Meze Empyrean Sound Review 

How's the bass? Metal571: yes

Thanks for the honest review.

Solid review. Great perspective of where this sits and what it offers.

I work from home and wear headphones fairly consistently for ten hours a day. Whether its work, gaming or music I'll always be using the headphones and have no desire to swap in between. I am not hugely interested in the sound signature of the HD800s but its been my go to because nothing has come close in regards to comfort on top of the very easy listening soundstage. Tried the LCD-X and loved the overall sound but its just never going to be an option because of the lack of comfort in long-term wear. The Empyrean has finally given me an option to look at in the future without feeling and looking like a nerd who is suffering for some kind of greater satisfaction.

This is the first video of yours I have seen. I live and breathe the Audiophile community. Lots of my gear goes to Z to review. Happy to send you gear as well as I like your style. IF you'd like to review my Fostex TH900MKII in the very rare Sapphire Blue variant which has a custom tune by Fostex or my Ether C closed or Mytek gear, etc, let me know here.

I will say with LCD headphones, they are just too heavy to wear long term. That's a major issue. If they're not comfortable, all bets are off.

I am expecting this one today! Thanks for your review

Cool! Was really curious about these! Great review, thank you!

thanks brother, luv ur work

Hope you are doing well, dude. Haven't heard from you in a while and your voice is totally needed. Especially when you refer to yourself in the 3rd person (does that work if you use your youtube moniker?).

these look awesome. I need to try a pair on asap

Sometimes it’s shocking how different people perceive the same thing. For me Empyrean is highly detailed (Utopia, HEKse level, slightly less because of warm tuning), has tremendous spatial presentation (not easy to do for warm tuning) and makes things sound full bodied. Drums hit with authority, guitars sound meaty, in fact everything has this meaty textured feel, at least for me. After about 3 months of going back and forth HEKse, Utopia and Empyrean I still can’t find the detail the Empyrean is missing, sure you have to dig for it because it’s not on the forefront but it lacks none for me at least 🤷‍♂️ and I’m really critical of gear and value

Great review and I have to agree with you on 99% of your comments. I have one and been using it for the past 3 weeks and at first coming from my other two hp's Sony Z1R and Focal Utopia's I really did not like the sound signature and thought it was very boring. But after about 1 week of use something changed and in the treble region where it was very dark now much better. The Empyrean is a HP you can play 99% of all music genre with no problems. But for my go to detail retrieval HP is the Utopia with my Felix Euforia OTL amp then Z1R sounds amazing as well. Just ordered a Silver Cable for it to try to get more detail retrieval from it. I have multiple DACs and even highend vinyl sounded really amazing with the Empyreans. But to this day I have never tried a LCD 3 or 4 as of yet and from your review I think I need too fast...

Wow! What a great review! I would love to try these! They look like they would be very comfy. Wouldn’t more padding on the headband be better? That headband strap looks weak.

Ooh shoot "nighthawk-ness" 🤣

I heard this at RMAF 2018 and it was incredible! I heard it and was like yes, this is perfect. Yeah it wasn't as detailed or had as great of a resolution as other headphones like the LCD4, Utopia, SR009, L700, etc, but it is tuned so well for just enjoying the music. I remember hearing to Utopia and being like yup, sounds more detailed than other headphones and put it down rather quick. But man, the Empyrean just sounded musical and I could just enjoy my music. That $3000 price tag though is a bit too steep, but after listening to a lot of other headphones at that price range, this one actually impressed me.

thanks for your honesty

I came across your channel whilst looking for a pair of headphones (who'd of thought!?) . Seriously though, i have listened to your vids (especially with regards to the type of phone i'm looking for) and i would just like to say, that your reviews are well balanced. learned & very informative-keep up the good work. Before though, you go basking in yet another like :) (i'm kidding), the fact that your reviews are so informative, creates problems for me. Please allow me to explain (and sorry for hi jacking the thread) You give so much info, that i cant decide between, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, Shure SRH840 and the KRK KNS 8400,primarily FOR GUITAR USE WITH MY Katana 50 practice amp & occasionally my JDS labs C5 + Ipod classic(i'm buying from Thomanns with my account there-don't want to spend more that 140 euro, ergo the models i've listed). Build (how long it will last) & the ability to get new parts(they must have removable cables/earpads), is very important to me, nearly as important as the sound(i've done my research on the specs, so no need to address those). I would have liked to go O backed , but i will be practicing late at night, ergo the C backed phones. Can i have your opinion as a fellow guitarist , which pair you would choose given the criteria i have listed. Many thanks in advance.

