad sets swap in seconds thanks to the magnetic coupling
• You value hand-assembled, fully serviceable construction: every part is designed to be repaired rather than discarded over time
• You want a genuinely comfortable flagship for long sessions: reviewers consistently praise the ergonomics alongside the sound
• You want Meze's newest, most neutral tuning — the Empyrean II is the reference version of the design

How Does It Connect to Your System?

This version of the Empyrean II includes a Copper PCUHD cable, hand-braided from scratch by the Meze team in Romania, emphasizing a full-bodied, musical presentation with tighter bass and standout vocals.

Dual 4-pin mini XLR connectors at each earcup accept aftermarket cables too, including balanced options, if your amplifier or listening preferences call for something different later.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around an Empyrean II:

• 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 — the included Copper PCUHD is a genuine performer, with balanced upgrades available too
• 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 II?

Not strictly, but it's genuinely recommended. A dedicated amplifier reveals noticeably more of what this retuned driver is capable of than a portable source alone.

How is this different from the original Empyrean?

The II was retuned toward a more neutral, revealing character with lower distortion, while the original leans warmer and more organic in its overall presentation.

Should I choose the Copper or Silver-Plated cable?

The Copper PCUHD cable emphasizes a full-bodied, musical presentation with tighter bass; the Silver-Plated version leans toward more depth, separation, and fine detail instead.

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.

Can I switch between the two included ear pads easily?

Yes. The Isomagnetic coupling holds each pad in place magnetically, so swapping between Duo and Angled Alcantara pads takes seconds and needs no tools at all.

See It in Action

Meze Audio presents Empyrean II Unboxing #music #audiophile #shorts.

Meze Audio presents The Iconic Duo is Back - Empyrean II & Manta!.

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Learn More

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