Meze Audio Empyrean II

Redefining Audio Mastery, Meze Audio Presents Empyrean II, a Luxuriously Refined and Innovative Planar Magnetic Open-Back Headphone

More clarity, more depth, more fun, all inside a lightweight, comfortable, art-inspired frame

Open-back, Circumaural headphone with Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver®

Extremely comfortable flagship headphone with anthropometric earcup shape and patent-pending pressure distribution wings

Visually stunning featuring sleek matte black Aluminum CNC frame and redesigned art deco inspired grill

Fully serviceable headphone chassis can be disassembled and serviced with ease

Includes genuine Meze Premium Copper cable with 6.3mm termination

Bloom's Take

When Meze released the original Empyrean in 2018, it was a revelation in high-end headphones, specifically due to the Rinaro hybrid isodynamic driver that combined the technicality of planars with the natural feeling of dynamics. Empyrean II retains the warmth and color of the original but aims for a higher degree of accuracy in the tuning, delivering a natural timbre, with a lush, organic sound.

Visually, the basic look, materials and design remain the same albeit with a more conventional black and silver color scheme and an updated grill design. And certainly, that “melt onto your head” comfort is just as good as it’s always been. However, the earpads are new with their ‘Duo’ hybrid providing the best sound overall with its half-leather, half-Alcantara design.

“Is the Empyrean II better?” We feel the answer is found somewhere in the nexus of price, performance, and tuning preference. But it’s safe to say that Empyrean II is an improvement by most measurable standards, and boasts a more accurate, versatile sound while maintaining the core Empyrean identity.

Read Our Full Empyrean II Review

Artistry Meets Craftsmanship

A natural step forward from Meze's first ever planar magnetic headphone, Empyrean II retains all the beloved elements of its iconic predecessor, with an added touch of sculptural elegance. Crafted with precision via CNC milling, the frame features a sleek matte black finish with silver accents, and a redesigned grill that draws inspiration from bold and timeless art deco patterns.

“When we first talked about creating the second generation of Empyrean, I knew it would be far from easy. With many ideas in mind, I reached out to our community, eager to gather their feedback... A lot of determination and many iterations later, we finally nailed it – Empyrean II.”

Meze Audio Designers and Engineers

Meze X Rinaro

Empyrean II emerges as the fruitful collaboration of two passionate companies that set out to explore uncharted territories. Meze Audio's engineering team has masterfully harnessed the power of Rinaro’s Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver to reach a new world of sound.