Hey, @metal571. i have a few questions for u. 1- What do you think Samson s850 ? 2- How should i make an equalizer for flat ? if you tell me their advice, I would be grateful. Thanks.

I’m looking for information on the 4z. You mentioned it at the end. Would you still choose a 4z to the empyrean? And how close is the 4z to the 4 in terms of bass and slam?

Great review, was really looking forward to something to take these off a pedestal for me. A bunch of reviews looked like this was the end-game headphone for me (equal use gaming/music/movies) but now I can comfortably go back into headphone decision limbo. If you don't mind, I'm at a crossroads of choosing between the HD800, LCD-2F, and Massdrop's Elex. What do you feel is best for equal (gaming/music/movie) use? I've tried HD800S, LCD-2F/C, HD660S, and unfortunately haven't been able to have them all to compare at the same time. Wouldn't say I'm a basshead but I find LCD-2F bass really impressive.

Right on time with this review Metal. I have been going back and forth between these and the 4z. Another guy that has owned both says the 4z is better than the Meze for the same reason you said detail. He said he couldn't accept that low of a level of detail in a $3K headphone, so he sold them. He also mentioned some weirdness going on in the upper midrange of the Meze too. I know you are not particularly fond of the 4z but for me realistically I would never buy the 4...It's too hard to drive and too heavy compared to the 4z. Wish I could have heard them both back to back at CanJam.

Seeing reviews on a super expensive pair like these makes me appreciate my Atticus and LCD-2f even more. Anything more expensive than those and I feel serious diminishing returns would take over.

thanks for the review :) , OT: when you listening closed headphones do you wearing glasses? i am asking because I am also wearing glasses, but when I am using my aeon flow I must wear off my glasses because of the change in sound quality.

I have/love my LCD2f, but with everything in life, we want better. Are these a step from the LCD2f if you like that sound? I tried the LCD-X 2012, and yeah, better detail, but they sounded robbed of life vs my 2f. Then I tried the Arya Stealth. Again, great detail and soundstage, but everything was always at a distance. It sounded too roomy.

I think what you’re actually talking about being a problem is not the detail itself, but the frequency response which leaves you with an illusion of less detail on these headphones. These headphones are capable of producing up to 110,000Hz which means the diaphragm is capable of moving in and out 110,000 times a second. There’s no lack of detail there. Headphones that have a lower amount of 400Hz and a higher amount of 16.5k can sound like they have “more detail” because the balance of frequencies is “cleaner” or less “muddy” or “bassy”. These things can be corrected with EQ. But Also, loosing your hearing will make overly bright headphones seem “more detailed” because you’re only hearing the higher frequencies on them.

I'd like to see what you think of the Sonorous X!

1 - 2k sound in 6k body - that nicely sums up meze Empyrean review

I’ve tried these, I can vouch for the extremely comfortable fit of the Empyrean. Does ANYONE actually find the LCD 4 comfortable to wear for longer than an hour?!

the best headphone!

Great review bro. Seriously some of the most beautiful headphones I've ever seen. Zeos's biggest gripe was indeed the memory of the cables.

Does the mid perhaps has something to do, that this coil structure to create mid and high sound is also causing the rest of the wiring to also "him" with low ends always...especially lower mids tingling it consistently...so it mixes in more obvious than in a normal design? Really tempted to buy these.

I tried them at axpona and I actually preferred the alcantara pads. To me, they just sounded more relaxed and nicer to listen to, and I also preferred them for comfort. But I guess that’s why they include both.

Glad you spoke about that haziness to the mids, so far I have only heard that on one other review and thought the guy was hearing things since not many people spoke about that. But, I've also heard that the lcd4 can be fatiguing for long listen sessions compare to the empyrean and that's and the comfort is why the lcd4s are a deal breaker for me

plz be my back up audioboi

Nice bro.

You still recommend K553 for producing? I'm doing electronic stuff. I will have Sr850 for open but you said they are really flat

If they remove the premium packaging, alternative pads, extras and sell it at $1500 it would be great. How are these compared to Arya, LCD X, Clear though ?

Someone pulled the emergency-stop on the hype train 🚂 , great review Metal 👏🏼 They are a gorgeous design all the same, bravo Meze. I think if they got this much right with their first crack at a high-end headphone there are great things to come. Hopefully some trickle down cheaper great things too.

Ever considered reviewing IEHs? There's a lot of them around.

Haha, finally metal571 dicovered the efficiency, portability(size), extension rule... You can maximize one spec by minimizing the 2 others...

coming back to this vid, its confusing how in oluvs review on these, the upper treble sounds bright, amp source difference maybe? but its 32ohms so..

Interesting, so in the $2000-3000 range, you'd recommend the LCD-3 instead of the Empyrean. What about the RAD-0?

I definitely wouldn't want to buy these...but I also know I'd definitely listen to them for hours after hearing your review amongst a few others. Sound like a lot of fun, and they probably should be for $3,000 lol. Good stuff here.

Dude enough! Come back! Please!

These are AMAZING! Goes well with my Utopias. I own both. Very adequate, honest review.

Hey metal, which headphones do you wear in this video?

Hi metal571, I auditioned Empyrean yesterday at the head fi show in my country. First impression is it is defenitely a high end headphone, very well built. In term of sound quality, I dont really justify the price on these to be honest. The bass is awesome but mid and treble dont resolve well for me though. I also try LCD 4 with Mcintosh MHA150 and that combo is awesome. I am currently using the hifiman headphone line up specifically he500 and hifiman edition X v2. I would say it is very hard to convince me to upgrade to these after listening to very good and capable of hifiman edition X v2. I also own LCD 3 but I use it very lightly though.

What amp have you been driving the LCD-4 with? I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on one.

What's your pick for most detailed sounding headphone no matter what the price ?

Interesting review with those I trust, like Darko who has been a pro and uses big time gear and other AAA789 guys like Z, much more excited. I think you're a bit of an LCD guy in your preferences which is fine.

What do you think of the focal elegia?

If anyone buy's these headphones and want a better detail retrieval then make sure you use OCC Silver Litz cables. I was going to send mine back because of the HAZE with them but too my surprise changing to a better Silver Cable brought these HP back to life. Very happy camper now and I wish metal571 you could have a chance to listen with this cable I think you would change your views like I did.

With IFI PRO iDSD DAC and MASTER 19 AMP this is at top 10 headphones in the world in my mind. Not even my STAX L700 cant do what this can do with extremely high DAC and AMP. It is as wide as HD800 on soundstage with the new angled pads. But much more detailed and the instrument separation is out of this world. With the balances silver plated cable. DAMN, my chase of the end game system is done. After spending +30.000€ on headphones , DACs and AMPs My journey has ended. I do not need anything more. Not even mighty Susvara does that much better anything that im willing to bay few thousand more. Im happy to just enjoy the music.

Hey, any recommendations on closed neutral headphones with good ear paddings and big ear cups? I have an Sony mdr-z1000 but its ear pads and cups are too small and uncomfortable that I can’t use it full time on work. I was thinking of beyerdynamic’s dt770 but it might not be as neutral as I want it to be. (Or is it?)

Your hyperfocus on detail is understandable but not all that goes into a pleasurable listening experience.

If you could get Lcd 4 for only 2500$ and you would have to choose between those and Meze Empyrean for 3000$ , which one you would get ?

bravo.... you're first video review to say it's not THE best cans in the universe.... now all you need is a Utopia to finish the top end up

Which is more detailed, this or HD800?

How’s detail? It is similar to LCD X?

I appreciate your review and I know how much work it is. But I don’t agree with your conclusion - that’s at least what I took away- that in terms of sound they are not worth their price tag. How to determine this? Probably by listening to a headphone in that price category in an a/b test... but of course it is fair to put them against the Vérité. Anyway, what I really want to say is that I am right now listening to the empy. After a rocky start, I know believe them to be a masterwork which ticks off many boxes - easy to drive and usable with a dap; inoffensive but yet sophisticated sound; reasonable soundstage hitting it right between overly wide and too intimate; and a fantastic bass. Plus the best comfort and build quality.

Nice review man, respect the reviews you are like the black sheep of audio reviews haha when everyone says something is perfect you come out saying that is really not👍

Hi Metal571, just FYI I have a pair of DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm if you want to review them. Sent you an email, cheers!

can you please do a review on beyerdynamics MMX 300 Gen 2 headphones as it is considered by a lot of ppl as the best "gaming" headset someone can currently buy? Would like your opinion on that specific set. Love your work and videos,thank you.

Idk, I think comfort is kind of underrated. It's probably just as important as SQ to me. I mean compare these to susvara in terms of build and comfort and the 6k susvara is a bit of a joke.

Will you do a review on topping d50 and thx 789?

3000usd? But is it better than Koss Porta Pro

I think I would take the AUDEZE LCD4Z over the original LCD 4 and the meze empyrean if I could take one of them home with me

I absolutely agree with your review on how these sound. I had a chance to demo them and they do lack the strong slam bass, and they do have the $1500 sound and build quality is great. To me they sounded muddy. For my self they are not worth the price.

Hi man, could you please review the Hifiman he6se? Thx.

My dream headphone...if I buy these my wife will divorce me.

So how would you compare these to the abyss diana phi?

Man for that kinda money id have to try audioflys 12 driver earbuds just for the fuck of it

A better vs would be against LCD MX4. You need way more money to drive LCD 4 than for meze.

What microphone are you using?

Are these worth it over the HD800S?

This sounded like a 1.5k to 2k sounded headphone with a 6k build quality, thus Meze price it in between

lcd-4 is much more expensive...almost up to +2k in Europe. 2999 vs 4999, i bet it should have something :)

Every reviews I watched on this channel (3 or 4) ended up being quite negative towards the headphones.

Are these end games?

👀

I do enjoy your reviews, but I do believe you tend to like a harsh sound. You said the Maze lines up with what you like, then say, you would rather listen to the LCD 3's, which baffles me. The LCD 3's, to me, are painfully bright. My taste leans toward a darker sound. I listen for pure enjoyment, not to analyze. Thank God there something for everyone, right.

Meze should take notes….

It's not even as good as the L700? I had an inkling.

Do know though that most of your viewers, do not fiddle around with EQ’s. I feel like you, as a reviewer with regard to sound, revolve around EQ. The LCD-4 without EQ is just not good, imho, the highs are poor. Tyll himself does not fuss around much with EQ. So kind of find it a little disconnecting to relate with when you talk about this. Just sayin’

Well at least this thing shits all over the Susvara that costs twice as much in terms of build. I still won't touch this beauty because I've a feeling this won't obliterate my LCD-X completely..

The two different planar and voice coils reminds me a lot of those gimmicky video game headsets with multiple speakers in them. I think the technical issues of the Meze Empyrean is very similar to those said headsets. Stick to one one diaphragm, why make things complicated for the sake of being different?

I was thinking to buy the Empyrean but after demo, it changes my mind , I thought it was lacking depth and very detailed bass. for 4k$ no sorry

No way in hell would I buy any LCD, might as well to try an balance a tank on your head. And every review of the MEZE are, "the most comfortable hp ever" And there are more possitive SQ reviews of the Empyrean than ones like your's.

From my point of view, it's useless for someone to do a sound review of expensive headphones and without having a sound test, where one as a viewer of the video, it's not part of that test. I'm not satisfied with so much blah blah blah, I can find that on a website specializing in headphone reviews. As a RU-vid user, I want to go far beyond a simple video that only talks everything about 16, 20 or 30 minutes wasted in vain. I have good in-ear headphones to be able to enjoy the reproduced sound of the headphone that is presented in a video, period. IMHO! 🤫🤷🏻‍♂️📱🎧🎵🎶🎵

Second

Senheisers are very bad non professional reference to any audio or music related materials. do not use them to reference anything. they are garbage most days of the week.

Durch deine reviews finde ich das du gar keine Freude mehr so wirklich empfindest. Alles wird zeredet. Hier paar DB mehr, dort ein bisschen mehr, hier ein bisschen weniger. Völlig übertrieben, und am thema vorbei meiner meinung nach

This guy cracks himself up. He'd be more credible if he'd lose that nervous chuckle. Very annoying.